Sacred Mountains of
Western Sichuan

We leave Chengdu in the late morning and head west along the famous G318 Highway — often called China's Route 66 for its epic landscapes and road-trip culture. The first stop is the Tianquan 318 Highway Service Area, a well-known roadside landmark for travelers heading into Western Sichuan.

We continue to Kangding (~2,560m) — the gateway city between the Sichuan Basin and the Tibetan Plateau, where Han and Tibetan cultures visibly converge. A short stop here gives a first impression of high-altitude town life before the road climbs further into the mountains.

We stop at Honghaizi Lake, a hidden alpine lake surrounded by snow peaks and open grasslands — one of the most photogenic landscapes in the region. Toward sunset, we continue to Gedilam viewpoint, known among local travelers as the "Sky City," where panoramic views stretch across mountain ranges and alpine meadows.

Tonight we stay in Xinduqiao, a Tibetan town famous for its dramatic natural light and relaxed atmosphere — our base on the outbound and return legs of the journey.

Today we travel deeper into the Tibetan Plateau, breaking the journey with scenic photo stops and breaks every 2–3 hours.

The road takes us through the famous Eighteen Bends of Tianlu — a series of dramatic switchbacks carved into the mountainside, offering sweeping views of the valley below and a taste of what plateau road travel really feels like. We then cross Rabbit Mountain Pass, where dramatic rocky landscapes and sweeping plateau views create a surreal atmosphere.

Later, we pass through the Haizi Mountain area, a high-altitude plateau dotted with glacial lakes and wide open skies — one of the most otherworldly landscapes on the route. The road here feels genuinely remote.

By evening, we descend to Shangri-La Town (~2,900m) — the significant drop in altitude ensures restful sleep before tomorrow's full day in Yading.

Today we explore Yading Nature Reserve. After entering the park by shuttle bus, we travel through forests and valleys toward the three sacred mountains revered in Tibetan Buddhism: Chenrezig (Xiannairi), Jampayang (Yangmaiyong), and Chanadorje (Xianuoduoji).

At Luorong Pasture, snow mountains rise dramatically above alpine meadows and rivers. Travelers can choose their hiking level:

Easier route: Chonggu Monastery → Pearl Lake — shorter distance, lower physical demand, excellent mountain reflections.

Advanced route: Milk Lake & Five Color Lake — using park eco-shuttles and optional electric carts to reach the trailhead at Luorong Pasture, then a ~10 km hike up to ~4,600m. One of the most iconic alpine hikes in China.

Your guide monitors pacing throughout. After the visit, we return to Shangri-La Town for rest and recovery.

Today we return across the Tibetan Plateau with a dedicated cultural stop that the outbound journey bypassed. We head to Litang (~4,000m) — one of the highest towns in the world and an important center of Tibetan culture, history, and religious life.

In Litang we visit Letong Ancient Town, the old heart of the settlement with traditional Tibetan architecture and street life, and Changchun Ke'er Monastery — one of the most important Gelug monasteries in the Kham region of Western Sichuan, with a striking hilltop position overlooking the town.

After the visit, we continue across the high-altitude roads back toward Xinduqiao. Staying in a familiar base after two longer travel days makes for a more relaxed evening — the second half of the journey continues tomorrow.

Today is intentionally slower. We explore the valleys around Jiagenba, where streams, forests, grasslands, and snow peaks create one of the most peaceful landscapes in Western Sichuan.

In the afternoon, we drive toward a remote viewpoint near Muyacuo / Tinong Valley for sunset views of Mount Gongga (Minya Konka) — the highest mountain in Sichuan at 7,556m. As evening light hits the snow peaks, the mountains glow gold against the plateau sky. One of the most iconic moments of the entire journey.

Today focuses on Tibetan culture and highland landscapes. We begin at Tagong Grassland, where white stupas, grazing yaks, and distant snow mountains create one of the most iconic Tibetan landscapes in Western Sichuan.

We then visit Muya Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery set against the plateau backdrop — a quieter and less-visited counterpart to the larger monastic complexes on the route, with a peaceful atmosphere well suited to the pace of the day.

Next, we stop at Moshi Park — a striking natural landscape of dark volcanic rock formations rising from the grassland, creating an almost surreal contrast with the green plateau surroundings. One of Western Sichuan's more unusual and photogenic landscapes.

We arrive at Jiaju Tibetan Village in Danba County for the night. Set on a terraced hillside in a deep river valley at around 1,800m, Jiaju is considered one of the most scenic Tibetan villages in Sichuan — traditional watchtowers rise above stone-and-wood farmhouses surrounded by seasonal flowers and fruit trees.

We leave Jiaju Tibetan Village in the morning and climb back up from the Danba valley into the Siguniang Mountain region — the landscape shifts dramatically from the warm river valley back into high alpine terrain.

We explore Shuangqiao Valley — often referred to as the Alps of China. Using the park shuttle system, we travel through glacier valleys, alpine forests, rivers, and snow mountain viewpoints without requiring difficult hiking. Key sights include Siguniang Redwood Forest, Budala Peak, Sigunaicuo Lake, and Renyancao Meadow.

In the afternoon, we pass through the Balang Mountain Tunnel and begin the long descent back toward Chengdu — the road transitions from alpine scenery to the familiar lowland landscapes of the Sichuan Basin.