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Changqing Nature Reserve
Introduction
Escape the city, and visit the wilds of Central China, in a place almost untouched by the outside world!
Changqing Nature Reserve is located in the Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi Province, 300 km south of Xi 'An. The reserve, which reaches elevations of over 3000m, is one of the most important ecological areas in China. It provides one of the best and last remaining places where Giant Pandas, Golden Takin, Golden Monkeys and Crested Ibis can be found in the wild. It is also home to 39 other threatened animals and 31 threatened plants.
Not only does the area offer stunning mountain landscapes and the chance to view wildlife, it also contains a number of cultural sites, including the Han Dynasty Tangluo Trail, remains of ancient temples, shrines and roads.
Visiting the reserve also gives you an opportunity to experience life in an authentic Chinese village, where people still live a traditional lifestyle and practice traditional agricultural methods.
We offer small group tours to see the Reserve and all it has to offer. All profits from our tours go to the Bureau of Changqing Nature Reserve, to assist with wildlife conservation and reserve management.
Changqing Reserve only takes very small numbers of people at one time. The Reserve is one place in China where you won't run into thousands of other tourists!
Home to numerous endangered species
Enjoy stunning mountain landscapes
Hotel and Restaurant
Our hotel is located in the midst of Huayang Village. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and equipped with air conditioning/heating, ensuite bathroom and televisions. The hotel has telephone and internet facilities and Huayang Village has mobile phone reception.
 
Comfortable rooms Huayang Village Hotel
Opposite the hotel is our restaurant, where our cook prepares famous local dishes and Shaanxi Province specialties. Partake in baijui drinking competitions with the local Chinese (only recommended for the very brave!). All meals and drinks are included in the tour price.
Tours:
Changqing Reserve offers Four excellent tours that cater for different interests. All tours described here are 3 nights/4days but we do of course encourage you to visit for longer if you wish!
We can also organise a tour to suit your specific interests, group size and fitness level.
All tours are led by highly experienced Reserve staff.
Please follow the links below for more information about each tour...
In the Steps of Professor Pan - search for
the elusive Giant Panda!
Bird Watching in Changqing - Home of
the Crested Ibis
Camping Out - Back to Nature in the
Qinling Mountains
Ancient Culture and Rural Life
Traditional rural life and Buddhist temple
Recommended Tours and Highlights for each Season
Winter:
Professor Pan's Giant Panda Tour
Culture Tour – note: Buddhist Temple not available
Winter scenery and snow
Spring:
Bird Watching Tour
Camping/Hiking Tour
Culture Tour
Spring flowers
Summer:
Bird Watching Tour
Camping/Hiking Tour
Culture Tour
Swim in the rivers
Insect life – butterflies, dragonflies...
Autumn:
Bird Watching Tour
Camping/Hiking Tour
Culture Tour
Stunning autumn colours as much of the forest is deciduous
Conservation:
Changqing National Nature Reserve was established in 1995 to protect the giant panda and its habitat. This species is highly endangered and can be classified as a species of significant ecological value—that is, protection of this species guarantees the protection of all other plants and animals that live within the same conservation area.
Conservation is one of the most important management issues at Changqing, and so the Reserve has been involved in numerous international projects, including the Global Environment Fund Nature Reserve Management Project and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Protection and Development Project. These projects have resulted in enhanced conservation-minded management of the environment. Global Environment Fund now ranks Changqing in the top ten Chinese models of reserve management.
In 2002, Changqing received the "Successful Nature Reserve" award from the Ministry of Forestry and in 2004 was one of ten projects listed in the Shaanxi Landscape and Tourism Development Project.
Changqing is also member of Green Globe 21, a world-wide benchmarking and certification program which facilitates sustainable travel and tourism. It is also a member of the Chinese Man International Network of Biosphere Reserves.
All profits from our tours go to the Bureau of Changqing Nature Reserve, to assist with wildlife conservation and reserve management.
Weather
Changqing National Nature Reserve enjoys a moderate climate. Changes in climatic conditions through-out the year can create a dramatic and beautiful transformation in the scenery. These climatic changes also provide the signal for change for many plants and animals, such as cues for migration, breeding, and flowering.
Huayang Village enjoys a moderate climate. Summer temperatures are mild, averaging around 25oC, and the clear mountain air is filled with the sounds of cicadas.
In spring temperatures average around 13oC and the reserve is alive with an abundance of wild flowers!
In autumn the entire mountain side is a vibrant profusion of fluorescent orange, pink and red leaves. Autumn temperatures also average 13oC.
Winters are cool, with average temperatures of around 3oC. Winter is the best time for wildlife viewing, as the wildlife descends the mountains to escape the snow.
Getting here:
From Xian:
The easiest way to get to the reserve is from Xian. Xian is the capital of Shaanxi Province and is well serviced by trains and flights from all major cities in China. From Xian it is a 3 hour bus trip to the town of Yangxian where the Changqing Reserve Bureau is located. We will meet you here and transport you Changqing Reserve and Huayang Village.
For details on bus times from Xian please contact us and we will assist you to book a bus ticket. Alternatively we can organise to meet you in Xian and excort you to Changqing National Nature Reserve from there.
From Chengdu:
From Chengdu you can fly to Hanzhong which is 40 mins from Yangxian town and our reserve bureau. We will pick you up from Hanzhong airport and escort you to Changqing National Nature Reserve.
You can also catch a bus or overnight train from Chengdu to Hanzhong.
We are more than happy to help you with your travel arrangemnets so please contact us for any advice or questions you may have!
Contact us:
E-mail: info@intowestchina.com
Tel:+86 28 85587719 85582964
Cell phone: +86 13880237325
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