2025 Luding Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Western Sichuan is located in the western part of China's Sichuan Province, situated in the transition zone from the Chengdu Plain to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, marking the area where the first step of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau transitions to the second. Its geographical coordinates range between 97°21′ to 106°3′ east longitude and 27°10′ to 34°19′ north latitude, bordering Qinghai, Tibet, and Yunnan. To the east lie the Minshan and West Qinling Mountains, to the west the northern Tibetan Plateau, to the south the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, and to the north the Laji Mountain, Burhan Budai Mountain, Qilian Mountains, and Qaidam Basin. 🚌 Transportation Options - **Self-drive**: Ideal for travelers with ample time who enjoy freedom, allowing stops at scenic spots along the way. - **Chartered car**: No need to drive yourself, making it easier to enjoy the scenery while customizing the itinerary based on your schedule and interests. - **Public transport**: Buses from Chengdu to various parts of Western Sichuan are relatively affordable, though less flexible in terms of timing and route. 🚞🌴 Classic Itineraries - **Grand Western Sichuan Loop**: Chengdu → Balang Mountain → Shuangqiao Valley of Siguniang Mountain → Danba → Sertar → Garze → Litang → Daocheng Yading → Xinduqiao → Zheduo Mountain → Kangding → Moxi Ancient Town → Hailuogou → Chengdu. The entire loop is about 2,400 km and takes 8-10 days. - **Small Western Sichuan Loop**: Chengdu → Dujiangyan → Siguniang Mountain → Jiaju Tibetan Village → Bamei → Mosi Park → Tagong → Xinduqiao → Zheduo Mountain → Kangding → Luding → Moxi Town → Chengdu. The entire loop is about 1,100 km and can be completed in 3-5 days. 🌴🌴 Attraction Recommendations - **Siguniang Mountain (Four Sisters Mountain)**: Comprising four continuous snow-capped peaks, known as the "Queen of Sichuan Mountains," ideal for hiking, mountaineering, and ice climbing. - **Mosi Park (Black Stone Park)**: Features unique karst landscapes with black stone forests that change color and form under different seasons and lighting. - **Sertar Larung Gar Buddhist Academy**: One of the world's largest Tibetan Buddhist academies, with tens of thousands of red monastic dwellings densely packed in the valley, creating a spectacular sight. - **Daocheng Yading**: Dubbed the "Last Shangri-La," its snow-capped mountains, meadows, alpine lakes, and Tibetan faith form a breathtaking landscape. 🍜🍜 Food Recommendations - **Yak meat products**: Such as yak jerky and yak meat hotpot—yak meat is firm and flavorful. - **Tibetan hotpot**: Made with yak meat, Tibetan pork, various mushrooms, and vegetables, offering a rich and delicious broth. - **Butter tea**: A traditional Tibetan drink that helps alleviate altitude sickness, with a strong, savory taste. - **Barley wine**: A lightly alcoholic beverage brewed from barley, known for its refreshing flavor. 🏡🏡 Accommodation Suggestions - **Siguniang Mountain**: Options include Skura Manor, Anzhi Ruosu Inn, etc. - **Daocheng Yading**: Recommended stays include Adventure·Yunshantai and Yading Zhaxi Kongshu Tibetan Culture Theme Hotel. - **Barkam**: Dust Settles Memory Hotel and Anyin Snow Mountain Canyon Glamping Camp are great choices.

#2月好去处2025 The famous iron chain bridge in the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan, spans the Dadu River in Luding County. It is said that after Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty unified China, he approved the construction of this bridge and erected a royal plaque at the bridgehead in order to strengthen cultural and economic exchanges in the Sichuan-Tibet region. It is a masterpiece of ancient bridge construction. Walking on the Luding Bridge, you can clearly feel the shaking of the iron chain bridge caused by the rolling river water. It is quite shocking. It is especially shaking when there are many people, and people who are afraid of heights will be scared. Although Luding Bridge was the entrance to the ancient Tea-Horse Road in the past, it has now become a highly commercialized tourist attraction with many businesses and special snacks around the square. The ancient castles on both sides of Luding Bridge are traditional wooden structures. The bridge is 103 meters long and 3 meters wide. It is fixed to the wells on the piers on both sides with 13 iron chains, 9 of which are used as bottom chains and 4 are used as handrails on both sides. There are 12,164 interlocking iron rings, weighing more than 40 tons, which is quite spectacular. #SichuanTourism #Ganzi #LudingBridge

Life advice: Stay at this private hot spring hotel before leaving Western Sichuan - No need to go to Japan, there are private hot springs in Western Sichuan I accidentally found this hotel while traveling in Western Sichuan. I liked it so much that I drove there immediately. Japanese-style courtyard, the owner has a good taste ⛰️Surrounded by nature and mountains, misty I can't imagine how cool it would be to soak in a hot spring here when it snows ♨️ One of the few high-end private hot springs in Western Sichuan, the rooms are fully equipped, and there are exclusive toiletries for children No need to check in at the scenic spot, it is also super comfortable to stay in the hotel and enjoy a day 🍁 Magnolia Maison Hot Spring Resort Hotel, Hailuogou Here The hustle and bustle of the world fades away What remains is inner peace and tranquility

