Things to do in Heishui

Don't be misled by the name. It not only has glaciers, but also colorful forests, lakes, snow-capped mountains, and grasslands. The scenery is breathtaking, like a dream. Afterwards, I skipped Bipenggou, the last stop on my itinerary in western Sichuan. Facilities and services: It's the most complete among the scenic areas in western Sichuan. There are restrooms and hot water at every stop, and the staff are very friendly. While hiking, staff even came to ask if I needed anything. There's only a 12-kilometer boardwalk. Compared to hiking the more than 20 kilometers of original trail (horse trail) in Changpinggou, where you don't see any staff at all (the scenery is beautiful). The scenic area shuttle buses are also plentiful, running every few minutes. It won't waste your time. Overall: Perfect.

Aotai Na in Aba Prefecture, a healing journey for the soul✨ This trip to Aotai Na in Aba Prefecture is simply the most surprising existence in my travel list! From the moment I set foot on this land, I was deeply shocked by its primitive and pure beauty. From a distance, the Aotai Na Snow Mountain stands tall, and the snow on the top of the mountain that never melts all year round shines with holy light in the sun, contrasting with the blue sky like a gem. Every shot is a blockbuster déjà vu📸. During the hiking process, you can encounter clear mountain streams and lush primeval forests. From time to time, you can see little squirrels running through them, full of wild fun. Every time you walk a distance, the scenery in front of you will bring new surprises. The feeling of being away from the hustle and bustle of the city and in close contact with nature makes people relax wholeheartedly. At the moment of reaching the top, all the fatigue turned into touching and proud. Standing on the top of the mountain overlooking the surrounding continuous mountains, the sea of ​​clouds is surging under your feet, as if you are in a fairyland. This shock cannot be described in words. I was also deeply impressed by the local Tibetan and Qiang culture. The hospitable residents, unique ethnic costumes, architecture and food all made the trip more colorful. If I have to say something wrong, it is that the mountaineering route requires a lot of physical strength. It is recommended that novices prepare their physical strength in advance. But believe me, when you see the beauty of Aotai Na with your own eyes, you will feel that everything is worth it! Highly recommended to all friends who love nature and want to escape from the hustle and bustle, Aotai Na will definitely become the most unforgettable stop in your memory! 🌟 #阿巴州 #奥太娜 #室内爬

Passing by Yangrong Had, I had lunch by the way. Most people brought their own food. The environment was good and it was cool in the shade. I called in advance and found that all the accommodations were full, but after entering, I found that many were not open. Most of them were booked by the tourist center, and some were booked individually, but there were no rooms.

The Heishui to Yakxia section of National Highway 347 enters a scenic spot soon after leaving Heishui County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. The scenery along the way continues all the way to the Yakxia Snow Mountain, a total of about 40 kilometers, and the locals call it Naizigou. Because it is famous for the beauty of colorful forests, it is also called the "80-mile Colorful Forest Gallery". The reason why Naizigou is beautiful is first of all its rich tree species. Heishui County has a plateau monsoon climate, with sufficient sunshine and a large daily temperature difference, which has created rich ecological resources, extremely high forest coverage and numerous natural scenery in the territory. The "80-mile" valley extends from an altitude of more than 2,000 meters to the Yakxia Snow Mountain at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters. The trees distributed on the hillsides at different altitudes are also different. Maple, birch, cypress, pine, cypress... Some of them are tall broad-leaved trees on the mountainside, and some are coniferous forests standing proudly on the top of the mountain. Between them, there are lush bushes. These plants densely cover the hills one after another. They grow vigorously in spring and summer, and begin a grand collective "change of clothes" in autumn.

