The afterglow of Aba Prefecture is simply unforgettable!

Aba Prefecture Travel Guide (2025 Latest Edition) I. Destination Overview Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, located in northwestern Sichuan, combines snow-capped mountains, canyons, grasslands, and Tibetan-Qiang culture. Key attractions include Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Siguniang Mountain, and Ruoergai Grassland. With high altitudes (some areas exceed 3,000 meters), it's advisable to acclimatize beforehand and pack sun protection and warm clothing. II. Recommended Itineraries 1. Classic 5-Day Loop - **Day 1**: Chengdu → Songpan Ancient Town → Huanglong - **Songpan Ancient Town**: Take a train to Songpan Station, then a 6 km taxi ride. Visit Princess Wencheng’s statue and ancient walls. Lunch recommendation: Jufuyuan Yak Meat Hotpot (¥60/person, ¥126 set with yak meat and mushroom soup). - **Huanglong Scenic Area**: Take a 30-minute shuttle to explore travertine pools and snow-capped canyons. Peak season ticket: ¥170 (Jun-Nov), off-season: ¥60 (Dec-May, buy-one-get-one-free). Opt for the cable car (¥80) to save energy. - **Day 2**: Huanglong → Jiuzhaigou - **Jiuzhaigou**: Explore three valleys (Shuzheng, Rize, and Zechawa), highlighting Nuorilang Waterfall and Five-Color Pond. Peak season ticket: ¥169 (includes shuttle), off-season: ¥80. Stroll Bianbian Street in the evening. Dinner recommendation: Ama’s Tibetan Restaurant (¥60-80/person, yak meat hotpot with butter tea). - **Day 3**: Jiuzhaigou → Fairy Pool → Jiuzhaigou - **Fairy Pool**: 1-hour drive. Unique travertine landscapes differ from Jiuzhaigou. Ticket: ¥100 (includes shuttle). Hike along the boardwalk for 2 hours. - **Day 4**: Jiuzhaigou → Ruoergai Flower Lake → First Bend of the Yellow River - **Ruoergai Flower Lake**: 2.5-hour drive. Ticket: ¥120. Summer (Jun-Aug) blooms are stunning. Walk the wetland boardwalk. - **First Bend of the Yellow River**: Sunset views. Ticket: ¥65, elevator ride: ¥60. Capture reflections of twilight on the water. - **Day 5**: Ruoergai → Hongyuan Moon Bay → Chengdu - **Hongyuan Moon Bay**: Sunrise over grasslands. Ticket: ¥30. Horseback riding or hiking. Return via chartered car (~¥800/car) or bus to Chengdu (9 hours). 2. Outdoor Adventure Route (7 Days) - **Day 1-2**: Chengdu → Siguniang Mountain (Shuangqiao Valley → Changping Valley) - **Shuangqiao Valley**: Shuttle tour (¥80 ticket + ¥70 shuttle). **Changping Valley**: 6-hour hike to Muzi Camp for alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks. - **Day 3-4**: Siguniang Mountain → Danba Jiaju Tibetan Village → Dangling - **Jiaju Tibetan Village** (¥50 ticket): Photograph Tibetan watchtowers. **Dangling**: Hike to Hulu Lake (3,800m altitude, guide required). - **Day 5-7**: Dangling → Mosika → Danba → Chengdu - **Mosika Village** (chartered car, no ticket): Interact with marmots. Return via Danba Beauty Valley for Jiarong Tibetan culture. III. Transportation Guide 1. **External Transport** - **Flights**: Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (1 hour, ¥800-1,500), then bus to Jiuzhaigou (1 hour, ¥30). - **High-Speed Rail + Shuttle**: Chengdu East Station → Huanglong-Jiuzhai Station (1h39m, ~¥100), then shuttle to Jiuzhaigou (departs 8:30-21:05, ¥50). - **Buses**: Chengdu Chadianzi/Xinnanmen Station → Jiuzhaigou (9 hours, ¥168), multiple daily departures. 