Hailuogou has reopened to the public! Friends who love snow mountains and hot springs can go again! Especially for friends in Chengdu, it's relatively close! I have planned a 3-day tour, you just need to pack your luggage and set off! 【Itinerary】 Day1 Chengdu-Moxi Ancient Town Day2 Hailuogou National Forest Park Day3 Check out-Return to Chengdu 【Transportation Guide】 The distance from Chengdu to Moxi Town is about 300 kilometers. It takes 4-5 hours to drive by car. You will pass through places with high altitudes on the way, so you must bring an experienced driver if you drive by yourself. For public transportation, you can take a bus from Xinnanmen Station to Hailuogou. After arriving at Hailuogou, let the owner of the homestay come to pick you up. It's not very good to take a taxi locally, so don't live too far away, unless the owner has a dedicated car that can provide pick-up and drop-off services at any time. 【Travel Guide】 🐚Hailuogou: After entering the Hailuogou scenic area, you need to take the scenic area's sightseeing car and cable car to enter. It is recommended to take the cable car to Camp 4 and go to the No. 1 Glacier Viewing Platform to overlook the Great Glacier Waterfall; follow the sign to another viewing platform to see the No. 2 Glacier and the Gongga Main Peak. ⛰️Moxi Ancient Town: There are old streets in the ancient town. You can find a small shop to let the owner help you tie a dirty braid, the price is not expensive. There is a bar street, you can go to the bar street for a stroll at night if you live in the town~ It's very cozy~ 【About Hot Springs】 There are hot spring hotels in Moxi Town where you can soak in hot springs. You can ask the owner of the homestay for discount tickets. Of course, you can also stay directly in the hot spring hotel, which is more comfortable to soak in, and there are fewer people. 【Hotel Recommendation】 The hotel can be located in Moxi Town, which is convenient for both dining and going to the scenic area. It is recommended to find a hotel where you can soak in the hot springs, so you don't have to squeeze with others to soak in the hot springs. There are fewer people and it's relatively clean. It's not necessary to have a soaking pool in the room, it's okay if there is a soaking pool in the hotel. The hotel we stayed in before had a large soaking pool on the top floor, and hotel guests can make an appointment to soak in the hot springs. 【Food Recommendation】 You must eat yak meat and milk tea here. The dishes we ordered at Kangjiong Jiqin Restaurant were all good, especially the grilled mushrooms, which were really delicious. 【About Tickets】 Moxi Ancient Town does not charge admission. The ticket for Hailuogou is 90 yuan, the round-trip sightseeing car is 80 yuan, and the round-trip cable car in the scenic area is 135 yuan. 【Other Precautions】 1⃣️It's very cold on the mountain, remember to wear more clothes, bring gloves, earmuffs and hats 2⃣️If you plan to soak in the hot springs, remember to bring a swimsuit. Don't go to the hot springs on an empty stomach, after meals, or after drinking 3⃣️You don't need to go to Red Stone Beach, many stones are not red anymore

After a year of waiting, I can finally experience the glacier up close again. The return to the Hailuogou is greatly anticipated, Guo's family 5A scenic spot, the continuous mountains, the pure white snow forest in winter, walking in it, you can also see the low-altitude glacier! Are you sure you don't want to go and see?! ① Opening time December 12, 2023 2. Open area The reopening of the scenic spot is only for Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park: Grass Sea to Dongga Temple Circuit, Gongga Hall (Camp 3), Gongga Vein (City Gate), Gongga Ladder (Dry River Dam), Gongga Ladder to Gongga Vein Circuit, Gongga Hall (Camp 4) Partial Circuit. 3. Limited number of people According to the actual situation of recovery and reconstruction, the scenic spot implements a limited reception of 500 people/day. If the maximum limit is exceeded, the scenic spot will not receive tourists on the same day. 4. Ticket selling time The scenic spot implements limited opening hours, tickets are sold daily from 08:00 to 12:00. 5. Group ticket discount content Original price of the scenic spot ticket: 90r/person, activity execution price 45r/person (equivalent to "buy one get one free" for the scenic spot ticket), discount period: December 12, 2023-March 31, 2024 6. Other discount content Travel agencies implement 10 free 1, 10 free 2 for group scenic spot tickets, sightseeing car tickets, and cable car tickets, and need to be reported in advance Sightseeing car ticket 70 yuan/person (round trip), voluntary ride 7. Discount time December 12, 2023-December 31, 2024 8. Reservation method From December 12, 2023 to December 31, 2023, only registered travel agencies are accepted for reservation during this period, and individual tourists are not accepted I am a small package who loves to travel and share✌️

Unknowingly, more than a year has passed since the Luding earthquake, and Hailuogou has reopened... Among the old five-A scenic spots in Sichuan, compared with the rising stars of this Mengou and that Mengou in the basin, Hailuogou is very ancient and famous! But Hailuogou is really different! Here, you can enjoy spectacular glaciers, waterfalls, primeval forests, and experience hot springs...feel the magical charm of nature! Taking the shuttle bus from the gate of the scenic spot, it was rainy and foggy all the way, and I couldn't even look out of the window. I just arrived at the cable car station with a "tragic feeling" that "everyone is here". After boarding the cable car and climbing over a mountain, the clouds and mist faded away under our feet, and things gradually became more real before our eyes. The carriage moved in silence...The thick fog dispersed, and the sun penetrated the clouds, shining all over Gongga~ Attractions open Caohaizi to Donggar Temple Loop, Gonggar Paradise (Camp No. 3), Gonggar Pulse (Chengmen Cave), Gonggar Stairs (Wadi River Dam), Gonggar Hall (Camp No. 4) partial loop Hailuogou

Location: Navigate to "Yajageng Pass", which is near Kangding City. It's about 20 kilometers away by car. It's not far away and worth going up. Road conditions: The road is a bit bad, you need an off-road vehicle or a four-wheel drive to go up It is still an undeveloped tourist attraction with very few people, but the scenery is beautiful, there is no charge, and you can also go hiking inside. Taking photos📸: You need to drive to the desert, but don’t go in, because you’re afraid the car won’t have enough power. You can take pictures of the lake and the snow-capped mountains at the lakeside. You can take pictures of everything in the desert, including the desert, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and yaks.

