6 Days West Sichuan Small Loop Tour from Chengdu

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chengdu to Siguniang Town
   Meet Pandas and Cross Cloud Sea to Four Sisters Mountains

   In the morning, the driver and the tour guide will pick you up at your hotel at the agreed time. You will then drive to Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base to observe the cute giant pandas eating in their natural habitat and learn about their living habits.

   Afterwards, you will travel along the Balang Mountain at an altitude of 4523 meters, which is often surrounded by a sea of clouds. Stop at the Maobiliang Ridge and enjoy the panoramic view of the Four Sister Mountains. If the weather is clear, you can see the four main peaks in the distance, with the highest peak reaching an altitude of 6247.8 meters.

   

   It takes another hour to drive from Maobiliange to reach Siguniangshan Town (at an altitude of 3200 meters). Your guide will assist you with check-in procedures. Get early rest to ensure sufficient sleep and prepare for tomorrow's hike.

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   3-Star Hotel in Siguniang Town
2. Day 2: Changping Valley or Shuangqiao Valley
   Hike Alpine Forests, Meadows and Snow Peaks in Siguniangshan Valleys

   After breakfast, your exploration of Mount Siguniang officially begins. The scenic area consists of "three valleys and one mountain", including Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley, Haizi Valley, and Siguniang Mountain. Today you will explore Changping Valley, which is 29 kilometers long and the closest valley to Mount Siguniang. Starting from the entrance, take the sightseeing bus to visit the ruins of Lama Temple. Its history can be traced back to the 15th century and it was once the center of local Buddhist culture.

   After the visit, start your hiking. Hiking is divided into two sections, with the first section mainly on flat wooden boardwalks, which require low physical strength. The boardwalk winds through the dense primeval forest, with the murmuring Zhangmu River beside it and the air is extremely fresh. You can admire the snow capped peaks deep within the valley from open viewing platforms along the way.

   

   The second hiking trail is a primitive dirt path, which is relatively difficult to walk, but the reward is a more primitive forest scenery. As it continues to advance, the magnificent Mount Yaomei of Mount Siguniang gradually reveals its full picture. You pass through open alpine meadows, where yaks and horses leisurely graze. Finally arrive at the Muluozi Camp - an excellent observation deck surrounded by snow mountains where you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the meadow and towering snow peaks framed together.

   After enjoying the scenery, hike back to Lama Temple. The entire hike today will take about 7-8 hours. Last, take the sightseeing bus to leave Changpinggou.

   An Alternative Option:

   If you want to explore the beauty of Mount Siguniang with a more relaxed and leisurely pace, you can take a sightseeing bus to tour Shuangqiao Valley. With a total length of 34.8 kilometers, it is the most beautiful valley in Siguniang Mountain National Park. The sightseeing bus will take you directly to the end of the valley where there are large redwood forests surrounded by peaks. On the way back, get off the bus and take some short hikes to capture the vast grasslands dotted with flowers, colorful prayer flags and white pagodas. Some famous scenic spots in this valley include: Longzhucuo Lake, Wuse Mountain, Yingzui Rock, Ginseng Fruit meadow.

   

   After the visit, you will go back to the hotel to rest and relax your leg muscles.

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   3-Star Hotel in Siguniang Town
3. Day 3: Siguniang Town to Danba
   Discover Tibetan Village Life and Ancient Watchtowers

   After breakfast, it takes about 2.5 hours by car to reach Danba County, which is known as the "Land of Thousand Watchtowers". In its most glorious period, there were over 3000 watchtowers standing in Danba dating back to the pre Qin period. Currently, there are 562 ancient watchtowers here.

   Today you will visit Zhonglu Tibetan Village. In Tibetan, 'Zhonglu' means 'the place where people and gods yearn for'. The entire village is located on an open flat land halfway up the mountain. From a higher point, you can see a panoramic view of the village with red and white Tibetan style houses dotted in the green forest. There are many stone watchtowers over 30 meters high and your tour guide will point out the important roles of some of them. Autumn is the best time to visit the village when the leaves turn golden, which is quite spectacular.

   

   Tonight, you will spend the night in Zhonglu Village.

