Written by Veronica |
Xinduqiao, about 3,300 meters above sea level, is the last town in the transition zone from the “roof of the world” Qinghai-Tibet PlateauĀ to the Sichuan Basin. The charm of Xinduqiao does not lie in the Xinduqiao town itself, but in the 10-kilometer scenic corridor 2 kilometers east-west of the town.
The special geographyĀ makes the climate here changeable.Ā Sometimes the sky is clear during the day, and suddenly there will be a hailstorm, making the light and shadow ever-changing. Hence this place is hailed as a paradise for photographers.
XinduqiaoĀ Facts
- Location: The middle reaches of Liqu River on the North-South road of Sichuan-Tibet Line, āwest of Kangding City, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
- Opening Time: All day
- Ticket Price: Free
- Time Needed: 3-4 hours
- Suited to: Nature enthusiasts, photographers
What to See and Do in Xinduqiao
To the north of Xinduqiao is Yala Snow Mountain, the “crown of the Sichuan Ring Road”, along the way you will pass the rolling Tagong grassland and the white and beautiful plateau snow mountains. Starting from Xinduqiao to the south, you can start the trip to Mount Gongga in Sichuan. walking through the Tibetan rural pastoral, you can appreciate the magnificent style of mountains.
Tibetan villages
The Xinduqiao town featuresĀ āTibetan-style houses, mainlyĀ built of stone, with spacious white walls and vermillion painted gates. Each wall of the building has three or four windows, and the eaves of the windows are painted in red, black, and white colors, which symbolize the prosperity of the population and the abundance of grain. The husbandry here is dominated by yaks, horses and sheep, so you will see a lot of herdsmen grazing on the grassland.
A paradise for photography enthusiasts
Xinduqiao is an idyllic town where fist-sized stone dwellings line the banks of the river. The stream in the bed of the river is crystal clear, and the banks are lined with rows of tall and green pines.
Under the blue sky and white clouds, the verdant grass on the hillside moves like a green ocean with the wind; snow-white yaks and sheep scattered among them, colorful wildflowers in full bloom, everything is gorgeousĀ and unreal. In the early morning, with the smoke curling up from the houses, the golden sunrise penetrates the cloudsĀ sea, and countless photographers are immersed in this wonderful world of light and shadow.
XinduqiaoĀ is the best place to see Gongga Mountain up close. If you want to see the sunrise of Gongga MountainĀ and take pictures, it is recommended that you get up early and go to the XinduqiaoĀ platform on 318 National Highway to find the best position you are satisfied with.
Best Time to Visit Xinduqiao
Xinduqiao is 3300 meters above sea level and has a typical plateau climate. The temperature difference between day and night is large. The average annual temperature in Xinduqiao is about 7ā. July and August are the hottest months of the year, with an average temperature of 15.7ā. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of about 2.5ā. Therefore, the best time to visit Xinduqiao is from late May to early November.
June heralds the arrival of spring in Xinduqiao, when you will see a wide range of wildflowers. October is the most beautiful season in Xinduqiao — the gentle sunshine fills the vast grassland, and all the mountains seem to be covered with a layer of gold gauze; the wonderful scenery of various colors unfolded before your eyes like God overturned the color palette.
Xinduqiao Weather Tip:Ā Ultraviolet rays are very strong in the plateau, so it is recommended that you bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. It is also necessary to bring rain gear and warm clothing to adapt to the cold night.
How to Get to Xinduqiao
By air:Ā You can fly to Kangding Airport from Chengdu and then choose whether to go by bus or by car. However, it should be noted that if you do not have plateau driving experience, it is recommended that you choose a charter service because of the high altitude and many bends on the road.
By bus: In Chengdu, you can take a bus to Kangding from Xinnanmen Bus Station or Chadianzi Bus Station first, and then transfer to the bus to Xinduqiao in Kangding, which takes about 2 hours.
By car: From Chengdu, you can take āthe No.318 national highway to Xinduqiao. The whole journey is about 350 kilometers with 5-7 hours; It takes about 6-7 hours to travel 403 km if you drive fromĀ āChongqing.
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Attractions nearby Xinduqiao
Tagong Grassland:Ā At an altitude of 3,730 meters, Tagong is famous for the Tagong Grassland and the Tagong Temple. The best time to visit Tagong Grassland is from mid-June to late August. During this time, the biggest horse racing festival is held here.
Yala Mountain: It is located in the north of Xinduqiao. There are clear plateau lakes, wild natural pastures, magnificent glaciers and other majestic natural landscapes.
Hailuogou: Located in the Gongga Mountain, Hailuogou is a national 5A scenic area and the only glacier forest park in China. When autumn comes Hailuogou will become a great place to enjoy the flaming maple leaves and climb the mountains.
