Western Sichuan is a secret realm that the creator prefers. The snow-capped mountains are continuous, the meadows are vast, and the Tibetan village is simple, and every inch of the land hides intoxicating scenery. Daocheng Yading is the brightest pearl in this secret realm. With the reputation of ‘Shangri-La’s Soul’, it has attracted countless travelers to go there.
This six-day western Sichuan itinerary tailor-made for you will take you from Chengdu, cross the hinterland of western Sichuan, wash your heart in the holiness of Aden in Daocheng, and gain and move in the beautiful scenery along the way.
1. Geographical Location and Concept of Humanities and History
Daocheng Yading is located in Shangri-La Town, Daocheng County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, located on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This is not only a geographical secret, but also has a profound cultural and historical heritage.
In the long river of history, Daocheng Yading is an important inheritance place of Tibetan traditional culture, and it has been included in its jurisdiction as early as the Tubo period.
The local Tibetan compatriots have lived here for generations, forming a unique folk culture, and the influence of Tibetan Buddhism is infiltrated in all aspects of life.
2. Daocheng Yading: the ultimate geological style and the beauty of nature
The beauty of Daocheng Yading is the ultimate landscape created by the magic of nature. With three sacred mountains – Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong, and Xia Nuo Duoji as the core, surrounded by various landforms such as alpine meadows, virgin forests, alpine lakes, etc., forming a three-dimensional plateau picture.
Xiannairi Mountain is 6032 meters above sea level, which is the main peak of the three sacred mountains.
Yangmai Yongshen Mountain has beautiful lines, as holy as a girl; Xia Nuo Duoji sacred mountain is tall and straight, full of masculinity.
The milk sea and the five-color sea at the foot of the mountain are even more gemstones inlaid on the plateau.
Three: Unlock the beautiful scenery of western Sichuan by station
D1: Chengdu – Siguniang Mountain – Danba
Morning: Starting from Chengdu, drive along Rongchang Expressway and China Panda Avenue (about 3.5 hours) and then arrive at Siguniang Mountain Scenic Spot. Choose to develop the mature [Shuangqiaogou] to play (ticket + sightseeing bus about 150 yuan/person), and take a sightseeing bus to visit the core scenic spots such as Sequoia Forest, Potala Peak, Sigu Nacuo and other core attractions.
Noon: Dining in restaurants near Siguniang Mountain Scenic Area, mainly Sichuan cuisine, simple rest.
Afternoon: After the end of the tour, drive to Danba (about 2.5 hours), and arrive at [Jiaju Tibetan Village] in the evening (ticket about 50 yuan/person). Stroll the alleys of the Tibetan village, enjoy the scenery of Tibetan-style houses with white walls and red eaves blending with landscapes, and stay in Tibetan-style houses at night, and taste collectors’ dinner.
D2: Danba
Morning: From Danba, drive along Bamei Road (about 1.5 hours), and then arrive at the [Ala Snow Mountain Observation Deck] (free), overlooking the holy snow mountain at an altitude of 5820 meters. Then go to [Gertilam Sky City] (pay attention to non-paved road sections for self-driving), and take a panoramic view of many snow-capped mountains on the 360° viewing platform.
Noon: Go to Bamei Town for a meal, choose a local Sichuan restaurant to replenish energy.
Afternoon: Go to [Capi West No. 2 Camp] (a small cleaning fee), occupy a favorable position and wait for the sunset of the snow-capped mountains, and watch the shocking scene of the snow-capped mountains dyed golden red. After the end, drive to Xinduqiao (about 1.5 hours), then check in at the local hotel, and then shoot the poplar forest under the sunset, and finally choose the Sichuan restaurant for dinner to relieve the fatigue of the journey.
D3: Xinduqiao – Yajiang – Litang – Daocheng County – Shangri-La Town
Morning: Starting from Xindu Bridge, drive along Yaye Expressway and G318 (about 2 hours), and then pass the [Tian Road Eighteen Bend] viewing platform, overlooking the winding mountain road. Continue on, arrive at Yajiang County.
Noon: Dining in Yajiang County, recommend light-flavored dishes, adapt to the plateau diet.
Afternoon: Go to Litang (about 1 hour), then visit [Chang Youth Keer Temple] (ticket about 30 yuan/person), and feel the solemnity of the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in the Kangba area. Afterwards, drive to Daocheng, and pass by [Haizishan Geopark] (free) on the way to watch the glacier ruins and landforms. In the evening, arrive at Shangri-La Town (about 2900 meters above sea level), then check in hotel to rest, and finally choose light soup pot dishes for dinner.
D4: One-day tour of Aden Scenic Spot
Morning: After getting up and eating, go to Aden Scenic Spot (ticket + sightseeing bus about 266 yuan/person), take the sightseeing bus to Zhazeng collapse (about 1 hour), and then transfer to the battery car to Luorong Niu Farm (round-trip 80 yuan/person, about 20 minutes). Walking from Luorong Niu Farm, heading to the Milk Sea and the Five-color Sea, and watching the sacred mountain of Yangmayong and Xianuo Duoji up close.
Noon: Simply eat your own dry food (such as bread, chocolate) on the way, replenish water, and avoid strenuous activities.
Afternoon: After arriving at the milk sea and the five-color sea (about 1.5 hours), start the return journey as soon as possible. In the evening, return to Shangri-La Town for accommodation, and then dinner is mainly easy to digest food, and finally replenish your physical strength.
