Accommodation: Danba

Depart from Chengdu and drive along Chengdu-Ya’an Expressway to Ya’an. Pass Lushan and Baoxing, cross Jiajin Mountain, the first major snow-capped mountain the Red Army crossed. Explore historic Dawei Town and visit Dawei Meeting Bridge, the site where the 1st and 4th Red Army Corps joined forces. Admire charming scenery along Xiaojin River, arrive and stay overnight in Danba.

Accommodation: Xinduqiao

After breakfast, tour Jiaju Tibetan Village. Drive past Donggu Natural Bonsai Scenic Area stretching dozens of kilometers. Enjoy vast pastoral views in Bamei, then head for Tagong Grassland. Visit the pure gold memorial pagoda built in memory of Panchen Lama and renowned Tagong Temple (tickets at own expense). Check in at Xinduqiao known as Paradise for Photographers.

Jiaju means hundreds of households in Tibetan. Its dwellings feature the most distinctive Jiarong ethnic style. Countless bright castle-style houses scatter neatly on hillsides by Dajinchuan River amid fields and woods, presenting a fairy-tale landscape.

Xinduqiao is an idyllic land of poetry and painting. Enchanting light, boundless grassland, winding streams and poplars in varied seasonal hues compose stunning views. Rolling mountains dotted with Tibetan villages and grazing cattle and sheep shape the fascinating world of light and shadow, a dreamland for photographers.

Accommodation: Jiulong

After breakfast, head south from Xinduqiao along Liqiu River and cross Jichou Mountain Pass at an altitude of 4,300 meters. Admire distinctive ancient octagonal watchtowers, vast birch forests, majestic branch ranges of Gongga Mountain and gentle Liqiu River. The scenic route feels like wandering in a picturesque scroll. Arrive at the visitor center of Wuxu Lake, reputed as Jade of Gongga at noon. Reach the lake on foot or by horse. Surrounded by lush primeval forest, the calm mirror-like lake presents peaceful and harmonious natural scenery. Settle in Jiulong County in the evening.

Wuxu Lake lies serene and quiet like a devoted lover waiting for ages. Mist curls above the water on rainy days as if graceful figures descend from clouds. On sunny days, stunning mountain views reflect clearly on the lake, creating dreamlike peerless beauty. Yaks and plateau pigs roam freely on distant meadows living a tranquil paradise life. The pure pristine scenery is breathtakingly charming.

Accommodation: Kangding

After breakfast, set off for Lieta Lake Scenic Area. Pass Xinduqiao, the paradise for photographers, cross Zheduo Mountain Pass at 4298 meters above sea level, and arrive at the charming city Kangding. In the evening, take a tricycle to tour the delicate town under soft moonlight, listen to the flowing waves of Zheduo River and Yala River, and learn timeless beautiful local legends.

Lieta Lake is famous for mysterious unknown aquatic creatures, drawing adventure and exploration lovers worldwide. It has been covered and reported by CCTV and other major media, gaining global attention with secrets waiting for you to discover.

Note: A 3.5-hour horse ride is required to reach the scenic spot. Horse fare around 80 yuan per person, at personal expense.

After breakfast, drive to Luding and visit the revolutionary memorial site Luding Bridge (tickets self-paid). Pass Erlang Mountain Tunnel, China’s long highway tunnel with total length 4176 meters and altitude 2182 meters, and witness the amazing distinct weather contrast on both sides. Travel along Qingyi River to Ya’an, take Chengdu-Ya’an Expressway back to Chengdu, and conclude this wonderful unforgettable trip.