For our Sichuan Mammal reports go to this page
Sichuan’s biodiversity is also reflected in its rich mammal list, with the province holding around 40% of China’s species. The province boasts some of the world’s most iconic animals – Giant Panda, Red Panda and Snow Leopard are all on the local menu. Over recent years increasing numbers of visitors have taken trips that focus on mammal watching/photography and our travel destinations have increased to also include the Tibetan grassland province of Qinghai, where stunning mountain scenery holds Snow Leopards, some of the last remaining wild Yak and Tibetan Antelope.
We have also journeyed into Yunnan for the rare Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey and some of the last Chinese Gibbons – Black Crested and Eastern Hoolock.
The best Sichuan seasons for mammal watching are autumn, early winter and early spring. On the Tibetan plateau, of Western Sichuan and Qinghai, summer watching also gives good results. In Yunnan the primates are best found during winter months.
In Sichuan we have following main sites –
Ruoergai/Baxi - on the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau gives an interesting selection of both alpine grassland and alpine forest species. Highlights here include Pallas's Cat, Chinese Mountain Cat, Tibetan Gazelle, Asian Badger, Tibetan Fox and Wolf.
Serxu Grasslands – located on the G317 route between Chengdu and Yushu in Qinghai, this grassland contains Kiang and White-lipped Deer. Snow Leopard, Eurasian Lynx and Brown Bear have also been found in the area.
The Hengduan Mountains South and west of Chengdu - Our red panda sites are fairly close to Chengdu, Sites include Wolong/Balang, Longacaggou and Labahe. This is a prime area for Giant Panda
Tangjiahe - located on the northern edge of the Sichuan Basin, this forest park gives tremendous mammal watching opportunities. Highlights include Takin, Chinese Serow, Chinese Goral, Hog Badger, Leopard Cat, Himalayan Palm Civet, Forest Musk Deer, Tufted Deer, Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey, Tibetan Macaque.
Qinghai mammal watching is mainly focused on sites around Yushu, Zhidoi and the alpine Kekexili Desert around Budongquan. But there are also sites in the arid desert regions between Golmud and Chaka Salt Lake, where Hamsters, Gerbils, Jerboa and Goitered Gazelle can be found, and Qinghai Lake, where there is a reserve for the endangered Przewalski’s Gazelle.
In Yunnan the primates are grouped at three main sites. West of Lijiang for the Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey – while the Gibbons and Leaf Monkey are found on the Myanmar border and the Wuliang Mountain range.
Rat, Mice, Gerbils, Hamsters and Jerboas