Sights in Xinduqiao

This is the Tibetan temple closest to Xinduqiao. It has had 47 generations of abbots and three generations of living Buddhas. The second abbot, Ngawang Duodan, was the imperial tutor of the Seventh Dalai Lama. The Guri Temple is the most prestigious lama temple in the area.

The temple's most iconic collection is the 108-volume handwritten copy of the Kangyur Tripitaka, over a thousand years old, one of only three extant copies in the world. It also houses 18 conch-shaped relics, transformed from the remains of Living Buddha Fahai. Other highlights include murals, preserved for six or seven centuries and worthy of national treasure, as well as unique butter sculptures and the stupa of Living Buddha Fahai, all worth seeing.

The attraction isn't just the mysterious temple itself, but also the sky burial platform nestled on the hillside outside. Sky burials typically take place in the morning, but visitors are not allowed. If you're lucky, a lama might show you a video of the event to satisfy your curiosity.

The famous viewing platform on National Highway 318 offers panoramic views of Mount Gongga's peak from the hillside, perfect for capturing the vibrant light and shadows of Xinduqiao. Numerous guesthouses are located nearby, making it convenient to wake up early to watch the sun rise over the mountain and the sunset without having to worry about returning.

Zheduo Mountain is known as the "First Pass of Kham," having become the first challenging mountain on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway after the Erlang Mountain Tunnel was completed. National Highway 318 passes through the 4,298-meter pass here, then descends into Xinduqiao, a photographer's paradise. Only after passing Zheduo Mountain does one truly enter Tibet.

The winding road of Zheduo Mountain is truly a journey of twists and turns. Cyclists or hikers can truly experience the beauty of the road through the arduous climb. When encountering downhill sections, be sure to slow down to avoid accidents.

The best viewing spot is from the top of Zheduo Mountain, where you can overlook the surrounding Gongga Peaks. In the distance, you can see the snow-capped peaks stacked one upon another, and the summit of Gongga, the "King of Sichuan Mountains" at 7,556 meters, is right before your eyes.

The Black Stone City on Gaoersi Mountain, situated at an altitude of 4,300 meters, is named for its Mani piles, a series of awe-inspiring and mysterious black stone piles. While the formation of this magical place, considered by local Tibetans, remains unknown, the power of faith still lingers in the desolate ruins.

In addition to the numerous Mani piles, every window or lookout here faces Mount Gongga Snow Mountain, making this the best viewing point of Mount Gongga, without a doubt.

This beautiful Tibetan village is known for its vibrant beauty. Every spring (March-April), thousands of acres of pear blossoms burst into bloom, transforming the area into a white fairytale world. In late autumn, the mountains and plains are blanketed in crimson. The Jinchuan Pear Blossoms are now part of the Greater Jinchuan Pear Blossom and Red Leaf Scenic Area, a 187-square-kilometer scenic area encompassing Genzha Jiarong Tibetan Village, Keer, Shenxianbao, Hexi, and Jinchuan Old Street, where the pear blossoms are most abundant.

For many itineraries in the Sichuan-Tibet region, gazing at Mount Gongga, the sacred king of Sichuan's mountains, is a must-do. Today, this mysterious, distant figure can only be viewed from afar or up close. However, the best photography and viewing spots on Mount Gongga are not to be missed: Black Stone City at Gaolusi Mountain, Quanhua Beach, and Zimei Pass. Choose your preferred location.

Tagong Monastery, with a history exceeding a thousand years, is a renowned monastery of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. Known as the "Little Jokhang Temple," it is a sacred site of pilgrimage for Tibetans in the Kham region. "Tagong" means "the place favored by the Bodhisattva" in Tibetan. Its most notable feature is the life-size statue of a 12-year-old Sakyamuni Buddha, the same one found in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa.

Tagong Monastery is relatively small. Its main hall is where the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism chants and worships Buddha. The white shrine on the right is dedicated to Sakyamuni, while the shrine on the left is dedicated to Guanyin. If you stay longer, you can observe the unique ways Tibetans worship Guanyin and Buddha, but it's best not to disturb them.

This is the pure pastoral grassland closest to Kangding. From late June to early August every year, it is the most beautiful and lively season of Tagong Grassland. If you are lucky, you can even catch the grand traditional horse racing meeting.

