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)