2026 Xide Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

Xide County, a hidden gem in Liangshan Prefecture. With warm winters, cool summers, and plenty of sunshine, it's perfect for a fall or winter getaway. 🚄Transportation: Chengdu to Xide: 3–4 hours by high-speed rail, tickets cost just over CNY 100. Recommended activities: 1️⃣High-strontium soft water hot springs♨️ Stay at Xide Sunshine Hot Spring Hotel🏨, which has outdoor hot springs. The weather is pleasant, making it a great place for families with kids. Or stay at Dexi Hot Spring Hotel🏨, which has unique cave hot springs. It's a great place to take photos! 2️⃣Xiaoxiangling Scenic Area If you want to see the scenery, don't miss Xiaoxiangling. Xiaoxiangling is a branch of the Daxue Mountains, with an elevation ranging from 1,988 meters to 4,500.4 meters at the peak of Eerze'e. There are 12 glacial lakes, 4 alpine waterfalls, and alpine rhododendrons. The scenery is stunning, making it a favorite among hiking enthusiasts. 3️⃣Yi New Year in late November Yi New Year is a festival that combines ancestor worship, cultural entertainment, and other folk customs. In 2024, Yi New Year in Xide will begin in late November, and the county will be bustling with excitement.

Liangshan Xide, a hidden Yi village secret beneath Xiaoxiang Ridge, gently embraces the mountain and wild moments Avoid the crowds in Xichang and head to the lesser-known secret of Liangshan, Xide. This small town nestled at the foot of Xiaoxiang Ridge has no commercial noise, only lush green mountains, ancient paths, soothing hot springs, and the purest Yi ethnic charm. Every scene comes with a natural healing filter, making it the perfect destination for a short, off-the-beaten-path trip in western Sichuan Xide’s romance begins with its vast and tranquil mountains and fields. Known as a natural oxygen bar, the Xiaoxiang Ridge scenic area is a masterpiece sculpted by nature. With a wide altitude range, the forests are dense and lush, alpine meadows soft and expansive, and scattered ancient glacial lakes crystal clear. In spring, rhododendrons bloom across the hills; summer offers cool forest retreats; autumn paints the forests in vibrant colors. Hiking here, you’ll feel the breeze through the trees and mist over the mountains. Look up to a clear blue sky, look down to endless greenery—every snapshot is a healing mountain scene, immersing you in the grandeur and gentleness of western Sichuan’s nature. The mountains hide waterfalls, and clear springs refresh the soul. Zemo Valley Waterfall and Wa’er Waterfall are Xide’s unique cool escapes. Glacial mountain springs gather into streams that cascade down steep cliffs. The 60-meter-high waterfalls roar powerfully, mist filling the air and echoing through the valley. The pools are clear and icy cold, surrounded by greenery and shaded by trees. In midsummer, the heat instantly fades here. Stream trekking, cooling off, and photography unlock the pure mountain wilderness charm, making it a hidden gem for summer relaxation and outdoor shoots. Half mountain and water, half ancient charm. Xide holds the Dengxiangying ancient post station, a millennium-old relic. As the best-preserved ancient post station on the southern Silk Road’s Lingguan route, it has endured over 2,000 years of history. The Han dynasty spirit and Ming and Qing dynasty charm remain vivid. Weathered bluestone paths, rustic old theaters, and scattered ancient buildings invite you to walk the thousand-year-old stone road and step back into the prosperous days of the tea-horse trade. The history you touch is warm and alive, creating a rich atmosphere perfect for authentic ancient-style travel photography. Venture deep into Yi country to encounter its warmth and gentleness. As the core of Yi language culture, the Xide Yi language theme cultural park holds rich ethnic heritage. Immerse yourself in Yi language culture, admire distinctive Yi architecture, and collect your exclusive Yi language passport to unlock unique cultural experiences. The nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage of Yi lacquerware features exquisite patterns and rich colors, carrying centuries of Yi craftsmanship. Watch the artisans at work up close and feel the unique intangible heritage romance of Liangshan. After exploring the mountains and fields, enjoy a century-old hot spring healing journey. Known as the “No. 1 hot spring in western Panxi,” the Gongtangzi natural hot spring is a local secret relaxation spot. Nourished by 600 years of natural mineral water, the water is warm, delicate, and rich in minerals. Soaking in the early morning mist is especially pleasant, accompanied by mountain breezes and warmth that soothes your whole body, washing away hiking fatigue. Evening breeze, hot springs, and mountain tranquility unlock the most relaxed travel state. Travel is more than just scenic mountains and seas; it’s about everyday life. Xide’s beauty is found in the Yi ethnic snacks on street corners, in the fragrant tea fields of Qieduo countryside, in the simple local customs, and in the peaceful, healing mountain life. Escape the city’s rush and slow down to feel the gentle passage of time. No need to chase crowds or travel far. Come to Xide, walk the thousand-year-old ancient paths, see mountain waterfalls, soak in natural ancient hot springs, and savor Yi culture and ancient charm. Between mountains, water, and everyday life, discover the most healing secret of western Sichuan

