Day 1 Chengdu☆All day meeting day
All day
The first day is a full-day meeting day. Tourists will proceed to the meeting hotel based on their arrival time in Chengdu. At the hotel, provide the front desk with your "China-Travel Note + Name" to check in. Chengdu is one of China's top ten tourist cities, so we recommend arriving early to stroll around, rest, and experience the slow pace of life in Chengdu while savoring the various local snacks.
Recommended places to visit: Jinli Ancient Street, Wuhou Temple, Kuanzhai Alley, and Chunxi Road, one of the top ten commercial streets in China.
Food recommendation: There are many Chengdu snacks in Jinli and Kuanzhai Alley: Long Chao Shou, Dandan Noodles, Feichangfen, and Maocai.
Day 2 Chengdu → Maobiliang (3600m) → Shuangqiaogou (3600m) → Danba County (2000m) or Xiaojin County (2000m)
All day
Depart from Chengdu in the morning and arrive at the Maobiliang Observation Deck, where you can enjoy the panoramic view of Siguniang Mountain, the second highest peak in Sichuan and the second highest in Shushan.
·afternoon
Proceed to the entrance of Shuangqiaogou to transfer to the scenic area shuttle and begin your exploration of the beautiful Shuangqiaogou. Worried about hiking? Want to enjoy the snow-capped mountains up close? Then head to Shuangqiaogou! This is the most scenic and well-developed area of the Siguniang Mountain region. Within the scenic area, you can freely stop at suitable locations for photography. Many of the "relatives" of the Siguniang Mountain reside here, including Hunter Peak, Eagle's Beak Rock, and Potala Peak. The valley is surrounded by a variety of snow-capped mountains, allowing for close-up photography of these snow-capped peaks. The valley is also home to numerous large and small lakes, where the reflections of the snow-capped mountains are breathtakingly beautiful.
·night
In the evening, go to Danba County (or Xiaojin County) hotel
Day 3 Danba County or Xiaojin County → Yala Snow Mountain Viewing Platform (3500m) → Moshi Park (3500m) → Tagong Grassland (3600m) → Yajiang River (2900m)
·morning
After breakfast in the morning, we walked through the Yak Valley, known as the "natural bonsai", and overlooked the sacred Yala Snow Mountain at the pass.
Then we came to the popular [Ink Stone Park]. The color of the ink stone changes with the weather, making it a great place for travel photography.
·afternoon
In Tagong Grassland, the Muyajin Pagoda is right in front of you, reflecting the beauty of the Yala Snow Mountain in the distance.
Then we came to the [Secret Grassland Highway] specially arranged for summer - Provincial Highway 434. This is a treasure highway known only to advanced players. It passes through the two alpine grasslands of Tagong and Jiangba, with cattle and sheep scattered around. From June to August, the grassland is full of geraniums. If the weather is fine, the Yala and Gongga snow-capped mountains are clearly visible.
·night
We went to the hometown of matsutake mushrooms - Yajiang County Hotel to check in and rest. The altitude of 2600m was relaxing and comfortable.
Day 4: Yajiang County (2900m) → Litang (4000m) → Renkang Ancient Street (4000m) → Haizi Mountain (4200m) → Shangri-La Town (2900m)
·morning
We arrived in Litang, the "Sky City," Ding Zhen's hometown. His unexpected rise to fame has brought awareness to this forgotten gem of Ganzi. We then visited Letong Ancient Town, also known as Renkang Ancient Street, named after the Renkang Ancient House, the birthplace of the Seventh Dalai Lama. The street also boasts numerous unique miniature museums.
Proceed to visit Changqingchunkol Temple, also known as Litang Temple, which is a famous Yellow Sect temple of Tibetan Buddhism in Kang region and is known as the "Buddhist Holy Land in Southern Kang".
In Litang, we can also experience Tibetan incense making under the guidance of local people.
·afternoon
Embark on the beautiful Liya Road, admire the boundless Maoya grassland along the way, and cross the ancient glacier relics of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau - the desolate, rugged and magnificent Haizi Mountain Nature Reserve. On clear days, you can also overlook the sacred Mount Genyen.
·night
We arrived at Shangri-La Town in the evening. Looking up at night, we could see the brilliant starry sky on the plateau. Everyone, have a good rest. Tomorrow we will officially start our long-awaited trip to Daocheng Yading.
Day 5: Shangri-La Town (2900m) → Chonggu Temple (3500m) → Chonggu Meadow (3800m) → Pearl Tso (4100m) → Shangri-La Town (2900m)
·morning
After breakfast, we boarded a scenic shuttle bus and officially entered the Daocheng Yading Scenic Area. Driving along the winding mountain road, we unexpectedly saw Xiannairi and Xianuoduoji appear before our eyes at a turn, a truly stunning sight.
