11 Days Hiking Tour in Gongga Mountain in Western Sichuan

Upon arrival in the morning in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province and home to the giant panda, you will be greeted by a local guide at the airport and taken to the hotel. In the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll through the historic blocks of Chengdu, specifically the Wide Alley and Narrow Alley (Kuan Xiangzi and Zhai Xiangzi), which date back to 1718 and feature three parallel lanes with traditional houses. These areas have been meticulously renovated and are now home to a variety of pubs, teahouses, restaurants, and guesthouses, making it a focal point of leisure in Chengdu. Following this, visit People's Park in the city center and relax in an old teahouse, where you can experience the renowned tea culture of Chengdu in a relaxing environment adorned with bamboo chairs and tables.

In the morning, drive to Dujiangyan to visit the Irrigation System, which was built around 250 BC by Li Bin, a governor of Shu Prefecture in Qin State. This great project still works well today after more than two thousand years of function. It not only put an end to the water disaster for the local people but also made Chengdu Plain "the land of abundance." While visiting the water conservation work, you may find that the methods of harnessing the river the ancient people used are simple but useful. In 2000, Dujiangyan became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that, drive to Wolong National Nature Reserve, which is 52 km long from east to west and 62 km wide from south to north, covering the whole area of 200,000 hm². It is one of China's earliest natural reserves, rated as a preservation zone for "mankind and living beings" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The virgin forest, second bush forest, and bamboo groves are lush green. There are over 4,000 kinds of high-level plants, with 24 valuable plant species like Gongtong (Chinese dove tree), red China fir, Lianxiang, and more. The reserve also hosts over 450 vertebrate species, with 45 of them being rated as national focal preserved animals, such as giant pandas, golden monkeys, antelopes, white-mouth deer, etc. The natural and beautiful scene is quiet and secluded. Visit Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong, where about 50 pandas live. It is the largest breeding center for giant pandas, integrating scientific research, feeding, breeding, reproduction, wildness training, etc. Then drive to Siguniang Shan Town (formerly Rilong) through the Balang Tunnel. If the weather is good, enjoy the beautiful landscape of the sunset of Siguniang Shan Mountain at the Maobiliang.

If the weather is good, I will get up early to enjoy the panoramic view of Mt. Siguniang Shan at Maobiliang at sunrise. The Siguniang Shan Mountain, also known as Four Sisters Mountain, has four peaks over 5000 m. Legend has it that each peak represents a girl of the four sisters. The highest peak, Yaomei Feng, at 6250 m, is the youngest girl and is also known as the “queen of Sichuan's peaks.” We'll take a gentle hike in the Shuangqiao Valley (Double-bridge Valley) of the Siguniang Shan Mountain, where the scenery is concentrated and charming. Then we'll drive to visit Wori Tusi Manor, the former official residence of the local Tusi, a kind of imperial kingship leader. After that, we'll drive to visit the Tibetan village of Jiaju, which is considered the most beautiful village in China. In Danba, the local people are called Jiarong (Gyarong) Tibetans. We'll walk around and visit Jiaju village, which has more than one hundred buildings with the same architectural style, showcasing the unique character of Jiarong Tibetan residences. Under the blue sky, these Tibetan residences, decorated in red, white, and black, are scattered but also arranged beautifully from the bottom to the middle slope of the valley.

Danba is known as the Kingdom of Thousands of Ancient Blockhouses. Start your day by visiting the ancient block towers in Suopo, which are made of clay and block and have thick walls. Then, drive along the Yak valley to Bamei, stopping to see the Huiyuan Temple and beautiful villages along the way. Upon arrival at Tagong, visit the Lhagang Monastery (Tagong Si) of Sayka Sect, which is surrounded by three hills symbolizing three Bodhisattvas. Legend has it that the blessing of a reserved Jowo Shakyamuni image, left by the Wencheng Princess in this monastery, resembles that of seeing the Lhasa Jowo Shakyamuni image itself. You can also visit the impressive Gyergo Nunnery and the grand mani wall of Hepingfahui. From the hillside next to the Muya Golden Pagoda, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Zhara Lhatse (5.820 m, also Jara or Yala). If the weather is good, the sunset scenery is especially spectacular.

If the weather is good, you can wake up early to take photos of Yala Mountain at sunrise from the hillside near Muya Golden Tower. After breakfast, drive 102 km, which takes about 2.5 hours, to Kangding (2970m) to buy trekking supplies. Then, transfer to the Power Station via Laoyulin village (3250m) and meet the horsemen, packhorses, and chefs. Start trekking on the mountain. It's about a 2-hour walk to the Gexi grassland (3400m), then continues for about 4 kilometers to Red Stone Bay, and then another 4 kilometers to the two rivers (3780m). To the right of the two rivers, it leads to the Panpan Pass, and the left side goes to Riwuqie Pass.

After breakfast, start from the Two Rivers and walk about 5 kilometers for approximately 3 hours until you reach Xiariwuqie. Then continue walking for about 1.5 hours to reach Shangriwuqie (4350 m). Along the way, you'll be able to admire the beautiful landscapes of Tianhaizi Snow Mountain, which is at an altitude of 6070 meters, and Xiaogongga Mountain (6027 m). You will camp at Shangriwuqie.

After crossing the Riwuqie Pass (4830 m), you'll get to see beautiful high mountains and glaciers. The pass is only 6 km long but requires good physical strength. If necessary, you can rent horses, but they are only available in summer and autumn. After reaching the foot of the Gongga Mountains at Moxigou (12 km), continue trekking to the end of the valley. You can camp by the river and prepare to cross it the next day.

After breakfast, we will depart along the Moxigou via the Winter Cattle Farm to the Gongga Monastery (3750m). This whole day trip is relatively flat. The Gongga Monastery is located at the foot of the main peak of Gongga Mountain and stands at an elevation of 3750 meters above sea level. Built-in the 13th century AD by the first generation of Gongga Living Buddha, the monastery provides an ideal place for meditation. It is one of the three holy places of the Kagyupa school (Baijiao) of the Tibetan Buddhism Karmaupa school and is the Dojo of Shengle Vajras, one of the five great Vajras in Tibet. Aside from being a famous religious destination, it is also one of the best locations for taking photos of the main peak of Gongga. From here, you can directly face the main peak of Gongga and access the depths of Gongga Glacier.

In the morning, start by exploring around Gongga Monastery and then head to Gongga Glacier. Begin by heading downhill and then start climbing. It will take about 3 hours to reach Shangzimei Village (3400m). Once you arrive, take a short break, pack up your belongings, and have lunch. Next, catch a bus to Zimei Pass (4550m), which offers an excellent view of Gongga Peak. The distance from Zimei Yakou to the main peak of Gongga Mountain is only about 5km! If the weather is clear, wait for the sunset and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of the golden Gongga Peak. After taking in the view, take a bus downhill to Shangmuju.

In the morning, take a bus to visit Yulongxi Quanhua Pool, then go to Yaha Pass (4568 m). It is also an excellent viewing platform for Gongga Mountain. The linear distance from Yaha Yakou to the main peak of Gongga Mountain is about 25km. After that, continue to pass by Xinduqiao and drive over the Zheduo Shan Pass via Kangding to Yaan, the famous rainy city.

In the morning, we will visit the Shangli Ancient Town. The old town of Shangli is often referred to as an “Ink and Wash Landscape” painting. Situated in the Western Sichuan Basin, the town was once an important post on the Silk Road of the South and the Ancient Tea-Horse Trail in history. In the afternoon, we will drive via Dayi back to Chengdu, transfer to the airport or railway station, and leave Chengdu.