Accommodation: Mount Siguniang

Depart early, pass Dujiangyan and Wolong, cross Balang Mountain at an altitude of 4500 meters, and arrive at Rilong Town of Mount Siguniang. Admire west Sichuan countryside views, Wolong landscapes, mini Jiuzhaigou scenery, alpine meadows and sea of clouds on the way, and overlook Mount Siguniang from afar. Reach the town around 2 p.m. Then visit Shuangqiao Valley for 3 to 4 hours to enjoy grand mountain views. With favorable weather, you may witness the stunning golden peak glow at sunset.

Accommodation: Xinduqiao

After breakfast, tour traditional Tibetan villages of Danba. Appreciate rows of unique settlements and surrounding scenery, and experience exclusive customs of local Jiarong Tibetans. Admire the renowned ancient watchtower clusters from a distance.

Set off for Bamei after lunch in downtown Danba and enjoy pastoral grassland views. Proceed to Tagong Grassland, visit the pure-gold memorial pagoda built in memory of the Panchen Lama and the famous Tagong Temple, then head for Xinduqiao, the paradise for photographers.

Accommodation: Daocheng

After breakfast, drive via Yajiang to Litang, known as the world’s highest city at around 4,000 meters above sea level. Pass Rabbit Mountain and cross Haizi Mountain Nature Reserve standing at 4,500 meters, an ancient glacial relic of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Pay homage at Bengpu Temple, then arrive at Daocheng, the Shangri-La in your heart.

Depart from Daocheng for Yading Nature Reserve. Admire vast poplar woods, charming Chitu River Valley and idyllic Tibetan villages along the way. Pay homage at Gonggalangjiling Temple and reach Yading Village after lunch in Riwa Township. Witness the sacred Xiannairi Snow Mountain and the original breathtaking beauty of Daocheng Yading, the authentic Shangri-La. Worship ancient Chonggu Temple, walk around age-old Mani stone piles and visit Zhuomalacuo Lake (Pearl Lake). Pilgrimage to Xiannairi Holy Mountain representing Avalokitesvara at 6023m, overlook Xianuoduoji representing Vajrapani and Yangmaiyong representing Manjushri both at 5958m. View wild plants, snow-capped peaks, forests, glaciers, lakes and rivers, and enjoy harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Head back to Daocheng from Yading in the early morning. Cross Haizi Mountain featuring ancient glacial relics. Visit Litang Chokhor Monastery founded in the Ming Dynasty by the 3rd Dalai Lama. Have lunch in Litang, drive back to Xinduqiao and capture gorgeous sunset views, then settle in Xinduqiao.

Set off from Xinduqiao to Kangding, hometown of folk love ballads. Pass Luding Chain Bridge and the grand Dadu River Valley. Proceed downstream to world-famous Hailuogou Glacier Scenic Area of Mount Gongga. Take shuttle bus to enjoy glacial river and primeval forest scenery. Pass Camp One, enjoy natural hot springs at Camp Two (fee at own expense) and reach Camp Three to admire golden and silver snow peaks. Explore glaciers and view stunning icy landscapes including crevasses and ice mushrooms.

Depart Hailuogou and go through Erlang Mountain Tunnel, China’s highest and deepest highway tunnel at 4176 meters. Erlang Mountain once ranked as the toughest pass on Sichuan-Tibet route for high altitude, narrow roads and steep slopes. Drive along beautiful Qingyi River to Ya’an, former capital of Xikang Province famous for fine rain, elegant local ladies and delicious fish. It serves as vital traffic hub of Sichuan-Tibet and Yunnan-Tibet routes, as well as key gateway of ancient Southern Silk Road and Tea Horse Road. Return to Chengdu via Chengdu-Ya’an Expressway and conclude the pleasant journey.