Arrive at Yading Village at the foot of the sacred mountain and take a shuttle bus to Zhaguanbeng. Then, follow the plank road to Chonggu Meadow. Meandering clear streams crisscross the alpine meadows, with the towering Xianuoduoji Mountain in the background. This is also the filming location for the romantic proposal scene in "Passing by Your World."
Listen to the Buddhist chants of Chonggu Temple, explore the little jasper [Pearl Co] in the alpine jungle, and see the sacred mountain Xiannairi reflected in the lake. If you are lucky, you can even get close to the foot of "Xiannairi", build a Mani pile yourself, and pay homage to the snow-capped mountain.
·afternoon
Return to Shangri-La town in the afternoon.
Day 6: Shangri-La Town (2900m) → Yading Village (4000m) → Zhaguanbeng (3900m) → Luorong Cattle Farm (4150m) (or Zhaguanbeng → Gongga Silver Valley → Luorong Cattle Farm) → Daocheng County (3800m)
All day
After breakfast, take the scenic sightseeing bus to Chonggu Meadow again. Here, you can choose two ways to go to Luorong Ranch according to your own situation:
1. Walk to and return by car: Gongga Silver River Valley refers to the river valley from Chonggu Meadow to Luorong Cattle Farm, stretching approximately 6.5 kilometers and requiring a 2-3 hour walk one way. While most visitors choose to reach it by car, the canyon's scenery is truly stunning. Xianuoduoji Snow Mountain serves as a guiding light. As you turn a corner, the forest gives way to meadows, and the sacred Yangmaiyong Mountain suddenly appears in sight. The entire route is a plank road, offering gentle, resting, and photo opportunities, including vantage points for capturing Yangmaiyong's reflection. If you're not visiting the Milk Lake and have a good stamina, we highly recommend dedicating some time to this excursion!
2. Round trip by car: This is the method chosen by most tourists. If you just want to enjoy the slow time at Luolong Ranch, or decide to go to the Milk Sea, this method is more recommended.
Luorong Ranch is the central area of the Yading Scenic Area. You can take close-up photos of the two sacred mountains, Yangmaiyong and Xianuoduoji. The Gongga River flows through the pasture, and the gurgling streams in the forest complement the ranch cabins, creating a primitive and charming scene.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we will gather and leave the Yading Scenic Area and return to Daocheng County to check in.
Day 7 Daocheng County (3800m) → Zunsheng Pagoda Forest (3800m) → Yuzixi (4500m) → Xinduqiao (3600m)
·morning
In the morning, visit Zunsheng Pagoda Forest, the famous white pagoda in Ganzi Prefecture, and do a local circumambulation. Afterward, cross the Haizishan Nature Reserve and continue east along National Highway G318, passing through Kazila Mountain and Jianziwan Mountain, and passing through Yajiang County. Along the way, you'll enjoy the idyllic scenery of the Tibetan villages on the plateau before arriving at Xinduqiao, a major city in Kham.
·afternoon
Transfer to a small car at the hotel and head to the newly popular check-in spot in western Sichuan, Yuzixiqumogong, which has an almost unobstructed 360-degree view, allowing you to see Gongga, Yala, Qingrao and many other sacred mountains in western Sichuan at the same time. There are also two popular swings here that are very suitable for taking beautiful photos. Swinging on the swing facing Gongga must be a very good experience. If the weather is clear, we can wait for the sunset here and take pictures of the magnificent golden mountain in the sun.
Important note: If the Yuzixi scenic area is restricted or congested, you will be redirected to Gediram or Sidingcuo. Thank you for your support and understanding.
·night
Return to Xinduqiao Hotel to check in and rest in due time.
Day 8 Xinduqiao Town (3600m) or Kangding City (2500m) → Niubei Mountain (3600m)
·morning
Depart from Xinduqiao and head to Niubei Mountain. At the end of 2009, a renowned photographer from National Geographic magazine stumbled upon an unnamed hillside in Luding County offering stunning views of numerous snow-capped mountains. Since then, the area has become known as Niubei Mountain, attracting photographers from all over the world.
·night
Nestled in the China-TravelNotex Niubei Mountain Star Camp at night, I was completely captivated both physically and mentally. Niubei Mountain is high in elevation, offering a wide field of view and far away from light pollution. The lights in the tent complement the twinkling stars.
9th Tianniubei Mountain (3600m) → Chengdu
·morning
Early in the morning, Niubei Mountain offers a chance to watch and photograph the sun setting over the eastern slopes of Gongga Mountain, with the colors of the sky and Mount Gongga changing dramatically in just a few minutes. Mornings are also the time when seas of clouds are most likely to form in the valleys, creating the spectacle of a "golden mountain on the sea."
·morning
We bid farewell to the western Sichuan Plateau around noon, passing through Ya'an and the Chengya Expressway before returning to the bustling city of Chengdu. We then proceeded directly to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Don't forget to keep in touch and plan your next trip together.
