Live Your Best Lives
Every summer, the vast grasslands of western Sichuan gradually wake up, and Gesang flowers of various colors cover the earth. Where to go to enjoy the flowers and play in the grassland becomes a difficult choice.
If you're looking for the largest and densest sea of flowers in western Sichuan, it's undoubtedly Emutang in Hongyuan County, Aba County. Starting in June every year, the dozens of square kilometers of Emutang grassland burst into bloom, earning it the nickname "Highland Paradise."
At different times of the year, different kinds of flowers bloom in competition, presenting a colorful wonderland of sea of flowers. The large scale, high density and rich colors are rare in the plateau grassland areas, and are praised by tourists as "the most beautiful grassland flower sea."
Although we can’t go to Emutang for the time being, we still want to share these niche ways of playing with you. When we return to Emutang, we will go to see the ten thousand acres of flower sea together!
①Exploring the Mystery of the Glacial Lake Coqionghai
Cuoqiong Valley is the deepest secret hidden in the Emutang Scenic Area. Cuoqiong Lake, covering an area of approximately 200 hectares, equivalent to the area of 200 standard football fields, is the most spectacular wonder of the Cuoqiong Valley lakes and is considered a "holy lake" by local herders.
Tips:
How to get there: You can take a direct bus to the scenic area and then walk along the plank road for about an hour to reach Cuoqionghai. The road signs are simple and easy to understand, and the plank road is obvious, so you don't have to worry about getting lost.
🥳Little Easter Egg🥳
You can also go up to a mysterious viewing platform newly discovered by China-TravelNote near Coqong to look out at the snow-capped mountains and the Ruoergai grassland.
(The road is hidden and hard to find, so it is recommended to go there under the guidance of a China-TravelNote tour guide)
②See the sea of flowers and encounter the starry sky
Most visitors to Emutang simply pass by and check in, so why not spend the night in a cabin or tent nestled amidst a sea of flowers and watch the morning light illuminate the blossoms? Also, away from light pollution, enjoy a night of conversation with family and friends under the stars, sharing your dreams.
There are various accommodation options in Emutang, from the simplest tent rooms to slightly luxurious cabins. It is recommended to choose tent accommodation for a full experience!
A regrettable fact: In 2021, the Emutang Scenic Area was temporarily closed due to the construction of the scenic area.
Don’t worry, You Xiaoxia has hidden many niche flower viewing spots, which I will share with tourists today.
Location: Hongyuan County, Aba
Altitude: 3,300 meters
Best flowering period: early June to mid-July
With the suspension of the opening of Emutang, the Longriba flower sea "next door" was discovered by sharp-eyed niche enthusiasts. Although the flowers on the Longriba grassland are relatively scattered, compared with Emutang, which is a scenic spot, the Longriba grassland is more free and original. It is so large that it feels like "booking the whole place".
① Ride a pony around the grassland
Compared with the soaring horseback riding prices during the peak season on the grassland, horseback riding in Longriba can be described as dirt cheap.
Want to just ride a horse and take some cool photos? For 15-20 yuan, you can also ride the pony for a few laps.
② Enjoy a bowl of butter tea under the blue sky and white clouds
You can find any Tibetan family in Longriba and have a bowl of butter tea. Since people usually drink it by themselves, the original ecology of the butter tea is also guaranteed.
You don’t have to be confined to indoors. You can spread a picnic mat on the grassland, drink butter tea in the sea of flowers, have some snacks, and listen to Tibetan women singing leisurely songs.
Location: Aba County, Aba Prefecture
Altitude: 3,700 meters
Best flowering period: early June to early July
In 2018, Nianbao Yuze National Park stopped receiving tourists from April 10. 2021 is already halfway through, and Nianbao Yuze is still not open.
If we can’t go to Nianbao Yuze, let’s go to Lianbao Ye Ze!
Located in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, this "twin" was born on both sides of the same mountain range as Nian Bao Yuze, the "back garden of the gods". It is also a fairyland.
In midsummer, the holy lake and the foot of the mountain are awash in a sea of flowers, the lake azure blue. While not as profusely blossoming as Nianbao Yuze, the grass is still green and the flowers dotted. Like a young girl, innocent and beautiful.
①Visit the holy lake Zhagar Co
There are many beautiful lakes in Lianbaoye, with more than 300 small lakes scattered across the area. The most beautiful of them is the scenic spot’s signature lake, Zagar Co, which combines majestic, tragic and beautiful scenery.
Most tourists just check in quickly by the lake, but you can actually walk around Zagarcuo along the well-built wooden plank road and deeply feel the vastness of the mountains and rivers and the insignificance of human beings.
