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If you're planning a winter getaway, be sure to visit western Sichuan. The vibrant colors of autumn in western Sichuan attract countless visitors from far and wide to experience this autumnal feast. However, compared to autumn, winter in western Sichuan offers an even more magical experience.
Ice and fire sang a holy Buddhist song here, which is a holy tribute to the countless sages and great virtues of this Buddhist country.
The crimson Buddha land—this is the first thing that comes to mind when the word Seda is mentioned. Indeed, Seda is red, the color of fire. However, once the fiery red Seda has seen off the floods of tourists that flocked to it during summer and autumn, true tranquility finally settles beneath the blanket of snow. In winter, snowflakes sweep away the swirling dust, and this supposedly pure Buddhist land returns to its peaceful state.
Someone once warned me: Don’t go to Seda when the sky is blue and the clouds are white after a heavy snowfall, or you will fall!!!
I would like to add one more thing: Don’t go to Seda in winter when it’s snowing heavily, you will be completely ruined!!!
The red robes of Seda, and the faces of the young and age-wrinkled, sun-baked and snow-swept monks on the plateau, create the perfect backdrop for a snowy day. Snow and ice blanket the red cabins built by the monks, but they can't obscure the dazzling crimson. Whether the sun is shining or the snow is falling, just like the pure Dharma, no amount of dust can obscure its sacred radiance.
Seda in winter is pure and flawless. No more noisy tourists, no more flying dust. Only red and white, two of the purest colors, remain. One cold, the other warm, both equally brilliant under the highland sunshine.
Ice and fire have composed a brilliant movement here, praising the sacred Mount Gongga, which is the most beautiful in western Sichuan.
Hailuogou was selected by National Geographic as one of the 55 must-visit places in life.
Millions of years ago, a vigorous mountain-building movement shaped the majestic Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, leaving behind the ravine-carved topography of the Hengduan Mountains and its abundant hot springs. Mount Gongga, the highest peak in the Hengduan Mountains, towers majestically to the west of Hailuogou. Its 7,556-meter elevation towers over all peaks in western Sichuan. Vast glaciers cascade down from Gongga Peak, shaping Hailuogou's complex topography over millions of years. This has earned Hailuogou a resounding reputation in both geological history and tourism circles: as one of the world's largest low-altitude modern glaciers.
In Hailuogou, you don't need to hike for a long time. You can take the scenic bus and cable car to the foot of the glacier and touch the crystal green glacier ice that has been here for millions of years.
In Hailuogou, you can look up at the towering Gongga Snow Mountain without having to carry any heavy loads, and feel the majesty and grandeur of the King of Sichuan Mountains.
The complex climate on the eastern slope of Gongga makes Hailuogou humid and rainy in summer and autumn. The main peak of Gongga is often hidden in the clouds and mist, which makes many tourists who come from far away feel disappointed. In winter, Hailuogou is dry and rainy, which greatly increases the chances of seeing the main peak of Gongga.
If the weather is not good and it is snowing heavily, the hot springs at Camp No. 2 in Hailuogou are a great place to go. The naturally gushing hot springs are full of mist, giving people a feeling of endless warmth amidst the snow-covered mountains.
The water at the Hailuogou Hot Springs reaches a temperature of 90°C, hot enough for brewing tea and cooking eggs. 8,900 tons of boiling water flow daily down the cliffs, forming a waterfall 8 meters wide and 10 meters high. Entering Camp 2's hot springs, fragrant tea brewed in hot spring water is placed on a floating tray. I completely relax in the sulfur-free waters, snow falling overhead. A quiet, silent world lingers, leaving only my lively thoughts to soar through the mountains.
There are two famous hot springs in Hailuogou:
1. Gongga Shentang Hot Spring Hotel in Moxi Ancient Town
2. Hot Springs at Camp No. 2 in Hailuogou Scenic Area
Tips: Hailuogou is located in Moxi Town, Luding County, Ganzi Prefecture. The Yakang Expressway provides direct access to Luding County. There is also a road from the county seat directly to Moxi Ancient Town, where Hailuogou is located.