2. **Internal Transport** - **Chartered Cars**: Jiuzhaigou → Huanglong (~2 hours, ¥400/car), Siguniang Mountain → Danba (3 hours, ¥600/car). - **Self-Drive**: Routes G213 (Chengdu-Wenchuan-Songpan) and G317 (Chengdu-Barkam-Aba County). Scenic stretches like Minjiangyuan Highway and Fairy Pool’s 28 Bends are breathtaking but prone to landslides in rainy season. IV. Accommodation Recommendations - **Jiuzhaigou**: - **Luxury**: Conrad Jiuzhaigou (¥2,100/night, Tibetan villas + bonfire nights), Banyan Tree (¥1,800/night, cliff views + hot springs). - **Budget**: Qianhe International Hotel (¥600/night, near scenic area), Qingyun Qingshe Homestay (¥300/night, in Songpan Ancient Town, parking available). - **Siguniang Mountain**: - **Changping Valley Entrance**: Jiarong Style Inn (¥400/night, offers hiking guides). - **Shuangqiao Valley Entrance**: Twoo Holiday Hotel (¥500/night, heated floors + oxygen supply). - **Ruoergai**: - **Grassland Tents**: First Bend of the Yellow River Camp (¥200/night, includes meals, ideal for stargazing). - **Town**: Ruoergai Dazang Sunshine Hotel (¥400/night, oxygen-equipped rooms). V. Food Guide - **Must-Try Tibetan-Qiang Cuisine**: - **Yak Meat Dishes**: Hand-torn yak meat (Himalaya Music Tibetan Restaurant, ¥80/person), yak meat hotpot (Ama’s Tibetan Restaurant, ¥60/person). - **Local Snacks**: Songpan pickled vegetable noodles (¥13), Maoxian potato cakes (¥10), Jiuzhaigou Tibetan smoked pork (¥30/serving). - **Drinks**: Butter tea (¥5/bowl), barley wine (¥10/cup), sea buckthorn juice (¥20/bottle). - **Restaurant Picks**: - **Songpan**: Ruzai Niu (yak meat hotpot + jerky, ¥70/person), Muslim Street’s beef scallion rice (¥26). - **Jiuzhaigou**: Bianbian Street Tibetan Family Restaurant (Tibetan hotpot, ¥80/person), Zhangzha Town’s grilled yak skewers (¥1/skewer). VI. Seasons & Budget 1. **Best Seasons**: - **Autumn (Sep-Nov)**: Jiuzhaigou’s colorful forests, Huanglong’s vibrant travertine pools, and golden Ruoergai grasslands (10-20°C). - **Summer (Jun-Aug)**: Ideal for escaping heat. Ruoergai Flower Lake blooms, and Bipenggou offers cool hikes (free entry for recent graduates). 2. **Budget (5-Day Trip)**: - **Transport**: Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou round-trip bus ¥336 + chartered cars ¥800 (¥200/person) + shuttle tickets ¥300 ≈ ¥836. - **Accommodation**: 4 nights at mid-range hotels (¥600/night) ≈ ¥2,400. - **Tickets**: Jiuzhaigou ¥169 + Huanglong ¥170 + Ruoergai Flower Lake ¥120 ≈ ¥459. - **Food**: ¥150/day × 5 ≈ ¥750. - **Total**: ~¥4,445/person (peak season), dropping below ¥3,000 off-season. VII. Practical Tips 1. **Altitude Sickness**: Huanglong and Siguniang Mountain are high-altitude. Prepare with Rhodiola supplements and avoid strenuous activity. For headaches or shortness of breath, use oxygen stations (¥30/hour) or seek medical help. 2. **Sun Protection & Warmth**: Strong UV rays require SPF50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats. Large temperature swings demand layers—light jackets in summer, down jackets in winter. 3. **Cultural Etiquette**: Remove hats before entering Tibetan villages. Do not touch prayer flags or stupas. Ask permission before photographing locals. ⚠️ **Note**: Starting June 2025, Aba Prefecture will include high-altitude diseases like hydatidosis and pulmonary hypertension in outpatient insurance coverage. Those with related conditions should carry medical records.