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Embark on an epic road trip through the wild, sacred landscapes of Western Sichuan. This 8-day grand loop takes you from the turquoise lakes of Xichang to the mystical "Kingdom of Women" at Lugu Lake, from the forgotten Tibetan kingdom of Muli to the last Shangri‑la of Yading, and finally to the jagged peaks of Siguniangshan. Travel along the legendary National Highway 227—one of China's most scenic new routes—with a small group of 2–8 fellow adventurers. No shopping stops, no hidden costs—just pure, immersive exploration of breathtaking nature and rich ethnic cultures.

Why This Journey Is Unforgettable

Epic Grand Loop: Cover the best of Western Sichuan in one seamless journey—from Yi‑influenced Xichang to the Tibetan highlands of Ganzi and Aba.

China's Most Beautiful New Highway: Cruise along National Highway 227, winding through mountains, grasslands, and valleys with stunning vistas at every turn.

Sacred Mountains & Hidden Kingdoms: Explore Yading Nature Reserve, the legendary Muli kingdom, and the four sacred peaks of Siguniangshan.

Unique Cultural Encounters: Experience Mosuo culture at Lugu Lake, walk through ancient villages like Dashiban, and admire Tibetan Buddhist architecture at Muli Grand Temple.

Incredible Photography: From the orange walls of Lingying Temple to the panoramic views at Mana Chajin and reflections of snow peaks in alpine lakes—every day offers world‑class photo ops.

Small Group Comfort: 2–8 travelers per vehicle with a dedicated driver, ensuring flexibility and personalized service.

Inclusive Extras: Tibetan costume photoshoot, oxygen bottle, travel insurance, a special local meal, and more.

Your 8‑Day Gan‑A‑Liang Grand Loop

Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu – The Land of Abundance

Meals: –/–/–

Accommodation: Standard or Upgraded Hotel in Chengdu

Welcome to Chengdu! Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

Day 2: Chengdu – Yaan – Dashiban Village – Lingying Temple – Qionghai Lake – Xichang

Meals: Breakfast/–/–

Accommodation: Standard or Upgraded Hotel in Xichang

Photography Focus: Ancient village, orange temple walls, vast freshwater lake.

Morning: Journey on the Yaxi Expressway
Depart Chengdu and drive along the incredible Yaxi Expressway, considered one of the world's most challenging engineering feats. Marvel at the Lapabajing Super Bridge (with "Asia's tallest pier"), the 10 km Niba Mountain Tunnel, and the spiral tunnels of Ganhaizi. The highway itself is an attraction!

Afternoon: Dashiban Village & Lingying Temple
Arrive in Xichang, the "Moon City," and visit Dashiban Village. Wander through this peaceful ancient village and explore Lingying Temple, whose striking orange walls create stunning photos against the blue sky—a perfect alternative to Beijing's Forbidden City red.

Qionghai Lake
Continue to Qionghai Lake, Sichuan's second‑largest freshwater lake (four times the size of Hangzhou's West Lake). Take a leisurely stroll along the lakeside park, enjoying views of crystal‑clear waters surrounded by lush mountains. (If you wish to enter paid sections of the lake, tickets are at your own expense.)

Evening: Check into your hotel in Xichang. Dinner is on your own—try local Yi cuisine.

Day 3: Xichang – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake (Full Circle Tour)

Meals: Breakfast/–/Special Local Dinner

Accommodation: Standard or Upgraded Inn in Lugu Lake

Photography Focus: Alpine lake views, reed marshes, the "Bridge of Love," panoramic lake overlooks.

Morning: Drive to the "Kingdom of Women"
Depart Xichang and journey through Yanyuan County, passing apple orchards and the scenic Yalong River. Learn about the unique customs of the Mosuo people, one of China's last matrilineal societies.

Afternoon: Lugu Lake Circle Tour
Arrive at mysterious Lugu Lake, known as the "Plateau Pearl" and sacred to the Mosuo people. Spend over 3 hours exploring the lake:

Caohai (Grass Sea): A vast reed marsh where waterbirds gather. The water's colors shift throughout the day.

Zouhun Bridge (Lover's Bridge): This 300‑meter wooden bridge across the reed marshes was traditionally used by Mosuo lovers for their "walking marriages." It's known as the "First Bridge of Love in the World."

Panoramic Viewpoint: Capture the entire lake from above, with its deep blue waters ringed by forested mountains.

Evening: Enjoy a special local dinner included for the whole group. (If the restaurant is closed, we'll substitute with a standard group meal. Non‑refundable if you choose not to attend.) Overnight in a traditional Mosuo inn.

