A Hidden Escape in Western Sichuan’s Little Switzerland: Learn from My Mistakes so You Don’t Repeat Them

Yele Lake looks just like the Swiss scenery beneath the Alps, yet it’s tucked away deep in the Western Sichuan Plateau. I finally made time to visit, and all I want to say is: this place is truly beautiful, but the pitfalls are real too! If you’re planning to go, you must read this practical guide.

Yele Lake is located in Mianning County, Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan, at an altitude of over 2,600 meters, nestled in a highland canyon. The lake water is clear and blue, surrounded by rolling meadows, primeval forests, and snow-capped peaks, with a cool and pleasant climate. Because its geography resembles Switzerland and it’s sparsely populated, travelers call it “Western Sichuan’s Little Switzerland 🇨🇭.” But ⚠️ this is not a tourist attraction; it’s a reservoir and nature reserve, so there’s almost zero commercial atmosphere 0️⃣, which also means the infrastructure is basically nonexistent 🈚!

Itinerary (Day trip from Chengdu)
· 6:00 AM Depart from Chengdu
Be sure to leave early! It takes about 4.5 hours to get from Chengdu to Yele Lake (320 kilometers total), with the last stretch being winding mountain roads where you can’t drive fast. We left at 7 AM and arrived around noon, which seriously cut into our photo time.
· 11:30 AM Arrive at Yele Lake
Set your navigation to “Yele Lake” or “Yele Reservoir.” You’ll pass a checkpoint near the end. It’s recommended to drive directly to the south side of the lake, where there are fewer people and better views—perfect for laying out a picnic blanket and relaxing.
· 12:00-3:00 PM Walk by the lake + picnic
There are no restaurants or convenience stores by the lake! Please bring your own food and water. Remember to take all your trash with you, as the ecosystem here is fragile.
· 3:30 PM Start heading back
The plateau gets dark early, and after 4 PM the temperature drops sharply. Plus, the mountain roads have no streetlights, so night driving is not recommended.

Lessons Learned: Avoid These Pitfalls at All Costs!
1. Yele Lake is now a nature reserve and does not accept individual tourists! You must book in advance through the “Yele Lake Homestay yu Appointment” mini-program. We didn’t know this and were stopped at the checkpoint; a local homestay owner helped us get in.
2. Although 2,600 meters isn’t extremely high, the wind by the lake is strong and can cause 🤦‍♂️. It’s recommended to bring an oxygen bottle and ibuprofen, move slowly, and stay calm.
3. The last 20 kilometers are gravel roads with sharp turns, and sedans easily scrape their undercarriage. We drove a Land Rover SUV and saw several sedans stranded waiting for rescue.
4. Highland weather changes rapidly; it can be sunny in the morning and suddenly rain in the afternoon. Bring a windbreaker, umbrella, and sunscreen (UV rays are strong), or you’ll get soaked like a drowned 🐔. Keep towels in the car.

Post by StarlightWaves56789 | Aug 29, 2025