Hailuogou Glacier is located in Luding County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China, next to Moxi Town, more than 380 kilometers southwest of Chengdu, and is a national 5A-level scenic spot. Hailuogou is backed by Gongga Mountain and is famous for its low-altitude modern glaciers, large ice waterfalls and alpine hot springs. Conch# Mainland Customs Clearance You can have close contact with various landscapes such as glacial lakes, ice caves, ice crevasses, and ice stairs at Camp No. 3.

This Glacier Park is located in Moxi Town, Garze Sichuan Province. It is/has the largest ice fall in China and has massive virgin forest which has a lot of monkeys. You will see them while walking in the forest. As you can see in my photos, there's only fog and the glacier cannot be seen anywhere. We got so unlucky because the weather was bad when we were there. It wasn't raining but it was foggy, cold and misty. Thr last photo was just taken from one of their signage there. That is how it is supposed to look like on a clear day. Unfortunate, yes but we still enjoyed it. How to get there: From your hotel to the ticket office, it will only take you minutes to get there.. depending on how far your hotel is from the ticket place. It is also where the buses will be waitong for you which will take you up to the middle of the mountain. You can either hike up until you reach the peak or you can take the cable car with extra cost. (You can check my Moxi Town post to see how to get to the town first as this town will be your starting point) Hotel: There are so many to choose from and trip.com has a few options for you. Food: A lot of restaurant options just right outside your accommodation. Ticket Price: 90 rmb per person ‼️TIPS 1. Check the weather first or time you visit well. Make sure that it isn't raining.. You must visit there on a clear day if you want to see the glacier. Remember, there is no refund with your tickets. Don't waste it and just plan your visit when the weather is nice. Enjoy the glacier park! #mytripvlog #tripblazers #nationalpark #china #sichuan

For sure, the reason why you are in Moxi Town is because you want to see the Glacier Park right? So after a long day of walking and climbing at the glacier park, it would be perfect if you can dip yourself into a hotspring pool. We didn't stay in the hotel but we only purchased an entry to their hot spring which was not too bad considering the view that you will be seeing while you enjoy the hotspring. Attractions - Glacier Park Hotels - Gongga Cliff hotspring hotel Food & Restaurants - The hotel has a restaurant on site. Enjoy your Sichuan Trip #mytripvlog #tripblazers #hotspringshotel #sichuan

Moxi Town is located in Luding County, Sichuan Province. A 5 hour journey from Chengdu. Moxi town receives a lot of local and foreign tourists alike who want to see the Glacier Park. Tourists can book their hotel accommodation here as this town ia just at the foot of the Glacier Park. It is a beautiful little town that offers rich history too. Getting There - So from Chengdu, the most convenient transporation is via bus. It is the cheapest too. You can book the bus tickets from Xinnamen Bus Station. We paid 115 per person which ia super cheap already. Attractions - Hailuguo Glacier Park (the main attraction here but the town is an attraction itself) Hotels - There a lot of accommodation options but we stayed at Beautiful Home Boutique Hotel Hailuguo. This hotel is available on trip.com so just check it out. The owner is so accommodating and kind. Food & Restaurants - A lot to choose from. You will never go hungry. ‼️TIP 1. Don't just make it as your stop over and just stay in your hotel. Walk around the town. You will see nice cafe's and you'll be surprised that an important history happened here too. Enjoy your Sichuan Trip . #tripblazers #mytripvlog #ancienttown

Pictures speak louder than words ✌️ How to get there: rental car, we went down from Kangding for about 3h What’s to see: Glacier, forest, nature and a lot of fog 🌫️ Costs: 200ish Time needed: half day Don’t forget to bring your drone for some of these beautiful aerial shots 🛸 IG: andykoh_m8 #fallingforfall #germaninchina #travellifestyle #aroundtheworld

Hailuogou is National AAAAA Tourist Attraction and you can get to 3600m asl (No.4 Campsite) - 350 hectares at the east slope of Mount Gongga (7556m highest mountain in Sichuan Province). Moxi Old Town (磨西古镇) at 1600 meters above sea level is the base point to visit Hailuogou Glacier, that is the only Glacier Forest in China! Situated in Luding County, 290km from Chengdu and 49 to Kangding City. The Town preserve wood structures architectures from Ming and Qing dynasties and is touristic place with many hotels and restaurants. Here in Hailuogou, at the foot of the mountain, next to Moxi Town, there are hotsprings!!! Natural hotspring with underground water…and those places built up baths where the water is at different temperature, and with a wonderful view over the mountains! After a long day hiking the Hailuogou the hot springs are the best way to relax! #lucaworldtraveler

a stunning view over snow mountain Gongga with its peak at 7556, Mt Zhongshan (6800m), Mt Shenying, Silver Peak, N.1 world famous Hailuogou Glacier, N.2 and N.3 Glacier, glacier ice waterfall and glacier tongue…all of this at the campsite n.4 which is at 3600m above sea level. Belong to the subalpine cold temperature zone and coniferous forest. How to get there? The only way is by a cable car from Ganheba - Campsite 3. Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park is a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction in Luding County, 290km from Chengdu and 49 to Kangding City. Covering 350 hectares at the east slope of Mount Gongga (highest mountain in Sichuan Province). In one area you can find: glacier icefall drifting vertically, multilayered primitive forest of diverse verdant trees, gorgeous snow mountain peaks, hot springs, red rocks, alpine lakes, sea of clouds, rare animals. It has a quite large altitude difference of over 6000m and it holds 70 hectare of wild forest, 7 vegetation zones and 7 soil zones…it is said that is unique in the world! … and with more than 4880 plant species from subtropical to frigid zones. The closest place to stay is Moxi Ancient Town, where the Tourist Center is also located. Many hotels and restaurants available. I spent 2 full days visiting the Glacier Park and was just enough. The place is huge and there are shuttle busses between campsites (there are 4 campsites + cableway)…I suggest to the take the bus only on the way up, than hike down hill, in this way you can admire the nature and avoid the tourists! #lucaworldtraveler