At the entrance of the scenic area, take a sightseeing bus into the glacier area and arrive at Camp No. 4.
Afterwards, you can choose two ways to visit the glacier according to your own situation:
Take the ropeway
Take the cable car to Camp No. 4 to see the glacier. The fee is relatively expensive, 150 yuan per person for a round trip (team members are responsible for their own expenses and can only buy round-trip tickets), but it is relatively relaxing and the scenery is the best!
Walk on the glacier
First, take a sightseeing bus to Camp 3. From there, you can choose to take the cable car or hike. If you're hiking, you can walk along the scenic path up to the observation deck. The one-way walk takes about half an hour to an hour, passing through primeval forest and offering stunning scenery. From the observation deck, you can descend to the base of the glacier for a close-up view. However, the walk is tiring and takes a long time, and you can only see the glacier from the base.
Ice and fire sang a gentle tune here, singing the magical red valley under the snow.
Beyond Hailuogou, on the eastern slopes of Mount Gongga, at the source of the Yajiagang River, a vibrant color is unforgettable: not the white of the snowy mountains, nor the green of the forests, but the red of the rocks. This dazzling crimson spreads unchecked between the snow-capped mountains and the forests, filling the valley and even climbing the still-snowy slopes. Because of the red rocks, people call this area Red Stone Beach.
In fact, the rocks here are no different from those in other areas, and they are not red in themselves. The color we see is caused by the mosses attached to the rocks.
On the east side of Mount Gongga, parallel glaciers stretch across Hailuogou, Mozigou, Nanmenguangou, and Yanzigou. Each glacier stretches for over 10 kilometers, and Yajiageng is the red line that connects these numerous glaciers.
From Moshi Ancient Town to Yulin Village, red stones are scattered all over the mountains and hills on the east slope of Gongga. The red stone beach is dazzling under the sunshine, but in winter, the red stone beach after snow is even more magical.
Snow blankets the mountains, burying everything beneath the chilling ice. Only a single, dazzling red hue resists the ice, appearing even more dazzling against the backdrop of the snow than it does in sunlight. The Yajiageng River gurgles, and red rocks stretch from top to bottom throughout the valley. Thousands upon thousands of red stones are piled high in the valley, in the streams, and along the mountainsides.
Tips: Heading north from Moshi Ancient Town, there is the newly built Yulin-Moshi Highway (starting from Moshi Ancient Town and ending at Yulin Village, Kangding City). The entire road is paved with black oil, but there are many bends, and you need to be careful of hidden ice along the way.
There are viewing platforms along the way for you to stop and enjoy the view.
Ice and fire sang a melodious tune here, telling the long-standing legend at the foot of Paomashan Mountain.
Mugecuo, also known as the Wild Man Lake, has a lake area of more than 4 square kilometers. It is one of the largest alpine lakes in northwest Sichuan. It is located in the mountains north of Kangding City. It belongs to the Great Snow Mountain Range of the Hengduan Mountain System together with the famous Yala Snow Mountain and Gongga Snow Mountain.
In summer, Mugecuo is lush and verdant, like a giant piece of jade inlaid at the foot of Paomashan Mountain; in autumn, Mugecuo is vibrant and colorful, like a piece of embroidery in the hands of a goddess. However, when winter arrives, all the colors fade away, and Mugecuo appears at its purest.
In winter, Mugecuo is covered with beautiful hanging trees and graceful mist rises from the lake, creating a pure and crystal-clear paradise on earth. The vast sea surface is frozen into a thick layer of ice, like a huge silver mirror facing the blue sky, and the sea surface has become a natural entertainment venue for skating and skiing.
When the white snow of Mugecuo meets the blazing sunshine of the plateau, the snow remains pure white, and the sun remains warm. When you step onto Mugecuo's golden sands, you feel like you're on the plateau, yet the scenery beneath your feet feels like you're at the seaside. Mugecuo's winter is not only icy and cold, but also fiery and passionate.
