A road trip around Western Sichuan is very popular with the locals, especially during the summer holidays. The journey takes travellers through dramatic snow-capped peaks, remote Tibetan towns, and surreal highland landscapes. We did a 5-day Western Sichuan road trip in the Ganze area of Western Sichuan, with our main destination being Daocheng Yading.
This Western Sichuan road trip itinerary is the route we took, but there’s also another side of Western Sichuan comprising of Jiuzhaigou and Siguniang, which is much more popular so you might want to check out your options before deciding on the route you want to take.
Western Sichuan is also much cooler than most areas in China during summer, hence making it a very popular spot for the summer holidays.
In This Western Sichuan Road Trip Itinerary
Before Your Western Sichuan Trip
Coping with High Altitude Sickness
Western Sichuan sits on a high altitude, with most popular stops sitting between 3,500m – 4,700m above sea level. If you have never been to anywhere that’s above 3,000m above sea level, you might want to reconsider visiting Western Sichuan, or take things very slowly during the trip. High altitude sickness can hit anyone, it’s pretty random. Some adapt quickly and others might not be able to adapt at all.
Oxygen canisters are readily available for sale all around Western Sichuan, costing anywhere between RMB 5 – 25. If you’re hiring a private car like we did, chances are there will be free ones in the car as well. If you’re feeling breathless, take a puff of the oxygen, it really helps.
Staying hydrated helps with high altitude sickness. Glucose drinks, Coca Cola and sweets also helps. Keeping warm is essential as being exposed to the wind increases your chance of getting high altitude sickness.
Sun Protection
Being at such high altitudes also mean you’re closer to the sun. The sun in Western Sichuan is harsh so put on more sunblock or you’ll be sunburned in no time.
Pack Layers
The weather is unpredictable. Layering allows you to easily remove outerwear when you get warm. Having a windbreaker and/or rain jacket is also good as sudden downpours are common in the area.
Getting To Western Sichuan
If you have to fly into China, the nearest major international airport is Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) (成都天府国际机场) or Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) (成都双流国际机场).
For our Western Sichuan road trip, we booked a private driver for our 5-day road trip. The roads looked difficult to drive on, and also didn’t want to go through the hassle of applying for a permit to drive in China. We paid RMB 6,300 the 5-day trip, because we upgraded to a more comfortable car. Our itinerary was also customised to what we wanted, because we did not have enough time to see all the attractions and 5 days was the maximum number of days we had to spare.
There are other ways of getting to Western Sichuan, such as public tour buses to the Jiuzhaigou area, but options are more limited if you want to go to Daocheng Yading, which is a 12-hour drive from Chengdu.
Day 1: Chengdu (成都) – Xinduqiao (新都桥)
Start the day as early as 6.30am as there is a lot of road to cover this day. The journey from Chengdu to the first destination, Luding Bridge, is a 3-hour drive, and another 3 hours to the next location.
Time needed on the road, assuming no traffic:
Chengdu (成都)– Luding Bridge (泸定桥): 3 hours
Luding Bridge (泸定桥) – Ta Gong Grassland (塔公草原): 3 hours
Ta Gong Grassland (塔公草原) – Yuzixi (鱼子西): ~30 minutes
Yuzixi (鱼子西) – Xinduqiao (新都桥): ~30 minutes
Chengdu – Luding Bridge (泸定桥)
Altitude: 1,330m
The historic Luding Bridge played a crucial role during the Long March when Red Army soldiers famously crossed it under enemy fire, making it a symbol of bravery in Chinese revolutionary history.
Head to the temple right opposite the bridge for a bird’s eye view of the area.
The altitude of the area around Luding Bridge is considered low compared to other areas of Western Sichuan, and is good to start here so that the body can start getting adapted to the high altitude. There are also many food options here so it is a good place to stop for lunch.