this is the only way to get to the top of the glacier at 3600m asl, that is called N. 4 Campsite (there are 4 campsite in Hailuogou Forest Park). The journey provide an amazing view over the glacier, maybe even better that the one you get at the top station! From the cable car you can admire the Glacier Tongue, the Crescent Lake, the City Gate Cave, and the beautiful mountains. How to get to the cableway station? The only way is by tourist shuttle bus from the entrance or from the other campsites. You can also hike up. You have to arrive at Ganheba than get the ticket and up (weekend, public holidays and summer season many people, be patient!). #lucaworldtraveler

located on the way to between Campsite n.2 and Campsite n.3, is a beautiful religious complex with Buddhist praying wheels and the typical Buddhist images painted on rocks with vivid color. How to get there? I did hike down from Campsite N.3. There’s a beautiful 3.6km walkway in the middle of the tropical rainforest landscape formed by the glacier. At an altitude of 2780-2940m it the subalpine warm temperature zone coniferous forest. It is one of the best places in Hailuogou, few tourists walk this path…you are completely immerse in the nature…and you can admire different trees shapes, read interesting signs about the animal living there or the vegetation. They have even decorate some trees with the local panda. This place is definitely for nature lovers! #lucaworldtraveler

this is the Campsite n.3 of Hailuogou Glacier Park (there is in total 4 campsites). It is located at 2940 meters above sea level and is at the transitional belt from subalpine warm temperature zone mixed coniferous broad leaved forest to subalpine cold temperature zone. Here you can find many variety of plants such as betula utilis, rhododendron, etc. In this area are living protected animals like wildebeest, musk deer, etc. How to get there? The easiest is to get the tourist shuttle bus from the scenic spot entrance, it will make a stop at the N.3 campsite. Another way is to hike up from Dongga Lamasery. I did take the bus than from the Campsite station I did hike up to the Crescent Lake and the Glacier Tongue, than hike down to Dongga Lamasery. #lucaworldtraveler

National AAAAA Tourist Attraction 3600m asl (No.4 Campsite), situated in Luding County, 290km from Chengdu and 49 to Kangding City. Covering 350 hectares at the east slope of Mount Gongga (7556m highest mountain in Sichuan Province). In one area you can find: glacier icefall drifting vertically, multilayered primitive forest of diverse verdant trees, gorgeous snow mountain peaks, hot springs, red rocks, alpine lakes, sea of clouds, rare animals. It has a quite large altitude difference of over 6000m and it holds 70 hectare of wild forest, 7 vegetation zones and 7 soil zones…it is said that is unique in the world! … and with more than 4880 plant species from subtropical to frigid zones. How to visit? The closest place to stay is Moxi Ancient Town, where the Tourist Center is also located. Many hotels and restaurants available. I spent 2 full days visiting the Glacier Park and was just enough. The place is huge and there are shuttle busses between campsites (there are 4 campsites + cableway)…I suggest to the take the bus only on the way up, than hike down hill, in this way you can admire the nature and avoid the tourists! Check out my moments for each campsite! #passionpassport #lucaworldtraveler

this small place is called Moxi Old Town (磨西古镇) and is at 1600 meters above sea level. It preserve architectures from Ming and Qing dynasties standing on both sides of the rock paved road, all of them wood structures. Moxi town is a very touristic place with many hotels and restaurants because is the starting point to visit the Hailuogou Glacier Park. Here is the tourist center of the park and the place where you can get the tourist bus to go inside the park. It is just 10 minutes walking distance to the entrance of Hailuogou Glacier Park. I was here just few weeks ago and they arranged a very convenient Covid Test center just in front of the Glacier Tourist Center. Need 48h covid test for the hotels check-in and also for the access to the Glacier Park. Many people take a test the arrival day to be able to use the result the following day to visit the Glacier. #lucaworldtraveler

So ideal to view Gongga Mountain, also known as od Mountain of Gongga. We visited this mountain via a tour company ‘Panda Discovery’ and everything was perfect. The cable car is the steepest in Sichuan and you feel the atmosphere around changing as you go higher into the mountain. The bed of clouds made you feel like you were in heaven. #gonggamountain #sichuan #chengdu #chengdutravel #snow Mountain

After 6 days and 100 kilometers of hiking, the Gonggar Grand Loop Line was finally completed. Although I only walked a few kilometers on the first day, my head was already a little painful (alpine reaction 😨), and the next day I woke up with nothing. I did not know that these were just pediatrics, the next day after walking a few kilometers started to rain, the whole person was wet and cold, had to endure hard, until 4 pm to reach the camp. I had an unbearable headache and immediately set up camp and went to sleep. When woken up for dinner, the person was in a daze and could not stand. I thought I should not be able to walk on the third day to go down the mountain, but I woke up and was a good guy again. In good condition to rush all the way until the sixth day to complete the entire trip. 😏😏

Hailuogou Hot Spring Season The weather is getting colder, and it is time for the hot springs. Hailuogou, a 4-hour drive from Chengdu, has the best hot springs in Sichuan. Newly built hot spring pools also refreshed my impression of the original backwardness of the hot springs in Tibetan areas. Every family has walked the net red holiday style. [Attraction Raiders] Detailed address: Hailuogou, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province Traffic Raiders: Chengdu-Ya'an-Luding-Hailuogou Opening hours: 10

