Laohegou is one of the main Nature Reserves in northern Sichuan dedicated for Giant Panda, Sichuan Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys, Sichuan Takin, Leopard Cat, and other wildlife. It has a size of over 110 sqkm and the first Non-government funded nature reserve in China. It neighbors Tangjiahe Reserve by its west and Baishuijiang Reserve by its south. It is one of the less-developed yet heavily protected reserves in China and kept as a primitive and wild reserve with zero constructions inside.
Laohegou Nature Reserve
Laohegou Nature Reserve is located in Gaocun Village of Pingwu in Mianyan, Sichuan. It is located 280km north to the city of Chengdu and by driving takes 4 hours. The nearest town is called Pingwu that is around 45km and around 45min drive away. Laohegou Reserve is next to Tangjiahe Reserve with driving of only 1 hour to get to. Laohegou is also close to Wanglang Reserve that is around 120km in 2 hours driving. Laohegou is located 185km southeast to Jiuzhai Baihe Golden Valley.
The best season for wildlife spotting is from October to the next April.
Busy travel season in Laohegou usually include July and August, late October, 1st week of October. During the busy season the time on waiting the tourist bus is less but will have less quiet conditions if sighting animal is important for you. End October is also the “Golden Foliage” of the colorful forest season.
Snow comes down in February and March.
October and November will see wildlife start to move low and good chance of spotting Sichuan Takin and Chinese Tuft Deer.
December to February may also see wildlife moving around at lower altitude looking for food near the road and river.
Spring (March to May) may also be good due to the reviving of food sources and less leafy conditions for sighting wildlife.
June to September is the summer and leafy season that many wildlife move to higher altitude and not accessible by visitors. This is not a good season for wildlife in Laohegou.
Sichuan Golden Snub-nosed Monkey numbers around 40+ and increasing over the year. They have been spotted a couple of times by entrance of Laohegou and south of Gangou in different seasons.
Giant Panda is estimated to be 14 total according to research. Although giant panda is rarely seen especially due to accessibility that most pandas live at high altitude than the roads and trails that are accessible and allowed.
Sichuan Takin is estimated to be over 50 in total. A famous Takin named Wang Defu was rescued and released here in Laogegou and in 2024 and 2025 it was seen many times.
Forest Musk Deer, Asian Golden Cat and Red Panda are rare.
A Yellow-Throated Marten was seen hunting a Forest Musk near the road in September 2025.
Chinese Tuft Deer, Chinese Goral, Wild Boar, Reeves Muntjac, Palm Civet are relatively easier to be spotted than the other mammals. In a half day tour inside Laohegou we have seen Chinese Tuft Deer and Wild Boar in 2 hours in November.
Black Bear is rare but have been spotted at Shabazi, Pujiaping. Black Bears like the chestnuts that usually ripe in October.
Golden Pheasants have been spotted multiple times on the trails above Shabazi.
Laohegou Nature Reserve
Tourist bus goes to the furthest into the valley for 8km at around 1800m. Accessible walking trails can get to around 1900m for extra 2-3km at Gangou and Yaoshangou. Note most part of Laohegou above 1800m are not accessible and not allowed to go up. The usual locations for sighting is mainly along the main valley either by walking or using tourist bus. This will limit your chance of spotting wildlife in Laohegou since many wildlife live at higher altitude such as Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys, Giant Panda, etc.
There is no hotel or lodge inside Laohegou. There is no restaurant or shop inside Laohegou. Prepare your own lunch if you plan to stay a full day inside Laohegou. Overnight place can be in Gaocun village where some comfortable country hotels are available, or go to the nearby Pingwu Town or Qingxi Town where several hotels are available for foreigners. /p>
Laohegou is not developed. The main valley that a road goes through only limits to the bottom of the valley that does not provide good sighting for wildlife. The total number of wildlife is also not great that making spotting of wildlife is not easy. Laohegou Reserve does not intend to make more constructions to develop this place into a more accessible place for visitors but rather to try to keep the human activity within limited areas inside the reserve.
We recommend this place for people who love quiet nature while still have chance for wildlife because not many people come here especially in winter after October. We also recommend this place for people who enjoy light hiking and walking in nature while searching for wildlife. This is also a family-friendly place suited for juniors.
We suggest visitors to come here in all seasons avoiding July and August if possible.
Normally half day or one full day’s time is good for Laohegou.
You may consider to combine visits to Tangjiahe, Wanglang, Jiuzhai Baihe Golden Monkey Valley together since these places are connected to one another and are also good places of wildlife.
Route: Chengdu - Pingwu/Jiuzhai - Chengdu
Route: Tangjiahe / Pingwu / Yaan / Chengdu
Route: Chengdu/ Jiuzhai / Tangjiahe / Chengdu
