Mountain Tourism in China

updated by 2026

Mountain Tourism first started by around 2000s in China, and is blooming since 2020 and since 2023 it is exploding at some famous mountain places of China such as Siguniang, Mt. Haba, etc. The sudden surge of mountain travelers have put pressure on some of the nature parks, environment, and lagged-behind regulations and local people & workers. This article is about mountain tourism in Sichuan Province and in the whole China in general. This article is for nature lovers and for people who are planning mountain trips in Sichuan so to have expectations and make sufficient planning.

What’s Happening?

1, The Tourist Parks are Packed with People in Busy Season.

The once “adventurous” travel destinations such as Mt. Siguniang, Daocheng Yading, Core parts of Genyen and Litang, Core parts of Tagong Grassland that used to have only a very limited number of visitors/hikers are now seeing thousands if not more visitors pouring in especially during busy season, hiking seasons (July to August). This will cause your visit or hiking at these places become crowded and your expectation and experience of being in the nature will be compromised.

Long Queues by Siguniang Park

If you are particularly sensitive to big crowds then you are recommended to avoid going into the tourist parks and choose further or more wild places especially if you are doing hiking as part of your holiday in Sichuan. Note if you are not traveling in the busy travel season then it’s okay.

The usual busy season is from (early )July to (late) August. The other seasons are okay.

The usual busy tourist parks that are also mountain parks are Mt. Siguniang, Daocheng Yading, Genyen South (the core area), Tagong Grassland (the core area). The other more wild destinations such as Ganzi, Derge, Minya Konka Mt. Yala, Tagong Grassland (non-core areas), Genyen (non-core areas), Batang, etc are actually okay and most are largely still quiet.

Another result of this is that during the busy season there is high chance of traffic jams by these places especially in Xinduqiao, Tagong, Siguniang.

2, Some Hard but Famous Treks are now made shorter and can be packed with People.

Nowadays, gears are lighter, roads are better, weather forecast is more reliable. People want to do more in a holiday. These are all factors of this change in Mountain Toursim in China.

These places include the traditional Siguniang Dafeng, Erfeng, Changping-Bipeng Trek, and the newly popular ones such as Reddomain Trek, Genyen, etc.

Some hardcore treks that were done formerly with a more moderate pace are now being made into day hikes. A good example of this is Dafeng of Siguniang and the Reddomain Trek in Kangding.

For Dafeng now everyone does it in 2 days from 3000m base and make summit 5000m with one night stay by 4300m base camp. No other option (i.e. an intermediate night in between) is available or possible. (note for this trek we used to do in 4-5 days for better acclimating,)

For the Reddomain Trek now people do it in 2 days from Kangding with the night sleep by 4300m camp and walk 40km in 2 days time, while it was used to be done in 4 days with an intermediate night by 3800m and with a more enjoyable pace. Although for now Reddomain is still flexible with more nights planning, but during certain seasons the trail is packed with people.

Siguniang Changping to Bipeng Trek

3, Accidents happen More often and Local Government is more Involved

More people traveling to the mountains, then more accidents happen. Local government is mobilized to be more involved in helping travelers and giving safety instructions on the travelers and hikers especially during busy seasons. Some places will see more frequent changes of local regulations on mountain travel due to the accidents.

In 2025 alone there are at least 10 people died (and many injured) of mountain accidents due to AMS, lost their way, bad weather, fall. (The biggest cause being AMS). The majority population of mountain tourists are still in the process of learning the mountains and mountain travel.

What are the Results and Risks for Travelers?

1, Prices raise on guides, pack animals, local transfer;

2, Accidents of death, injuries happen more often, and when it happens some places will shut off (this has happened multiple times in different locations in Siguniang, Kangding and Minya Konka).

3, The often outdated and vague traveling, hiking, trekking information of mountains of Sichuan can be confusing.

Siguniang Dafeng in a Normal Day

Solution & Suggestions for Mountain Traveling in Sichuan(China) as a Foreigner

1, Know your Style

Do you want to cover as many places as possible within the limited time? Do you want to cover the popular and “famous” places on a travel guide book or follow suggestions of influencer on social media? Or do you want to go to the actual wild and quiet and unspoiled places? Please know that the usual popular places will normally see more travelers and tourists and the wild and unspoiled places are with harder accessibility and less comfort. And sometimes the crowds is inevitable during busy seasons.

The Chinese social media (mainly Red Note) is referable when doing travel planning for short trips such as visits in the city, to the tourist parks or any specific site that won't take a long time to visit. Foreigners can basically follow the "influencers" and do exactly the same things as former travelers for these places. Although if you are planning at mountain travel that involves multiple days, long hiking or trekking, then you are recommended to do more research on different sources.

2, Read More, Know what to Expect

To have a better travel experience you may read more so to know what to expect. Social media provides a lot of useful travel information and good images of the places but sometimes too brief or too fragmented. When you plan your trip especially your trip into the mountains, we recommend you to read further and deeper than just a couple of instagram photos or comments.

3, There are still Unspoiled Places

For people who don’t like even small crowds, you may try avoid the holidays in China and avoid the above listed “popular” mountain places. Sichuan Travel Guide understand some hikers/travelers prefer absolute quiet places and we have that to offer to you too even during the busiest travel time. If you know your style, and you are willing to invest in time to plan your unique travel, and willing to spend money on your special holiday, you may talk to us directly to arrange you a private and customized adventure tour, hiking, trekking tour in West Sichuan in the mountains. We have the expert people to talk with you and to arrange you a tour that suits you the best.