40°C high temperature in Chengdu? Not at all! Drive 3.5 hours into Luding Yanzigou, open the door and be hit by the snow mountain—the Wuxia Courtyard at 1800m altitude, with the sharp peak of Aide Peak emerging from the mist, and the air filled with the scent of pine needles～ ▪️ Live in nature: A quiet courtyard with three rooms, a loft with a private courtyard + soaking pool, an orchard full of apple trees (this year’s abundant rain means plenty of walnuts, turguas, and cactus fruits!); lie on the rocking chair in the afternoon eating cherries, playing with the dog, even the birdsong sounds like it’s been softened by a filter. ▪️ Eat wild mountain flavors: The mushroom and free-range chicken soup pot picked from the mountain in the evening is incredibly fresh! All the vegetables are freshly picked from the field, even the watermelon is as sweet as jelly～ ▪️ Play at the foot of the snow mountain: On clear days, you can see the golden sunlight on the mountain, and after rain, rainbows hang on the peaks; nearby Heluogou, Longhua Mountain, and Ruoding Mountain are perfect for casual visits, super comfortable for families or friends renting the whole courtyard! The homestay also offers afternoon tea☕️ (the coffee drinks are amazing!), and you can check in at the coffee shop at the door even if you’re not staying here～ No altitude sickness, fewer people, beautiful scenery—this is the ideal life for INFPs! This summer, waste your time in the wind at the foot of the snow mountain～ 🏨 Heluogou Aide Peak Summer Homestay 📍 No. 104, Group 1, Yanzigou Town, Luding Yanzigou

⭐Hailuogou 📍Located in the southeastern part of Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province, on the eastern slope of Mount Gongga, it is an extremely high mountain area on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. 🏔It is the lowest altitude, closest to major cities, and most accessible low-altitude modern maritime glacier in East Asia, forming a comprehensive tourist scenic area with intact primitive forests and alpine boiling, hot, warm, and cold springs. ❄The Hailuogou Glacier, also known as Glacier No. 1, is 14.7 kilometers long and is the longest of the 71 glaciers on Mount Gongga❗️ ❄The Great Icefall, 500–1100 meters wide and 1080 meters high, is the tallest and most spectacular glacier waterfall discovered in China to date❗️ ❄The glacier tongue extends 6 kilometers into the primitive forest, creating a rare landscape where glacier and forest coexist❗️ ♨As is well known, Hailuogou’s hot springs are authentic natural sulfur springs. For those wanting to soak in hot springs, Hailuogou is definitely the right choice! 1. From Chengdu to Moxi Ancient Town takes about 4.5 hours (Tuzi Travel: round-trip ticket 130 RMB/person, usually pick-up at Xin Nanmen or Chengdu East Bus Station, return tickets available on Intercity Travel, driver will pick you up) Travel time is for reference only. 2. Moxi Ancient Town is currently in the off-season with few tourists. It has three streets, including Mao Zedong’s former residence, the Moxi Red Army Long March Exhibition Hall, and the Catholic Church on Moxi Ancient Street (keep going down, there are signs). The town is still under reconstruction due to a previous earthquake, so there are not many shops. 3. Entering the valley: first go to the Visitor Center to take a shuttle bus, which takes about an hour to reach Camp No. 4. Recommended route: Camp No. 4 — round-trip cable car to Ganheba — Camp No. 3 — Dongga Temple — Caohaizi — Visitor Center. 4. Camp No. 4: Take the cable car to see the glacier. Hailuogou has three major glaciers: the largest is Glacier No. 1, which is the Great Icefall. Arrive early to see the golden sunlight on the mountain without fog, and the Wolf Totem (a wolf-shaped natural erosion formation between Glacier No. 1 and No. 2). Mount Gongga is sacred to Tibetans, so there are also a white stupa and Four-Faced Buddha. The cable car descends to Ganheba. Ganheba: Be sure to hike here; the snowy scenery is beautiful, with high and low altitude plank roads (I took the low altitude from p5-7). Note ⚠️ there are macaques here! (They look hungry, eating garbage, and even snatched trash picked up by children, which was hilarious). Hike to Camp No. 3. Camp No. 3: You can take a sightseeing car to Dongga Temple or pay 30 RMB to take the pink electric car to see the glacier tongue (Chengmen Cave) p9; Dongga Temple: p10 Choose to hike to Caohaizi, Caohaizi: On the way, you will pass through a primitive forest with few people and beautiful scenery. If lucky, you might see wild animals. I only saw pheasant footprints and a woodpecker. After reaching Caohaizi, you can take the shuttle bus back to the Visitor Center. The bus runs every half hour. 5. Fees: Entrance ticket 158 RMB/person, cable car 135 RMB/person. Second entry to the valley costs 40 RMB with ID (includes 10 RMB entrance ticket, 20 RMB round-trip sightseeing car ticket, and 10 RMB round-trip cable car ticket covering production and insurance fees). 6. The Visitor Center opens at 8 AM, and staff are on duty at each station p16. If you don’t want to hike and prefer to take the shuttle bus, wait at the station and ask the staff about the vehicle schedule.

🌿 2-Day & 1-Night Slow Travel Guide to Moxi Ancient Town | Millennial Tibetan Charm Beneath Snow-Capped Peaks, Just 3 Hours from Chengdu! 📍 【Transportation Guide】 Drive 3 hours directly from Chengdu (via Yaan-Kangding Expressway), or take a bus from Xinnanmen Station to Luding and transfer. The ancient town is walkable—cobblestone paths recommend comfortable flat shoes. 🏡 【Accommodation Recs】 ✅ Tibetan Homestays: Choose wooden guesthouses in the old quarter with mountain views (¥100-200/person, e.g., "Ancient Road Courtyard"). ✅ Hot Spring Hotels: Splurge on Gongga Shengtang Hot Spring Hotel for stargazing soak sessions. 🍜 【Must-Try Food】 - Tibetan Hotpot: Yak meat + wild mushrooms = umami explosion (try "Ama's Kitchen") - Tsampa & Butter Tea: Essential breakfast combo for warmth/altitude adjustment - Roasted Potatoes & Stone-Grill BBQ: Street vendors serve piping-hot portions for ¥5 📸 【Photo Ops】 1. Catholic Church: Century-old East-meets-West architecture (featured in film "The Long March") 2. Tea-Horse Road Ruins: Trace ancient hoof prints along this millennium-old trade route 3. Gongga Snow Mountain Viewpoint: Most magical at dawn mist—photographers' holy grail 💡 【Tips】 ▪️ Pack windbreakers + sunscreen for drastic day/night temp swings ▪️ Mild altitude effects—avoid strenuous activity ▪️ Saturday Tibetan markets offer handmade silverware/rugs ✨ "Here, time exists to be wasted"—Sip tea under ancient trees while waiting for golden sunrise on snowy peaks!

