What to See & Do in Danba

Danba is one of the most beautiful destinations in western Sichuan. It attracts visitors for its natural sceneries, ancient diaolou and untouched natural reserves. We sum up the most popular highlights in Danba, including Jiaju and Zhonglu Tibetan Village, Suopo Diaolou Group, Dangling Natural Scenic Spot and Mosika National Nature Reserve.

In Danba, there are three things that you have to do: taste local specialties, learn to dance Guozhuang and photography in the best season.

Must-see Popular Attractions in Danba

1. Jiaju Tibetan Village

In 2005, Jiaju Tibetan Village was selected as one of the most beautiful six villages in China by the Chinese National Geographic Magazine. The village is located on the mountain range at an altitude of 2200m in Danba County, about 8.5km from the county and at least 341km away from Chengdu. There is no bus directly to the village, so tourist just rent a car in the county or Chengdu. In the village, the guestroom is the only choice for your accommodation, but it is clear and cheap. The local Jiarong Tibetan can offer local specialties, campfire party and Guozhuang Dance.

In the Tibetan language, "Jiaju" means "100 families", hence that name. But at present, Jiaju Tibetan Village has more than 140 families. More than 200 colorful Tibetan buildings spread over the green mountain under the blue sky, forming a stunning landscape painting. The houses are all distinctive with crown-shaped roofs, red eaves and white walls. Another attraction is the pear flowers blooming from mid-March to April.

Jiaju Tibetan Village

2. Zhonglu Tibetan Village

Zhonglu Tibetan Village is known as "the place which gods and people look forward to" in the Tibetan language. The village is located at the northeastern Danba county, near to S303 road and at 2100m. It is considered as the perfect place to see the ancient Diaolou and Tibetan villages.

The Village has an long history over one thousand years and as do Tibetan-style houses in which the local Jiarong people have lived for generations. The stone watchtowers named "Diaolou" standing on the top and brae of the mountains are the unique architectural landscapes to Zhonglu Tibetan Village. The other attractions are the pristine and grand puberty rite, various Guozhuang Dance, solemn old Tibetan opera, colorful Jiarong Tibetan costumes, unique traditional customs, steaming buttered tea, crispy and delicious Huoshao MoMo, and devout believers of Tibetan Buddhism. All above are enough to let you feel unwilling to leave.

In addition, Zhonglu is the place getting the longest daylight hours in Danba County. Here, see pear blossoms in spring, escape the heat in summer, enjoy red leaves in summer and unique snow sceneries in winter.

Zhonglu Tibetan Village in winter

3. Suopo Diaolou Group

With groups of stone watchtowers named "Diaolou" or "Gudiao" scattered around the valley, Danba County has been praised as "a kingdom of one thousand castles" and "the hometown of the queen". Actually, there are 175 ancient Diaolou standing proudly on the both side of Dadu River. As the legend says, the water running in Dadu River is the sweat and tears of the queen.

Suopo Tibetan Village is about 5km away from Danban county. Come to Suopo, the first viewing landscape is Diaolou group with various style and strange shape which is rare in the world. In Danba, the local Jiarong Tibetan call it as "Denglong" at the heigh of 10m to 30m. Most are quadrangular, but some have six sides and there are even star-shaped towers with eight sides, and there is only one with thirteen angles.

Gudiaolou of Suopo Tibetan Village

4. Dangling Natural Scenic Spot

Dangling is an untouched land about 62km away from Danba county. There are hot springs, paradise valley, Tibetan village, flat plane and gourd sea and other popular attractions. Tourists can see the majesty of the sunrise, the significance of the sunset, the gentle of cloud and the stars full of sky. Because of the original environment, everyone must ride a horse or rent a off-road vehicle into the plateau.

