Western Sichuan Light Hiking Guide: Beginner-friendly and Effectively Reduces Altitude Sickness

Preface

Have you heard enough complaints about "crowded western Sichuan during peak season" and "traffic jams that make you question life"? Do you want to explore the secrets of the snow-capped mountains and grasslands, but are afraid that hiking is too tiring and camping is too hard?

This light hiking route hidden deep in western Sichuan may give you a completely different experience.

Starting from Chengdu, you can immerse yourself in the thousand-year memory of the Kingdom of Women in Dongli for 4 days, sweat at the foot of the Yala Snow Mountain, and stop in front of the Gongga Peaks. The average temperature in summer is 18℃, and there are limited flower fields. It is wilder and less crowded than Yili!

At the end of each day's hike, you don't have to set up a tent yourself, you can just stay in the hotel/B&B. Even novices can easily hold it!

There's also a limited-time "Flower Road" in July and August. Walking on the meadows filled with flowers will make your life smoother from now on.

The itinerary is scientifically designed, with the altitude gradually increasing, giving the body time to adapt and minimizing altitude sickness.

On the first day, the middle road Tibetan village is 2400
meters high.
On the second day, the highest hiking altitude is 3000 meters, and the accommodation is 3600 meters. On the third day, the highest hiking altitude is 4200 meters, and the accommodation is 3600 meters.
On the fourth day, the highest hiking altitude is 4200 meters.
The average altitude is about 3500 meters.

Not long ago, a group of tourists completed this route.

These reviews are fresh out

🔻🔻🔻

"I am very satisfied with the food, accommodation, transportation and entertainment. The itinerary is well planned and has a small itinerary."

“I highly recommend this route to anyone visiting Western Sichuan for the first time!”

“A great route, suitable for beginners who are new to plateau hiking.”

“I took hundreds of photos during the three-day hike.”

Millennium Secret Realm

When talking about western Sichuan, you may think of the long-distance hiking in Daocheng Yading, or the crowds of people walking through the Siguniang Mountain, but this route is hidden deep enough, niche enough, and amazing enough!

Heading west from Chengdu, the first stop is Danba Zhonglu Tibetan Village. Quieter than Jiaju Tibetan Village, Tibetan watchtowers are scattered beside barley fields. Morning smoke drifts down the valley, and in the evening, sitting in the courtyard of your homestay, you can watch stars emerge from the peaks of the snow-capped mountains.

The next day, after crossing the ridge, the outline of Suopo Diaolou was faintly visible among the trees.

The ancient watchtowers are like silent guards, among which is the only remaining pentagonal watchtower in the world. It is said that this place was once the territory of the Kingdom of Eastern Women, and the stone road under your feet was also a bridge for the dissemination of culture and materials thousands of years ago.

The most surprising thing was the ridgeline of Tagong Grassland. There was no roar of the scenic area bus, only the sound of the wind blowing through the grassland.

When hiking to a high point, the Yala Snow Mountain seems to suddenly emerge from the clouds, and the Gongga Peaks in the distance are lined up in a row, and even a corner of the sacred Mount Meldo can be caught. This "snow mountain feast" can only be encountered by those who take the right path.

On the fourth day, we crossed Honghaizi to Mugecuo. Starting from the lakeside at 4,200 meters, we went downhill all the way. There was a soft meadow under our feet. The Bijia Mountain in the distance looked like an ink painting. Finally, we went into the forest of Mugecuo. The lake water was as blue as a gem. Snow-capped mountains, forests and hot springs were gathered together.

The scenery is different

The scenery on this route is different every day, and it also packs the "four seasons essence" of western Sichuan for you. In summer, there is a limited endless sea of flowers.

From April to May, Danba's pear blossoms are everywhere in the mountains, and the Tibetan village looks like an overturned palette in the sea of white flowers.

From June to August, Baranshengdu and Mugecuo are filled with wild flowers. Golden lotus and geraniums spread to the horizon. Sitting on the grass and looking up, the snow-capped peaks of Yala Snow Mountain look like iced cream. The temperature is only a dozen degrees, which is 100 times more comfortable than an air-conditioned room.

The mountain ridgeline in October is dyed with red leaves. When hiking, you step on the golden meadow, and the snow-capped mountains in the distance are set against the golden background. Any photo you take can become a computer wallpaper.

In December, the surface of Honghai Lake was covered with thin ice, the forest of Mugecuo was covered with rime, and the sun shone on the snow-capped mountains, holy and warm.

Friendly to newbies, no abuse

Don’t be put off by the “hiking” part! This route is known for being beginner-friendly!

🔸The altitude gradually increases: On the first day, you will acclimate from Danba at 2,500 meters. The altitude will gradually increase, and the probability of altitude sickness is much lower than heading directly to the plateau.

🔸No need to go back: You will walk along the "crossing line", from point A to point B, without having to go back, and the scenery will be fresh all the way.

🔸Travel light: No need for a tent or sleeping bag! Just pack a 20L backpack with food, water, and a warm layer each day. Leave your suitcase on the bus to the next stop.

An experienced tour guide from the western Sichuan Plateau will accompany you throughout the entire trip, helping you control the pace. You can stop to take photos when you want and rest when you feel tired. Even 12-year-old children and 60-year-old elders can keep up (Note: This requires physical condition and previous high-altitude hiking experience).

🔺Children in the group

Stay in a B&B/hotel every night

On the first day, we stayed in a local Tibetan homestay and had Tibetan hot pot in the evening. Outside the window were barley fields and watchtowers, and looking up was the Milky Way.

On the second and third days, we stayed in a clean and spacious hotel. We could enjoy the local specialties in a nearby Tibetan restaurant and get a better rest.

No need to curl up in a sleeping bag and listen to the wind. You can sleep soundly every day and greet the next day's hiking in a better state.

More route recommendations

If you have already had plateau hiking experience and want to see the snow-capped mountains up close, then Xiaoxia recommends another 4-day hiking route in western Sichuan.

This is one of the classic hiking routes in western Sichuan. It focuses on a close pilgrimage to Mount Gongga and integrates diverse landscapes such as snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, and virgin forests.

Our route is slightly modified based on the classic route. Lenggacuo, Zimei Pass, Xuerenbu Pass, Bawanghai and Nibashan form a unique Gongga hiking landscape. The 360° loop under Gongga Mountain allows you to feel the baptism of the Muya Tibetan land and create a brand new crossing experience.

We also have a 5-day hiking route in Siguniang Mountain, which includes walking into the Changpinggou Plateau Pasture, hiking on the Haizigou ridge, enjoying the snow-capped mountains of Shuangqiaogou, and camping at the Muluzi Camp.