Xinduqiao, located in the western part of Kangding City, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, sits at an altitude of approximately 3,300 meters. As a key stop along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (National Highway 318), it is hailed as a "photographer's paradise." The area boasts vast grasslands, meandering streams, golden poplars, Tibetan villages, and stunning snow-capped mountain views, offering breathtaking scenery year-round, especially in autumn. Here’s a detailed travel guide: --- ## **1. How to Get to Xinduqiao?** ### **1. Self-Drive (Recommended)** - **From Chengdu** (about 6-7 hours): - **Route 1 (National Highway 318)**: Chengdu → Ya'an → Luding → Kangding → Zheduo Mountain → Xinduqiao - **Route 2 (Provincial Highway 434, more scenic)**: Chengdu → Kangding → Mugecuo → Honghaizi → Kangding Airport Road → Tagong Grassland → Xinduqiao - **Road Conditions**: Zheduo Mountain (altitude 4,298 meters) is prone to traffic jams, while Provincial Highway 434 offers fewer cars and stunning views, perfect for photography. ### **2. Public Transport** - **Chengdu → Kangding**: Take a bus from Xinnanmen Station or Chadianzi Station (about 4 hours, fare ¥120-150). - **Kangding → Xinduqiao**: Carpool or hire a private car (about 2 hours, ¥50-80 per person). --- ## **2. Best Time to Visit** - **Late September to mid-October**: The autumn scenery is spectacular, with golden poplars and snow-capped mountains, making it the best season for photography. - **May-June**: The grasslands turn lush green, wildflowers bloom, and the weather is pleasant. - **July-August**: A great summer retreat, but landslides may occur during the rainy season. - **November-April**: Winter offers breathtaking snowscapes, but some roads may be icy, requiring cautious driving. --- ## **3. Must-Visit Attractions in Xinduqiao** ### **1. Around Xinduqiao Town (Free)** - **Ten-Mile Gallery**: Along National Highway 318, streams, poplars, and Tibetan-style houses create a picturesque scene, ideal for morning or evening photography. - **Gongga Snow Mountain Viewing Platform (Free)**: Offers distant views of Gongga Mountain, the "King of Sichuan Mountains," especially stunning at sunrise or sunset. ### **2. Tagong Grassland (30-minute drive)** - **Tagong Monastery (¥20)**: A famous Sakya Tibetan Buddhist temple with golden roofs set against Yala Snow Mountain. - **Minyak Monastery (Free)**: A grand complex known as "Little Seda," perfect for cultural photography. - **Gunong Village (Free)**: A tranquil village at the foot of Yala Snow Mountain, ideal for camping and picnics. ### **3. Yuzixi (1-hour drive)** - **360° Snow Mountain Viewing Platform (Free/sometimes a cleaning fee)**: Offers panoramic views of Gongga, Yala, and Siguniang Mountains, with stunning starry skies. ### **4. Lengga Cuo/Zimei Pass (3-4-hour drive)** - **Lengga Cuo (Hiking/Horseback Riding)**: The best spot to capture reflections of Gongga Snow Mountain, suited for in-depth exploration. - **Zimei Pass (Accessible by off-road vehicles)**: Faces Gongga directly, with spectacular sea of clouds. ### **5. Mozi Park (1.5-hour drive)** - **Otherworldly Rock Formations (¥60 ticket + ¥20 shuttle)**: Unique black-gray stone forests, perfect for sci-fi-style photography. --- ## **4. Accommodation Recommendations** ### **1. Xinduqiao Town (Convenient for general travelers)** - **Budget**: Kangding Xinduqiao Tibetan Inn, Dengfeng Lai Homestay (¥150-300/night). - **Mid-Range to Luxury**: Gongga Zong Manor Hotel (great views, ¥500-800/night). ### **2. Tagong Town (Close to Yala Snow Mountain)** - **Mandala Hotel (Tibetan-style, ¥300-500/night)**. - **Gunong Village Camping (¥50-100/tent, facing the snow mountain)**. ### **3. Yuzixi/Lengga Cuo (For photography enthusiasts)** - **Starry Sky Tent Camp (¥200-400/night)**, requires advance booking. --- ## **5. Food Recommendations** - **Tibetan Cuisine**: Yak meat hotpot, butter tea, tsampa, yogurt (try "Shouzu Shantang"). - **Sichuan Cuisine**: Many Sichuan restaurants in Xinduqiao Town for those unaccustomed to Tibetan food. - **Bring Snacks**: Remote areas have limited dining options; pack snacks or self-heating meals. --- ## **6. Travel Tips** 1. **Altitude Sickness**: Xinduqiao is at 3,300 meters; avoid strenuous activity and carry oxygen or Rhodiola. 2. **Sun Protection & Warmth**: Strong UV rays require hats and sunglasses; large temperature drops demand down jackets in autumn/winter. 3. **Road Conditions**: Landslides may occur in the rainy season (July-August); winter snow on Zheduo Mountain may require tire chains. 4. **Eco-Friendly**: Pack out trash and avoid harming the environment. 5. **Respect Local Customs**: No photography inside temples; walk around prayer wheels clockwise. --- ## **7. Classic Itineraries** ### **3-Day, 2-Night Trip (For Photography/Leisure)** - **Day1**: Chengdu → Kangding (lunch) → Provincial Highway 434 (Honghaizi, Siding Cuo) → Xinduqiao (stay). - **Day2**: Xinduqiao → Tagong Grassland (Minyak Monastery, Gunong Village) → Mozi Park → Yuzixi (sunset) → Xinduqiao (stay). - **Day3**: Xinduqiao → Zheduo Mountain → Kangding → Chengdu. ### **5-Day, 4-Night In-Depth Trip (For Photography/Adventure)** - **Day1-2**: Same as above. - **Day3**: Xinduqiao → Lengga Cuo (hiking/horseback) → Yulongxi Village (stay). - **Day4**: Lengga Cuo → Zimei Pass → Xinduqiao (stay). - **Day5**: Return. --- Xinduqiao is the highlight of the Western Sichuan loop, perfect for road trips, photography, and camping. Feel free to ask if you have more questions!