Mugecuo has extremely rich geothermal resources. There are more than 20 high-temperature springs alone, with the highest water temperature reaching 90°C. The heat source comes from the 200°C heat storage area deep in the earth's crust. The water contains a variety of trace elements beneficial to the human body, and is a high-quality natural concentrated mineral spring including lithium, strontium, orthosilicic acid, and carbonate.
The Seven-Colored Lake is Mugecuo's most magical feature, a symbiotic blend of cold and hot springs. To its left, snow-capped peaks tower beneath a turquoise sky, shimmering in a silvery light, a scene of holiness and mystery. To its right, underwater springs spurt forth pearls and jade, curling with hot mist. This harmonious blend of cold and heat reminiscent of the sweet and harmonious love between the eldest brother Zhang and the eldest sister Li in the poem "Kangding Love Song."
Tips: Mugecuo is located in Yala Township, Kangding City. You can directly reach the Mugecuo scenic area from Kangding City.
The scenic area is open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The tour takes about 3-8 hours.
There are restaurants at both Seven-Colored Sea and Wild Man Lake
Ice and fire sang a long love song here, singing the fiery love in the world of ice and snow
Siguniang Mountain is called "Sigela" in Tibetan, meaning "the deity in charge of birthdays." Its main peak, at 6,250 meters, is known as the "Queen of the Shu Mountains." It comprises three main gullies: Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley, and Haizi Valley, along with over ten tributaries of varying sizes. There's no off-season for visiting Siguniang Mountain; even in winter, the area offers a wide variety of outdoor and leisure activities.
Winter, with its stable climate and low rainfall, is the best season for climbing Mount Siguniang. Numerous mountaineering enthusiasts flock to the area during the winter. The crowds on the Dafeng and Erfeng peaks are literally shoulder-to-shoulder. Besides witnessing a world of ice and snow, Shuangqiaogou in winter is also the perfect time for ice climbing.
From December to February of the following year, the large and small waterfalls in Shuangqiaogou are condensed into a crystal world. The ice waterfalls of various levels are crowded with outdoor enthusiasts who practice ice climbing under the guidance of the most professional coaches.
Siguniang Mountain is the closest snow resort to major cities, making it the perfect choice for city dwellers looking to see and play in the snow. Grab a handful of snow, throw it into the sky, and let it transform into a dream. Or, form a giant Chinese character (a Chinese character) and roll around in a snowdrift, feeling no chill even when the snow playfully burrows into your neck. Horseback riding in the snow offers a unique pleasure, too. Galloping through the snow, the snowflakes splash like mist and dream, soft and hard, and even more unrestrained and bold under the sunlight.
There are two things you can't miss when visiting Siguniang Mountain in winter:
One is to wait for the sunrise on the snow-capped mountains. The sight of the holy snow and the golden sunlight intertwined is enough to make you unforgettable for a lifetime.
The second is the starry sky. Stars are shining under the cloudless sky, and the Geminid meteor shower in December will arrive as scheduled.
Take your lover to Siguniang Mountain, wait for the brilliant sunset, and watch the meteors streak across the starry night sky with your lover, and make vows of love.
Tips: Siguniang Mountain is located in Siguniang Mountain Town, Xiaojin County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley and Haizi Valley are the main components of Siguniang Mountain.
Shuangqiaogou is suitable for regular sightseeing and ice climbing activities.
Changpinggou is suitable for regular sightseeing and crossing activities between Changpinggou and Bipenggou.
Haizigou is mainly used for mountaineering activities and is the only way to climb the Dafeng and Erfeng peaks.
Ice and fire sang a cheerful Guozhuang here, which is the most passionate singing of China's most beautiful village under the protection of the sacred mountain of Merdo.
The winter in Zhonglu does not have the colorful flowers of spring, the lush green of summer, or the gorgeous colors of autumn; the winter in Danba is a little more chilly and a little more quiet. However, after the heavy snow, the silver-clad Danba presents another scene.
