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Kangding, Xinduqiao, Litang, Daocheng-Yading Nature Reserve
Tour Type: Private Tour
Tour Code: SKY-Sichuan-06
Tour Highlights:
Travel through western Sichuan's forests, snow-covered mountains and high-altitude lakes.
Pass Tibetan communities and gain a closer view of local traditions along the overland route.
Follow a scenery-rich itinerary suited to travelers who want dedicated opportunities for landscape photography.
Travel with private guiding and transport throughout the route for a more flexible experience.
Best Travel Time:
April through October is the recommended season for Daocheng and Yading. September and October generally provide more stable conditions for photography.
From on request
Meals: Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Kangding Gesanghua Hotel ★★★★ or similar
Check out early and meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby at around 07:00am. From here, begin the overland journey from Chengdu into western Sichuan's highlands.
Travel west from Chengdu toward Kangding, passing Ya'an and crossing Mt. Erlangshan by tunnel. Kangding is the capital of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Region and is widely associated with the region's traditional love songs.
After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Mugecuo Scenic Area, also known as Kangding Love Song Resort. Walk beside one of Sichuan's larger plateau lakes and take in the quiet highland setting.
Kangding lies at about 2,500 meters above sea level. Use the evening to rest and begin adapting to the altitude before the following day's drive across higher mountain passes.
Mugecuo Scenic Area
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Snow Area Hot Spring Garden Hotel★★★★ or similar
Continue toward Daocheng by way of Xinduqiao, Yajiang and Litang. As the road gains elevation, cross several mountains above 4000 meters, including Mount Gaoersi, Mount Jianziwan and Mount Kazila.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant during the journey.
Reach Litang, a plateau town at around 4000 meters known for its nomadic heritage and Tibetan way of life. After time to observe the streets and local atmosphere, continue to Daocheng, arriving at night for hotel check-in and rest.
Xinduqiao
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Mofan Themed Hotel or similar
After breakfast, meet your guide and driver for the trip to Daocheng- Yading Natural Reserve. On arrival at the scenic area, take the shuttle bus to Yading Village and check in.
Visit Chonggu Temple at 3900 meters, below Mt. Xiannairi at 6032 meters. Continue along the plank path to Pearl Lake at 4080 meters, a viewpoint facing the mountain. After the visit, return on foot to Yading Village for the overnight stay.
Details in the itinerary:
Drive from Daocheng to Yading Natural Reserve (80km & 1.5hrs); take the shuttle to Yading Village (3800m), then the shuttle to Zhaguanbeng (6.5km & 20mins); walk to Chonggu Temple (0.5km & 20mins) and Pearl Lake (1.5km & 1.5hrs).
Dacheng Yading Natural Reserve
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Snow Area Hot Spring Garden Hotel★★★★ or similar
If you wish, rise early to watch the sunrise. Today's program follows the second sightseeing route through Yading's mountain and lake landscape.
Take the shuttle bus to Zhaguanbeng, walk to Chonggu Temple, then use the golf cart to reach Luorong Cattle Ranch at 4180 meters. The ranch is framed by three snow-covered peaks, while the Gongga River, pasture, trees and wooden buildings shape the foreground.
Optional: Hiking from Chonggu Temple to Luorong Cattle Ranch is also possible, covering 6.5km in approximately 1.5hrs.
From the ranch, continue on foot or choose a horse ride at your own extra cost toward Milk Lake at 4600 meters and Color Sea Scenic Area at 4700 meters. Both lakes sit within the high mountain valley and reflect the surrounding peaks in clear conditions.
In the late afternoon, leave the valley by scenic shuttle. Meet the driver outside the reserve and return to Daocheng for the night.
Details in the itinerary:
Take the shuttle from Yading Village to Zhaguanbeng (6.5km & 20mins); walk to Chonggu Temple (0.5km & 20mins); continue by golf cart to Luorong Cattle Ranch (6.7km & 30mins) or hike for 1.5hrs; hike to Milk Lake (5km & 3hrs), then Color Sea (1km & 30mins).
Milk Lake
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Xinduqiao Gonggazong Manor Hotel ★★★★ or similar
Leave Daocheng and begin the long return journey toward Chengdu. Break the trip with an overnight stay in Xinduqiao, a highland area noted for its photogenic landscapes.
Xinduqiao
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Enjoy the grassland scenery in the morning, check out around noon and drive toward Chengdu. En route, stop at Luding Bridge above the Dadu River, a site associated with the Red Army and the Long March.
Arrive in Chengdu in the late afternoon, where the six-day Daocheng Yading private tour concludes.
Service ends
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