Maoxian

China's largest Qiang-populated county, where the Ancient Qiang City, Diexi Lake and the alpine lakes of Songpinggou make an in-depth Qiang culture stop on the way from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou.

Maoxian lies in the southeast of the Ngawa Prefecture, Sichuan, on the upper reaches of the Min River, and is China's largest Qiang-populated county. The county town, Fengyi, is about 200 km from Chengdu — roughly 3 hours via the Dujiangyan–Wenchuan Expressway and National Highway 213 — and sits on the main route from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong. The area divides into three parts: around the county town, the Ancient Qiang City of China, Pingtou Qiang Village and the Qiang Museum showcase the Qiang King's residence, watchtowers and Shibi (shaman) culture; in the north, Diexi Town has Diexi Lake, formed by the great 1933 earthquake, and the alpine lakes of Songpinggou, whose waters and autumn foliage have earned the nickname "Little Jiuzhaigou"; in the south are the Jiudingshan Taiziling Ski Resort and Moutuo Qiang Village, while high on the mountainside to the west, Heihu Qiang Village preserves a cluster of watchtowers and the custom of white headscarves. The area has a dry-valley climate; the county town sits at about 1,600 m, with cool summers and little snow in winter. Peach and pear trees blossom in March, Songpinggou is a cool summer escape Jun–Sep, autumn foliage peaks in October, and the Qiang New Year, around the 1st day of the 10th lunar month, is the liveliest time of year. Allow 2 days: one for the Ancient Qiang City and around the county town, one for Diexi and Songpinggou. In the rainy season (Jul–Aug) the Min River valley is prone to mudslides and rockfall, so check road conditions before you travel.

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