Important Notes for Lugu Lake:

The drive from Xichang is long and slightly bumpy in parts. Bring motion sickness medication if needed.

Inns use solar water heating—be mindful of hot water availability.

Buildings are mostly wooden—please do not smoke indoors.

Day 4: Lugu Lake – Muli Grand Temple – Mana Chajin Viewpoint – Shangri‑La Town (Riva)

Meals: Breakfast/–/–

Accommodation: Standard or Upgraded Hotel in Shangri‑La Town (Riva)

Photography Focus: Tibetan Buddhist architecture, panoramic views of three sacred peaks.

Morning: The Hidden Kingdom of Muli
Depart Lugu Lake and travel to Muli Grand Temple. Muli is considered the center of "Shangri‑La" in Tibetan culture, meaning "Blue Moon Valley." This area was home to the last independent Tibetan kingdom in China, which existed for over 2,200 years until 1949. Explorer Joseph Rock once called Muli Grand Temple "the most beautiful temple beneath the snow mountains." Founded in 1656, this solemn temple covers over 80,000 square meters and offers a glimpse into traditional Tibetan Buddhist architecture.

Afternoon: Mana Chajin Viewpoint
Continue to Mana Chajin Viewpoint, located on a high‑altitude pasture. Its Tibetan name means "vast pasture beside the mother mountain." This spot offers what many consider the best panoramic view of the three sacred peaks of Yading: Chenresig, Jampelyang, and Chana Dorje. On clear days, these snow‑covered peaks appear before you in all their glory, their sharp ridges piercing the sky.

Evening: Drive to Shangri‑La Town (Riva) and check into your hotel. Dinner is on your own.

Day 5: Full Day in Yading Nature Reserve – Daocheng

Meals: Breakfast/–/–

Accommodation: Standard or Upgraded Hotel in Daocheng

Photography Focus: Sacred snow mountains, alpine meadows, glacial lakes.

Morning: Enter the "Last Pure Land on Earth"
After breakfast, head to the Yading Nature Reserve (entrance fee 146 RMB + mandatory sightseeing bus 120 RMB, payable on your own). Take the scenic bus (approx. 1 hour) to Zhaguanbeng.

Explore the Valley:
From Zhaguanbeng, walk 10 minutes to Chonggu Monastery. From here, you have options:

Take the electric shuttle (70 RMB round trip, optional) to Luorong Pasture, which offers breathtaking views of the three sacred peaks.

Or hike to Pearl Lake for reflections of Chenresig (Xiannairi) peak.

Important Note: As of July 13, the trail from Gongga Co to Milk Lake and Five‑Color Lake is temporarily closed. All other areas of the park remain open.

Evening: After exiting the park, drive approx. 2 hours to Daocheng County and check into your hotel. Dinner is on your own.

Day 6: Daocheng – Litang – Yajiang – Xinduqiao – Bamei / Danba

Meals: Breakfast/–/–

Accommodation: Standard or Upgraded Hotel in Bamei or Danba

Photography Focus: Highway landscapes, Tibetan prayer flags, grassland vistas.

Morning: Scenic Drive on G318
Depart Daocheng and travel along the famous G318 National Highway. Pass through Litang, one of the highest cities in the world, and enjoy the changing landscapes.

Afternoon: Xinduqiao Viewpoint & Tagong Grassland
Stop at the Xinduqiao Viewpoint for panoramic mountain views. Here you can participate in a special prayer flag blessing activity . Then visit Tagong Grassland, where vast green meadows stretch to the horizon, dotted with Tibetan‑style temples and fluttering prayer flags. (approx. 20 minutes)

Evening: Continue to Bamei or Danba and check into your hotel.

Day 7: Bamei/Danba – Siguniangshan (Shuangqiaogou) – Maobiliang Viewpoint – Chengdu

Meals: Breakfast/–/–

Accommodation: Standard or Upgraded Hotel in Chengdu

Photography Focus: Alpine valleys, snow peaks, mirrored lakes, sea‑buckthorn trees.

Morning: Shuangqiaogou Valley
Drive to the Siguniangshan Scenic Area and enter Shuangqiaogou Valley (entrance fee 80 RMB + sightseeing bus 70 RMB, payable on your own. During peak season, book tickets in advance via the "Aba Tourism" WeChat official account).

Take the sightseeing bus to the end at Hongshalin (approx. 40 minutes), then work your way back down, hopping on and off at scenic stops. Highlights include:

Buddala Peak: Stunning views of snow‑capped peaks.

Siguniang Waterfall: A beautiful cascade.

