Western Sichuan Small Tourist Loop | Western Sichuan Ultimate Travel Guide

Altitude: 592 meters
Distance from Chengdu: 59 kilometers (1.5 hours’ driving)
Top Highlights: Dujiangyan Panda Base, Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Mount Qingcheng
Recommended Visiting Time: 1 day or 2 days

Dujiangyan, located in the northwest of Chengdu, is one of the most popular destinations for travelers who want to do a side trip around Chengdu. You can spend one full day involving in the meaningful panda volunteer program to take care of the adorable Giant Pandas. Dujiangyan Panda Base offers this kind of experience, which is the nearest panda base for travelers who want to join in this program.

If you have another day, you can have an exploration about the world heritage sites - Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Mount Qingcheng. Dujiangyan Irrigation System is the ecological engineering feat originally constructed around 256 BC. You can learn how Chinese uses natural topographic and hydrological features to solve problems of diverting water for irrigation, draining sediment, flood control and flow control without the use of dams. Mount Qingcheng is the birthplace of Taoism therefore you can not only have a good learning about Taoism culture, but also relax yourselves in the verdant forests.

Recommended Short Trips:

>> 1 Day Dujiangyan Panda Volunteer Tour

>> 1 Day Dujiangyan-Qingcheng Mountain Tour

Mount Siguniang, also called Four Girls Mountain, is praised as the “Sacred Mountain in the East” and listed into the National Geo-park of China and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2006 as the sanctuary of Giant Pandas in Sichuan. Mount Siguniang National Park is composed of four peaks - Dafeng, Erfeng, Sanfeng, Yaomei Peak and three valleys - Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley and Haizi Valley. It is a challenge for regular travelers to climb up the four girls mountains. The highly recommended way to explore Mount Siguniang is visiting its three valleys with amazing hiking experience. You won’t miss the chance to catch the gorgeous appearance of Mount Siguniang in good angle.

Danba County is located on the way between Jinchuan and Tagong. The Chinese National Geographic has rated Jiaju Tibetan Village in Danba as “the most beautiful countryside in China”. With a history over 5000 years, Danba has three highlights to see and experience. There are “Hundreds of Watchtowers”, “Charming Tibetan Villages rich in Jiarong Tibetan Culture” and “Beautiful Girls”. To fully catch the essences of Danba, you must pay a visit to Jiaju Tibetan Village which is the best example of Danba Tibetan Villages and the concentrated place to experience Jiarong Tibetan Culture. There is another Tibetan village called Zhonglu Tibetan Village, it is a little similar to Jiaju, but it is more primitive. To see numerous ancient watchtowers, you’d better head to Suopo Village which is called “A Place with Hundreds of Ancient Towers”. Danba is the true beautiful land full of Jiarong Tibetan cultures.

>> 6 Days Western Sichuan Autumn Sightseeing Tour

Located between Danba and Tagong, Bamei Town is less known among travelers. Like the name “Ba Mei”, Bamei Town is a beautiful town with different kinds of sceneries. There are three attractions well worth your visiting. Bamei Town is in Daofu County which is called “The Art Capital of Tibetan Folk Houses” that you can pay a visit to Daofu Folk Houses. You will be welcomed by rows upon rows of local Tibetan Folk Houses in red, white and muddy-brown that shining brightly under the sun. The second attraction is the “Lotus Holy Land” - Huiyuan Monastery, lying on the way to the sacred Yala Mountain. Not far from Huiyuan Monastery, you can visit the third site - Bamei Stone Forest (Moshi Garden Scenic Area), in special shapes and postures, which is as beautiful as the karst stone forest in South China.

(Travel Tips: If your schedule is tight with limited time, you can only visit Bamei Stone Forest, or skip Bamei for a direct transfer from Danba to Tagong.)

>> 7 Days Western Sichuan Small Loop Tour

Tagong, meaning “A Place Favored by Bodhisattva” in Tibetan language, is a picturesque town in Kangding City, well known for its scenic grasslands, devoted monks and Tibetan nomads with their thousands of thick-coated yaks. Tagong Grassland is a vast expanse of meadow and home to Tibetan nomads grazing their herds of yaks and living in traditional black yak wool tents. You can try horse riding on this green grassland and if time is right, attend the Horse Racing Festival during late June to early August. Tagong Monastery, reputed as “Little Johkang Temple”,was built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to honor the journey of Princess Wencheng on the way to Lhasa for her wedding to Tibetan King - Songtsen Gampo. The highlight of this temple is the life-sized statue of the Shakyamuni at the age of 12. Standing on this open grassland, you can overlook Yala Mountain in near distance.

>> 4 Days Classic Kangding, Xinduqiao & Tagong Grassland Tour

Altitude: 3300 meters
Distance from Chengdu: 340 kilometers (5-5.5 hours’ driving)
Top Highlights: Mount Gongga Panoramic View, Beautiful Tibetan Villages
Recommended Visiting Time: about half day to 1 day

Xinduqiao is the middle stop of Kangding City and Tagong Grassland, about 78 kilometers from Kangding and 37 kilometers from Tagong. There is no outstanding attraction in Xinduqiao. What you can feel is a world of light and shadow. The small Tibetan villages scattered artistically on both sides of the Road 318 with clear streams following through, the white polar trees standing in front of the houses in row, shining in golden when autumn coming, yaks and goats grazing leisurely on the grassland...Yes, this is the common scene in Xinduqiao - idyllic, harmony and lively. The most beautiful sections are between Zheduo Mountain and Xinduqiao, Xinduqiao and Tagong Grassland. You’ll travel through the true paradise - blue, white, golden, black, green, red with elegant light and beautiful line, making you immerse in painting-like scenery. Of course, you won’t miss the magnificence of Mount Gongga that you can overlook 145 snow-capped peaks in front of your eyes. This is the best reason why you come here!