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   3-Star Hotel in Zhonglu Village
4. Day 4: Danba to Tagong
   Photograph Yala Snow Mountain and Surreal Moshi Stone Forest Landscapes

   After breakfast, drive 6 kilometers to reach Suopo Village to admire the magnificent ancient watchtowers. These towering buildings mainly constructed of stone and soil were once used by the Tibetan people for defense and residence and a symbol of status. You can observe these "Eastern Pyramid" up close, with four, five, eight and even thirteen corners. They have multiple functions such as storing goods and transmitting information besides defense. From the observation deck across the river valley, you will be able to fully appreciate the entire village.

   Continue your journey, along the way, you can admire the magnificent Yala Snow Mountain.

   

   The next attraction is Moshi Park. At an altitude of about 3500 meters, it is a unique geological wonder on Qinghai Tibet Plateau. The core landscape is the rock forest which presents a unique dark gray color due to the presence of minerals such as graphite in the rocks. Along the boardwalk, enjoy the rugged and unique stone forest up close. The color of rocks will change between dark gray, light gray and even light blue with changes in sunlight and humidity. The stone forest, surrounded by plateau meadows, streams and distant snow capped mountains, is a paradise for photography enthusiasts.

   After the tour, drive for about half an hour to check into a hotel in Tagong County.

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   3-Star Hotel in Tagong
5. Day 5: Tagong to Kangding Via Xinduqiao
   Experience Tagong Monastery, Grasslands and Golden Valleys En Route Kangding

   Today, you will continue exploring the next destination of the Western Sichuan Loop - Tagong. Tagong in Tibetan means "a place favored by bodhisattvas". The average altitude is 3730 meters and the area is centered around grasslands, Yala Snow Mountain and Tibetan Buddhist culture.

   After breakfast, visit Tagong Monastery which is backed by Yala Snow Mountain and faces the vast grassland. Founded in the 7th century AD, it preserves a replica of the 12-year-old statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and is the most precious in entire temple. You can see a grand prayer hall outside the temple as well as colorful prayer flags and Mani stone piles scattered on surrounding slopes.

   

   Leisurely stroll on the Tagong Grassland, adjacent to the Tagong Temple. In your camera, there are stunning scenery of Yala Snow Mountain, grasslands, rivers, temples and herds. You can choose to experience slow horseback riding between grasslands and streams, getting close to this land from a unique perspective. The ubiquitous tents, cattle and sheep, and herdsmen dressed in traditional costumes show you a primitive nomadic lifestyle.

   Afterwards, drive to Xinduqiao. This section of road is the essence of the "Photographer's Corridor" on the western Sichuan plateau. The journey is about 40 kilometers and driving feels like through a painting. The highway extends along the river, with open valleys on both sides dotted with Tibetan villages, golden barley fields and leisurely sheep. If it's autumn, you will see the poplar forest turn into a brilliant golden color.

   Next, appreciate Zheduo Mountain. In Tibetan, 'Zheduo' means bends. You will cross the mountain pass at an altitude of 4297 meters, with many bends along the way. Always have your camera ready to capture the beautiful snow peak scenery. Finally, you will arrive in Kangding. Spend the night here.

   

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   3-Star Hotel in Kangding
6. Day 6: Kangding Back to Chengdu
   Admire Alpine Lakes, Colorful Springs and Grasslands

   After breakfast, drive to Mugecuo Scenic Area, which is a plateau lake with an altitude of about 3780 meters. Mugecuo Lake is the biggest highlight with its deep blue water surrounded by forests, meadows and snow covered mountains. In the scenic area, you can also enjoy attractions such as the Seven Colored Sea, Red Sea Grassland and a hot spring group.

   The Seven Colored Sea is crescent shaped and formed by the fusion of cold springs and hot springs. The water temperature in the right spring can reach 67 ℃, which has medical value. The lake water presents seven colors according to weather changes, hence its name. The Red Sea Grassland is a sea of Gesang flowers and has been selected as one of the "Six Most Beautiful Grasslands in China" by China National Geographic.

   

   After the tour, take a 4-hour drive back to the city center of Chengdu. After arrival, you will be escorted to a hotel in the city center. If you need airport or high-speed station transfer services, please inform your travel consultant in advance. This is the end of your 6-day West Sichuan Small Loop tour. Thank you so much for traveling with China Xian Tour. Safe travels.

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