Not Xinjiang! There is such a beautiful and niche prairie secret in Western Sichuan!
by Sofia Taylor32 Serendipity
Apr 1, 2025
this natural painting located in Daofu County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province, has an average altitude of about 3,715 meters. It integrates blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, forests, grasslands, and streams into one, with a vast and flat terrain interspersed with forests, creating a very charming scenery.
📅 Best Time to Visit
· Summer (June to August): Wildflowers bloom on the grassland, forming a colorful sea of flowers. The climate is cool, with an average temperature between 8-28°C, making it a great time to escape the heat and enjoy the green carpet dotted with flowers.
· Autumn (Late September to Late October): The grassland is covered in golden hues, and the surrounding forests display colorful foliage, making it an excellent period to appreciate the autumnal golden forests.
🗺️ Suggested Itinerary
1-2 Day Recommended Itinerary:
· One-day tour (compact): Daofu County → Cross the Bairi Mountain Pass (scenic overlook) → Yuke Grassland core area (Huanxitai, meadow stroll, photo opportunities) → Return to Daofu or proceed to the next destination.
· Two-day tour (recommended):
· Day 1: Daofu County → Bairi Mountain Pass → Yuke Grassland (stay at a local guesthouse or try camping) → Afternoon horseback riding or hiking on the grassland, enjoying the sea of flowers/grassland at sunset.
· Day 2: Experience the grassland dawn in the early morning → Option to visit Jiayila Lake or Qimei Hot Springs → Return.
If time permits, consider linking Yuke Grassland with Daofu residences, Danba Tibetan villages, or Bamei Moshikong Park to form a 3-5 day in-depth tour of Western Sichuan.
🚌 Transportation
· Self-driving: The most flexible option. Depart from Chengdu, pass through Kangding and Daofu County to Yuke Grassland. The distance from Daofu County to Yuke Grassland is about 65 kilometers, mostly paved roads, but you need to cross the Bairi Mountain Pass at about 4,300 meters altitude. The road has many curves, so drive cautiously.
· Public transportation:
· There are buses from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station or Kangding Bus Station to Daofu County.
· After arriving in Daofu County, you can take rural passenger transport to Yuke (daily departures at around 8:00/13:00/16:00, ticket price about 20 yuan) or charter a car (round-trip taxi fare about 300-400 yuan).
🏡 Accommodation Options
· Local guesthouses: There are many inns and Tibetan family guesthouses in Yuke Town and surrounding areas, such as Yinka Manor (good location, slightly expensive), Red Coral Guesthouse, Bafangju Guesthouse, Qimei Duozhu Guesthouse, etc. (more affordable prices).
· Camping: You can camp on the grassland to experience closeness to nature. You need to communicate with locals in advance, usually paying a fee (about 50 yuan per vehicle), and be sure to pay attention to fire safety and environmental protection, taking all trash with you.
🍽️ Food Recommendations
At Yuke Grassland, you can taste:
· Tibetan specialties: yak meat hotpot, lamb skewers, butter tea, tsampa, dairy products (such as yogurt, cheese curds), etc.
· Local specialties: various wild mushrooms.
· Dining locations: You can choose meals provided by guesthouses or Tibetan and Sichuan restaurants in town.
📌 Important Tips
· Altitude sickness: Yuke Grassland has an average altitude of 3,715 meters, so take precautions against altitude sickness. Avoid strenuous exercise, ensure adequate sleep, keep warm to prevent colds, and prepare oxygen bottles, glucose, headache medicine, etc., in advance.
· Climate and clothing: The plateau has a large temperature difference between day and night and strong UV rays. Even in summer, bring warm clothing (such as a windbreaker or light down jacket). Be sure to protect yourself from the sun (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat).
· Environmental awareness: Please protect the environment, do not litter, do not damage vegetation or disturb wildlife.
· Respect customs: Respect local Tibetan customs and religious beliefs, and follow local practices.
· Fire safety: Strictly follow fire prevention regulations while on the grassland, especially during forest fire prevention periods. Open flames are prohibited outdoors.
💰 Estimated Expenses (per person)
Item Economy (CNY) Comfortable (CNY)
Transportation (round-trip bus + local charter) 500+ Self-driving (fuel and toll fees)
Accommodation (per night) 150-180 400+
Meals (daily) 100-150 200-300
Entrance fees Free Free
Horse riding and other experiences 100-200 100-200
We hope this guide helps you better plan your trip to Yuke Grassland. In the embrace of this "Kangba Altai," please slow down and fully enjoy the tranquility and grandeur brought by the snow mountains, grasslands, and sea of flowers.
Post by Serendipity Harper~Cook75 | Sep 4, 2025















