Sichuan Golden Fall Photo Tour - 10 Days

This is a ground tour. Some days involve long hours of driving and sitting in the car. Please make preparation in accordance including power bank for your phone, neck pillow, etc. Remember for the day activities you need to have a day pack with you. In the day pack we only take with us necessary items for the hiking/visiting during daytime, including packed lunch or snacks, drinking water recommended 1L minimum, sunglasses, rainproof, warm-keeping clothes and hat, sun block and lip oil, important personal possessions etc. Note the warm-clothing and rainproof (for both yourself and your pack) may not be used while hiking/visiting, but since weather changes quickly and hard to predict in the mountains, it's wise to bring these items with you all the time each day.

Start from your hotel by 8am and drive for around 3 hours to Bipeng. After arrive at the tourist center of Bipeng and then use tourist bus in Bipenggou Park for around 40 minutes to the transiting center where we will use 2 other sections of golf car to go further up the valley with separated bus tickets.

Bipenggou Park is a nature park located north of Siguniangshan, and it is home to many snow-capped mountains and beautiful lakes. The visit starts by the bus ride, and after we arrive the bus terminal we can choose either to walk or use the golf car to go higher to around 4000 meters above sea level inside the park. The walking is not on steep track but rather gradual. At the very end of the track we can even keep exploring more. The higher we go, the more peaks we will see. We will also see forest, waterfalls, rivers. Depending on the season we will also see different colors during different seasons in Bipeng. In summer from May to September we shall see the mountains and valleys in green color and from October to November we shall see Bipenggou in its golden color. From December to the next March we will see Bipenggou in snow.

Photo spots: Panyang Lake, Yanzi Yanwo, Hongshan Lake

Total driving 4-5h, visiting around 4h, medium pace

Overnight at hotel at 2100m

After breakfast we will start our day with driving on Lixiao Road above Bipeng to see the golden foliage trees on this winding and beautiful mountain road. We shall make multiple stops while near the high part of the road when we see more trees especially the colored trees. We will spend time taking photos of the golden fall forest along the road before arrive Siguniang Shuangqiao Valley by/before 1pm.

We will have the full afternoon visit Shuangqiao Valley of Siguniang. First we will go into Shuangqiao Valley where we start our visit by a bus ride to the end of valley and start the tour. Around you there are many stunning peaks some are snow-capped and some are big walls including Mt. Jianshan, Mt. Yutu, Mt. Se'erdengpu, Mt. Potala, Mt. Abi and many more. We can either use bus to make stops along the valley as other visitors do or we can walk on the less-walked boardwalk along the river and enjoy some quiet time in nature. We will tour down the valley following the river and make 4-5 stops total. If one chose to visit by walking then we recommend to walk the first 3-4 stops total 8-12km where the main views of Shuangqiao are located. The walking will be on well-paved boardwalk on flat terrain with no steep part. Shuangqiaogou Valley is a zigzagged, deep and quiet and the longest valley stretching over 35km. We'll see yaks and forest and photo spots by multiple locations. The easiest way of visiting is to stop at each bus stop and take photos.

After the visit we will go out of the park and check in to hotel and relax. We will drive up to Maobiliang for sunset photos if weather and time allow.

Photo spots include: Lixiao Road/ Shuangqiao Hongshanlin Stop, Potala Peak Stop, Sigunatso Stop, Longzhutso Stop/ Maobiliang for sunset if time allows

Total driving 3-4h, visiting around 5-6h, medium pace

Overnight at hotel at 3100m

The town of Rilong is also called Siguniang, the same name as of the official park of Siguniang. Today we will start by a 3-hour drive from the base of Mt. Siguniang and arrive in Danba on mountain road in the river gorge. We will have the afternoon exploring the beautiful and genuine Tibetan Villages in Danba. The village here is built high up on the mountain and their houses are very famous. The local Tibetan Village was considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in China. The houses and watchtowers are their traditional constructions. The local hospitable people are very friendly and kind.