When the walnut, apple, and pear trees covering the mountain are blanketed in thick snow, the village feels tranquil yet not forbidding. People are busy preparing for the New Year and tending to the fields. The thick snow filters out all noise, leaving only the echoing calls of magpies. Towers stand tall, like guards on high alert, protecting the quiet village at the foot of the sacred mountain.
Harvest in autumn and store in winter, Zhonglu resembles a fairytale world hidden within the towering mountains. Lush farmland, set against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks, appears vibrant. The Tibetan villages are tranquil and picturesque, making a stroll through them akin to wandering through a painting. On a winter day in Zhonglu, snow blankets the sky, and shrubs drape across the sacred Merduo Mountain, making for a scenic spectacle.
In winter, wanderers flock home. With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, everyone can let go of their burdens and spend time with family and friends, enjoying the most joyful time of the year. Zhonglu is bustling with activity. Inside the village, every household offers a feast of delicious dishes: chicken, duck, pickled cabbage and bacon, fragrant pork leg, yak beef, mutton, and Tibetan hot pot—each one is worth a try. Bonfires are lit, Guozhuang dances begin, and the beautiful Jiarong girls sing and dance. The entire Tibetan village is bustling with activity, and Zhonglu's winter is vibrant and prosperous.
Rendering of the China-TravelNote Dejikangwa B&B, which is about to be completed
Store manager, middle road girl Deji
Tips:
How to reach Zhonglu Tibetan Village?
From Danba County, drive about 4 kilometers toward Xiaojin County on Provincial Highway 303. Turn right and cross the bridge. A rural road leads directly to Zhonglu. Zhonglu is located on a plateau overlooked by the sacred Merduo Mountain. The road leading to it is narrow, so drive carefully. There is no entrance fee to Zhonglu Tibetan Village.
From Danba County, follow Provincial Highway S211 south along the Dadu River. After about 4.5 kilometers, you will see a bridge on the left side of the road. After crossing the bridge, go up the winding mountain road to enter the Suopo Diaolou complex.
Ice and fire sang a passionate dance here, echoing in this beautiful town where snow-capped mountains and hot springs intertwined.
Located in Li County, Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Bipenggou was carved millions of years ago by glaciers from Siguniang Mountain, the main peak of the Qionglai Mountains. The gully boasts a variety of landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, colorful forests, and lakes. While Bipenggou is often known for its brilliant autumn colors, it remains captivating in winter.
When winter snow blankets the mountains, the once vibrant forests transform into a dazzling array of branches, forming a delicate fairytale world of ice and snow. The crystal-clear waters of Panyang Lake shimmer with a faint blue-green hue, and the surrounding landscape is a vast expanse of white. Panyang sheep roam the roadside, unfazed by the surroundings. The cultural landscape is both breathtakingly beautiful. A thin layer of ice forms the surface of Longwang Lake, and snow still hangs from tree branches. Under the sunlight, the lake's surface shimmers with crystal clarity, resembling a beautiful southern snowscape, like a layer of white sand spread across the mountains. The graceful silhouette of Mount Siguniang, reflected in the ice, is hazy and magical.
Bipenggou's snow season runs from late November to late March , with snow depths exceeding 60 centimeters and excellent quality. It's known as "the lowest natural ice and snow resort in western China." The Bipenggou Ice and Snow Resort will open to the public on December 20th, offering a wide range of activities, including skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and ATVs. Children and adults alike will enjoy the resort's endless activities. Ski resort amenities include electric conveyor belts, a shopping area, a rest area, and parking. The resort also provides professional instructors and standardized procedures.
Not far from Bipenggou lies a ravine rich in hot springs: Gulugou. Located on the banks of the Zagunao River at the foot of Shenfeng Mountain in Gulugou, Li County, the hot springs originate from a mineral spring deep within the ravine. With a water temperature of 62°C and a daily flow of over 2,000 tons, the spring remains steaming even after traversing numerous mountain streams and reaching the edge of National Highway 317. The Ramada Hot Spring Resort, a viral hit on the Douyin app, is also located within Gulugou.