Xide - a secret base hidden deep in the mountains of Liangshan, Sichuan, this starry sky trip allowed me to learn how to slow down and feel existence. The journey departs from Daiama and takes you through mountain hot springs, ancient sites, mysterious humanities, and Buddha carvings and shining stars at night. Every kilometer has mountains throbbing, every night is worth looking up to. This line is suitable for you who want to get away from the hustle and bustle and slow down your breathing. Attractions one by one ・Itinerary recommendation 1️⃣ Daiama-Xide Resort 📍Nemberala/Oenggaut Pushing open the window, the world is vast! It’s recommended to wake up early in the morning and step out under the stars on the resort lawn to feel the sky turn from dark to blue and the stars slowly recede, “they’re still there, it’s just too strong.” This is perfect for shooting starry sky, aurora-feeling night scenes, blending into the vast tranquility of nature. 2️⃣ Hide - Hot Spring Resort 📍X06, Guangming Town, Xide County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province A must-have hot spring! The outdoor mountain view is super healing, no water addiction is not afraid, just breathing the air here is chill enough. Soaking in a hot spring and looking at the stars at night, there is a kind of "heaven and man" peace, healing inside and out. 3️⃣ Hide-Hide Ancient Site 📍Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture Mianshan Town, Xide County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province If you want to trace the national memory of thousands of years, you must visit! The site is small in scale but restored to its original appearance, especially the details of the Buddha carvings (can be benchmarked against the close-up statues of hands you see). The daytime and nighttime atmospheres have their own characteristics. 4️⃣ Hide-Hangan Mo more get 📍Xide County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture An authentic Yi cultural gathering place where you have the opportunity to meet locals in ethnic costumes. It is recommended to walk into the village, try traditional snacks, take pictures of the village scenery, especially in the evening, the colorful clouds reflect the mountainside, feel time slowed down. 5️⃣ Hind-Lomorada 📍Xide County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture The last stop, belongs to the natural outdoor paradise. The seasons change here, and the valleys, woodlands, and the aurora-like starry sky at night are worth stopping to savor. It is highly recommended to capture the most beautiful scenery that blends humanity and nature from evening to night. Practical Tips for Starry Sky Journey 1. Wait for the sunrise Remember to get up early at least 45 minutes, preferably with a headlamp and a warm jacket, the temperature difference between morning and evening in the mountains is large. 2. Shooting the starry sky with your phone remember to manual mode, ISO adjusted up, fixed on a stone or tripod, definitely better than full automatic mode. 3. Do not make loud noises at the site and temple area, respect the religious, cultural atmosphere, especially before shooting the details of the statue can consult the caretaker opinion. 4. Occasionally puppies stray in the village, evening operations are recommended to accompany, double safety. Transportation & Food 🚗 Transportation: You can charter a car at Xichang Railway Station, between each point is recommended to carpool or local WeChat contact the driver, the road is in good condition but some mountain roads are more curved recommended easy to get dizzy remember to prepare medicine. 🍲 Food must-try: Recommend the village’s authentic lamb soup pot, Yi pepper chicken, and the resort breakfast’s homemade handmade corn tortillas, simple but hometown flavor! Look with your heart · Quiet with your heart · With your heart: The starry sky is no longer far away, but the moment you are willing to stop and see, has crossed all the dust and distance. #XideIn-depth Tour #Starry Sky Tour #Yi Culture #Aurora Photography #Travel Practical Strategy