Ticket (to get on the bridge): RMB 5
Opening hours: 7am – 5.30pm
Recommended Time Spend: 1 – 2 hours
Ta Gong Grasslands (塔公草原)
Altitude: 3,730m
Continue to Ta Gong Grasslands (塔公草原) where vast green meadows are dotted with yaks and prayer flags, offering your first taste of Tibetan culture. There is a viewing platform at Ta Gong Grasslands, but you don’t necessarily have to pay to view the area at the viewing platform as Western Sichuan is filled with grass plains, so we saved our money and did not go to the viewing platform.
Ta Gong Grasslands Entrance fee: RMB 35
Opening hours: All Day
Recommended Time Spend: ~1 hour
Yu Zi Xi (鱼子西）
Altitude: 4,200m
Head to Yuzixi (鱼子西), a scenic ridge ideal for sunset photography. If the weather is good, you’ll be able to see 日照金山 (ri zhao jin shan) here during sunset, which directly translates to the the sun rays turning the snow capped mountains golden.
The altitude at Yu Zi Xi is on the higher side, and if you’re not feeling well, we recommend skipping this spot.
Yu Zi Xi Entrance fee: Free, but you have to pay RMB 30/pax for a “cleaning fee”
Opening hours: 7am – 9pm
Recommended Time Spend: ~ 1 hour, unless you’re waiting for sunset
Xinduqiao (新都桥)
Altitude: 3,400m
We stayed in Xinduqiao on our first night, to adapt to the altitude before heading further up the next day.
Where we stayed: Kangding Yundu Paradise Hotel (Xinduqiao Branch) 康定云朵天堂酒店
The hotel was clean, well equipped with floor heating and oxygen supply equipment. The bed was very comfortable which helped us get a good night rest.
Day 2: Xinduqiao – Shangari-La Town (香格里拉镇)
Day 2’s start time can be slightly later, at around 8.30am as the main goal of the day is to head towards Shangari-La Town, the nearest town to Daocheng Yading.
Time on the road:
Xinduqiao – Shangari-La Town: ~ 8 hours
There will be stops along the way, but each spot should take only around 10 minutes or so.
The main goal of day 2 is to head towards Shangari-La Town, the town is nearest to Daocheng Yading. The drive from Xinduqiao to Shangari-La Town takes around 9 hours. During the drive, stop by scenic spots such as the 18 bends viewing platform (天路18弯观景台) and Rabbit Mountain (兔儿山). These small scenic spots along the roads are also all free.
Start the day around 8am, and you should get to Shangari-La Town by around 6pm. Most of the route on day 2 are at altitudes of above 4,000m, so take it slow.
Where we stayed: Gongjin Lianri Ecological Cave Hotel (Daocheng Yading Branch) 贡金莲日
The hotel is located in the heart of Shangari-La Town, with lots of food options just steps away. Although the hotel’s location is great, the service was sub-par, and it felt like the staff weren’t that excited to be at work. Gongjin Lianri also serves tour groups so it can get crowded in the hotel, especially during breakfast times.
Day 3: Full Day At Daocheng Yading (稻城亚丁)
Get to Daocheng Yading entrance by 8am to catch the first bus into the scenic area, which will give you ample time to explore the grounds. The drive from Shangari-La Town to Daocheng Yading carpark is around 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute walk to the entrance. Remember to account for time needed to get tickets.
Dedicate this day to exploring the breathtaking Daocheng Yading often dubbed the “last pure land on Earth”. There are 2 main hiking routes in Daocheng Yading, the short and long route. The short route takes around 2 – 3 hours, while the long route takes 5 – 7 for a round trip.
To get into Daocheng Yading Scenic Area, you’ll have to take an hour long bus ride in, because private cars are not allow in the area.
Read: Daocheng Yading Guide
Expect rigorous hiking and stunning alpine scenery. Be mindful of the high altitude and pace yourself. For a quieter experience, overnight in Yading Village (Yading cun) instead of the busier Shangri-La Town.
