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Top Trekking Destinations in Sichuan
Sichuan is the gateway to the farther western parts of China. This province with its capital city as Chengdu might come off as modern, metropolitan, panda house of China. But Sichuan has so much more to offer. Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas, is not the only thing for tourists to enjoy in China. To get lost in the natural wonders and true beauty of China visit the small towns and villages where you can excite your inner adventure junkie and enjoy serenity. There are villages full of blue-green lakes, alpine valleys.
Trekking is an activity that is good for body, mind, and soul.
Trekking is an activity that is good for body, mind, and soul. There are many who trek for sport, many who trek for escapism, many who trek to build bonds, many who trek to overcome their fear, and many who trek for health. There are trails for hard core trekkers and trails for first timers. There are trails who seek to learn about the ancient culture and trails for those who wish to push their limits. No matter for what reason you want to trek, Sichuan has a mountain or a hill or a valley or a national park to satisfy your needs. Here are the top trekking destinations in Sichuan for you to enjoy.
Mt. Siguniang – the Oriental Alps
Being the highest mountain of Qionglai ranges, Siguniangshan has all kinds of treks from strenuous to easy. It has treks for the experts and for the first timers. It is one of the best training bases and destination for mountaineering in Asia. Siguniang when translated means the mountain of four sisters or four maidens. Located in the border of Rilong Town it has four mountains—Da Feng, Er Feng, San Feng, and Ya Feng—and three valleys—Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley, and Haizi Valley. To climb Mount Siguniang you need some experience but valleys can be trekked by anyone.
Mt. Siguniang – the Oriental Alps
Sample Trekking Routes in Mount Siguniang
Changping Valley to Bipeng Valley
It is one of the most popular trekking routes in all of Asia. It is a classic, must do trekking in Siguniangshan area. It takes a whole of three days to finish this trek. You will be climbing as high as 4,600m and you can rent horses to carry your bags and belongings during this trek. The trekking route would be - Siguniangshan Town-Changping Valley-Muluozi Campsite-Chazigou-Bipeng Valley.
Trekking Dafeng and Erfeng Summits
These 2 summits are the most popular and favorite for the mountaineers amongst the many mountains in Siguniangshan area. Dafeng (5,025m) and Erfeng (5,275m) summit trek starts from one of the three valleys in the foothills of Mt Siguniang. It takes approximately 4-5 days to climb both the summits together. It is advisable to have previous experience.
Trekking in the Valleys
For less strenuous and simple treks you can trek the three valleys—Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley, and Haizi Valley. Climb Changping valley for seeing beautiful flatlands and gorgeous views of the mountains. To see some beautiful lakes climb Haizi Valley. To see beautiful valleys, woods, and clear streams climb Shuangqiao Valley. Apart from trekking, the other ways to explore this valley are by sightseeing buses and horseback riding.
Best Time to Visit
Since most of the Siguniangshan area is above is at altitude above 3,500m, the temperature difference between the days and nights are cold no matter which time you go. The Best Time to Visit Mount Siguniang for trekking is October to next year April. May and June are known have a lot of rainfall; January and February are known to have too much snow. It is best to avoid trekking these months.
Mount Gongga – the King of Sichuan Mountains
Mount Gongga, otherwise known as Minya Konka to the locals, is called as the ‘King of Sichuan Mountains’ for it is the highest mountain in Sichuan Province. The highest point in the mountain is 7,556m. Gongga when translated means white snow mountain, it was named so because it is said that the snow is perennial in this mountain. This mountain is a favorite for mountaineers all over the world as it is one of the most challenging mountains to climb. Some of the highlights of this mountain are the 159 glaciers and the ice clad waterfalls.
Mount Gongga – the King of Sichuan Mountains
Sample Trekking Routes in Mount Gongga
There are various routes to trek in Mount Gongga. The itineraries can be arranged from 5 days to 9 days.
Shangmuju-Caoke Minya Konka Trekking Route
In this route you will be trekking across villages and beautiful lakes at high altitudes. The highest point in this trek is 4,550m at the Zimei Pass.
Laoyulin-Caoke Minya Konka Trekking Route
This is 6-day route where you will trek across green pastures, rivers, and in the border of two valleys. The highest point in this trek is 4,900m at Riqwei Pass.
Price From: USD 1115
Best Time to Visit
The best time to trek Mount Gongga is the transitioning period between the rainy season and dry season i.e. from mid-June to early November. The weather is the least unpredictable from June to October.
Daocheng Yading - the Last Shangri-La
Daocheng with an average elevation 3,800m is located in the southwest Sichuan is a goldmine of picturesque views. Some of the highlights of this area are Yading Nature Reserve and Daocheng Yading Airport. The airport is one of the highest airports in the world at 4,411m. Yading Nature Reserve is famous for the three holy mountains and three beautiful highland lakes. Daocheng is famous for off beaten secret paths that just lead to more beautiful views. Daocheng is best explored by cycle and is usually used as an acclimatizing base for Yading Nature Reserve.
Daocheng Yading - the Last Shangri-La
Sample Trekking Routes in Daocheng Yading
Yading Kora
Kora is a pilgrimage circuit around the mountains. It is a different way of exploring from climbing a mountain. There are two popular Kora routes-a short one and a long one. The short one involves trekking only one of the three holy mountains. It takes about 2 days to finish this although many locals finish it within a day. The long one involves going around all three holy mountains and takes 6-7 days.