We will first go to Jiaju Tibetan Village, a famous Tibetan Village once was listed as one of the most beautiful villages in China. Jiaju Tibetan Village is a cluster of Gyalrong Tibetan villages located 8 kilometers north from the center of Danba town. The Tibetan village covers an area of about 5 square kilometers. It has more than 140 households of the Gyalrong Tibetans. The villages start from the bottom of valley by Jinchuan River to the foot of Kapama Mountains. Our visit will start by the tourist center and then drive up to the three different view spots of the village to take photos of the houses and gorge below. The visit in Jiaju take around 2 hours total to cover 2-3 photo spots.

Afterwards we will continue to the next village Zhonglu, which will be our overnight place.After a short drive down to the bottom of valley and then drive up we will arrive in Zhonglu in around 30 minutes. Zhonglu is one of the representatives of the Tibetan villages in Danba. Zhonglu is more authentic and less spoiled by mass tourism. People there work in the farm and orchards. Their houses are unique and beautiful. The villages are located on the sunny slope and composed of over dozens of families. The village bends into the shape of the mountain side: some lower and some higher. Green orchards and colorful houses made the villages here very attractive. We will tour the Zhonglu by walking/driving from the center of village to Photo Spot No. 3, the best photo spot to take sunset photos of Zhonglu.

Depending on the time of the day we may choose to go to No. 1 photo spot (sunrise) if time allows. The visit in Zhonglu takes around 2-3 hours total. After the visit in Zhonglu, we will go check in hotel inside the village and relax. Time of checking in and visiting will be adjusted according to the season and timing to better suit photo timing.

Photo spots include: Jiaju Tibetan Village Photo Spot/ Zhonglu Photo Spot No.1 and No. 3.

Driving 3 hours, visiting 5-6 hours; Easy pace

Overnight hotel by 2300m

Wake up in the morning mist and breath the fresh countryside air. You may optionally go to photo spot 1 to take sunrise photos if weather allows.

After breakfast we start from Danba and drive for around 2 hours before arrive at our first stop by Huiyuan Temple. Before arriving Huiyuan we will pass by Mt. Yala Photo Stop where we will make a short stop to take photos of the beautiful Mt. Yala, a 5820-m mountain covered in snow on top all year round.

Before arrive to Huiyuan Temple there is a road pass we will drive by where we also make a stop to take more photos of the beautiful valley and mountains around.Huiyuan Temple bears historical significance in traditional Tibet. It held shelter for the 7th Dalai Lama, Kasang Gyatso when Gelugpa was almost overthrown by other parties in Tibet. By then the temple was refurnished and expanded backed by Qing Dynasty. Another significant event is that the 11th Dalai Lama was born here. The temple has been rebuilt three times, and the newly built temple is a palace-style gold tile roof, with golden treasure jars, Falun beasts, painted emperors and warlords of all ages. The temple now houses many valuable cultural relics. Out visit will go to the original temple refurnished by Manchurian time. The visit takes around 1 hour total. We will then have a visit to Moshi Park to see the unique landforms by Bamei Moshi park before drive to Tagong. After the visit we will continue drive for around 0.5h to get to Tagong, "a place favoured by Buddha". Landscape is different in Tagong as in Danba. Here in Tagong we will see more nomads on rolling grassland with many yaks and tents. We will drive to the town of Tagong and visit a special Buddhist temple Tagong Monastery. Tagong Monastery is a 1200-year old monastery in Kham, one of the oldest monasteries around here. Learn the history and culture about the monastery through your guide. Afterwards we will go to the photo spot in Tagong Grassland for sunset.

Photo spots include: Mt. Yala/ Huiyuan Temple /Moshi Park/ Tagong Grassland

Driving 4 hours, visiting 5-6 hours; Medium pace

Overnight hotel by 3700m

Today we will go to multiple locations in Tagong and Xinduqiao for great photography chances.