The hotel boasts over 100 guest rooms, including over ten independent villas and over 40 luxurious guest rooms in a complex building. It also features 25 hot spring pools, each of which offers exquisite comfort, modernity, simplicity, a leisurely and wellness atmosphere, and elegantly reflects the regional culture in its guest rooms and services. Since 2018, China-TravelNote and Ramada Hot Spring Resort have partnered, allowing tourists to stay at the Ramada and enjoy the icy and snow-capped hot spring world.
Tips: Bipenggou and Gulugou are both located in Li County, Aba Prefecture. Starting from Chengdu, passing Dujiangyan, exit the highway in Wenchuan and turn onto National Highway 317. The road signs along the way are clear and unambiguous.
Ice and fire sang an unrestrained song here, which was the strongest collision between the pure ice and snow world and romantic sentiment.
As the first snow-capped mountain on National Highway 317, Partridge Mountain is the most understated. Compared to Erlang Mountain on Highway 318, it's rarely mentioned. Even if you mention it to others, many people will immediately think of it as "Zheduo Mountain." Indeed, Partridge Mountain is so understated that even the fun-loving Chengdu residents rarely know of its beauty.
The Partridge Mountain Nature Park is located on Partridge Mountain, at an altitude of approximately 3,000-4,000 meters. Its high altitude and abundant forest resources create a unique natural climate. From winter to early spring, visitors can enjoy skiing, snow viewing, and snow play. In late spring, visitors can enjoy flower viewing. In summer, visitors can camp to escape the heat and watch the sunrise, sunset, and starry sky. In autumn, visitors can admire the crimson leaves that blanket the mountains. The park offers a unique combination of seasonal sightseeing, summer vacations, and skiing experiences, making it not only a tourist, sports, and leisure destination, but also a paradise for camping and self-driving tours.
Partridge Mountain Nature Park officially opened to the public in 2016. It features a natural ski resort, bringing Northeast China's "Snow Village" to Sichuan. Tourists can enjoy the ski resort at an altitude of 3,700 meters.
Tourists visiting Partridge Mountain will undoubtedly be captivated by the scenic area's dreamlike layout, a romantic and ethereal experience reminiscent of a dream world. No retouching is required for photos, and posting to WeChat Moments without including your location allows you to pretend you're abroad. Partridge Mountain Nature Park is designed with a deeply romantic spirit, reflecting the pure childlike innocence of its designers.
The Miyaluo Ski Resort in Partridge Mountain has interesting rides such as snow maze, snow tank, iceberg bike, ice bumper car, etc., especially the snow carousel that makes girls' hearts burst and the Bald Qiang snow cabin are worth checking out.
Tips: Partridge Mountain Nature Park is located in Miyaluo Town, Li County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, 260 kilometers away from Chengdu city.
Recommended tourist routes
D1: Chengdu - Wenchuan - Li County - Partridge Mountain Accommodation: Miyaluo Town
Day 2: Miyaluo - Gulugou - Lixian - Wenchuan - Chengdu (on the return trip, you can experience the natural wild hot springs in Gulugou Hot Spring Town)
The entire journey from Chengdu to Wenchuan is on the highway, while the road from Wenchuan to Queqiaoshan is a mountain road with many bends.
Driving time: about 4 hours
Ice and fire are not meant to coexist, but this rule is completely overturned in the magical winter of western Sichuan.
A song of ice and fire is the most intense fusion of passion and austerity, a fusion that resonates powerfully across the western Sichuan plateau and reaches the world. In winter, ice and fire coexist in harmony on the western Sichuan plateau.
Welcome everyone to western Sichuan in winter. Under the snow-capped mountains, in the hot springs, and on the ski resorts, compose a colorful song of ice and fire in this fantasy world in your own way.
The above pictures are from China-TravelNote Photography Network and its partners and may not be reproduced.
