Going to Western Sichuan

Number of days：6 days
Time: June
Average cost: 4,000 yuan
With whom：parents and children
Updated: 2024.06.18

Western Sichuan is truly a breathtakingly beautiful place! I was a little disappointed not being able to visit Seda last year, but I'll definitely make up for it this time and fully enjoy its beauty. Seda's red houses and Buddhist culture will surely astound you. I look forward to this trip to western Sichuan being filled with joy and memories!

Day 1: Kangding

D1: (June 6th) Our first day was truly captivating, filled with in-depth experiences of both natural beauty and cultural heritage. We departed from the Hampton by Hilton in Chengdu's Wenjiang District and arrived in Kangding at noon, experiencing the unique charm of the Tibetan region. Kangding is the seat of the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture's Party Committee. The delicious yak and wild mushroom soup at Shujiuji will leave you with an unforgettable experience.

"Gediram" is a transliteration from Tibetan, meaning "mountain god relied upon by many goddesses." Gediram, situated at an altitude of over 4,200 meters, is known as the "City in the Sky." It is only 5 kilometers away from Yuzixi, but its scenery is no less stunning. This is a wonderland for snow-capped mountain viewing. Gongga, Yala, Zheduo, Siguniang, and Qingrao—the five sacred mountains—come together in a magnificent spectacle, akin to a natural feast. The props for Gediram Sky City add a touch of fairytale charm. A carousel, cabins, swings, a church, a vintage motorcycle, a piano, a lighthouse... every detail is imbued with romance and fantasy. Against the backdrop of an orange sunset, these props complement the snow-capped mountains, seemingly telling one beautiful story after another. It feels like being right in the middle of a film. Witnessing the golden sun shining upon Mount Gongga amidst looming dark clouds is undoubtedly a blessing. The grandeur and beauty of that moment will surely leave you feeling the wonder and allure of nature. I hope you'll continue to discover more beauty and surprises on your journey!

Day 2: Litang

D2: (June 7th) While it was a bit of a shame we didn't find the Xinduqiao Observation Deck and the Gongga Snow Mountain Observation Deck, the scenery along the way was equally unforgettable. The Eighteen Bends of the Sky Road was particularly challenging, challenging both driving skill and patience, but also offering a unique visual experience. We navigated directly to Litang, passing Yajiang and seeing traces of recent forest fires. We also passed the Eighteen Bends of the Sky Road, located on the way from Yajiang, Sichuan, to Litang. Why is it called the Eighteen Bends of the Sky Road? Firstly, this section of the road is built at an altitude of over 4,500 meters, earning it the name. It's also incredibly winding, like a mountain road cut out by scissors, with numerous twists and turns, making the journey extremely treacherous, hence the name. The Eighteen Bends of the Sky Road is a must-go for those traveling from Sichuan via Highway 318 into Tibet. The road is extremely steep, with bends every few hundred meters. Drivers unfamiliar with this section must drive slowly and avoid speeding or sudden braking. It's a real test of driving skills, but it also offers beautiful scenery for tourists. As the saying goes, "The most beautiful scenery is on the road."

The yellow forest on the hills behind the Yarlung Zangbo River is the mark of a forest fire.

Arriving in Litang, we enjoyed a popular Tibetan meal. Changqingchun Khor Monastery: A sacred Buddhist site in southern Kham and the largest Gelugpa monastery in Kham. The drone view of Changqingchun Khor Monastery must be spectacular, offering a panoramic view of Litang. In the distance, the sacred Mount Genyen blends with the white clouds, and horse herders roam above. It feels like something out of a cartoon.

Although the miniature museum in Letong Ancient Town was mostly closed, the photos were still great—a small blessing in disguise. Dongmencheng, as a must-see and must-visit landmark in Litang, will surely leave a deep impression on you.

