Impression of Danba and Tagong in Western Sichuan

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Chengdu - Wolong - Siguniang Shan Town

Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Shuangqiao Valley, Sunset of Mt. Siguniangshan

In the morning drive to Wolong National Nature Reserve. It is one of the Chinese earliest natural reverses, which is rated the preservation zones network of “mankind and living beings” by UNESCO. Visit Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong, 74 pandas live here, it is the largest breeding center for giant pandas, integrating scientific research, feeding, breeding, reproduction, wildness training, etc.
Then, proceed to Siguniang Shan Town (formerly Rilong) via the Balang Tunnel. Siguniang Shan Mountain, also known as the Four Sisters Mountain, Four Girls Mountain or Four Maidens Mountain, boasts four peaks exceeding 5000 m in height. According to legend, each peak represents one of the four sisters. The highest peak, Yaomei Feng, symbolizing the youngest sister, stands at 6250 m and is revered as the "queen of Sichuan's peaks."
Embark on a sightseeing bus tour and explore Shuangqiao Valley on foot. Enjoy a leisurely hike in the Shuangqiao Valley (Double-bridge Valley) of Siguniang Shan Mountain, renowned for its concentrated and enchanting scenery. If the weather permits, marvel at the breathtaking sunset views of Siguniang Shan Mountain (Four Sisters Mountain) from Maobiliang.

221 km, 4 hours 10 minutes
Overnight at Cloud Inn (3200 m)

Pandas in Wolong

DAY
2

Siguniang Shan Town – Danba

Wori Tusi Manor, Tibetan village Jiaju and Zhonglu

Drive to visit Wori Tusi Manor, the former official residence of the local Tusi, a kind of imperial kingship leader.
After that, drive to visit the Tibetan village of Jiaju, renowned as the most beautiful village in China. In Danba, the local inhabitants are known as Jiarong (Gyarong) Tibetans. Take a walk and explore the Jiaju village, where over a hundred buildings with the same architectural style, showcasing the distinctive and cohesive character of Jiarong Tibetan homes. Against the backdrop of the blue sky, these Tibetan residences, adorned in hues of red, white, and black, are scattered seemingly at random yet harmoniously along the valley's slopes from the base to the middle.
Then continue to visit the Tibetan Village Zhonglu. There are ancient block towers with long history here. In autumn, the village is even more beautiful, and the trees are full of heavy pomegranates, pears, and apples, etc.. At the sunset, the whole village is shrouded in the afterglow of the setting sun.

110 km, 2 hours 26 minutes
Overnight at Zongkar Homestay (2100 m)

Breakfast

Tibetan Village Jiaju

DAY
3

Danba - Bamei – Tagong

Watchtowers in Suopo, Huiyuan Temple, Lhagang Monastery, Muya Grand Monastery, Gyergo Nunnery, and the grand mani wall of Hepingfahui, Panoramic view of Gongga and Yala Mountain

Danba has long been acclaimed as “the Kingdom of Thousands of Ancient Watchtowers”. In the morning visit the ancient watchtowers in Suopo. They were made of clay and block and look fine from outside with solid thick walls.
Then drive to Bamei, visit the Huiyuan Temple which was built in 1729, the 7th Year of Yong Zheng Emprior of Qing Dynasty. After the temple was completely built, the Emperor Yongzheng named this temple “Huiyuan Si”. And he sent officers to invite the 7th Dalai Lama Kalzang Gyatso who spent 7 years here from 1728 to 1735 to live in this monastery. Later, the 11th Dalai Lama mkhas-grub-rgya-mtsho was born here, which contributed profound influence to Huiyuan Temple in Tibetan area.
Tagong means “the favorite place of Buddha” in Tibetan, and is known as “little Lhasa” among believers. Upon arrival at Tagong, visit the Lhagang Monastery (Tagong Si) of Sayka Sect, which is surrounded by three hills symbolizing three Bodhisattvas. It is said that the blessing of a reserved Jowo Shakyamuni image left by Wencheng Princess in this monastery to the pilgrims resembles the Lhasa Jowo Shakyamuni image in Lhasa.
Afterwards visit the Muya Grand Monastery, the impressive Gyergo Nunnery, and the grand mani wall of Hepingfahui. Drive to the Balang Shengdu Village. If the weather is good, enjoy panoramic view of Gongga Mountain (7508.9 m) and Yala Mountain (5884 m) from the 360-degree Balang Viewing Platform.

165 km, 4 hours 40 minutes
Overnight at Tagong Prairie Mandala Hotel (3730 m)

Breakfast

Huiyuan Temple

DAY
4

Tagong - Kangding - Luding – Chengdu

Zheduo Shan Pass (4298 m), Museum of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Luding Bridge

In the morning drive on the beautiful and zigzag road S434 to Kangding. In good weather, you can admire the panorama of Gongga Mountain from Siding Tso Lake and Zheduo Pass (4298 m).
Kangding is the capital of the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and the gateway to the Tibetan Kham region. And Kangding has made a great contribution to fostering the contact and connection between the Tibetans and Han Chinese throughout history.
In Kangding, visit the Museum of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, which houses rich cultural relics, including the Tent Made of Fur of Hundred Tigers, one of its prized collections, and it belonged to the Tusi - the chieftains of the Maoya steppes in Litang.
Keep driving to Luding. In Luding visit the Luding Iron Chain Bridge on the Dadu River, which is a treasure of Chinese ancient architecture. The bridge was built in the 44th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1705) in order to enhance the connection with Tibetan culture. On May 29th, 1935, the Chinese Red Army reached Luding Bridge during the Long March. Facing a hail of bullets, the Chinese Red Army, with 22 warriors as the pioneers of the commando, destroyed the bridge’s guards in one fell swoop, which is an important historical monument of the Communist Party of China.
Then drive via the famous rainy city of Ya'an back to Chengdu.

352 km, 5 hours 16 minutes

Breakfast

Tagong Nonnenkloster

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