Hidden Gem Hiking Spots Around Chengdu

Off-the-Beaten-Path Secret in Western Sichuan! Hiking through the Ice and Snow Kingdom of A'er Valley❄️

I really can’t stop praising A'er Valley at the foot of the snow-capped mountains! Can you believe you can still step on snow and shoot amazing photos in May? This 3,900m altitude hiking route is a hidden gem of Western Sichuan scenery, just 2 hours from Chengdu～

📍Travel Tips:
Address: Bazhou Town, Wenchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
Self-drive: Navigate to "A'er Valley," 2 hours from Chengdu (SUV recommended)
Hiking: 11 km round trip, about 800 meters elevation gain

🔥Must-Visit Spots:
1️⃣ Snow Mountain Viewing Platform
Just a 1-hour hike to see the continuous snow peaks! The rare combination of lingering snow in May and alpine rhododendrons makes every photo under the prayer flags look like a National Geographic masterpiece

2️⃣ Glacier Remnants
The glacial erosion landforms in the latter half of the route are stunning, with thin ice on huge erratic boulders that sparkle under the sunlight✨ (but be careful not to slip!)

💡Real Experience Tips:
- Oxygen tank is a must! Walking at 3,900 meters altitude makes you short of breath
- Trekking poles + anti-slip shoes are a lifesaver combo
- Self-heating hot pot tastes a hundred times better than bread
- The best lighting for photos is before 10 AM when entering the valley
- Very few people on holidays! You get the whole place almost to yourself

Although your legs will shake from the climb, the moment you stand at the snow line and look back at the sea of clouds—all the effort is worth it! For snow mountain hikes around Chengdu that you can do in a day trip, A'er Valley is truly the only choice🏔️