This Bird-Photo-Tour follows China's easterly provinces from Henan in the north, through Guangdong, Hainan and Yunnan Provinces and focusses exclusively on enjoying close photographic encounters with 18 species of Tragopans, Pheasants and Partridges including 6 Endemics. Geographically, this family of birds has evolved with its center being in China and as such this group is extremely well represented in The Middle Kingdom.
Pheasants / Tragopans / Partridges: 18 Species, 6 Endemics.
Pheasants: Golden Pheasant / Reeves’ Pheasant / Silver Pheasant / Kalij Pheasant / Hume’s Pheasant / Lady Amherst’s Pheasant / Koklass Pheasant / Blood Pheasant / Grey Peacock-Pheasant / Hainan Peacock-Pheasant
Tragopans: / Cabot’s Tragopan / Temminck’s Tragopan.
Partridges: White-necklaced Partridge / Rufous-throated Partridge / Hill Partridge / Mountain Bamboo Partridge / Hainan Partridge / White-cheeked Partridge.
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Days 1-6, Henan Province [5N, 4D, 8S]: Depart Shanghai for Flight to Henan Province. Photographic Targets: Golden Pheasant / Koklass Pheasant / Reeves’ Pheasant.
Day 6-10, Shaoguan Prefecture, Guangdong [4N, 3D, 7S]: Train Xinyang, Henan to Shaoguan Prefecture. Photographic Targets: Cabot’s Tragopan / Silver Pheasant / White-necklaced Partridge.
Days 10-13, Ledong County, Hainan [3N, 2D, 5S]: Flight Guangzhou to Sanya, Hainan then 2-hours drive to Ledong County. Photographic Targets: Hainan Peacock-Pheasant / Hainan Partridge.
Days 13-16, Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan [3N, 2D, 5S]: Domestic Flight Sanya, Hainan to Tengchong Airport, Yunnan. Photographic Targets: Grey Peacock Pheasant / Kalij Pheasant / White-cheeked Partridge.
Days 16-21, Baoshan Prefecture, Yunnan [5N, 4D, 9S]: Drive 3-hours from Baoshan Prefecture. Photographic Targets: Mrs Hume’s Pheasant / Lady Amherst’s Pheasant / Rufous-throated Partridge / Hill Partridge / Mountain Bamboo Partridge.
Days 21-26, Lijiang Prefecture, Yunnan [5N, 4D, 9S]: Domestic Flight Baoshan to Lijiang. Photographic Targets: Temminck’s Tragopan / Koklass Pheasant / Blood Pheasant.
Days 26-27, Kunming, Yunnan [1N, 0D, 0S]: Domestic Flight Lijiang to Kunming [Overnight: Kunming].
[Key: N=Night, D=Full Day, S = Session / Half-Day]
Nick Ludovic Green has spent much of his life travelling and photographing birds across Asia and Oceania, developing a depth of field experience that few bird photographers achieve. Over more than 15 years in the region, Nick has led 150+ bird photography tours in 35 countries, carefully designing each itinerary to give photographers the best possible access to light, behaviour and habitat.
Through extensive long-term travel, Nick has photographed 2,500 bird species across Asia and Oceania, many at portrait-quality standard. In China alone he has documented over 1,200 species, working in every province and returning repeatedly to key locations to refine photographic opportunities, an experience that directly benefits photographers travelling with him.
His longer bird photography expeditions include a four-month journey across Melanesia, a three-month traverse of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China's western frontier, and a four-month Himalayan journey from Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These extended field projects have helped build deep regional knowledge and trusted local relationships.
Nick’s images have been published internationally, and his methods reflects a long-term commitment to careful, respectful bird photography. On tour, he is known for his organized, supportive approach and practical in-field guidance, helping bird photographers of all levels improve their work whilst enjoying unhurried time amongst the region’s most sought-after species.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping. Summary: for these five reasons this trip has been graded as 'Easy'.
: Pheasants
