Overview
Stretching across five latitudes, spanning a vertical difference of 5,000 meters, and encompassing five climate zones, this is a unique region that transitions from humid tropical rainforest to temperate forest. The Gaoligong Mountains are bound by the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau in the north, and extend to the Indochinese Peninsula in the south. Moisture-laden air from the Indian Ocean rises here, creating a secret homeland for countless endemic plants and animals. In spring, the world’s largest rhododendron species—the giant tree rhododendron—blooms in abundance. Skywalker gibbons call through the mountains, while sunbirds flutter their metallic-glossed wings among vibrant blossoms. In summer, hornbills busily feed their chicks among fig trees, while orchids and staghorn ferns reach their prime. At Baihualing, a five-star birdwatching paradise, the season is alive with abundant bird species. Autumn is golden with the ginkgoes, and it’s a perfect time for a soothing hot spring retreat. You can also walk the Ancient Tea Horse Road and witness the shifting vegetation zones along the way. In winter, giant squirrels glide gracefully through the mountains, and the nocturnal wonders of this “Natural History Museum of the World” are not to be missed.
See them in the wild
Key target species
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon
Endangered
Indo-Chinese Grey Langur
Endangered
Great Hornbill
Vulnerable
Wreathed Hornbill
Vulnerable
Great Slaty Woodpecker
Vulnerable
What you will be doing
Arrive independently and check in at the hotel (to be communicated closer to departure). We will have a welcome dinner at 7pm. Overnight at Mangshi.
We will visit the langur habitat in the morning, searching for the Indo-Chinese grey langur and learn about other effective conservation measures outside protected areas (OECM). In the afternoon, we’ll head to the Hornbill Valley. We’ll have a talk on Hornbill Valley and birdwatching economics in the evening. Total hiking distance today is 6km (2–3 hours)
China is home to over 1,460 bird species, and Yingjiang County alone has recorded more than 700. All five hornbill species in China can be found here. We will look for hornbills, woodpeckers, magpies, bee-eaters, trogons, and grey peacock-pheasant. We’ll also search for rare orchids and staghorn ferns. We’ll also have a night walk to look for slow lorises, civets, owls, flying squirrels, and other nocturnal animals.
We’ll start the day with an early birdwatching walk in Hornbill Valley, our last chance to find hornbills. Then we’ll travel to Tengchong, and relax in natural hot springs. You’ll have some free time in the evening to explore Tengchong Night Market. Hiking distance today is 5 km (4–5 hours). Overnight at Tengchong.
We’ll visit the habitat of the Skywalker hoolock gibbon in lush mid-montane evergreen forests. We’ll also learn about their daily lives, songs, and conservation efforts. In the afternoon, we’ll hike through Gaoligong. Overnight at Tengchong.
All good things come to an end. You can either depart directly from Tengchong, or return by minibus to Mangshi Airport for departure (2.5-3 hour).
Where we'll meet
🧭 Meeting/pick-up point: Mangshi, Yunnan, China
🗺️ Instructions: We will meet at the hotel in Mangshi (to be communicated close to depature time)
Things to know
Accessibility:
Children must be over 8 years old
Fitness requirement
Moderate fitness level
Tour Language
English
Chinese
License requirement
None
Additional information:
The best season for the trip is Dec - March. Summer is the rainy season in Yunnan, and some roads can be blocked due to landslide
We offer a detailed info list prior to the trip to help you prepare for the trip.
Price varies by number of participants.
Inclusion ✅
Accommodations
Meals
All activities
Tour guide
Tour transport
Water
Entry fees
Exclusion ❌
Pick up and drop off transport
Gratuities
About your host
BenchmarkBenchmark is an outdoor and wildlife travel agency in China. A pioneer in introducing outdoor travel to domestic audiences and in opening up China’s national park tours with selected routes for international visitors, we follow strict wildlife welfare guidelines and work closely with local guides and communities.
For every trip booked, Kodama Travel donates £1 to Just One Tree to restore our forests and the ocean.
💛 From Kodama
Our team joined Benchmark’s snow leopard safari in July 2025. It was an eye-opening experience – we learnt so much, not only about this highly elusive species but also about the wider plateau ecosystem and its wildlife. With our guide, Renqing, we gained a deeper understanding of Tibetan life and customs. It was truly an experience of a lifetime. We can also vouch that Benchmark follows strict guidline for wildlife viewing, never getting too close, and never disturb the animals.