Daocheng Yading Entrance Fee:
Peak season (Apr – Nov): RMB 146 + RMB 120 for bus
Off peak season (Dec – Mar): RMB 120 + RMB 120 for bus
Opening hours:
Peak season (Apr – Nov): 8.20am – 7pm
Off peak season (Dec – Mar): 8.20am – 6pm
Where we stayed: Yading Zhaxi Kongshu Tibetan Culture Theme Hotel 扎西空墅藏文化主題酒店
This hotel is located in Yading Village (亚丁村), inside the Daocheng Yading Scenic Area. The service was very warm and spectacular. We were able to text the hotel owner for anything and when we were experiencing high altitude sickness in the middle of the night, she brought oxygen cans up to our room. Highly recommend this hotel if you want to stay the night in Daocheng Yading.
Day 4: Return to Xinduqiao via Litang (理塘)
If you stayed in Yading Village like we did, the first bus out of the village is at 8.35am at the 2nd stop (3 minute walk from the hotel).
It’s recommended to catch the first or second bus out of the village as there’s a lot of road to cover on this day as well. As the bus will take at least 45 minutes to get from Yading village to the entrance of Daocheng Yading, catching the first bus would mean you’ll only exit Daocheng Yading around 9.30am.
Time on the road:
Daocheng Yading (稻城亚丁) – Litang (理塘): 4hours
Litang (理塘) – Xinduqiao (新都桥): 4 hours
Litang
Altitude: 4,014m
Litang is one of the world’s highest (altitude) county. Drop by the old town and visit the Litang Monastery — Chang Qing Chun Ke Er Si (长青春科尔寺). If you have time to spare, you can also consider doing a costume photoshoot, otherwise, stroll around the old town and maybe do some souvenir shopping.
Recommended Time Spend: 1 – 2 hours
Where we stayed: Homeinn Plus Hotel (Kangding Xinduqiao Town National Highway G318) 如家精選酒店
Day 5: Xinduqiao – Chengdu
Start the day early (again), around 7am as the final leg of the day is a 5-hour drive. Starting earlier will allow more time for unexpected situations like traffic.
Time on the road:
Xinduqiao (新都桥) – Sidingcuo (斯丁措): ~1 hour
Sidingcuo (斯丁措)) – Moshi Park (墨石公园): ~ 1 hour
Moshi Park (墨石公园) – Chengdu (成都): ~ 5 hours
Sidingcuo (斯丁措)
Sidingcuo (斯丁措), a serene alpine lake that is relatively quiet compared to other many other attractions in Western Sichuan as it is still off the tourist radar. This is a fun spot to take pictures so if you’re a fan of taking touristy photos, I recommend stopping by. There is a beautiful view of snow capped mountains at Sidingcuo, even in summer.
Sidingcuo Entrance Fee: RMB 30
Recommended Time Spend: ~1 hour
Moshi Park (墨石公园)
Altitude: 3,500m
Start early from Chengdu, leaving the bustling city behind as you head towards the Tibetan plateau. After around a 4 – 5 hours on the road, the first major stop is Moshi Park, a landscape of sharp black rock formations that feels almost otherworldly. Groundhogs are actually the star of Moshi Park and the ones at Moshi Park are not afraid of humans at all.
If you’re starting to feel the effects of high altitude sickness, you can opt for a short horse ride (RMB 80/pax) to cover a portion of the walking distance. The horse ride also increases your chances of spotting groundhogs.
Moshi Park Entrance Fee:
Adults 60 RMB
Free for children below 1.2m and seniors above 65
Opening hours:
Peak season (May – Oct): 8.30am – 5.30pm
Off peak season (Nov – Apr): 9am – 5pm
Recommended Time Spend: 2 hours
Head back to Chengdu
The journey back to Chengdu should take a 5-hour drive, depending on the traffic conditions. Traffic into Chengdu is often very heavy, especially during peak hours, so take that into account. You’ll likely get into Chengdu in the late evening.
Where we stayed in Chengdu: Shanshui S Hotel (Chengdu Kuanzhai Alley Tianfu Square
Back in Chengdu, we stayed in the heart of the city, for easy access to popular attractions such as Kuanzhai Alley and People’s Park. We stayed in the Romantic Round Bed Room which felt like the size of a small suite. There was also a washing machine, which we used to wash our dirty clothes from our Western Sichuan road trip.
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