>> 4 Days Classic Kangding, Xinduqiao & Tagong Grassland Tour

>> 6 Days Western Sichuan Autumn Sightseeing Tour

“Horses run on the mountain, and there is a cloud. The moon brightens the city of Kangding. The moon, the crescent moon, brightens the city of Kangding...” Yes, this is Kangding - the most romantic city in China. Located on the famous National Road 318, Kangding is the gateway city well linking with key destinations in Sichuan and Tibet. Xinduqiao and Tagong in its west belong to Kangding City. Apart from the two, you can pay a visit to Mugecuo Scenic Area. It is famous for snow mountain scenery, alpine lakes, primitive forests, grassland, springs and Tibetan customs. The King of Sichuan Mountains - Mount Gongga (Minka Konka) is situated in the south of Kangding. It is a big challenge for travelers to conquer this mountain. For regular travelers, you are suggested to catch the magnificent appearance of Mount Gongga in different angel.

>> 4 Days Classic Kangding, Xinduqiao & Tagong Grassland Tour

>> 7 Days Western Sichuan Small Loop Tour

Luding, the east gate of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is a stopover point between Chengdu and Kangding. The top reason to visit Luding is definitely for Hailuogou Glacier Park, the only glacier forest park in China.Besides, it preserves the precious modern marine time glacier at low altitude, and be the largest scaled and most beautiful among those at the same altitude. Hailuogou Glacier Park, at the east slope of Mount Gongga, is the best place to admire the highest peak at a height of 7556 meters. On every sunny morning, several snow mountains will be dressed by the first wisp sunlight with a piece of golden robe like the guardians guarding Hailuogou and the entire valuable nature reserve. Near the Hailuogou Glacier Park, you can explore Yanzi Valley with about 20 kilometer long river belt of red rocks to dazzle your eyes and mind.

>> 3 Days Classic Hailuogou Tour from Chengdu

Altitude: 627 meters
Distance from Chengdu: 140 kilometers (2-3 hours’ driving)
Top Highlights: Bifengxia Panda Base, Bifengxia Valley, Shangli Ancient Town
Recommended Visiting Time: about 2 days

Ya’an is located between Chengdu and Luding. It is not only known as the Rain City in China with fresh air and comfortable environment, but also the Hometown of Giant Pandas as the first panda specimen was found here in 1868. Furthermore, Ya’an is the “Throat of Western Sichuan” and almost every traveler who do the Western Sichuan travel will pass Ya’an. Spend 1 or 2 day exploring the charm of Ya’an. If you are panda fans, head to Bifengxia Panda Base for close observation of the lovely pandas and you can do panda volunteer program in this base. After having contact with pandas, relax yourselves in Bifengxia Valley with a light hiking. Extend a little farther to Shangli Ancient Town, you can enjoy the antiquity of the old town and feel the slow-paced life here. This is not the end of your trip!

Recommended Short Trips:

>> 2 Days Inspiring Ya'an Bifengxia Panda Volunteer Experience

>> 2 Days Bifengxia Panda Volunteer Program with Chengdu Tour

Once you step into the Western Sichuan region, you are at an average altitude of 2,500m or so. And with the mountain or plateau height ascends and the farther west you go, the altitude will increase, which means you’ll may be walking around day-to-day with altitude lung or head pains. And you will more likely to get the altitude sickness if you risk getting up even higher by hiking or trekking mountains, because most of the mountains in this region are at 3,000, 4,000m or even 4,000m on average.

Before the trip, you are advised to have some Rhodiola Rosea tablets at least a week before you go. However, Rhodiola Rosea may be not available for everyone and cannot cure everything. If possible, please listen to your doctors about whether you can have a tour and whether you can take some medicine.

Western Sichuan is a large area composed of a complex climate. The temperature there changes as season changes and altitude rises. Normally, the best time to visit Western Sichuan is from mid-May to October. From mid-May to July, Western Sichuan is a lively world with flourishing alpine flowers in different colors. In the autumn season from September to early November, it is the time to meet with oil-painting-like colorful forests, meadows and valleys. However, from November to April of the next year, the scenery is relatively monotonous and the road is slippery to navigate.

Mount Siguniang Weather, Clothing & Best Time to Visit >>

Kangding Weather & Best Time to Visit >>

Hailuogou Glacier Park Weather & Best Time to Visit >>

Daocheng Yading Weather, Clothing & Best Time to Visit >>

China Discovery is the local travel agency headquartered in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. We have been specialized in offering Chengdu tours, Panda tours, Jiuzhai Valley tours, Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei tours, Mount Siguniang tours, Danba tours, Kangding Tours, Daocheng Yading tours and other interesting tours.

No matter you want to travel the whole Western Sichuan Small Tourist Loop, or cover some of the stunning destinations in Western Sichuan or China, China Discovery can provide you best tour guides and experienced friendly drivers with comfortable private cars. Our English-speaking tour guide will accompany you all the way, showing you the best traveling route and telling beautiful stories of the mysterious Sichuan. 

The tour can be tailor-made according to your group size, time, physical condition, plan, interest, budget and other special need. Please feel free to contact us if you need any help or customize the tour with free quotation!