Western Sichuan Province is home to some of the most beautiful places in China and some of the best landscape photo places including Daocheng Yading, Minya Konka, Tagong, Jiuzhaigou. Its seasonal change of views including flower-blooming summer, golden foliage fall, snow-covering spring provide great chances for landscape photography.
The Autumn Fall Color is often called the Golden Fall (Jin Qiu) of Wetst Sichuan. It indicates the autumn season when the color of trees change from green to yellow and often in October/November season when the days are clear and is the season perfect for photography. The color change of foliage are mainly of two types of trees: poplar trees (Qing Yang) and Red Fir (Hong Shan). These trees are usually found in the following places: Bipenggou, Siguniang(Four Sisters Mountain), Xinduqiao, Daofu, Ganzi, Daocheng Yading.
This include mountains of Minya Konka, mountains of Daocheng Yading, mountains of Genyen, Siguniang(Four Sisters Mountain) . Some are with snow and glaciers all year round, some are with different layers of color including the green/yellow trees or grassland, river, lakes. It is often a great photo chance of sunrise and sunset glows on these mountains.
The good lakes for photography in west Sichuan are abundant. Some lakes such as Milk Lake and 5-color Lake of Yading are with unique colors of the lake itself. Some lakes have great reflection of mountains such as Boyul Lake of Yading, Langgatso Lake of Minya Konka. Some lakes are connected and forming different views with trees and waterfalls such as lakes in Jiuzhaigou. Some lakes are isolated with views of temples such as Tsopu Lake, Tsoka Lake, etc.
These include Tagong Grassland with the backdrop of Mt. Yala and colorful temples. In different seasons the different light provide excellent photography chances. The sunset by the Yellow River Bend of Zoige is another great spot for grassland photography often with different forms of weather.
Lianbao Yeze is a geo-park of rocky towery peaks above grassland and lakes. It is a land of wonders and perfect for photography. Some of the towers are more than 200 meters tall and each stand out with different forms. Moshi Park is located in Bamei. It is a limestone forest with unique greyish color. In different seasons the Baimei Moshi Park provides different beauty for photography.
In different seasons one shall see different views.
The golden fall season is from mid October to early November. The flower season is from late June to early August (higher altitude place will see shorter flower season). The “green mountain” season is from early June to early September with the prime “green mountain” time from mid June to late August. Snow starts to accumulate at high mountains (above 5000m ) from late September. Season for snow on the ground is either October or Spring time. If you are keen to see snow the best season is March to April and May.
Traveling to West Sichuan will usually expect:
1, long driving;
2, high altitude;
3, possible walking;
4, cold weather and freezing hands;
Therefore you are recommended to:
1, plan ahead and pack properly,
2, plan for multi-day trip,