1⃣ Mount Qingcheng Address: Qingchengshan Town, Dujiangyan City, Chengdu, Sichuan 🚉Transport: Take Metro Line 2 to Xipu Station in Chengdu, then transfer to the intercity railway to Qingchengshan Station (about 1 hour total). Self-driving via Chengdu-Guanxian Expressway also takes ~1 hour. ✅ Highlights: Front Mountain Taoist temples, Back Mountain natural scenery, Jianfu Palace, Tianshi Cave, Shangqing Palace, Laojun Pavilion. The Front Mountain showcases Taoist culture, while the Back Mountain offers stunning landscapes. 💶 Tickets: Front Mountain ¥90, Back Mountain ¥20. 🏨 Stay: Numerous homestays and hotels at the mountain base, including luxury resorts like Howard Johnson Resort Qingcheng Mountain and Six Senses, plus budget-friendly farmhouse inns. 🍱 Food: Try Qingcheng cured pork, ginkgo chicken stew, Dongtian rice wine, and Taoist vegetarian cuisine at local restaurants. 2⃣ Mount Emei Address: Emeishan City, Leshan, Sichuan 🚄Transport: High-speed train from Chengdu East Station to Emeishan Station (~1.5hrs), then transfer to scenic buses. Self-driving via Chengdu-Leshan Expressway takes ~2hrs. ✅ Highlights: Golden Summit, Wannian Temple, Qingyin Pavilion, One-Line Sky, Monkey Zone, Baoguo Temple. Golden Summit’s sea of clouds and sunrise are breathtaking. 💶 Tickets: Peak season ¥160, off-season ¥110. Round-trip cable car to Golden Summit ¥120. 🏨 Stay: Hotels near Baoguo Temple (base), mid-mountain Leidongping budget hotels, or Golden Summit Hotel for sunrise views. 🍱 Food: Emei tofu pudding, leaf-wrapped rice cakes, snow yam, spring water tofu, and vegetarian dishes at Baoguo Temple food street. 3⃣ Bipenggou Valley Address: Li County, Ngawa Tibetan & Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan 🚌Transport: Bus from Chengdu Chadianzi Station to Li County (~3hrs), then hire a car. Self-driving via Dujiangyan-Wenchuan Expressway takes ~2.5hrs. ✅ Highlights: Panyang Lake, Zhuoma Beach, Red Stone Valley, Dragon King Lake, and glacial relics. Autumn foliage is spectacular. 💶 Tickets: ¥80 + ¥60 shuttle bus. 🏨 Stay: Bipenggou Hotel or Namu Lake Hotel at the valley entrance, or lodgings in Li County town. 4⃣ Hailuogou Glacier Park Address: Moxi Town, Luding County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan 🚌Transport: Bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Station to Moxi Town (~6hrs). Self-driving via Ya’an-Kangding Expressway takes ~3.5hrs. ✅ Highlights: Glacier Forest Park, Grand Ice Falls, hot springs, red stone valley, and primeval forest. Unique for its coexisting glaciers and hot springs. 💶 Tickets: ¥90 + ¥70 shuttle bus. 🏨 Stay: Options in Moxi Town like Long March Hotel or Mingzhu Garden Hotel, or on-site hot spring resorts. 🍱 Food: Moxi cured pork, yak meat, wild mushroom hotpot, and butter tea at Tibetan-style eateries. 5⃣ Dawa Genza Address: Qiaoqi Township, Baoxing County, Ya’an, Sichuan 🚌Transport: Bus from Chengdu Shiyangchang Station to Baoxing County (~3hrs), then hire a car. Self-driving via Chengdu-Ya’an Expressway takes ~2.5hrs. ✅ Highlights: Cloud-top viewing platform, Shenmu Lei, Qiaoqi Lake, Tibetan villages. Famous for sea-of-clouds sunrises and starry skies. 💶 Tickets: ¥60. 🏨 Stay: Stargazing tent campsites in the scenic area or simple Tibetan homestays in Qiaoqi. 🍱 Food: Tibetan hotpot, butter tea, barley wine, and yak jerky for authentic flavors. 6⃣ Ping’an Ancient Town Address: Ping’an Town, Qionglai City, Chengdu, Sichuan 🚗Transport: Direct bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Station (~1.5hrs). Self-driving via Chengdu-Wenjiang-Qionglai Expressway takes ~1hr. ✅ Highlights: Ancient streets, Leshan Bridge, bamboo craft street, Qilong Street, and Baimo River, preserving classic Western Sichuan architecture. 💶 Tickets: Free. 🏨 Stay: Quaint inns like Ping’an Ancient Town Inn or Shangyuan Inn at moderate prices. 🍱 Food: Milk-broth noodles, bowl-served mutton, Guo’s glutinous rice balls, and fried tofu at old-town snack stalls.