Note: The hike around the lake takes 2-3 hours. Please walk slowly at high altitudes and slow down your movements. The road conditions are good and comfortable hiking shoes are sufficient.
② Take some cool road photos
Most people focus on the scenic area's terminal, overlooking the breathtaking scenery along the way. However, the largest lake in Lianbaoye is right on the roadside. You can drive into the scenic area, and you can even stop and take some stunning road trip photos.
Location: Zoige County, Aba
Altitude: 3,500 meters
Best flowering period: early June to early August
The Ruoergai Grassland is like a magnificent emerald inlaid on the northwestern border of Sichuan. It is known as the "oasis of the northwestern Sichuan plateau" and is one of the three major wetlands in my country.
Summer is the golden season in Zoige, with clear skies and excellent visibility. Between the sky and the earth, lush green grass reigns, and gesang flowers of various colors—white, red, and yellow—blossom in bloom in every corner of the grassland.
①Check in at the filming location of "Return to the Wolf Pack"
From Tangke to Langmusi, you can also detour from the main road and go deep into the heart of the Ruoergai grassland to experience the most primitive appearance of the grassland. Along the way is the winding Baihe River.
This is also the filming location of the documentary "Return to the Wolf Pack". Walking through the vast grasslands that are rarely visited by people in the movie, you can deeply understand what the author Li Weiyi said in the vast sky and boundless wilderness: Freedom is more important than being alive, and it makes all our journeys meaningful!
Location: Zoige County, Aba
Altitude: 3,400 meters
Best flowering period: early June to mid-July
Huahu Lake is located beside National Highway 213 between Ruoergai, Sichuan and Langmusi, Gansu. It is a natural lake on the Reer Dam grassland.
The best time to visit Huahu Lake is from early June to early July. At this time, Huahu Lake is sunny, the water is pure and beautiful, and the lakeside is full of flowers, which makes you feel like entering a fairyland. If you go earlier, the flowers will not have bloomed yet, and if you go later, the flowers will have almost withered.
①Searching for the mysterious black-necked crane
Huahu Lake is the world's largest plateau peat swamp wetland and a renowned Black-necked Crane Reserve. Spend some time walking along the plank path and patiently wait by the lake for a chance to see the endangered Black-necked Crane and its adorable young.
The majestic presence of Mount Gongga and the desolate beauty of Mount Haizi have led many to believe that Garze is a desolate land of ice and snow. This is not the case. The Maoya Grassland is in full bloom, awash in vibrant greenery. The geraniums of Tagong Grassland are also in bloom, complementing the distant Yala Snow Mountain. Garze in summer is equally vibrant and vibrant.
Location: Litang County, Ganzi
Altitude: 4000 meters
Best flowering period: early June to mid-August
This is where Ding Zhen galloped on horseback. Maoya Grassland is located west of Litang County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Surrounded by mountains, the grasslands are as lush and green as a sea. On the most beautiful summer days, under the clear blue sky, herds of cattle and sheep roam the green grass, and wildflowers bloom in a vibrant array of colors. Just rolling around on it will leave you covered in the fragrance of flowers!
This is the most beautiful grassland on National Highway G318. Whether you are traveling westward from Chengdu to Lhasa along 318, or heading to the paradise of Daocheng Yading, Maoya Grassland is a must-see.
Maoya Grassland is unlike any other plain grassland; it's a mountain grassland nestled among mountains, like a treasure trove. Tens of kilometers of green grassland are dotted with tents and yurts, and herds of cattle and sheep leisurely stroll and graze on the lush green grass.
①Exploring the Eye of the Sky in the Heart of the Grassland
On the grassland, there's a small puddle, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds, embracing the peaks of Genyen. It's the Eye of Genyen, a pond only a few dozen meters in diameter, but the blend of grass and water creates a clear, bright, giant eye. Most remarkable of all, the Eye of Genyen is surrounded by a circle of water plants, forming a perfect pupil-like circle.
A tranquil lake nestles beside G317, passing through a small village. Beneath a blue sky and white clouds, the vibrant yellow of summer cauliflower creates a breathtaking scene, like a painting. Fish swim in the lake, and monks and tourists come to feed them. Watching the fish chase and tumble about in the water creates a sense of harmony between man and nature. Kasa Lake, reflecting the peaks and white clouds, blends the lake, mountains, and sky into a shimmering, serene whole, skillfully weaving together a breathtaking spectacle of human beauty.
①Experience the magical fish call
The most magical experience at Kasa Lake is undoubtedly "calling the fish." When you call out "woo woo" by the lake, schools of fish will flock to you, including rare species such as the plateau naked carp and the fine-scaled flower fish. You will witness the magical scene of "hundreds of fish in the lake, all swimming in the air with nowhere to go."