Longzhu Lake: Mirror‑like reflections of surrounding peaks.

Renshenguo Viewpoint: Sea‑buckthorn trees and meadows.

The most photogenic sections lie between Buddala Peak and Siguniang Waterfall—we recommend walking part of the way.

Afternoon: Return to Chengdu
Your driver will meet you at the exit. We cross the Balang Mountain Pass, stopping at the Maobiliang Viewpoint for one last look at the Siguniang peaks. Continue to Chengdu.

Important Note: We typically arrive at Jinke North Road Metro Station around 8–9 PM, where the tour concludes. Due to traffic and weather, arrival time cannot be guaranteed. Please book onward flights or trains for the following day.

Day 8: Departure from Chengdu

Meals: Breakfast/–/–

Accommodation: None

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel. According to your flight or train schedule, arrange your own transfer (or we can assist—please inquire). Hotel check‑out is before 12:00 PM; luggage can be stored at the front desk.

What's Included

Accommodation: 7 nights in standard or upgraded hotels/inns as per itinerary.

• Standard Hotels (comfortable 3‑star equivalent): Chengdu: Jinfangli, Bailanhua, Yibisi SM; Xichang: Anzhu Hotel, Maduolun; Lugu Lake: Mosuo Shuliang Inn, Qidian Inn; Riva: Fengmayu Inn, Yunmo Art Hotel; Daocheng: Taitian Hotel, Tianzhu Hotel; Danba/Bamei: Miren Valley Hotel, Jinhua Hotel.

• Upgraded Hotels (premium 4‑star equivalent): Chengdu: Qingtong City Hotel, Moshang Qingya; Xichang: Guantang Hotel, Yihai Holiday Hotel; Lugu Lake: Mosuo Homestead Hotel, Lianhua Inn; Riva: Ramada Encore, Holiday Inn Express; Daocheng: Wangji Hotel, Jinzhu Hotel; Danba/Bamei: Bamei Yijia Hotel, Danba Lanfeng Hotel.

Transport: Air‑conditioned vehicle for your small group (2–8 pax). Vehicle type depends on group size.

Meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 special local dinner (as noted on Day 3).

Included Extras:

• Tibetan costume photoshoot (5 raw images, 3 edited photos, 1 set of clothing with simple makeup).

• Travel comfort kit (eye mask, earplugs, neck pillow) + 600 ml oxygen bottle per person.

• Special prayer flag blessing activity.

• Travel insurance (800,000 RMB coverage).

• Drone available in the vehicle (for general use, not a professional filming service).

Airport Transfers: Pick‑up only on Day 1 (driver only, no guide).

Important Note on Inclusions: All complimentary items are non‑refundable if not used.

What's Not Included

Entrance Fees & Scenic Transport (payable on your own):

• Lugu Lake: 70 RMB (required)

• Yading Nature Reserve: 146 RMB (required) + sightseeing bus 120 RMB (required) + electric shuttle 70 RMB (optional)

• Siguniangshan (Shuangqiaogou): 80 RMB (required) + sightseeing bus 70 RMB (required)

• Any other entrance fees not explicitly mentioned.

Lunches & Dinners: Except for the 1 special dinner on Day 3.

Single Room Supplement: If you require a private room.

Flights & Trains: To/from Chengdu.

Personal Expenses & Tips.

Important Information for International Travelers

Altitude & Health: This route reaches altitudes over 4000 m (Yading, Mana Chajin). Please consult your doctor before booking. Not suitable for pregnant women, children under 7, seniors over 70, or anyone with heart/lung conditions. Inform us of any health issues at booking.

Physical Requirements: Moderate walking on uneven terrain. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.

Weather & Flexibility: Your driver may adjust the itinerary due to weather, road conditions, or local regulations to ensure safety. This is a driver‑guided tour (no professional tour guide)—the driver will assist with logistics but not provide detailed commentary.

Packing Essentials: Warm layers (down jacket, hat, gloves), sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm), personal medication, snacks, and a reusable water bottle.

Yading Temporary Closure: As of July 13, the trail to Milk Lake and Five‑Color Lake is closed. All other areas remain open.

Siguniangshan Tickets: During peak season, book Shuangqiaogou tickets in advance via the "Aba Tourism" WeChat account.

Solo Travelers: We will try to arrange shared accommodation. If not possible, the single supplement applies.

Visa & Flights: You are responsible for obtaining your China visa and arranging flights to/from Chengdu.

Ready for the ultimate Western Sichuan adventure?
Book now and discover hidden kingdoms, sacred peaks, and the road less traveled.