Guizhou Caohai Birdwatching Travel Guide | Wintering Sanctuary for Black-necked Cranes · Plateau Wetland Secret

📍 Location: Weining Yi, Hui, and Miao Autonomous County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province

🚗 Transportation:

High-speed rail: Guiyang North → Bijie Station (1.5h), then transfer by bus to Weining (2h)
Self-driving: About 4.5 hours from Guiyang (Hangrui Expressway + National Highway 326)
🎫 Tickets: Free (birdwatching platforms/boat rides charge separately)
⏳ Best Birdwatching Season: November to March (200+ migratory birds including Black-necked Cranes, Grey Cranes, and Bar-headed Geese)

🔭 Core Birdwatching Areas
1️⃣ Jiangjiawan Birdwatching Platform (Best spot for Black-necked Cranes)
Observation time: Early morning 6:30-8:30 (birds forage at dawn)
Evening 16:00-18:00 (returning to roost)
Recommended equipment: Telescope (rent for 20 RMB/time in the park)
Telephoto lens (200mm+)

2️⃣ Xihai Pier (Close-range birdwatching by boat)
Boat route: Deep into Caohai Nature Reserve (boatmen know bird habitats well)
Notes: Keep quiet, avoid wearing bright clothes
Feeding or disturbing birds is prohibited

3️⃣ Yangguanshan Wetland (Hiking birdwatching trail)
Hiking tips: Walk along wooden boardwalks, observe waterbirds in the reeds, bring the "Field Guide to the Birds of China" for identification help

📅 Suggested Birdwatching Itinerary
1-day Highlights
6:00 Jiangjiawan Birdwatching Platform for sunrise
9:00 Boat tour from Xihai Pier
12:00 Lunch at Yi ethnic village (buckwheat pancakes + sour fish soup)
14:00 Hiking and birdwatching at Yangguanshan
16:00 Return to Jiangjiawan for birds returning to roost

2-day In-depth Version
Day 1: Jiangjiawan + boat tour + Yi cultural experience
Day 2: Jiucaiping (winter sea of clouds + bird migration route)

🎒 Essential Gear
Clothing: Dark windproof jacket, warm hat (early morning temperatures near 0°C)
Tools: Telescope, camera, bird identification app (recommended "Dongniao")
Others: Thermos, high-calorie snacks, trash bags

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations
1️⃣ Caohai Lakeside Homestay
Caohai Time Inn: Provides birdwatching maps + hot water bottles (150 RMB/night)

2️⃣ Weining County Hotels
Wyndham Grand Hotel: Floor heating and oxygen supply, suitable for plateau-sensitive guests

⚠️ Important Reminders
Protect the ecology: Strictly no disturbing birds or collecting eggs
Plateau caution: Altitude 2200 meters, avoid strenuous exercise
Weather changes: Foggy in winter, bring non-slip shoes + rain gear

📸 Photography Tips
Lighting: Side backlight to capture bird feather textures
Composition: Use reeds as foreground to highlight flying birds’ motion
Settings: Shutter priority (1/1000s or faster to freeze flight moments)

🍲 Energy Boost Stations

Must-try: Weining ham buckwheat rice, drunken shrimp (live shrimp marinated in wine)
Warm-up: Yi ethnic bitter buckwheat tea (provided free at inns)

Caohai is one of China’s three major plateau freshwater lakes, where a miracle of life unfolds every winter. This guide helps you birdwatch responsibly and experience the most touching encounter between humans and nature! 🌅🦩
(🔍 Pro tip: The Weining Birdwatching Association organizes free guided tours every Saturday, contact in advance to join)