Four Girls Mountain Core Overview

Location: Xiaojin County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan, eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, about 200 km from Chengdu

Core Components: "Three Valleys and One Mountain" (Shuangqiao Valley + Changping Valley + Haizi Valley + Four Girls Snow Mountain Group)

Highlights:

• "Eastern Alps": Over 50 snow peaks above 5,000 meters including the year-round snow-capped Yaomei Peak (6,250 meters) and Four Girls Mountain

• World Natural Heritage: Part of the Sichuan Giant Panda Habitat

• Scenic All Year Round: Spring flower sea (April-May), summer cool retreat (average 15°C), autumn colorful forests (September-October), winter ice climbing

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🎫 Tickets and Opening Hours (Latest for 2025)

Valley Ticket + Shuttle Bus Opening Hours Features
Shuangqiao Valley Peak season ¥80+¥70 Sightseeing bus 8:00-15:00 Entry Lazy-friendly · Full route by bus · Rafting and ice climbing
Changping Valley Peak season ¥70+¥20 Sightseeing bus 8:00-14:30 Entry Hiking paradise · Face-to-face with Yaomei Peak · Camping
Haizi Valley Peak season ¥60 (no sightseeing bus) 8:00-14:30 Entry Hardcore trekking · Mountaineering start point · Horse riding exploration

✅ Key Tips:

• Off-season (December-March): Ticket prices reduced, sightseeing bus prices unchanged

• Residents of 7 cities in Zhejiang: Enjoy gratitude free tickets (choose any one of the three valleys for free entry)

• Must bring documents: Original ID card (entry by scanning ID) + student card/senior card or other discount certificates

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🌟 Shuangqiao Valley Detailed Play Guide

🚌 Sightseeing Bus Route

Visitor Center → Redwood Forest (end point) → Stop at each station going down → Renshengguoping → Return trip

Sit on the right side window going uphill for better views; last bus downhill at 17:30 (peak season)

📍 Must-Stop Spots and Activities

1. Redwood Forest (Altitude 3,840m)

◦ Activity: 15-minute walk on the loop plank road, explore glacier relics and ancient redwood forest

◦ Tip: Oxygen supply station here, portable oxygen bottles available for altitude sickness sufferers

2. Budala Peak

◦ Photo spots:

▪ S-shaped road curve (best light in the morning)

▪ Hidden gem: Walk 1 km in reverse to Zhugana Lake, a stunning snow mountain reflection lake

3. Sigunaco Lake

◦ Lakeside route: Walk counterclockwise on the lakeside plank road (20-25 minutes), dead trees + clear water + snow mountains in one frame

4. Nianyu Dam

◦ Choose one experience:

▪ Rafting (¥90/person): 4.5 km gentle rafting, accompanied by snow mountain meadows (ends before 15:00)

▪ Wooden plank road walk: 30 minutes through wetlands and sea buckthorn forest

5. Renshengguoping

◦ Leisure suggestion: Encounter yak herds by the meadow stream, have a cup of Tibetan butter tea at Alai’s book house

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⚠️ Key Tips for Plateau Travel

1. Altitude Sickness Prevention

◦ 7 days before trip: Take Rhodiola capsules orally

◦ Upon arrival: Avoid bathing/strenuous exercise, prepare glucose oral solution + ibuprofen for emergencies

◦ Emergency points: Shuangqiao Valley Redwood Forest station, Changping Valley Lama Temple

2. Weather and Gear

◦ Day-night temperature difference: Summer 5-20°C, bring a windbreaker + light down jacket; winter -10 to 5°C

◦ Must-have sun protection: SPF50+ sunscreen + sunglasses + sun hat (UV index extremely high)

◦ Footwear: Non-slip hiking shoes (plank roads are wet and slippery)

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🚗 Transportation and Accommodation Recommendations

🚙 Mountain Access Options

Method Duration Cost/Person Suitable For
Self-driving 3.5-4h Fuel ¥200 + toll ¥100 Experienced drivers / carrying equipment
Direct scenic shuttle 4h Round trip ¥150 Lazy travelers / solo tourists
Passenger bus 4.5h One way ¥90 (departing from Chadianzi) Budget travelers

💡 Self-driving Tips:

• Navigate to "Four Girls Mountain Visitor Center," pass Maobiliang Viewing Platform for free panoramic shots of the four peaks

• Prepare snow chains after October, follow Traffic Police for road conditions

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations

• Core scenic area:

◦ Kongshan Guesthouse (¥300+): Facing Yaomei Peak, starry sky rooms + floor heating

◦ Wangshan Xili (¥200-500): Designer boutique stay, balcony with mountain views

• Cost-effective choice: Rilong Town (15 km from Shuangqiao Valley), standard rooms ¥100-200

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📅 Essential 4-Day Western Sichuan Itinerary (can be followed directly)

D1: Chengdu → Honghaizi → Yuzixi (sunset on golden mountain) → Stay in Xinduqiao
D2: Xinduqiao → Lenggaco (Gongga Snow Mountain reflection) → Stay in Xinduqiao
D3: Xinduqiao → Moxi Park (exotic planet) → Tagong Grassland → Zhonglu Tibetan Village → Stay in Four Girls Mountain Town
D4: Four Girls Mountain Shuangqiao Valley → Maobiliang Viewing Platform → Balang Mountain Sea of Clouds → Return to Chengdu

✅ Itinerary Advantages:

• Covers three major popular spots: Shuangqiao Valley + Yuzixi + Lenggaco

• All accommodations below 3,300m altitude to reduce altitude sickness risk

• Counterclockwise loop to avoid traffic jams, average daily driving 4 hours, comfortable and reasonable

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💎 Summary and Hidden Gems

1. Shuangqiao Valley Hidden Photo Spots:

◦ Budala Peak: Shoot snow mountain road scenes from 9-11 am

◦ Longzhucao Plank Road: Use telephoto lens to capture dead trees + snow mountain reflections, avoid crowds

2. Deep Traveler Easter Eggs:

◦ Long-distance trek: Changping Valley → Bipeng Valley 3-day crossing (requires registration + professional guide)

◦ Skula Night: Tibetan village bonfire party + Guozhuang dance experience (inquire at guesthouses to sign up)

3. Must-try Food:

◦ Tibetan-style earthen hotpot (Lin Meimei Hotpot Restaurant)

◦ Matsutake mushroom stewed yak meat (buy fresh matsutake at town farmers market for cooking)