Naizigou isn't a fenced-off park with admission fees; it's an 80-mile-long natural colorful forest gallery 🍂, boasting one main feature: Asia's largest, completely free, and photogenic at any time. The scenery is breathtaking; even a rolled-up car window offers stunning views. 🍁 Key Points · Best Time: Mid-October to mid-November, with the most vibrant colors in late October 🎨 · How to Get There: Approximately 300km from Chengdu, 5-6 hours drive 🚗, main roads are in good condition. · Cost: Free admission; parking at some viewpoints costs 5-10 yuan 💰 · Core Features: Colorful forests + Tibetan villages + lakes + snow-capped mountains, all in one place 🏔️ 🚗 By Car: The highway itself is a scenic route Drive along G347, from a few kilometers outside Heishui County all the way to Yakexia Snow Mountain, stopping whenever you want. Classic Itinerary: Colorful nail polish, colorful houses, and red maple leaves 📸 → 2km loop around Luoli Lake to see the reflections 💧 → Climb Yangronghade to see Tibetan villages and colorful forests 🏡 → Pure leisurely drive along the core section of the 80km trail. If time permits, head to Gansiba Village for the popular rowan trees; a single tree in full red by the stream is truly eye-catching 🌺. 🥾 Hiking: Stepping into a Painting The Luogesi Sacred Mountain hiking trail is approximately 8km long, at an altitude of 3200m. Beginner-friendly, it offers meadows, lakes, snow-capped mountains, and forests along the way 🌲. Shady, gentler sections are perfect for strolling; stop and relax when you're tired – it's perfectly acceptable 😌. ⛺ Camping: Bring Your Bed into the Colorful Forest The Jixiang Campsite is nestled against the mountain and beside the water, with the sound of the stream serving as white noise; the campsite at the foot of Yakexia Snow Mountain offers expansive grasslands, with the colorful forests directly transitioning to the snow-capped peaks; there's also a campervan site with skylights for stargazing ✨. Reminder: Temperatures will drop close to 0°C at night, so pack accordingly for late autumn/early winter. Don't push yourself too hard! 🧣 🏡 Tibetan Village: A Guozhuang Dance and Your Worries Will Disappear Yangronghade, known as "China's Most Beautiful Tibetan Village," truly lives up to its name. Intricately carved wooden houses, barley drying in the sun, and a viewing platform offering panoramic views of the village, colorful forests, and snow-capped peaks. Light a bonfire at night, join in the Guozhuang dance, and you're good to go! 💃 Stay in a guesthouse with views of the colorful forests from your window, or relax at Gaer Manor for a panoramic view. 🍲 Rice: Highland ingredients are so delicious! · Tibetan Hot Pot: Beef bone/Tibetan tea broth, yak meat + Tibetan pork + wild ferns + highland potatoes, stewed until flavorful, one bite warms you from head to toe 🔥 · Hand-pulled Yak Meat: Boiled in clear water and dipped in chili powder, the meat is fragrant, clean, and chewy 🥩 · Tibetan Pork: Free-range at 3,000 meters, firm and bouncy, fragrant whether roasted or stir-fried 🐷 · Stuffed Pork Belly & Blood Sausage: Strong flavor, for the adventurous 🍖 · Pickled Cabbage Noodles: Handmade, chewy, tangy and appetizing 🍜 · Potato Cakes: Soft, chewy, and stretchy, perfect with spicy or brown sugar 🥔 · Black Water Buns: Thin skin, generous filling, juicy yak meat 🥟 · Butter tea/walnut butter milk tea/barley cake: savory, warming, and a perfect morning treat ☕ For Tibetan food, it's recommended to go to reputable guesthouses or restaurants in Yangronghade Village, such as Gaer Manor or Ama Tea House. Prices are clearly marked, so you're less likely to be ripped off ✅. 📸 Photo Opportunities + Surroundings The reflection of Loli Tso Lake, the colorful houses and red maples, and the smoke and prayer flags of Yangronghade – a perfect three-shot sequence. The light is clearest from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, when the autumn colors are at their most vibrant. If you have more time, you can also visit Dagu Glacier, Kalonggou, and Bipenggou – a complete autumn tour of Aba 🍁.

Kalonggou in Heishui County is a lesser-known scenic spot, mainly because there are too many scenic spots in the whole western Sichuan region, and this place is often overlooked. In fact, Kalonggou is very beautiful and worth a visit. The scenery of Kalonggou can be described in one sentence: it combines the beauty of the colorful Fengqi Lake in Jiusaigou and the colorful calcified pool of Huanglongzhu.

The Dagu Glacier Observation Deck has a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery. It is covered with ice and snow. It is very beautiful. There is no altitude sickness. The temperature is not bad, not as cold as imagined. It is very interesting and cost-effective. It is a good experience, great.

The most brutal one was 19 kilometers up and 21 kilometers down. The brutal thing was not how difficult or long the road was, but the climate. The climate was bad, and the equipment we prepared could only withstand minus 5 degrees. The actual temperature at the base camp was as low as minus 20 degrees. It was too cold. On the first day, we climbed 19 kilometers of mountain roads with a load of more than 20 kilograms to reach a camp at an altitude of more than 3,800 meters, and camped in the snow. The starry sky was beautiful at night. But we couldn't sleep all night, and we were tortured by the cold every minute and every second, and we held on until dawn. It was minus 20 degrees, sleeping in the snow. In the morning, the tent was full of ice, and our sleeping bags were frozen. My hands and feet were not my own. I was more careful when walking with shoes because they were numb. I was afraid of scratching or breaking them. Because I couldn't feel them. Only three boys went to the summit. Only one reached the summit, and the other two gave up 40 meters and 60 meters away. The temperature was too low for the body to withstand the altitude reaction. After packing up in the morning, we walked to the cowshed closest to the camp to recover for a while, waited for the sun to come out and our body temperature to warm up before hiking down the mountain.

"After seeing Jiuzhaigou, you won't want to see any other water scenery," and that's truly a saying that comes to mind. Every bus had a tour guide, but there were too few staff members, and the elderly people were shameless, constantly cutting in line, which was incredibly annoying.

Transportation from Chengdu to Dujiangyan is very convenient; a 30-minute high-speed train ride costs only 10 yuan. Many people visit Dujiangyan to witness this magnificent water conservancy project firsthand and experience firsthand this millennium-old water engineering marvel. The river flows mightily, and the Fish Mouth and Flying Sand Weir are masterpieces of engineering. It's not just about beautiful scenery, but also about the great wisdom of the ancients. We entered through the main gate, and the entire route is accessible without any uphill climbing, allowing for a leisurely stroll through the scenic area where history and nature blend seamlessly.