"Sichuan-Ganzi, a must-visit earthly paradise in this lifetime"
Sichuan Ganzi | A must-visit earthly paradise travel guide
Dear friends, I am willing to call Ganzi "the place closest to heaven"! After a trip to Ganzi, I felt my soul was deeply purified. Snow mountains, grasslands, lakes, temples—every scenery is as beautiful as a painting, and every shot is a stunning masterpiece. Today, I’m sharing this super detailed Ganzi travel guide with you all. Let’s embark on this earthly fairyland journey together 🌈
Preparation
Documents
ID card, driver’s license (if self-driving), a small amount of cash (some remote areas may have inconvenient online payment).
Clothing
Ganzi has a large temperature difference between day and night and strong UV rays. In summer, bring a thick jacket, long pants, and also prepare sun-protective clothing, a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen; in winter, prepare down jackets, thick scarves, gloves, and other warm clothing.
Medicines
Altitude sickness medicine (such as Rhodiola), cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness medicine, etc. Start taking Rhodiola a week in advance to effectively prevent altitude sickness.
Others
Thermos cup (the plateau climate is dry, so keep hydrated), camera (to capture the stunning scenery), power bank.
Itinerary
Day 1: Chengdu → Kangding → Mugecuo
● Morning: Depart from Chengdu, head west along Chengya Expressway and Yakang Expressway, enjoy the scenery along the way, and arrive in Kangding by noon. Taste local specialties in Kangding city, such as Kangding cold noodles and yak meat hot pot.
● Afternoon: Head to Mugecuo Scenic Area. Mugecuo, also called Wildman Sea, is one of the largest alpine lakes in northwest Sichuan. You can take a sightseeing bus to visit various spots, enjoying alpine lakes, primeval forests, hot springs, and other beautiful views. You can also visit the Seven-color Sea, where the lake water shows different colors under sunlight, breathtakingly beautiful.
● Evening: Stay in Kangding city and feel the romantic atmosphere of this city of love songs.
Day 2: Kangding → Xinduqiao → Tagong Grassland → Moxi Park
● Morning: Depart from Kangding and head to Xinduqiao. Xinduqiao is known as "the world of light and shadow" and "a photographer’s paradise." The grasslands, streams, mountains, and Tibetan villages along the way form picturesque scenes like poetry and paintings.
● Noon: After dining in Xinduqiao, head to Tagong Grassland. Here you can ride horses and feel the vastness and freedom of the grassland. You can also see the distant Yala Snow Mountain, which complements the Tagong Monastery on the grassland, like a fairyland.
● Afternoon: Head to Moxi Park. The stone forest landscape here is very unique, showing different shades of gray under sunlight, like an alien world. Walking through the stone forest feels like being in a sci-fi movie scene.
● Evening: Stay in Xinduqiao.
Day 3: Xinduqiao → Litang → Daocheng Yading
● Morning: Depart from Xinduqiao, pass through the world’s highest city Litang. You can visit Litang Monastery to experience the mysterious atmosphere of Tibetan Buddhism or visit Letong Ancient Town to learn about Tibetan culture.
● Noon: After dining in Litang, continue to Daocheng Yading. The scenery along the way is breathtaking, with snow mountains, grasslands, and rivers alternating.
● Evening: Stay near Daocheng Yading Scenic Area to acclimate to the high altitude.
Day 4: One-day tour of Daocheng Yading
● All day: Get up early and enter Daocheng Yading Scenic Area. First, take a sightseeing bus to Zhaguanbeng, then hike to Chonggu Monastery to admire the majestic Xianuoduoji Snow Mountain. Then you can choose to take an electric cart to Luorong Pasture, the best spot to view the Yangmaiyong and Xianuoduoji snow mountains. For those with good stamina, you can continue hiking to Milk Lake and Five-color Lake. These two places have breathtaking scenery but the journey is tough, so be sure to assess your strength.
● Evening: Stay near Daocheng Yading Scenic Area.
Day 5: Daocheng → Yajiang → Chengdu
● Morning: Depart from Daocheng and return to Chengdu along the same route. You can stop at Yajiang to taste local delicacies.
● Evening: Return to Chengdu and end the wonderful Ganzi trip.
Accommodation Suggestions
● Kangding: You can choose to stay in Kangding city for convenient transportation and abundant food options.
● Xinduqiao: There are many characteristic guesthouses and hotels. Choose accommodations with good views to enjoy the beautiful sunrise in the morning.
● Daocheng Yading: Various levels of accommodations are available near the scenic area; it is recommended to book in advance.
Transportation Guide
Self-driving
Suitable for those with ample time who like freedom. You can drive along the Western Sichuan Grand Loop and enjoy the scenery along the way. But pay attention to safety when driving on the plateau and check your vehicle in advance.
Public Transportation
You can take a bus from Chengdu to Kangding first, then transfer to shuttle buses to various scenic spots in Kangding. However, public transportation is infrequent and inconvenient, so plan your time carefully.
Notes
● Respect local religious beliefs and customs; follow the rules when entering temples.
● Avoid strenuous exercise to prevent altitude sickness. If symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or difficulty breathing occur, rest promptly and seek medical attention if severe.
● Protect the environment, do not litter, and help preserve this beautiful pure land.
Dear friends, the beautiful scenery of Ganzi is calling us. Hurry up and pack your bags! Tell us in the comments which Ganzi attraction you are most looking forward to 😘