Complete strategy for the West Sichuan Small Ring Road from September to October: 4 days to unlock the ultimate romance of West Sichuan in autumn

Every year from September to October, Western Sichuan quietly removes the verdant green clothes of midsummer and puts on an autumn Chinese suit intertwined with golden, crimson and orange. The snow-capped mountains that used to be surrounded by greenery are now more angular and towering, as if they outline a silver-white skyline under a clear sky; the vast grassland has faded from verdure and is covered with a gentle caramel color. Sporadic dotted yaks and prayer flags add a bit to this vastness.Smart; The size of the sea is like a sapphire inlaid on the earth, completely reflecting the blue sky, white clouds and the colorful forests on the shore. The breeze blows, and the lake is sparkling, beautiful like an unreal dream. There is no doubt that this is the best time to encounter the ultimate scenery of Western Sichuan-every inch of land is soaked in the poetry of autumn, and every landscape hides natural ingenuity.

If you want to deeply capture the romance of this ”autumn limited’, avoid the crowds, and accurately unlock the beauty of the secret realm of Western Sichuan, a carefully polished small loop of Western Sichuan is the best choice to start this journey. It not only connects the most classic natural and humanistic landscapes of Western Sichuan, but also allows you to immerse yourself in the transition from plains to mountains, from grasslands to Tibetan villages in a limited time. The following 4-day itinerary will pave the way for you to the autumn secret realm of Western Sichuan, so that every journey will become an extension of the scenery, and every time you stop, you can meet unexpected surprises.

Itinerary map

West Sichuan Small Ring Line Clockwise
West Sichuan Small Ring Line Clockwise

Itinerary summary

行程路线核心看点行程备注
D1Chengdu → Provincial Highway 434 → Honghaizi → Caviar West / Hachiro Shengdu → Xinduqiao1. 434 provincial Highway: The scenery along the way changes with the terrain, transitioning from plains to mountains, and the scenery is rich in layers 2. Honghaizi: In autumn, the lake is blue, the grasslands on the shore are golden, and the snow-capped mountains are reflected. The photo output rate is high 3. Caviar West / Hachiro Shengdu: There is a starry sky camp in Caviar West, which is suitable for stargazing at night; the 360-degree observation deck of Hachiro Shengdu overlook a number of snow-capped mountains, and the scenery is magnificent at sunset. 4. Xinduqiao: Known as the “Photographer’s Paradise”, you can stay in a local characteristic bed and breakfastChoose one of the two Caviar West and Hachiro Shengdu, according to your personal preference for stargazing or panoramic snow-capped mountains; it is recommended to book Xinduqiao Homestay in advance, the peak season is tight.
D2Xinduqiao → Tagong Grassland → Moshi Park → Seda1. Tagong Grassland: In autumn, the grassland is golden, with swarms of yaks, and the red walls and golden roofs of Tagong Temple are side by side with the grassland and snow-capped mountains. You can experience horse riding. 2. Moshi Park: The geological wonder “exotic planet”, the gray-black stone forest changes color with the light, which is very sci-fi 3. Seda: A piece of red architectural complex, with strong visual impact and full of Tibetan characteristicsHorse riding in Tagong Grassland, you need to pay attention to choosing regular merchants to protect your own safety; you need to understand the local entry regulations in advance when you go to Seda.
D3Seda (Buddhist Academy) → Danba / Jiaju Tibetan Village1. Seda Buddhist Academy: Thousands of red huts are built on the mountain. The atmosphere is solemn when the mist is thick in the early morning. You can overlook the panoramic view from the observation deck. 2. Danba: “The country of a thousand pillboxes”, the unique shape of the pillboxes with a long history, carrying ancient culture 3. Jiaju Tibetan Village: Tibetan-style houses are scattered in the valley, with fruit trees hanging fruit in autumn, full of life, you can experience Tibetan cuisine and folkloreTo enter the Seda Buddhist Academy, you need to keep quiet and respect religious culture; choose one of the two Danba and Jiaju Tibetan Villages, choose Danba for history and culture, and choose Jiaju Tibetan Village for folk experience.
D4Danba → Si Girl Mountain-Shuangqiaogou → Chengdu1. Si Girl Mountain-Shuangqiao Ditch: The attractions are concentrated, the trees are colorful in autumn, Bonsai Beach, Pearl Beach, Budala Peak and other attractions have their own characteristics, and the lake reflects the colorful forest, like a three-dimensional picture scroll.It is recommended to take a sightseeing bus tour in Shuangqiaogou to rationally allocate the time to visit various attractions; the journey back to Chengdu is long, so you can plan the departure time in advance and pay attention to driving safety.

Detailed itinerary

D1: Chengdu-434 Provincial Highway-Honghaizi-Caviar West/Hachiro Shengdu-Xinduqiao

In the early morning of the first day, I said goodbyeto the hustle and bustle of Chengdu and set off along Provincial Highway 434towards the hinterland of western Sichuan. This provincial highway itself is a flowing landscape. During the driving, the scenery on both sides is constantly changing, from the open plains to the deep mountains. Halfway through the journey, the red sea will quietly appear in the field of vision. The red sea in autumn is like a palette overturned by the sky. The lake is as blue as a gemstone, the meadow on the shore is dyed golden, and the snow-capped mountains in the distance stand quietly. A single shot is a large area that can maxed out the circle of friends.

