West Sichuan is a secret realm favored by the creator. Here, the snow-capped mountains, the vast grassland, and the Tibetan village are simple. Every inch of land hides intoxicating scenery. The Daocheng City of Aden is the brightest pearl in this secret realm. It is known as the “Soul of Shangri-La” and attracts countless travelers.
This six-day itinerary for Western Sichuan tailored for you will take you from Chengdu all the way through the hinterland of Western Sichuan, washing your mind in the holiness of Daocheng Yading, and reaping the beauty along the way. Moved.
1. Geographical location and humanistic and historical view
Daocheng Yadingis located in Shangri-La Town, Daocheng County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is located on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and in the middle of the Hengduan Mountain Range. The average altitude is above 4,000 meters and it is about 800 kilometers away from Chengdu. This is not only a geographical secret realm, but also has a deep cultural and historical heritage.
In the long history, Daocheng Yading has been an important inheritance of Tibetan traditional culture and 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. The influence of Tibetan Buddhism permeates all aspects of life. The temples, prayer flags, and Mani piles in the mountains all tell the story of faith for thousands of years.
2. Daocheng Aden: the ultimate geological Landscape and natural Beauty
The beauty of Daocheng Yading is the ultimate landscape created by the ingenuity of nature. With three sacred mountains-Sennairi, Yangmaiyong, and Xia Nuodoji as the core, it is surrounded by diverse landforms such as alpine meadows, primeval forests, and alpine lakes, forming a three-dimensional picture of the plateau.
Xiannai Rishen Mountain is 6,032 meters above sea level. It is the main peak of the three sacred mountains. It is shaped like a sitting Buddha. The snow-accumulating peak shines brightly in the sun all year round.；
The sacred Mountain of Yangmaiyong has beautiful lines and is as holy as a girl; the sacred mountain of Xia Nuodoji is towering and upright, full of masculinity.
The milk sea and the five-color sea at the foot of the mountain are even more precious stones inlaid on the plateau. The milk sea is named after the blue water of the lake like milk, and the five-color sea will show colorful colors due to the refraction of sunlight. Everywhere, people marvel at the magic of nature.
3:Unlock the Scenic Beauty of Western Sichuan, One Stop at a Time
D1: Chengdu – Siguniang Mountain – Danba
Morning: Depart from Chengdu, drive along Rongchang Expressway and China Panda Avenue (about 3.5 hours) and then arrive at Siguniang Mountain Mountain Scenic Area. Choose the well-developed [Shuangqiaogou] to play (ticket + sightseeing car about 150 yuan/person), and take a sightseeing car to visit the core attractions such as sequoia Forest, Budara Peak, and Sigunatso. The picture of Budara Peak and meadow streams is particularly beautiful.
Noon: Have a meal at a restaurant near the Siguniang Mountain Mountain Scenic Area, mainly Sichuan cuisine, and take a simple rest.
Afternoon: After the tour, drive to Danba (about 2.5 hours), and arrive at [Jiaju Tibetan Village] in the evening (tickets are about 50 yuan/person). Stroll through the alleys of the Tibetan village, admire the white-walled and red-eaves Tibetan-style houses blending with the landscape, and stay in the Tibetan-style houses at night for a Tibetan dinner.
D2: Danba – Yala Snow Mountain – Gedilam – Yuzixi – Xinduqiao
Morning: Depart from Danba, drive along Bamei Road (about 1.5 hours), and then arrive at [Yala Snow Mountain Observation Deck] (free), overlooking the holy Snow Mountain at an altitude of 5,820 meters. Then go to [Sky City of Gediram] (pay attention to non-paved roads by car) and take panoramic views of a number of snow-capped mountains from the 360° viewing platform.
Noon: Go to Bamei Town for dinner and choose a local Sichuan restaurant to replenish your energy.