Tagong Monastery is a vital part of the Tagong Grassland. Behind the monastery lie three mountain ranges, densely packed with Mani prayer flags in triangular and square formations, fluttering in the wind. Although the vibrant colors have faded in the wind and rain, this does not dampen the Tibetans' devotion. It is said that the prayer flags are read by the wind into the Buddha's ears. These are the three sacred mountains of the Three Uttarakuru Mountains, a core part of Tibetan Buddhism.

It is a famous sacred mountain in the Kham region. Standing on the Tagong grassland and looking out, you can see the Yala sacred mountain competing with the golden pagoda in the distance.

Yala Snow Mountain remains a virgin peak, with no climbers successfully reaching its summit. Therefore, viewing it from a distance is one of the most common ways. However, the mountain's shape varies depending on the viewing angle: from Bamei, it appears crown-shaped; from Xinduqiao, it takes on a lotus shape; from Tagong, the snow-capped mountain and the golden pagoda compete for glory; and from the entrance of Taizhangou, a sea of ​​pines and glaciers blend together.

The most striking feature of Bamei is the roadside earth and stone forest, a striking, vibrant hue. While comparable to Yunnan's renowned limestone karst stone forests, the Bamei Earth and Stone Forest boasts a unique color shift. In spring and winter, the forest is light gray and blue, while in summer and autumn, it becomes a vibrant blue. In winter, the entire forest is shrouded in a mysterious blue veil, contrasting beautifully with the white snow. The vibrant colors not only change with the seasons but also throughout the day. In the early morning and evening, the forest shimmers red and yellow under the rosy glow of the sunset, then transforms into a silvery gray under the intense midday sunlight. This is why the Bamei Earth and Stone Forest is known as a "fairytale maze." While you can admire it from a distance while driving, if you want to discover the secrets of its changing colors, get off the bus and get up close and personal.

This ancient Lotus Temple, nestled beneath the Yala Snow Mountain, is a Gelugpa monastery of Tibetan Buddhism and currently the highest-ranking temple in Tibet. Every day, you can see Tibetans circling prayer wheels in a clockwise direction, devoutly praying to the Buddha; lamas meditate and chant. Your best bet at this moment isn't to take photos; instead, walk away quietly or stay put. If you're pressed for time, you can enjoy the view from Provincial Highway 303.

Looking down from the winding mountain road leading to the Tibetan village, you'll discover the true beauty of nature, a natural bonsai. Especially when autumn arrives, the towering mountains on both sides of the Yakniu River, and the trees along the riverside are stained with autumn colors. The road winds along the clear river, a tranquil suspension bridge traverses the valley, and mist shrouds the mountainside...everything is breathtaking. Of course, the famous Red Stone Beach is also a must-see. If you have time, we recommend hiking this section to experience this magical wonderland.

This is Danba's most representative Tibetan village, with hundreds of buildings scattered across the mountain. It was once named one of China's most beautiful villages by National Geographic. It is relatively well-known for its convenient transportation.

The best way to enjoy the area is to visit or stay at a Tibetan home. For 60 yuan per night, this includes two meals and free tastings of local specialties like apples, pears, and walnuts. Sipping butter tea, taking in the beautiful scenery outside the window, and breathing in the fresh air, you'll feel at ease.

Undeveloped, the area is relatively pristine and beautiful, with the best viewing period being late October. The Dangling Scenic Area includes attractions such as Paradise Valley, hot springs, a Tibetan village, an airstrip, Huluhai Lake, and Zhuoyongcuo. With an average altitude of 3,000-4,000 meters, access is essential, whether by horseback or on foot. The plateau scenery is pristine and captivating, and to witness the golden mountain in the sun, a night at Huluhai Lake is essential.

Danba is known as the "Ancient Country of Thousands of Ancient Blockhouses", and Suopo is the place with the highest concentration of ancient blockhouses in the entire Danba and even in the whole world, with a total of 84, including the only pentagonal blockhouse in the world. Its value is self-evident.

The best viewing point is across the village, on the other side of the Dadu River. The distant view of the watchtowers is truly spectacular. The best time to photograph them is at dusk, when all the towers are bathed in the sunset glow, radiating a golden glow. If you have the opportunity, you can approach the stone towers and touch these centuries-old towers with your own hands, feeling the vicissitudes of time. However, only one tower is accessible. Climbing the towers requires the use of a single-legged ladder, which is somewhat dangerous, so please be mindful of safety precautions.