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Day 3 Daocheng Yading

D3: (June 8)

Today we will enter the Daocheng Yading Scenic Area. Daocheng Yading Tours are divided into long and short routes. A sightseeing bus departs from the tourist center and reaches Chonggu Temple, which serves as the dividing point between the long and short routes. The short route: Chonggu Temple to Zhuoma Lacuo (Pearl Lake), a 1.5-kilometer walk, with a round-trip hike of approximately 2-3 hours. The long route: From Chonggu Temple, take an electric car at your own expense to Luorong Cow Farm, then hike about 2 kilometers to Gonggacuo, 1.5 kilometers to the Vajra Challenge Trail, another 1.5 kilometers up to Milk Lake, and another 0.3 kilometers up to Five-Colored Lake. To test yourself, the long route is definitely the best choice. This route is truly challenging! The sense of accomplishment of being able to walk to Milk Lake and Five-Colored Lake in person is sure to make all the effort worthwhile. While the hike is strenuous, the scenery and the challenging experience along the way will surely become unforgettable memories. The round-trip hike from Luolong Cow Farm to Milk Lake or Five-Colored Lake takes about 6 hours. Entry to the King Kong Challenge Line is prohibited after 2:30 pm. Bring your oxygen tank and remember to walk slowly and at a steady pace throughout the hike. Take oxygen if you feel dizzy or chest tightness, especially during the latter part of the Kongo Front. It was exhausting. They say you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't come, and you'll regret it for eight lifetimes if you do, and there's some truth to that. We didn't leave the scenic area until after 6:00.

Because tomorrow's journey is quite long, we continued on to Daocheng County, a few dozen kilometers away. The Tibetan food in Daocheng County is also very good, affordable and authentic, which was a great surprise on our trip.

Day 4: Seda

D4: (June 9) Today we will travel from Daocheng County to Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Seda. The entire journey was filled with exploration and beautiful scenery. Daocheng County, Litang County, Xinlong County, Ganzi County and Seda County, the natural scenery along the way is very charming.

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Arriving at Serthar Buddhist Institute is especially memorable, as is the sense of awe and tranquility it evokes. As the world's largest Tibetan Buddhist institute, Serthar, situated at an altitude of 4,100 meters, is truly awe-inspiring with its unique architecture and profound religious and cultural heritage. Thousands of crimson monks' quarters are densely packed throughout the kilometer-long valley, and the distant sound of chanting evokes a sense of the monks' daily devotion and unwavering devotion.

Day 6: Mount Siguniang

D6: (June 12) The Mount Siguniang Scenic Area is truly a breathtaking natural wonder! Although your morning schedule was tight, you've successfully explored its core attraction, Shuangqiaogou.

Shuangqiaogou is 34.8 kilometers long, and taking a scenic bus is a wise choice. Starting from the redwood forest with the highest altitude, and then touring along the way, this route design is very reasonable. It allows tourists to appreciate the magnificent scenery of the high altitude areas while ensuring the comfort and safety of the tour.

In Shuangqiaogou, you enjoyed the Yin-Yang Valley, Sun and Moon Mirror Mountain, and Colorless Mountain in the front section, the Niunyu Dam in the middle section, and the Niupingzi Lawn and Changhe Beach in the back section. Each of these small attractions is a masterpiece of nature, some unique, some beautiful, and some spectacular, making you marvel at the wonder and greatness of nature.

The perennially snow-capped peaks, home to modern glaciers, add a touch of mystery and grandeur to Mount Siguniang. The main peak, Mount Siguniang, reaches an altitude of 6,250 meters. As the second highest peak in Sichuan and the third highest in the Hengduan Mountains, its grandeur and magnificence are breathtaking.

As a World Natural Heritage Site, a National Scenic Area, a National Geopark, a National Nature Reserve, and the Sichuan Giant Panda Habitat World Heritage Site, Mount Siguniang Scenic Area boasts not only unique natural scenery but also rich ecological and cultural value. I hope you will have the opportunity to visit Mount Siguniang again in the future and discover more of nature's secrets and charms.

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