After stopping for a while and continuing on, they came to the fork in the road between Caviar West and Hachiro Shengdu. Both of these places are great places to watch the snow-capped mountains and starry sky, just choose one. If you prefer a broader view, the 360-degree observation deck of the Hachiro Shengdu allows you to have a panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains such as Gongga Snow Mountain and Yala Snow Mountain, especially at sunset. The setting sun gilds the snow-capped mountains with a layer of gold, which is so magnificent that people are speechless; If you want to experience a more atmospheric viewing experience, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains.However, the starry sky camp in Caviar West is the perfect choice. When night falls, the night sky is full of stars, as if you can touch the Milky Way with your hand. After enjoying the stunning scenery, then drive to Xinduqiao, the “photographer’s paradise”, and stay in a local bed and breakfast to bring the first day of the journey to a complete end.

West Sichuan Provincial Road 434
West Sichuan Provincial Road 434
Red Sea in Western Sichuan
Red Sea in Western Sichuan
Caviar West Rizhao Jinshan
Caviar West Rizhao Jinshan
Xinduqiao Photography Paradise
Xinduqiao Photography Paradise

D2: Xinduqiao-Tagong Grassland-Moshi Park-Seda

Depart from Xinduqiao and start a new autumn viewing journey. The first stop is the Tagong Grassland. Although the grassland in autumn is not as verdant as in summer, it is a bit more calm and vast. Herds of yaks are pacing leisurely on the golden meadow, and the red walls and golden roofs of Tagong Temple in the distance are shining in the sun, forming a harmonious picture of Tibet with the grassland and snow-capped mountains. Here, you can ride a horse and feel the magnanimity of the grassland; you can also sit quietly and listen to the sound of the wind and the whispers of prayer flags, so that you can get a moment of peace of mind.

After leaving Tagong Grassland, I arrived at Moshi Park soon after driving. This geological wonder, known as an “exotic planet”, is even more mysterious in autumn. The gray-black stone forest shows different colors as the light changes, sometimes deep, sometimes with a low light, walking in the meantime, as if you are in a scene in a science fiction movie, people can’t help but sigh at the ingenuity of nature. After exploring Moshi Park, he headed towards Hongda. When the red complex of buildings appeared in sight, all fatigue would disappear.

Ink Stone Park
Ink Stone Park

D3: Seda-Buddhist Academy-Danba/Jiaju Tibetan Village

Unfold around Seda. The Seda Buddhist Academy is the soul of this place. Thousands of red huts are built on the mountain, scattered in patches, forming a red ocean. In the early morning, the mist filled between the mountains and the red house, and the sound of chanting came from a distance, solemn and solemn. You can slowly go up along the winding highway and feel the pure power of faith; you can also overlook the entire Buddhist Academy from the observation deck and freeze this shocking scenery in the camera. It should be noted that entering the Buddhist academy requires compliance with relevant regulations, keeping quiet, and respecting local religious culture.

Sichuan Seda
Sichuan Seda

In the afternoon, say goodbye to Seda and go to Danba or Jiaju Tibetan Village. Danba is known as the ‘Country of Thousands of pillboxes”. The pillboxes here have a long history and unique shapes, quietly telling ancient stories; while Jiaju Tibetan Village is like a pearl inlaid in a valley, with Tibetan-style houses scattered among green trees and terraces. In autumn, the stockadeThe fruit trees are covered with fruits and full of life. Choose a place to stay, experience the enthusiasm and simplicity of the collector, taste the authentic collector’s cuisine, and feel the different customs of Western Sichuan.

The most beautiful village Jiaju Tibetan Village
The most beautiful village Jiaju Tibetan Village
Danba Jiaju Tibetan Village
Danba Jiaju Tibetan Village

D4: Danba-Si Girl Mountain・Shuangqiaogou-Chengdu

Depart from Danba and head to Si Girl Mountain-Shuangqiaogou. Shuangqiaogou is the most scenic and beautiful ditch in the Si Girl Mountain Scenic Area. Shuangqiaogou in autumn is simply a three-dimensional picture of autumn. The trees in the ditch are colorful, red, yellow, and green, intertwined, and reflected in the clear lake water, which is beautiful. You can take a sightseeing bus to visit the attractions in the ditch one by one, from Bonsai Beach to Pearl Beach, from Niuxin Mountain to Budara Peak, every place is intoxicating.

After enjoying the autumn in Shuangqiaogou, he embarked on a journey back to Chengdu. Slowly descending along the winding mountain road, looking back at the snow-capped mountains and autumn scenery in western Sichuan, my heart is full of unwillingness and attachment. The 4-day journey on the West Sichuan Small ring Road is short but fulfilling. From Chengdu to Xinduqiao, from Seda to Si Girl Mountain, every journey is full of surprises, and every scenery is unforgettable.

end

In western Sichuan from September to October, it is poetry, painting, and the distance that everyone yearns for. If you also want to encounter this autumn romance, you may wish to follow this itinerary and embark on a journey along the West Sichuan Small ring Road to feel the towering snow-capped mountains, the vastness of the grassland, the clarity of the sea, and the simplicity of the Tibetan village. Let the autumn scenery of West Sichuan become the most precious chapter in your memory.

If you want to continue to explore more attractive places, our team of professional travel consultants can serve you. The consultants are familiar with the attractions, terroir and popular routes in various regions of the mainland, and can tailor exclusive trips according to your preferences, budget and time, so that the journey is full of surprises.

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