Autumn Pastoral Song on the Hongyuan Grassland! An In-Depth Experience of Snowy Mountains, Wetlands, and Nomadic Culture

In autumn, the Hongyuan Grassland is the most magnificent oil painting in western Sichuan! On the 3,500-meter-high plateau, the White River’s eighteen bends flow through golden meadows, herds of yaks scatter like black pearls across the horizon, and the smoke from Tibetan villages intertwines with snowy mountains and sea of clouds to form a pastoral scene. This guide will take you on a 3-day journey to cycle around Moon Bay, stay overnight in a starry sky room, explore hidden wetlands, and immerse yourself in the autumn life of nomadic people.
🏔️Three Core Experiences
Wild Adventure Cycling: Moon Bay Scenic Area offers a 10-kilometer mountain ridge wild cycling route; UTV off-road vehicles can race through water-crossing sections; ride horses through yak herds in Rigangqiao Wetland, retracing the Long March route of the Red Army.
Nomadic Culture Immersion: Longrang Valley Equestrian Camp has professional coaches for lessons, where you can experience milking and cooking butter tea; at Anqu Pasture, participate in setting up black tents and making Tibetan cuisine.
Plateau Wonders Check-in: From Chazhenliangzi Viewing Platform, overlook the Yangtze and Yellow River watershed; at Starry Sky No.1 Camp, see the Milky Way with the naked eye at night, with frequent autumn meteor showers.
📅3-Day Itinerary Plan
Day 1: Moon Bay Leisure Route
Arrive at Moon Bay in the morning, take a zipline to overlook the grassland curves from above, and ride a small motorcycle along the White River in the afternoon; stay at the Weilv Wild Luxury Camp in the evening and try the chef’s special yak shank.
Join a bonfire party at night and learn the Guozhuang dance.
Day 2: Wetland Hiking + Cultural Experience
Hike about 5 kilometers in Rigangqiao Wetland early in the morning to spot black-necked cranes; learn to churn butter at Longrang Valley at noon, and challenge a 2-kilometer water-crossing UTV off-road route in the afternoon.
Overnight in a starry sky room and stargaze with an astronomical telescope.
Day 3: Watershed Adventure
Charter a car to Chazhenliangzi, hike 2 kilometers in the Minshan Mountains; before returning, visit Anqu Pasture to buy handmade yak wool products.
🍜Specialty Food
Must-try "Four Treasures of the Grassland": tsampa dipped in yogurt, blood sausage stewed with radish, matsutake yak hotpot, and barley cakes.
Hidden delicacy: the weirdly flavored fragrant yak shank created by the Michelin chef at Weilv Camp.
💡Plateau Tips
At 3,500 meters altitude, altitude sickness is common; bring an oxygen bottle; the temperature difference between day and night can reach 20°C, so a thin down jacket is essential.
The camp is only open from May to October each year and requires booking several months in advance.