Private Tour: Birdwatching in Dongtan Wetland Park from Shanghai

Around 3 million birds of 265 species spend the winter on scenic Chongming Island — the third largest island in China — stopping on their way from Siberia to the Southern Hemisphere on their migratory route. So far, around 150 species have been spotted at Dongtan Wetland Park, including cranes, swans, geese, white spoonbills, black-faced spoonbills, tufted ducks and many varieties of shorebirds.

After hotel pickup in Shanghai, drive to Chongming Island and follow your professional guide on a walking tour of Dongtan Wetland Park. Covering more than 150 square miles (240 square km), the ecological park includes common reeds, dense grass and a large well-preserved beach. A winding plank walkway takes you through marshes and across the water, where you’ll see wetlands on both sides. Your guide will point out landscaped hills, lawns, waterfalls, streams and gardens, including more than 186 types of trees and plants.

Enjoy the opportunity to appreciate the birds and natural environment as you walk through the marshes or stand at viewing stations, searching for birdlife through telescopes and binoculars made available onsite — or bring your own!

Your private tour itinerary is flexible and your guide can recommend restaurants for you to try a variety of authentic Chinese foods for lunch (own expense).

Note: Fall and winter are prime seasons for watching migratory birds on Chongming Island. The Dongtan Wetland Bird Watching Festival begins in late October and lasts through early April.