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Xinduqiao is a small town in the western part of Kangding County, 81 kilometers away from the county seat, also known as Dong'e Luo.
Xinduqiao is known as the "photographer's paradise". Its beauty lies not in the town itself, but in the 10-kilometer scenic corridor 2 kilometers east and west of Xinduqiao town. As we all know, Xinduqiao is a photography paradise, not a tourist paradise.
This section of Xinduqiao, at an altitude of approximately 3,460 meters, enjoys a high-altitude climate with significant temperature fluctuations and unpredictable weather. It serves as a fork in the Sichuan-Tibet Highway's north-south route, connecting to Tagong and Danba in the north (take the S215 north to Tagong Grassland and Bamei Town in Daofu County, then take the S303 toward Longdeng to Luhuo and connect to National Highway G317. Alternatively, take the S211 to Meiren Valley Danba, passing through Jinchuan County and connecting to National Highway G317 at Baiwan Township). It connects to Mount Gongga in the south (take the S215 toward Jiulong via Jiagenba Township). Going west to Litang, you can head south to Daocheng Yading and Shangri-La. It is a must-stop on the G318 Southern Sichuan-Tibet Highway. It is 400 kilometers from Chengdu and 80 kilometers from Kangding City. En route, you must cross Zheduo Mountain, the first 4,962-meter-high mountain on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (the first pass in Kham, at a height of 4,298 meters).
In addition, National Geographic recommends that the best viewing point for appreciating Mount Gongga, the King of Sichuan Mountains, is in Xinduqiao. If the weather is good, you can take photos of the golden mountain in the sun.
June to November, spring, summer, and autumn are the best times to visit Xinduqiao, as the scenery is at its most beautiful. June marks the height of spring on the plateau, with mountains blanketed in wildflowers, inviting you to wander amidst a sea of blossoms. With the arrival of autumn in October, Xinduqiao reaches its peak of beauty, with sunlight bathing the earth, illuminating the mountains with a warm golden hue. In the morning glow, admire the picturesque scenery of small bridges, flowing water, houses, and Tibetan dwellings, immersing you in the rich Tibetan customs of the plateau. Of course, in spring, from March to April, you'll see mountains covered in flowers, and in snowy months, you'll enjoy stunning views of the white snow.
Xinduqiao is the only way to enter the Kham Plateau. After passing through Zheduo Mountain and Gaolusi Mountain, the altitude gradually increases. The weather on the plateau changes from time to time, and sudden rain is normal.
During summer vacation, the weather can get quite chilly when it rains. It's recommended to wear a waterproof jacket or coat with a T-shirt underneath. Daytime temperatures will still hover around 20 degrees Celsius, though they'll dip even lower at night. Also, bring sunglasses, a hat, moisturizer, high-factor sunscreen, and rain gear. Traveling in October can be quite cold compared to southern China, as the temperature swings between morning and evening are significant. Bring a lightweight down jacket and a light coat. Wear a shirt midday, and layer up in the morning and evening, ensuring your head is warm. Xinduqiao involves a lot of hiking, so warm and fire-resistant hiking shoes or trekking boots are recommended.
Xinduqiao is affordable, with meals costing 20-40 yuan per person. Accommodation prices vary, from cheap hostels with single beds priced at 40-50 yuan, private rooms around 160 yuan, to luxury hotels costing nearly 1,000 yuan. If you're just visiting Xinduqiao, you won't have to spend any extra money. If you charter a car to visit nearby attractions, it'll cost you under 100 yuan per person per day (for the car rental fee). During off-peak tourist season, you can negotiate and save as much as possible. A round-trip bus from Chengdu to Xinduqiao costs around 350 yuan. Driving by car will require tolls, but since most of the driving is on national highways, the overall cost isn't too high. Therefore, a four-day trip from Chengdu to Xinduqiao should be a good budget of 1,000-1,500 yuan.
The mountain road is winding, and only after crossing Zheduo Mountain is the real place where the Tibetans live.
The closest pure pastoral grassland to Kangding, where you can watch the lively horse racing
Tibetan villages are nestled in the mountains and beside the water, dotted with yaks and sheep.
A famous viewing platform on National Highway 318, where you can see the main peak of Mount Gongga from the hillside
