Maoya Grassland
毛垭大草原
A high alpine grassland west of Lithang town along G318, at over 4,000 metres, covered with wildflowers and herds of yaks in summer.
Maoya Grassland lies west of Lithang county town and extends for dozens of kilometres along G318 toward Batang. It is one of the most expansive high-altitude grasslands in western Sichuan, at over 4,000 metres above sea level. From June to August, the grassland is covered with cosmos and stellera (wolf poison) wildflowers, and herders' tents and yak herds dot the landscape, with snow mountains rolling in the distance. In September and October the grass turns yellow. During the Lithang Horse Racing Festival in early August, Khampa riders gallop across the grassland among rows of tents, a spectacular sight.
You can stop along the road to take photos. Do not drive into pasture areas or approach Tibetan mastiffs. Afternoon thunderstorms and hail are common.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Litang
- Lithang Old Town & Thousand-Household Tibetan Village
- Tsangyang Gyatso Museum
- Litang Monastery (Lithang Gompa)
- Wuliang River Valley
- Zhaga Mountain
- Eye of Genyen
- Lenggu Monastery