Xinduqiao & Tagong

Western Sichuan's "photographers' paradise": the Xinduqiao Light-and-Shadow Corridor, Tagong Temple and the Minya Gold Pagoda, Yala Snow Mountain, and 360° views of Gongga from Yuzixi.

Xinduqiao & Tagong lies in the west of Kangding, Garze Prefecture, Sichuan, where the G318 (Sichuan–Tibet Southern Route) splits from the G350 heading north to Danba. It is the classic photography stop on the Western Sichuan loop. Xinduqiao town sits at about 3,400 m. Along roughly 10 km on either side of the highway, the "Light-and-Shadow Corridor" scatters Tibetan houses, streams, poplars and meadows, all turning gold in autumn. North of town, Yuzixi and the viewpoints west and south of town look out to Mount Gongga, while Jiagenba to the south is the valley you must pass through on the way to Zimei Pass. About 35 km north is the Tagong Grassland at 3,700 m, where the thousand-year-old Tagong Temple and the Minya Gold Pagoda stand against Yala Snow Mountain. Farther north, in Bamei near Daofu, are Moshi (Black Stone) Park and the Qing-dynasty imperially commissioned Huiyuan Temple. Climate: plateau climate, cool mornings and evenings, strong UV. From late Sep to mid-Oct the poplars are golden and the light is at its best; Jul–Aug brings wildflowers on the grassland but plenty of rain; winter is cold, but the snow peaks are crisp and clear. Getting there: from Chengdu, take the Ya'an–Kangding Expressway to Kangding (about 3.5 hours), then cross Zheduo Mountain to Xinduqiao (about 1.5 hours). Kangding Airport has flights, and buses run from town to Tagong, Danba and Litang. Suggested time: 1–2 days, staying in Xinduqiao. Spend one day on Tagong, Bamei and Huiyuan Temple, and the other on sunrise, Yuzixi or Jiagenba. Notes: at 3,400–4,500 m, watch for altitude sickness and take it slow; in the busy autumn season, accommodation is tight and should be booked early; walk clockwise around temples and do not take photos inside the halls.

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