**Gongga Mountain Travel Guide** Gongga Mountain (7,556m), hailed as the "King of Sichuan Mountains," is the highest peak of the Hengduan Range and one of China's most magnificent snow-capped mountains. Its surrounding areas boast breathtaking viewpoints like Lenggacuo, Zimei Pass, and Lisuo Lake, perfect for hiking, photography, and deep exploration. Here’s a detailed travel guide to Gongga Mountain: --- ## **1. How to Get to Gongga Mountain?** ### **1. Main Entry Points** - **Kangding (Old Yulin)**: Traditional hiking starting point, ideal for the Gongga Grand Loop. - **Xinduqiao**: Transportation hub, convenient for accessing Lenggacuo and Zimei Pass. - **Shangmuju/Yulongxi Village**: Nearest villages to Lenggacuo and Zimei Pass. ### **2. Transportation Options** - **Self-driving (Recommended)** - Chengdu → Ya’an → Luding → Kangding → Xinduqiao → Shangmuju (~8 hours). - Xinduqiao → Lenggacuo/Zimei Pass (by off-road vehicle or horseback). - **Public Transport** - Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station → Kangding (4-hour bus) → Shared taxi to Xinduqiao (2 hours) → Chartered car to Shangmuju (2 hours). --- ## **2. Best Time to Visit** - **May-June**: Rhododendrons bloom, snow remains, ideal for hiking. - **September-October**: Stunning autumn scenery, clear skies, perfect for photography. - **November-April**: Spectacular snowscapes, but some routes may be closed due to cold and altitude sickness risks. --- ## **3. Must-Visit Viewpoints** ### **1. Lenggacuo (Best Reflection Spot of Gongga)** - **Location**: Behind Yulongxi Village, 4,500m elevation. - **Transport**: Horseback (~2 hours) or hike (4-5 hours) from Shangmuju. - **Highlights**: Mirror-like lake reflecting Gongga, stunning sunset, and starry skies; great for camping. ### **2. Zimei Pass (Frontal View of Gongga)** - **Location**: Near Shangmuju, 4,500m elevation. - **Transport**: Off-road vehicle (1 hour) or hike. - **Highlights**: Sea of clouds, golden sunrise, just 5km from Gongga’s main peak. ### **3. Lisuo Lake (Hidden Gem)** - **Location**: Shangmuju, 4,550m elevation. - **Transport**: Motorcycle + hike (more challenging than Lenggacuo). - **Highlights**: Twin lakes reflecting Gongga, fewer tourists. ### **4. Niubei Mountain (Cloud Sea Viewpoint)** - **Location**: Yingjing County, 3,666m elevation. - **Transport**: Chengdu → Yingjing → Niubei Mountain (scenic bus + hike). - **Highlights**: 360° cloud seas, sunrise, and starry skies, though farther from Gongga. ### **5. Heishicheng (Western Slope Viewpoint)** - **Location**: Near Mount Gaersi, 4,300m elevation. - **Transport**: 1.5-hour drive from Xinduqiao (off-road required). - **Highlights**: Panoramic views of Gongga’s peaks and stellar night skies. --- ## **4. Accommodation Recommendations** ### **1. Shangmuju/Yulongxi Village (Near Lenggacuo & Zimei Pass)** - **Tibetan Guesthouses**: Dengba Inn, Yulongxi Homestay (~¥100-200/night). - **Camping**: Lakeside at Lenggacuo (bring tents; temperatures below -10°C at night). ### **2. Xinduqiao (Transit Hub, Better Amenities)** - **Gongga Zong Manor Hotel** (scenic views, ¥500-800/night). - **Dengfenglai B&B** (budget-friendly, ¥200-400/night). ### **3. Zimei Pass/Lisuo Lake** - **Temporary Tents** (limited; recommend day trips). --- ## **5. Classic Hiking Routes** ### **1. Gongga Grand Loop (7-8 Days, Advanced)** - **Route**: Kangding (Old Yulin) → Riwuqie Pass → Moxi Valley → Gongga Monastery → Zimei Pass → Caoke Village. - **Highlights**: Full-circle Gongga views; requires guides and pack animals. ### **2. Lenggacuo Light Hike (1-2 Days, Beginner-Friendly)** - **Route**: Shangmuju → Horseback/hike → Lenggacuo (camp) → Return. ### **3. Zimei Pass Off-Road + Hike (1 Day)** - **Route**: Shangmuju → Off-road vehicle → Zimei Pass → Explore on foot. --- ## **6. Tips & Warnings** 1. **Altitude Sickness**: Lenggacuo/Zimei Pass exceed 4,500m; take Rhodiola rosea in advance and carry oxygen. 2. **Weather**: Mountain conditions change rapidly; pack rainproof gear and warm layers. 3. **Transport Limits**: - Off-road vehicles/horses required for Lenggacuo/Zimei Pass; regular cars won’t make it. - Some routes close in winter; check road conditions before departure. 4. **Eco-Friendly**: Pack out all trash to protect the fragile alpine environment. 5. **Safety**: Hike with companions; avoid solo trips. Camping requires wind/cold protection. --- ## **7. Itinerary Suggestions** ### **3D2N (Photography & Light Hiking)** - **Day1**: Chengdu → Xinduqiao → Shangmuju (overnight in Tibetan homestay). - **Day2**: Shangmuju → Lenggacuo (hike/horseback, camp under stars). - **Day3**: Lenggacuo → Zimei Pass → Xinduqiao → Chengdu. ### **5D4N (In-Depth Adventure)** - **Day1-2**: Same as above. - **Day3**: Zimei Pass → Gongga Monastery → Hike Moxi Valley (camp). - **Day4**: Moxi Valley → Riwuqie Pass → Old Yulin (overnight in Kangding). - **Day5**: Kangding → Chengdu. --- Gongga Mountain is a paradise for travelers chasing extreme landscapes, whether hiking, photographing, or simply soaking in the views. Feel free to ask if you have more questions!