Joseph Rock Trails
Joseph Rock was an American Explorer who set out on an adventure to explore the hidden gems of in this part of China. There are three main rock trails in Daocheng and the most famous one starts from Muli. There are two trekking routes from Muli to Daocheng. The route has trails passing through temples, rivers, valleys, and whatnot. A small break of one of the routes: Muli Downtown-Wild Red Deer Field-Kubadian Temple-Taba Grand Canyon -Baishui River-Risa-Chonggu temple-Yading-Daocheng.
Best Time to Visit
The best time explore Daocheng Yading is May, June, September, and October. During these months the road conditions are good and the views are clear. In other months since it is too foggy or raining heavily, it is hard to see the peaks and mountain views.
Songpan – More than Jiuzhaigou Valley
Songpan is an ancient, laid back, unhurried county that will appeal to that old soul in all of us. With horse trotting around, history filled attractions, and valleys all around Songpan is very much a tourist county but is very much slow paced. Some of the main highlights of Songpan are the architecturally magnificent city gates which are in both inner and outer city, city wall which provides you with the view of the whole town, and old stores that sell some exotic souvenirs. Because of its location Songpan is a multi-ethnic county with people of Tibetan, Han, Qiang, and Hui ethnicities reside together.
Songpan – More than Jiuzhaigou Valley
Sample Trekking Routes in Songpan
Jiuzhaigou National Park
Jiuzhaigou is an exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Site that is just three hours from Songpan. You reach there in rented cars or buses. It mainly consists of three valleys and each valley has its own share of beauty with bluest of the blue lakes, deafening waterfalls, multi-coloured water bodies, and stunning forests. For one day hiking in Jiuzhaigou you can choose one of the valleys to visit. You trek till the top and see all the attractions along the way. If there isn’t enough time to make it out of the park before the closing time you can come down in the tourist shuttle buses.
Qizanggou Valley Trek
It is ales popular valley near Jiuzhaigou that is still not explored by a lot of tourists. The Qizanggou Valley Trek is an extensive 5-6 day trek where you will be hiking as high as 4,600m. It is a moderate level trek where you get to see some enchanting views of pristine lakes and valleys. If you don’t have the luxury of time you can also do a short 3-day trek.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to trek these places and visit Songpan is from May to November. Most of the trekking is planned around during the months of October and November due to favorable climatic conditions. Due to the varying altitude levels the temperature difference between day and night are huge. No matter which season you go, the nights are always cold.
Nianbuoyuze – The Holy Mountain in Northern Sichuan
Nianbuoyuze is a holy mountain in Jiuzhi County with an average elevation of 4,000m. The highest point in this mountain is at 5,369m. This mountain is said to be covered in snow all around the year. The whole mountain stretch is said to have 16 large lakes and 300 small lakes. The mountain is inhabited by Tibetan tribes also known as Guoluo Tribes. Nianbuoyuze is best known for its views. It rains snow the whole night most of the nights and the sun rise creates a blanket of golden sparkled over the snow. Trekking into the sunset/sunrise is one of the most mesmerizing experiences in Nianbuoyuze. Another highlight of Nianbuoyuze is the changing of four seasons within two months—July and August.
Nianbuoyuze – The Holy Mountain in Northern Sichuan
Sample Trekking Routes in Nianbaoyuze Mountain Scenic Resort
Trekking in Nianbuoyuze requires 4-5 days. The best part of this trek is said to be the hiking from Xiannu Lake to Yaonu Lake (4,400m.) This hike takes about 4-5 hours. The Ruoergai Grand Prairie has a beautiful view of the mountains and is considered as one of the top 10 beautiful wetlands of China. This extensive trek can be tailored to start from Chengdu and end in Langmusi or Jiuzhaigou.
Best Time to Visit
Nianbuoyuze is one of those places that can be trekked all around the year. This trek is easy and is not physically demanding. The ever changing weather of Nianbuoyuze is something that adds more beauty to that mountain.
Mount Emei – The Sacred Buddhist Mountain near Chengdu
Located 170km from Chengdu, Mount Emei is one of the four sacred mountains Buddhist Mountains in China. Sitting in the western rim of Sichuan Base Mount Emei with an elevation of 3,099m is highest of the four sacred mountains. It is a place of cultural significance as Buddhism was first established here inside the Chinese territory. With all the temples and cultural significance Mount Emei is easily one of the holiest places in China. Some of the attractions in the mountain are Wannian Temple, Golden Buddha, Elephant Watching Pool, Golden Summit, and Baoguo Temple.
Mount Emei – The Sacred Buddhist Mountain near Chengdu
Sample Trekking Routes in Mount Emei
You can choose to trek the mountain from the front side or from the backside of the mountain. If you trek from front side of the mountain it will take about 2 days just to reach the top. If you trek from backside it takes only about a day but with less scenic views. When you climb from the front side of the mountain there are a lot more attractions and scenic views. There are guesthouses and monasteries in the mountain where you can stay the night before continuing the trek.
Best Time to Visit
May, April, and October are the best time to visit Mount Emei, as the temperature is ideal and the whole mountain is covered with a carpet of red autumn leaves. Hiking and strolling along the curves of the mountain becomes a more joyful experience. April and October are the sunniest months and it is also during these months you can get clear views of the mountains, other months it is mostly cloudy as you go higher. It generally gets colder as you go higher because of the altitude.
These are some of the best trekking destinations in Sichuan, not the only ones. Choose the one you like and tailor it to your needs with the travel agency. For the best experience go in the right season because, while trekking beautiful views are one of the things that keep us going.
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