Lizilu in Western Sichuan: A mutual pursuit between snowy mountains and autumn leaves, breathtakingly beautiful

Hidden within Aba Prefecture, Lizilu is a treasure route in the Western Sichuan self-driving circle—it connects Lixian and Xiaojin counties, winding through the valleys on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Free from the crowds of popular scenic spots, it offers every passerby the two most stunning autumn landscapes in one package.

🍂 On both sides of the road are colorful forests dyed by autumn. The golden yellow of birch trees, the fiery red of maples, and the dark green of pines and cypresses layer along the mountain slopes. When the wind blows, leaves fall softly, covering the ground like scattered gold. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the asphalt road. Driving through feels like entering a moving oil painting, with even the car window frame becoming a natural picture frame—every glance is healing.

❄️ Looking up into the distance are the snow-capped mountains that never melt. The Young Sister Peak of Mount Siguniang and the peaks of Mount Balang appear faintly through the mist, their snow-covered summits cold and majestic, forming a striking contrast with the vibrant autumn leaves below. The clash of red, white, yellow, green, and pure snow white, the intertwining of cold and warmth, adds a touch of awe to the scenery, making you instinctively breathe softly, afraid to disturb this serene beauty.

🛣️ Surprises along the way never cease. Streams flow gently through the valleys, the clear water sounds blending harmoniously with the rustling of leaves in the wind; scattered Tibetan villages emit curling smoke, their red walls and white towers standing out vividly against the colorful forests; occasionally, herds slowly cross the road, the black of yaks and the white of sheep adding a lively stroke to this autumnal painting. Every snapshot you take is naturally cinematic without needing deliberate composition.

Here, autumn is not a single color but a perfect symphony of snowy mountains and autumn leaves. The beauty of Lizilu lies in every surprising turn, in the gaze exchanged between snowy peaks and colorful forests, and in the unique vastness and romance of Western Sichuan, leaving you enchanted long after the journey ends.

Post by DanielSullivan#19 | Nov 4, 2025