Special Forces Strike! A Spontaneous Three-Day, Two-Night Self-Drive Trip in Western Sichuan!

Just thinking about being in Chengdu, why not be a "Western Sichuan Special Forces"! Take a three-day, two-night self-drive trip to conquer the 4,200-meter snowy mountain secret spots, Red Sea Blue Ice, Gedilamu Snow Mountain Lighthouse, and the Golden Sunlight on the Mountain!

🚗 My itinerary (departing from Chengdu)
Day 1: Chengdu → Kangding (lunch) → Zheduo Mountain Pass → Red Sea → Stay in Xinduqiao
Day 2: Xinduqiao → Gedilamu · Sky City → Balangshengdu → Stay in Xinduqiao/Ta Gong
Day 3: Xinduqiao/Ta Gong → Stinco → Kangding → Chengdu
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Day 1 Hardcore Start!
Zheduo Mountain Pass (4298m): The first pass of Sichuan-Tibet!
Red Sea (4200m): The sapphire under the snowy mountain! In winter, the lake surface freezes; stand on the ice to take reflection photos. In summer, surrounded by meadows and wildflowers, easily get the "Sky Mirror" effect! 📸 (Entrance fee 10-15 RMB/person)
Day 2 Snow Mountain Feast!
Gedilamu · Sky City (4200m) A must-visit in this life! Carousel, Nordic cabins, vintage off-road vehicles, lighthouse... facing Yala and Gongga peaks, breathtakingly beautiful. Unfortunately, the weather suddenly changed, so no golden sunlight on the mountain! (Cleaning fee 20 RMB/person, the last 3 km gravel road requires a vehicle with good condition and high chassis) It’s really cold at the top. After I came down, I got altitude sickness, which caused me to miss the night view of Balangshengdu! A small regret, will come again next time.
Day 3 Gentle Return
Stinco: A lesser-known lake reflecting Gongga, a peaceful farewell to Western Sichuan. The scenery along the way is so beautiful it truly heals the soul, really reluctant to leave! Will definitely come back.

💡 Notes
1. Vehicle choice: High-chassis SUV/off-road vehicle is a must! The road conditions at Gedilamu and Balangshengdu are poor.
2. Altitude sickness: I took Rhodiola two days in advance, prepared oxygen bottles and glucose, avoided washing hair and bathing on the first day, and slowed down activities. (But after visiting Gedilamu, I started to have a splitting headache from altitude sickness)
3. Weather & clothing: Plateau weather is changeable, bring down jackets for all seasons! Sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are essential.
4. Accommodation: Many hotel options in Xinduqiao, Ta Gong grassland homestays are more distinctive (need to book in advance).
Three days and two nights, 800 kilometers in total, using the shortest time to check in the wildest scenery, be a true "Western Sichuan Special Forces"! Snow mountains, lakes, meadows, sunsets... all the romance is on this route, truly so healing!!