Racing the Rainforest: Birders Flock to Yunnan for a 60-Hour Wildlife Discovery

A high-stakes bird race in Southwest China

Deep in Southwest China’s misty mountains, Yunnan’s Lancang Lahu autonomous county has emerged as a new frontier for nature-based travel and conservation-led tourism. On 1 November, despite patchy rain and persistent fog, 45 dedicated bird-watchers ventured into forests, valleys, and river corridors for a 60-hour bird race as part of the second Yunnan Lancang Bird-watching Festival, held within the Pu’er region.

Equipped with binoculars, long lenses, and waterproof gear, participants were divided into 12 teams and tasked with documenting as many bird species as possible within a tightly defined timeframe. The challenge was intense, but the outcome underscored Yunnan’s extraordinary biodiversity and its growing appeal to birding travellers from around the world.

Record-breaking results from the Lancang wilderness

After nearly three days in the field, the teams emerged with remarkable findings. A total of 273 bird species were identified, including seven species never previously recorded in the area. Among the most exciting discoveries was the elusive spotwinged starling, a significant highlight for both scientists and birding enthusiasts.

The results further expanded Pu’er’s already impressive avian profile. According to Lu Wen, director of the Nuozhadu Provincial Nature Reserve, Pu’er’s existing bird checklist includes around 470 species. Prior to 2023, the reserve itself had recorded 233 species, with the first Lancang bird race adding 47 new entries. The second edition has continued that momentum, reinforcing the area’s importance as a biodiversity hotspot within the Mekong region.

The Our Yunnan project and conservation in action

The Yunnan Lancang Bird-watching Festival operates under the Our Yunnan project, an initiative launched in 2023 to fill critical data gaps in local wildlife monitoring and strengthen conservation planning. The project brings together government agencies, nongovernment organisations, researchers, and corporate partners to conduct rigorous, field-based surveys that provide an accurate snapshot of regional biodiversity.

Since its launch, supported by the Lancang county government, Huatai Futures Co, and the Huatai Foundation, the project has focused on long-term biodiversity monitoring across Lancang. Infrared cameras have been installed at 23 sites, but as project coordinators explain, camera traps alone cannot capture the full diversity of birdlife.

Bird races, by contrast, deliver rapid and highly effective results. Lei Jinyu, secretary-general of the Rosefinch Center, noted that in less than three days, participants documented more than half of the bird species known to inhabit Pu’er, as well as a significant proportion of those found within the Nuozhadu reserve.

Birdwatching meets sustainable tourism

The Ancient Tea Horse Road

Beyond science, the festival highlights Yunnan’s potential as a leading destination for ecotourism and birdwatching travel in Asia. By combining conservation research with carefully managed visitor engagement, the Our Yunnan project aims to balance biodiversity protection with sustainable forest resource management that benefits local communities.

Project coordinator Pang Tao from the Shan Shui Conservation Center’s Yunnan office emphasised that the data collected provides scientific guidance for future conservation strategies. At the same time, it lays the foundation for low-impact tourism experiences that connect travellers with nature while supporting livelihoods in rural areas.

Why Yunnan matters to nature-focused travellers

For birders and nature lovers, Yunnan offers rare access to diverse habitats ranging from subtropical forests to highland ecosystems. Events like the Lancang bird race demonstrate how responsible tourism can actively contribute to conservation while delivering meaningful, immersive travel experiences.

As interest grows in conservation-led travel across the Mekong region, Yunnan’s model stands out. The combination of scientific rigor, community involvement, and adventure-driven discovery positions the province as a must-visit destination for travellers seeking purpose alongside exploration.

Web contacts:
Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office – https://mekongtourism.org/
Pu’er Tourism – https://www.visityunnanchina.com/experiences/where-go/puer
Shan Shui Conservation Center – https://www.shanshui.org

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