Western Sichuan Small Loop: Snow Mountains & Tibetan Villages
From Mount Siguniang, Danba, Tagong, and Xinduqiao to Hailuogou, cover the highlights of Western Sichuan in one week.
Cross Balang Mountain to reach Mount Siguniang, pass through Danba Tibetan Village, Tagong Grassland, and Xinduqiao to Kangding, and finally return to Chengdu via the Yakang Expressway from Hailuogou Glacier. This loop route avoids backtracking, has a relatively short average daily driving time, and features manageable altitudes, making it ideal for first-time visitors to Western Sichuan who want to skip Daocheng. The trade-offs are that Yading and Seda are not included.
Autumn colors are best from late October to early November; watch out for landslides during the rainy season in July–August.
每日安排
第 1 天 · Cross Balang Mountain to Rilong
Drive from Chengdu via Dujiangyan and Wolong, crossing Balang Mountain to Rilong Town (approx. 220 km, 5 hours of driving).
The Wolong section is prone to falling rocks in the afternoon during the rainy season; an early morning departure is recommended.
住宿：日隆鎮（四姑娘山鎮）
第 2 天 · Full-Day Sightseeing in Shuangqiao Valley
Drive from Rilong Town to the valley entrance (approx. 10 minutes), transfer to the scenic area sightseeing bus, and spend about 6 hours for the round trip and sightseeing.
Shuangqiao Valley has visitor limits; book tickets and sightseeing bus passes online in advance.
住宿：日隆鎮（四姑娘山鎮）
第 3 天 · Follow the Xiaojin River to Jiaju Tibetan Village
Drive from Rilong through Xiaojin County along the river valley to Danba (approx. 110 km, 2.5 hours of driving). The mountain road into the village is narrow.
Guesthouses are fully booked during the pear blossom season and National Day holiday; dragging suitcases on mountain roads is inconvenient.
住宿：甲居藏寨
第 4 天 · Moshi Park to Tagong Grassland
新都橋·塔公（八美墨石公園、塔公草原、塔公寺、木雅金塔（木雅大寺））
Drive from Danba through Bamei to Tagong (approx. 120 km, 2.5 hours of driving), stopping at Moshi Park along the way.
Tagong is at an altitude of about 3,700 meters. Keep activity to a minimum on the first night and choose accommodation with oxygen supply.
住宿：塔公鎮
第 5 天 · Xinduqiao over Zheduo Mountain to Kangding
新都橋·塔公（新都橋） → 海螺溝·康定（折多山埡口、木格措）
Drive south from Tagong to Xinduqiao, then cross Zheduo Mountain to Kangding (approx. 120 km). The journey takes a full day, including a stop at Mugecuo.
住宿：康定城區
第 6 天 · Hailuogou Glacier & Red Stone Park
海螺溝·康定（紅石灘（雅家埂紅石公園）、海螺溝冰川、磨西古鎮）
Drive from Kangding via Luding to Moxi (approx. 110 km, 2 hours of driving). Transfer to a sightseeing bus and cable car inside the valley.
Entry stops at 14:00 during winter and spring; arrive early and book with real-name registration.
住宿：磨西古鎮
第 7 天 · Luding Bridge to Chengdu via Yakang Expressway
Drive from Moxi to Luding Bridge (approx. 1 hour), then return to Chengdu via the Yakang Expressway (approx. 290 km, 4.5 hours of driving).