Tangjiahe Nature Reserve

Tangjiahe protects a valley in the Minshan range, part of the giant panda habitat listing, and its animals have been left undisturbed long enough to be unusually visible: golden takin, a heavy goat-antelope, come down to the roadside and river flats in numbers, along with Tibetan macaques, tufted deer, serow and wild boar, and sightings on an evening walk along the valley road are close to routine. Pandas live here but are effectively never seen. The reserve is walked on the road and on forest trails, with a guesthouse inside, and visitor numbers are capped, which keeps it quiet by Chinese standards.

What you actually see

• Golden takin - heavy goat-antelope grazing along the valley floor.
• Tibetan macaques - troops along the road and river.
• The forest trails - walks through Minshan habitat above the valley.
• The quiet - capped visitor numbers and little traffic.

When to go

April to June and September to November for mild weather and active wildlife; dawn and dusk are the best hours. Winter is cold with limited services. Summer brings rain and leeches.

Honest expectations

Pandas are not seen; anyone coming for them will be disappointed. Accommodation inside is limited and books out. Access requires several changes of transport without a car.

Nearby

Jianmen Pass lies southwest; Jiuzhaigou is west.