5. Badi Tusi Guanzhai and Beauty Valley

Badi is near to S211 road about 30km away from Danba county. It is famous for its Tusi Guanzhai which is known as the ruling areas of the local small emperor. Badi Tusi Guanzhai is at an altitude of 2700m and covers 50,000 square meters. It was one of eighteen Jiarong Tusi Guanzhai. As time goes, the architectures become decayed gradually. But it has the value of viewing and studying. Around the Tusi Guanzhai are the local dwellings in the Tibetan style. Usually, they have three three storeys. The house of the east is used to worship the gods, the west is for the gate with carve patterns or designs, and the houses at south and north are the bedrooms.

According to the local legend, many years ago, a phoenix flied to Danba Morre mountains, who was deeply attracted by te beautiful natural landscapes, so she decided to stay in Danba for living, and then she turned into tens of thousands young girls and brought laughters and hopes for Danba. Later, people called the Badi valley as Beauty Valley.

The Pear Flowers of Beauty Valley

6. Moerduo Mountain

Moerduo Mountain at 5105m is one of the four holy mountains in Tibetan areas and the Holy Mountain of the Bonismo, the most ancient Tibetan religion. The mountain is the cultural center of Jiarong Tibetan. On July 10 of lunar calendar every year which is said to be the birthday of Moerduo General, the believers will get together at Moerduo Temple, worship the general, and walk around the Moerduo Mountain at clockwise and anticlockwise direction.

The mountain has more than one hundred of scenic spots. The most famous spots are Tower Group, Moerduo Temple, Deep Sea, Fairy Cave. When you climb to the peak, you can view the Jinding of Mount Emei at the east, Gangdisi Snow Mountain at the west, get a bird's view of 8 rivers like 8 white Hada twining the mountain. Besides, there are 56 beautiful mountains around Moerduo, and they symbolize the solidarity and friendship of 56 ethnic groups.

7. Mosika National Nature Reserve

Extend northward about 19km, you will arrive at Mosika National Nature Reserve. It is an original grasslands where the local people are live in harmony with the wild animals. You can choose one of local house to visit, and try the local tee, feel the the enthusiasm of the local residents and taste the fresh fruit and vegetables.

The Groundhog in Mosika National Nature Reserve

Must-do Things in Danba

1. Taste Local Specialties

In Danba, tourist can not only eat Sichuan dishes and Tibetan food, but also taste strong local specialties and drinks, such as Fragrant Pig Leg, Fat Pork, Pickled Pork, Blood Sausage, Matsutake Stewed Chicken Nuggets, Salt Vegetable in Baozi, Baked Potato, Corn BaBa and Cornmeal, Roast Local Chook, Roast Whole Sheep, and Za Wine, Highland Barley Wine, Buttered Tea and so on.

We also choose several popular restaurants in Danba County for you choice, and please read Recommended Food, Drinks and Restaurants in Danba County.

The main Meal of Jiaju Tibetan Village

2. Learn to Dance Guozhuang

When visiting Danba, Guozhuang Dance should not be missed. In the Tibetan language, Guozhuang Dance means "singing and dancing in a circle". It is a kind of group dance which involved repeated musical dialogues in antiphonal style between male and female dancers, without any accompaniment of musical instruments.

At the time of marriage celebration, new houses completion, guest entertaining, custom and culture performances, male dancers and female dancers come together on the courtyard, hand in hand, dance clockwise in a circle. When dancing, they usually sing together. Male dancers take the lead to sing firstly, and then female dancers sing later on. The sound of singing is loud, clear and sonorous.

Read more information about Guozhuang Dance.

Guozhuang Dance

3. Photography in March, April, September and October

March, April, September and October are the peak season of touring Danba, especially for photographers. If you want to take the most beautiful photos of the Nature, come here at that time.

The period from mid-March to early April is the flowering phase of pear blossom. Tourists can enjoy the snow-white pear blossoms all over the mountains and plains along S211 from Jinchuan County to Danba County. From September to late October, it is the autumn season of Danba. Many Chinese photographers choose this period to Danda for the red leaves, called "Cailin (彩林)" in Chinese.

Cailin of Dangling

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