Western Sichuan

A Tibetan plateau region on the eastern edge of the Hengduan Mountains, packed with snow peaks, lakes, grasslands and Tibetan villages, and one of China's most popular self-drive and photography destinations.

Western Sichuan broadly refers to the plateau of Garzê and Ngawa prefectures west of the Sichuan Basin. For most visitors, Kangding is the gateway, with routes running south to Daocheng Yading and Xiangcheng, north to Sêrtar (Seda), Garzê and Dêgê, and east to Mount Siguniang and Danba. The main highlights are the snow-peak groups of Gongga, Yala and Yangmaiyong, Hailuogou Glacier, Daocheng Yading's three sacred mountains and Milk Lake, the "paradise of light and shadow" at Xinduqiao and Tagong, the Tibetan villages of Danba, Larung Gar Buddhist Academy at Sêrtar and the high-altitude town of Litang. Classic itineraries include the short loop from Chengdu (Chengdu–Mount Siguniang–Danba–Xinduqiao–Kangding, 4–5 days), the southern grand loop (Kangding–Xinduqiao–Litang–Daocheng Yading–Xiangcheng, 7–9 days) and the northern route (Kangding–Danba–Sêrtar–Garzê–Dêgê, 7–8 days). Transport is mainly by self-drive or chartered car; the airports at Kangding, Daocheng Yading and Garzê Gesar can shorten trips, and the Ya'an–Kangding section of the Sichuan–Tibet Railway is under construction. Most sites lie at 3,000–4,500 m, so ascend gradually to avoid altitude sickness. In the rainy season and winter, mountain roads are prone to landslides and ice, so check road conditions before setting out.

Destinations

Itineraries