Afternoon: Go to [Yuzi West No. 2 camp] (a small cleaning fee), take a vantage point and wait for the sunset of the snow-capped mountains, and watch the shocking scene of the snow-capped mountains being dyed golden red. After the end, drive to Xinduqiao (about 1.5 hours), then check into a local hotel, and then take pictures of the poplar forest under the setting sun. For the last supper, choose a Sichuan restaurant to relieve the fatigue of the journey.
D3: Xinduqiao-Yajiang-Litang-Daocheng County-Shangri-La Town
Morning: Depart from Xinduqiao, drive along the Yaye Expressway and G318 (about 2 hours), and then pass the [18th Bend of Tianlu] Observation Deck, overlooking the winding highway. Continue on and arrive at Yajiang County City.
Noon: Have a meal in Yajiang County City. We recommend light-flavored dishes to adapt to the plateau diet.
Afternoon: Depart for Litang (approx. 1 hour), then visit [Changchunqiongkor Monastery] (admission approx. ¥30/person) to experience the solemnity of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Kham region. Later, drive to Daocheng, passing by Haizi Mountain Geopark (free admission) en route to view glacial landforms. Arrive at Shangri-La Town (approx. 2,900 meters above sea level) in the evening, check into the hotel to rest, and enjoy a light hot pot-style dinner.
D4: One-Day Tour of Daocheng Yading Scenic Area
Morning: After getting up for dinner, go to the Daocheng Yading Scenic Area (ticket + sightseeing car about 266 yuan/person), take the sightseeing car to Zhaguan Village (about 1 hour), and then transfer to a battery car to Luorong Cattle farm (round trip 80 yuan/person, about 20 minutes). Set off on foot from Luorong Cattle farm and head towards the Milk Sea and the Five-color Sea. Along the way, you can see the sacred mountains of Yangmayong and Xia Nuodoji up close.
Noon: Simply eat your own dry food (such as bread and chocolate) during the hike to replenish moisture and avoid strenuous activities.
Afternoon: After arriving at the Milk Sea and the Five-color Sea, take a photo and play (about 1.5 hours). Start the return journey as soon as possible. After returning to the Luorong cattle farm, take a battery car and a sightseeing car out of the scenic area. Return to Shangri-La Town in the evening to stay, then have dinner with digestible food, and finally replenish your strength.
D5: Short Trip to Daocheng Yading Scenic Area – Xinduqiao
Morning: Enter the Daocheng Yading Scenic area, take a sightseeing bus to Zhaguan Mountain (about 1 hour), and then hike to [Chonggu Temple] (about 1.5 kilometers) to feel the tranquility of the temple at the foot of the sacred mountain. Then walk to [Pearl Sea] (about 1 km) to take pictures of the reflection of Sennai Ri Shenshan. After the tour is over, return to the entrance of the scenic area.
Noon: Have a meal at the restaurant at the entrance of the scenic area, and prepare to return after a brief rest.
Afternoon: Depart and return to Xinduqiao (about 8-9 hours), drive along G318 and Yaye Expressway, and check in at the hotel after arriving at Xinduqiao in the evening. You can take a short stroll to photograph the poplar forest in the sunset, then rest early after dinner, and finally recharge your batteries for the return trip the next day.
D6: Xinduqiao-Moshi Park-Honghaizi-Muya Grand Temple-Chengdu
Morning: Depart from Xinduqiao and go to [Moshi Park] (about 1 hour, ticket + sightseeing car about 80 yuan/person) to shoot the gray stone forest like an “exotic planet” (the light is softer in the morning and the film is released). Then go to [Honghaizi] (about 30 minutes, free of charge) to take pictures of the snow-capped mountains reflecting the lake.
Noon: Arrive at Tagong Town for dinner and taste local specialties.
Afternoon: Visit [Muyadai Temple] (free, voluntary donation), admire the magnificent temple and the spectacular prayer Flag Array, and overlook Gongga Snow Mountain. After that, start the return journey, drive along the Yaye Expressway and Rongchang Expressway (about 5.5 hours), arrive in Chengdu, and finally end the trip to West Sichuan.
