Chengdu to Mount Siguniang Transportation Guide

Chengdu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. It is famous for having the research centre for giant pandas and for being the home of giant pandas. Chengdu is also the transportation hub of west China, with a lot of places easily accessible from Chengdu. There are a lot to explore in and around Chengdu and Siguniangshan town is one of the places that is just hours away from Chengdu. Siguniangshan town also called as the Rilong town is mainly used as a base for Mount Siguniang Trekking Tour.

Chengdu is the home of giant pandas.

Chengdu to Siguniangshan Driving Route

Siguniangshan is located between Wolong and Xiaojin County. Standing at an altitude of 3,060m, the town has a predominantly Tibetan population. From Chengdu it is about 226km to Siguniangshan. There are multiple routes to go from Chengdu to Siguniangshan especially if you going by car. Here is a breakdown of the shortest route:

5 Days Mt. Siguniang Changping Valley to Bipeng Valley Hiking Tour

Chengdu-Dujiangyan-Yingxiu-(provincial highway 303)-Wolong-Rilong

The duration of this route is 4-5hrs and even the buses take the same route to get to Siguniangshan. Ever since the construction of tunnel from Wolong to Mt Balang was constructed, it takes only 3-4hrs from Chengdu to Siguniangshan. There are a lot of attractions along the way that are worth seeing.

The bus gets to Siguniangshan.

Attractions along the Way from Chengdu to Mount Siguniang

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located about 60km northwest of Chengdu. The Dujiangyan irrigation system was built about 2,000 years ago and is still functioning. It is probably the oldest waterworks in the world that is still used for practical purposes today. This system was originally engineered for flood control and irrigation in the Min River. It continues to control the fierce Min waters and irrigates parts of Sichuan. This waterworks is still used to irrigate 5,300km of the region. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System is a popular destination till date because it is an ancient engineering marvel that stands the test of time. While you are there, you can see that this place is surrounded by amazing views of mountains, architectural wonders, magnificent river, and there is also a memorial hall that pays homage to the Li Bing, the founder of the project.

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Yingxiu Earthquake Site

This town is situation 14km west of Dujiangyan and was one of the worst hit places of 2008 Sichuan Earthquake. Almost 80% of the town was destroyed during this natural disaster. This place was epicentre of the earthquake and more than just buildings and possessions were lost. Soon the government invested a lot in rebuilding the town and it became a tourist attraction too. The most important attraction in the town is the ruins of a middle school where 43 students died. The school became the memorial site for the victims of this natural disaster. Even though the town is being renewed with new houses, buildings, and roads, the school remains the same, in ruins, to remember those who lost their lives.

Yingxiu Earthquake Site

Wolong Giant Panda Reserve

En route you can make a short 1- day stop at Wolong. Wolong Nature Reserve is popularly known as the ‘Kingdom of Pandas.’ It is one of the oldest and biggest panda reserves in the world. It was built in 1963 and is known to be the most dynamic, and self-sustaining panda base in the world. There are 59 panda enclosures including scientific research areas, captive areas, training areas, and in-house hospitals with state of art facilities for pandas.

It is best known for its 1-day panda volunteering program where the volunteers can feed the pandas, make their food, clean the panda premises, and take pictures with them. There are also trekking programs where you can see pandas in their natural habitat and in a more authentic set up. You will be trekking in Tiantaishan Mountains, meeting the research team and learning about the tracking methods. Wolong is about 2 hours from Chengdu. If you do not have the luxury of time to volunteer, you can just visit the base and see the pandas and even take pictures with them.

Wolong Giant Panda Reserve

Mount Balang

Balang Mountains, at an altitude of 5,040m, stands in between Wolong and Rilong Town. It is located east of Xiaojin County and about 200km from Chengdu. The mountains highway pass is at an altitude of 4,523m making the drive towards this mountain in the zig zag roads make this one of most thrilling and breath taking experiences in China. The mountain is surrounded by a sea of clouds which makes the scene something skin to a fairy tale. Along the way from the bottom you can see the change in flora and birds as the altitude changes. Mount Balang is a haven for birdwatchers and photographers as there a wide range of birds throughout the journey. The mountains show different shades of beauty in spring and winter.

The View of Mount Balang

Transportation in Siguniang Scenic Area

There is no tourist centre in Rilong, so you can hitchhike with a local or get on one of the many vans that take you the main tourist centre in Changping Village. It is just a kilometre away. Once you reach there, you can buy ticket and get on the tourist/ sightseeing bus. Haizi valley entrance is only a walking distance from Rilong. Shuangqioau Valley entrance is 7km from Rilong; you have to use public transport to get there. In these valleys you can either explore by walk or there is horseback riding option.

You can explore by riding horses.

In Shuangqiao Valley, there are sightseeing buses transferring tourists between each attraction along the valley. In Changping Valley and Haizi Valley, you can either explore by walk or there is horseback riding option.

6 Days Mount Siguniang Dafeng and Erfeng Climbing Tour

Even though Rilong is a very small town, all bare necessities are available. In case of accommodation, there are options for all kinds of budgets. There are hotels, hostels, and guest houses. There are plenty restaurants to eat from and even some shops where you can buy equipment for climbing. If you are visiting Chengdu, climbing Mount Siguniang is one of the activities that worth extending your trip or spending your time and money on.