Tagong Grassland is home to Khampa people and has open views of mountains, temples and grassland. We will have the option to go to the photo spot for early morning sunrise photo if the weather permits. We will then go to the village on the grassland to have closer photos of the local temples and holy sites. Lead accross the seemingly unending grassland dotted with Yaks, horses and local Tibetans we start by visit the village of Anigongma. We will see Snow-capped high mountains add a beautiful back drop to the meadows far below. We will visit working monasteries and nunnery and experience their way of life by visit one of the biggest mani stone piles of Tibet.

Afterwards we will drive to Xinduqiao via one of the most scenic road of west Sichuan to see golden fall colors of the poplar trees along the road side. We shall make multiple stops along the drive to take photos of the colored trees. After arrive Xinduqiao we will first check in to hotel in early afternoon and prepare for the sunset trip that may involve using stronger cars to drive high to one of the photo spots by either Yuzixi, or Gedilam or Julisi. We shall start by around 4pm from hotel and drive up and wait for sunset by the Minya Konka photo spot. We shall have a late drive back to hotel after sunset.

Photo spots include: Tagong Grassland/ Road stops /Xinduqiao Minya Konka Photo Spot

Driving 2+1 hours, visiting 6-7 hours; Medium pace

Overnight hotel by 3400m

Today is a driving day to cover the great distance in western Sichuan between the good places.

While on the drive the views are excellent especially after Yajiang when the road is built on high mountains where the views are open. We shall make multiple stops along the drive including Kazila Stop, Jianziwan Stop, Haizishan Stop. It is better we start early today as the drive is long and early start gives us more flexibility on more photo chances especially it is good to have good lights while on the drive 1 hour before Daocheng when we shall start to see the golden trees again. We shall arrive Daocheng by sunset time and then check in to hotels and relax.

Photo Spots include: Kazila Pass/ Jianziwan Pass /Haizishan Stop/ Liqu River before Daocheng

Driving 7-8 hours; Medium pace

Overnight hotel by 3700m

Today we will keep driving 2h south over high mountain pass towards Yading. We will make short stops along the way if weather is good. We shall arrive Yading by late morning and then check in to the park directly.

The base of Yading is called Shangrila Town, which is also the entrance of the park of Yading. We will go into the park today via the entrance and use the public bus to Longtongba and walk to Chonggu. Today we will go visit Pearl Lake above Chonggu Temple by the foot of Mt. Chenrezig (the short route). The Pearl Lake is by the foot of Mt. Chenrezig. It is a stunning lake with beautiful reflection of mountains around it. Pearl Lake is also called Zhuoma Lacuo and it is the smallest lake and a green lake. Mt. Chenrezig is considered by local people a Buddha with significance of religious sacredness. The walk up to the lake is around 1 hour. We will spend some time around the lake to take photos and then come back the same way to Chonggu. For fit people and if time allows we can also use the golf car again to Luorong and walk the 7km down the Chonggu Steppe. It is a pleasant walk down on boardwalk for around 2 hours. There are multiple chances for great photo spots by Chonggu temple (temple + mountain + golden tree), and by Pearl Lake (lake+mountain+yellow trees), and by Chonggu Grassland (mountain+trees).

After the visit, we shall go back to Longtongba at bus terminal and use bus to go back to Shangrila Town and check in to hotel and relax. Prepare for next day’s long trip that involves walking.

(You may request to stay the night by Yading Village for more sunrise/sunset photo chances since Shangrila Town doesn’t have such opportunities).

Photo Spots include: Chonggu, Pearl Lake,

Driving 2+1 hours, visiting 6+ hours; Easy pace

Overnight hotel by 2900m

Today is a full day in Yading for the long route: Milk Lake and 5-color Lake.

