Best Places to Go in Western Sichuan

Western Sichuan refers to the western region of Sichuan Basin. Generally speaking, Western Sichuan includes Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture and western Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture. Sichuan Basin is divided into 4 regions: eastern Sichuan, western Sichuan, Southern Sichuan and northern Sichuan.

The altitude of western Sichuan is above 4,000 meters, the temperature difference between day and night is huge. So please pay attention to keep warm and prevent altitude reaction. Western Sichuan is beautiful all the year around. But the best time to visit western Sichuan is from April to October.

In western Sichuan, you can see the stunning view of golden snow mountains during sunrise or sunset, magnificent Mount Minya Konga, the colorful lakes and beautiful forests in Jiuzhai Valley and the colorful pools in Huanglong.

Mount Minya Konka

Mount Minya Konka is the highest peak of Hengduan Mountain Range, which is a famous snow mountain in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of western Sichuan. Minya Konka is Tibetan, which means white iceberg. The altitude of the highest peak of Mount Minya Konka is 7,556 meters, which is the highest peak in Sichuan Province. It is also one of the mountains with largest altitude difference. There are more than 45 peaks with an altitude over 6,000 meters surrounding Mount Minya Konka.

There are more than 10 lakes on plateau in Mount Minya Konka, and the largest ice cascade in China. The most famous scene of Mount Minya Konka is the stunning view of the golden snow mountains during dawn or dusk, which is marvellous and holy.   

Mount Minya Konka

Mugecuo: Scenic Spot of Kangding Love Song

Mugecuo is a large mountain lake in western Sichuan. The altitude of Mugecuo is over 3,700 meters. Mugecuo is surrounded by many lakes. Visitors can see snow mountain, grassland, primeval forests and rhododendron. The water of Mugecuo is mainly from the water melting from the snow mountain, with good visibility of 6-10 meters.

The golden beach near the Mugecuo is called Love Beach, which is a highlight of Mugecuo. It is a rare beach naturally formed around the lake. The Love Beach is 110 meters long and 80 meters wide, which is spectacular to see in the distance.

Seven Color Sea is a crescent mountain lake. The color of the lake water will show 7 colors according to the change of sunshine, hence the name.

Rhododendron Valley connects Seven Color Sea and Mugecuo. Rhododendron Valley has 68 species of rhododendron, the valley is dull of rhododendron from April to July.

The spring in Mugecuo is also very famous. And the water in the spring is good for people’s health.

Mugecuo

Daocheng Yading

Daocehng Yading is located in the south of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Daocheng Yading is known as it magnificent and beautiful scenery.

There are 3 holy mountains in Daocheng Yading, Mount Xiannairi, Mount Yangmaiyong and Mount Summer Nuoduoji. Mount Xiannairi is the north peak with an altitude of 6,032 meters, which is the highest peak in Daocheng and fifth highest peak in Sichuan Province. Mount Yangmaiyong is the south peak at 5,958 meters. And Summer Nuoduoji is east peak with an altitude of 5,958 meters.

Erongcuo, also known as Milk Sea, is a glacier lake with an altitude of 4,600 meters. The shape of the lake is like water droplet. The water in the middle of Erongcuo is blue, and it was surrounded by white water. That is why it is named Milk Sea.

Daocehng Yading

Jiuzhai Valley

Jiuzhai Valley Valley is located in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. The main valley is more than 30 kilometers long. It is the first nature reserve to protect the natural scenery in China.

There are lakes, waterfalls and villages in Shuzheng Valley. At the altitude of 2187-2280 meters, there are 19 big or small lakes in total in Shuzheng Valley. The flying waterfalls are connected head to tail in Shuzheng Waterfall. The Shuzheng Waterfall is 11 meters high and 62 meters wide at the altitude of 2,295 meters.

At Shuzheng Village tourists can visit the Tibetan construction style, clothes of Zang people and experience their life.

There are mainly lakes at the Zechawa Valley. The volume of water in the Seasonal Sea will change according to the season. The Five Color Pool is colorful. The Long Sea is the highest, largest and deepest lake in Jiuzhai Valley.

Jiuzhai Valley

Four Girls Mountain

The Four Girls Mountain is located in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. The Four Girls Mountain is named so because the 4 mountains look like 4 pretty girls. The highest peak of the Four Girls Mountain is 6,250 meters. It is second only to Mount Minya Konka, which is named King of the Mountains in Sichuan. So the highest peak, Yaomei Mountain, is called Queen of the Mountains in Sichuan and Holy Mountain in the East. There are mysterious snow mountains, forests, streams and lakes, which is as picturesque as the scenery in south Europe, Four Girls Mountain is called Alps in the East. The core attractions of Four Girls Mountain are the 3 valleys and 4 mountains.

At Shuangqiao Valley, visitors can take sightseeing car to enjoy the scenery. It is the most relaxing valley among the three valleys.

Changping Valley is the paradise of hikers, photographers and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can hike or ride a horse at Changping Valley.

As for Haizi Valley, tourists can choose hiking or horseback riding to see the well-preserved primitiveness of the valley and dozens of snow mountains.

Four Girls Mountain

Huanglong

Huanglong is situated in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. covering an area of 700 square kilometers, the altitude of Huanglong is from 1,700 to 5,588 meters. Huanglong is the only well-preserved wetland in the plateau. Huanglong is famous for its wonderful colorful pools, snow mountains, valleys, forests, shoals, ancient temple and folk customs.

Huanglong, with its large scale, ingenious structure and colorful travertine landscape, is famous at home and abroad for its rare karst landform, which can be called a fairyland on earth.

The main landscape of Huanglong focuses on the 3,600-meter Huanglong Valley full of deposition of calcium carbonate travertine. Arranged in terraced fields, it is famous for its rich animal and plant resources.

Huanglong

Yuzixi

Yuzixi is located in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, which is a good camp site to enjoy the stunning view of the snow mountains during sunrise or sunset and the starry sky. At Yuzixi, you can see Yala Snow Mountain, Mount Minya Konka and Zheduo Mountain.

The highest altitude of Yuzixi is 4,200 meters, so please pay attention to the plateau reaction. And Yuzixi surrounded by snow mountains. The ground here is wide and open, which provides a good place to camp. Due to its unique viewing location and photo-taking attributes, it has become a must-see spot for tourists. 

The traffic to Yuzixi is not good, please choose experienced drivers. And it is easy to influenced by weather, please notice the weather in advance.

Seda Wuming Buddhist Academy

Seda Wuming Buddhist Academy is situated in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. The Seda Wuming Buddhist Academy is known as the large scale of the red houses on the mountains. The houses are the dormitories of the monks.

The night view of Seda Wuming Buddhist Academy is beautiful and breathtaking. With an average altitude of 3,900 meters, it is hard to get to the top of the mountain. But the myriad lights of the houses full of the mountains is really amazing.

Seda Wuming Buddhist Academy