D5: Aden Scenic Spot Short-term – Xinduqiao
Morning: Enter the Yading Scenic Spot, take a sightseeing bus to Zha Guanbeng (about 1 hour), then walk to [Chonggu Temple] (about 1.5 kilometers), and feel the tranquility of the temple at the foot of the sacred mountain. Then walk to [Pearl Sea] (about 1 km), and shoot the reflection of Xian Nai Ri Shenshan. After the end of the tour, return to the entrance of the scenic spot.
Noon: Dining at the restaurant at the entrance of the scenic spot, and prepare for the return journey after a simple rest.
Afternoon: Departure and return to Xinduqiao (about 8-9 hours), drive along G318 and Yaye Expressway, and arrive at the hotel after arriving at Xinduqiao in the evening. You can take a short walk to shoot the poplar trees under the sunset, and then rest early after dinner, and finally recharge the next day for the return of the next day.
D6: Xinduqiao – Moshi Park – Honghaizi – Muya Temple – Chengdu
Morning: From Xinduqiao, go to [Moshi Park] (about 1 hour, ticket + sightseeing bus about 80 yuan/person), and shoot the gray stone forest like an ‘exotic planet’ (the light is softer in the morning). Then go to [Red Seazi] (about 30 minutes, free), and shoot the scenery of the lake reflected by the snow-capped mountains.
Noon: Arrive in Tagong Town for a meal and taste local specialties.
Afternoon: Visit [Muya Da Temple] (free, voluntary donation), enjoy the grand temple and the spectacular prayer flag array, and overlook the Gongga Snow Mountain. After that, we started the return journey, drove along Yaye Expressway and Rongchang Expressway (about 5.5 hours), arrived in Chengdu, and finally ended the trip to West Sichuan.
4. Along the itinerary: a popular attraction that cannot be missed
In addition to the core destination Daocheng Yading, the attractions along the six-day itinerary are also wonderful, and each stop is worth savoring:
- Siguniang Mountain: The first stop on the first day of the itinerary, known as the ‘Oriental Alps’, consists of four continuous peaks, of which Yaomei Peak is 6,250 meters above sea level, which is the second highest peak in Sichuan. There are steep peaks, dense forests, and clear streams, making it a good place for mountaineering, hiking and viewing.
- Danba Tibetan Village: On the way from Siguniang Mountain to Danba, you will encounter this Tibetan village, among which Jiaju Tibetan Village is the most famous. The Tibetan village is built on the mountain. The white wall is matched with the red eaves, which is inlaid between the green mountains and green waters.
- Yala Snow Mountain and Geduram, Caviar West: The second day’s itinerary can be called ‘a feast of snow-capped mountains and starry sky’. Yala Snow Mountain is 5820 meters above sea level, the snow on the top of the mountain does not melt all year round, and the mountain body shows a holy white under the sunlight; An excellent platform for mountain panoramic view and starry sky, especially Yuxixi, which can overlook many snow-capped mountains at the same time, and the starry sky at night is even more dazzling, which is a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
- Xinduqiao: Known as ‘the paradise of photographers’, the autumn scenery here is particularly famous. As an important transfer station in the itinerary, the morning and evening beauty of Xinduqiao is not to be missed.
- Moshi Park: The must-check scenic spots on the way back on the sixth day have the title of ‘exotic planet’. The stone forests in the park are gray with different shades due to geological effects, and they will change colors under different light rays.
5. Travel precautions: travel safely and comfortably in western Sichuan
- altitude sickness prevention: In most areas of the itinerary, the altitude is high, especially in Daocheng Yading, Xinduqiao and other places, you can take Rhodiola a week before departure; Drink water, eat a light diet, and ensure adequate sleep; you can carry an oxygen cylinder or anti-high anti-hyperkillic drugs with you, such as severe headache, chest tightness, vomiting and other symptoms, you need to seek medical attention in time.
- Weather and dress: The weather in western Sichuan is changeable, and the temperature difference between day and night is large. Even in summer, you need to bring warm clothes such as jackets and sweaters; in winter, you need to prepare down jackets, Snow boots, scarves, gloves and other cold-proof equipment; at the same time, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and other sunscreen products to avoid sunburn from ultraviolet rays.
- Religion and Customs Respect: Most of them are Tibetan-inhabited areas along the way. To enter the temple, you need to take off your hat and take pictures (except for permission), and do not touch religious objects such as Buddha statues and prayer flags at will.
- emergency: Bring first aid kits (including cold medicines, Band-aids); save the phone number of hospitals and traffic police along the way; carry valuables with you or store them in a hotel safe.
- Hiking safety: Wear non-slip trekking shoes, walk along the designated plank road; bring trekking poles, energy food, and do what you can; walk carefully in rain and snow, and rest in time if you are uncomfortable.
Conclusion: Going to a secret realm of western Sichuan and Aden in Daocheng
The beauty of western Sichuan is the shock that needs to be reached in person to feel the shock; the holiness of Daocheng Yading is a poetic meaning that needs to be experienced in meditation. This six-day itinerary connects the most essential beauty of western Sichuan, from the straightness of Siguniang Mountain to the simplicity of Danba Tibetan village, from the holiness of Ala Snow Mountain to the starry sky of Yuzixi, and finally reached the depths of the soul of Aden in Daocheng.
Don’t let your busy life restrain your footsteps, pack your bags, bring your awe of nature and yearning for freedom, and embark on this journey to the secret realm of western Sichuan! Let the Snow Mountain witness your footprints, let the lake reflect your smile, and go to a romantic appointment with Daocheng Yading!
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