Today we have early start by 6:30am from our hotel and use the public bus for around 50 minutes to get to Longtongba. After arrival by the end terminal of bus ride we will need to walk for around 500m up to the golf car station at Chonggu to use the golf car for the second part of drive. The golf car will take us from Chonggu to Luorong Yak Ranch for around 20 minutes. Chonggu is at 4000m and Luorong Yak Ranch is at 4100m.From Luorong we start to have splendid views of the two of the sacred mountains of Yading: Mt. Chenardorje and Mt. Jampayang. These mountains are about 6000 meters’ tall and this place is well protected to remain its original looking.

From Luorong Yak Ranch the hiking starts. It is total around 5km necessary walking from Luorong to Milk Lake and 5-color Lake. The first half of the 5km can be replaced by a horse-ride. Please note the horses are not always available during busy season. If we want to use horse we may need to go there as early as possible during busy seasons. Although the most challenging walk of the 5km is the second half where the horse can't go. The first half is mainly flat and easy to walk. The second half of the 5km is the challenging part because it is going up including some steep sections. A lot of visitors turn around by the steep part due to the high altitude and difficulty of walking. Normally from Luorong walk to Milk Lake takes around 3-4 hours.

Milk Lake and 5-color Lake are the highlights of Yading. We recommend you to try to start early and have yourself well-acclimated before your Yading visit to try to avoid giving up halfway. After Milk Lake you can keep walking to Wuse Lake, a bigger lake that is 100 meters higher than Milk Lake. And if you are a fit walker and if time allows, you can even walk to the Songduo Pass, which is by the end of the valley and the highest place of the park at around 4600 meters where you can overlook Milk Lake and the mountains. We recommend you to go to Milk Lake first then switch back to 5-color Lake since this way is less steep while walking up. Walking back usually takes less time but during steep part and ice season one should also be careful on the hiking trail.After we walk back to Luorong we use golf car to get back to Chonggu and then use park bus to go back to Shangrila town.

Please note this day is the most challenging day of visiting due to its long walking and big ascent on high altitude. We recommend you to prepare properly for today's visit including one warm jacket be it either windbreaker, down or other clothes and carry it with you even when it is not cold or windy that you don't need at the beginning. We also recommend you to carry a rainproof be it either umbrella or raincoat. We also recommend you to bring warm hat, sunglasses, pants and other clothes that can withstand temperature drop to below 10C(Summer) and 0C (Autumn and Spring). Note this is crucial for your safety according to our experience.

Driving 1 hour total, visiting 8+ hours; Strenuous pace

Overnight hotel by 2900m

Today is a long day of driving. We will use the same road as we came in to drive back therefore we should have another chance of seeing the views in a possible different weather with more photo chances. This is when you realize how big and vast western part of Sichuan is and also only the most beautiful view hides far and remote. We will make multiple stops along the way by the famous stops on the popular 318 highway including Kazila Pass, Jianziwan Pass. We will arrive in Xinduqiao where we are going to spend the night. Depending on the time and weather we should have another option to have sunset photo chance if the last time was not lucky with weather.

Driving 8-9 hours; Medium pace

Overnight hotel by 3400m

In the morning we will start from Xinduqiao and drive back to Chengdu. We will make a stop at Zheduoshan Road Pass and shoot more photos of mountains including Minya konka Lamoshe and the valleys and maybe even the cloud below our feet. Zheduoshan Road Pass the the original road pass that historically the spliting point of traditional Tibet and Chinese Areas. It is usually a very busy place because it is a famous place on national highway 318. It is the first pass from Chengdu to Lhasa. After the pass we will continue drive to Labahe and have a visit to see the “mixed red leaves and yellow leaves” of lower mountain trees in the less-known place. We shall spend around 1-2 hour time in Labahe before drive back to chengdu. We will arrive at your hotel in Chengdu in afternoon normally by around 5-6pm, your western Sichuan photo tour ends by dropping you off to your hotel in Chengdu.

Driving 8 hours; Medium pace