4. Along the way: Popular attractions not to be missed
In addition to the core destination, Daocheng Aden, the attractions along the way in this six-day itinerary are also wonderful, and every stop is worth savoring.：
- Siguniang Mountain : The first stop on the first day of the trip, known as the “Eastern Alps”, consists of four consecutive mountain peaks, of which Si Girl Peak is 6,250 meters above sea level, which is the second highest peak in Sichuan. With steep mountain peaks, dense forests, and clear streams, it is a good place for mountaineering, hiking, and scenic spots.
- Danba Tibetan Village: On the way from Siguniang Mountain to Danba, you will encounter this Tibetan village community, of which Jiaju Tibetan Village is the most famous. The Tibetan village is built on the mountain, with white walls and red eaves, inlaid between the green mountains and green waters. In the early morning, the smoke is curling, like a paradise in the world, and you can also feel the rich Tibetan style of Jiarong.
- Yala Snow-capped Mountains, Gediram, and Caviar West: The second day’s itinerary can be called a ‘feast of snow-capped mountains and starry sky.’ Yarra Snow-capped Mountain is 5,820 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 color under the sun. Gediram and Caviar West are excellent platforms for panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains and the starry sky, especially Caviar West, which can overlook multiple snow-capped mountains at the same time, and the starry sky at night is even more beautiful.It is dazzling and a paradise for photography lovers.
- Xinduqiao: Known as the “photographer’s paradise”, the autumn scenery here is particularly famous. The golden poplar forests, winding rivers, scattered Tibetan villages, and the snow-capped mountains in the distance are all like an oil painting. As an important transit station in the itinerary, the morning and evening beauty of Xinduqiao is not to be missed.
- Moshi Park: A must-see attraction on the way back on the sixth day, it has the title of ”exotic Planet’. The stone forests in the park show different shades of gray due to geological effects, and their colors change under different light. Walking in the meantime, it seems that you are in an alien world.
5. Precautions for travel: Travel West Sichuan safely and comfortably
- Prevention of altitude sickness: Most areas of the itinerary have higher altitudes, especially Daocheng Aden, Xinduqiao and other places, rhodiola rosea can be taken one week in advance before departure; avoid strenuous exercise, drink plenty of water, eat a light diet, and ensure adequate sleep when you first arrive at the plateau; you can carry oxygen cylinders or anti-high reflex drugs with you, such as severe headaches,Symptoms such as chest tightness and vomiting require prompt medical attention.
- Weather and dresscode: 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 clothing 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, you must bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and other sun protection products to avoid ultraviolet sunburn.
- Respect for religion and customs: Most of the areas along the way are Tibetan settlements. You need to take off your hat and take pictures when entering the temple (except with permission), and do not touch Buddha statues, prayer flags and other religious objects at will; be polite in communicating with local residents and respect their life customs and beliefs.
- Emergency belongings: bring a first aid kit (including cold medicine and band-aids); store the phone of the hospital and the traffic police along the way; carry valuables with you or store them in a hotel safe.
- Hiking safety: Wear non-slip hiking shoes and walk along the designated plank road; bring hiking poles and energy food, and walk as far as you can; walk carefully in rainy and snowy weather, and rest in time if you are not suitable.
Conclusion: Go to a secret appointment between Western Sichuan and Daocheng Yading
The beauty of Western Sichuan is a shock that needs to be experienced in person; the holiness of Daocheng Yadingis a poetry that needs to be experienced in meditation to be understood. This six-day itinerary connects the most essence of the beauty of Western Sichuan, from the straightness of Siguniang Mountain to the simplicity of Danba Tibetan Village, from the holiness of Yala Snow Mountain to the starry sky of Yuzi West, and finally reached the depths of the soul of Daocheng Yading.
Stop letting 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-capped mountains witness your footsteps, let the lake reflect your smile, and go on a romantic appointment with Daocheng Yading!
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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