On April 15, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Qietuo Village in Qietuo Township, Xide County, will host the third "Tea Fragrance in Qietuo, Enjoying the Spring Breeze Together" tea picking experience event. The event covers the village committee, cultural and sports square, tea gardens, Pear Blossom Valley, and surrounding farmhouses, blending natural scenery with Yi ethnic culture to create an immersive spring experience at a national 3A-level scenic spot. Visitors can take the first countryside train after the opening ceremony, traveling through Pear Blossom Valley; personally pick fresh tea buds in designated tea gardens, watch villagers compete in tea picking, and learn about traditional tea-making processes; brew tea around the soapberry tree while enjoying local specialties like barbecue, cold noodles, and fried potatoes; stroll through the intangible cultural heritage market to admire and purchase handmade Yi lacquerware, silver jewelry, clothing, and other crafts; and in the evening, join a countryside concert and bonfire party to feel the warmth and romance of Yi nights under the starry sky. The entire park uses "Tea Charm Coins" for convenient on-site redemption, which can be used for tea drinks, food, shopping, and various other activities. Come to Qietuo in Xide, hop on the little train, pick a basket of spring tea, brew a pot of fragrant tea, listen to a countryside concert, and start your exclusive spring journey!

🏔️【Sea of Clouds Secret Realm Climbing to the Summit】Hiking the Taihuang Mountain, the Yi ethnic group's sacred mountain, encounter the wildest clouds in Western Sichuan! 🔥Xide's top attraction! Taihuang Sacred Mountain in Yi legend! 📍Location: Xide County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture 🚙 Travel tips: Self-driving recommended, 7-hour drive from Chengdu (off-road vehicle preferred) with many gravel road sections 🌄One-day intense itinerary: 1️⃣ Yi ethnic village at the foot of the mountain Red clay rammed walls + highland barley terraces, shepherds in ethnic costumes will offer barley cakes dipped in honey 📸Tips: Capture the stunning stilted buildings in the morning mist before 9 AM 2️⃣ Mid-mountain pasture route Encounter free-range black mini pigs! When passing prayer flag arrays, walk counterclockwise 3️⃣ 3750-meter Cloud Viewing Platform Suddenly meet a cloud waterfall around the corner! Remember to bring a windproof jacket (hail can fall suddenly even in June) 📷Must-shoot spots: ▫️Prayer flag Mani piles: Tibetan grandmothers will teach you to scatter dragon paper ▫️Cliff swing: Wild swing woven from vines by Yi young men (maximum safety) 🍜Yi ethnic cuisine highlights: ▪️Buckwheat cake dipped in wild honey (freshly baked at the mid-mountain shepherd hut) ▪️Tuotuo meat with sauerkraut and potato soup (firewood stove style) ❗️Real tips from experience: 1. Sunscreen! Highland UV can peel skin in an hour 2. Don’t wear light-colored shoes! Red soil roads turn into swamps when it rains 3. Carry cash (network may disappear anytime)

Ah!!! The moment I crossed mountains and valleys into Xiaoxiangling, I was instantly subdued by nature's raw power! 😱 Snow-capped mountains, meadows, alpine lakes, and forests all in one frame—my phone camera couldn't capture even a fraction of its beauty! Save this foolproof guide ASAP~ 🌅【Stunning 2-Day Itinerary】 Day1: · 8:00 Depart from Mianning County (1.5h drive) · 10:00 Arrive at Xiaoxiangling Scenic Area · 12:00 Hike to Moon Lake · 18:00 Camp under dazzling stars✨ Day2: · 6:00 Witness golden sunrise on snow peaks (tripod essential!) · 8:00 Explore primeval forest · 12:00 Discover hidden Ink Lake · 15:00 Return trip 🏞️【Must-See Attractions】 🌙Moon Lake: A sapphire at 3,600m! Mirror-like waters reflect snow mountains with unreal blue hues. 🌲Primeval Forest: Sunlight filters through soft decaying leaves—spot squirrels while wearing white dresses for magical photos! 🖤Ink Lake: Mysterious dark-green lake surrounded by bizarre rock formations, every shot looks cinematic! 🌄Golden Sunrise: 6am holy light gilds mountain peaks—utterly divine!!! 🚙【Transport Tips】 ✓Self-drive: Navigate to "Xiaoxiangling Scenic Area" (5h from Chengdu, SUV recommended) ✓Carpool: County shuttle 150/person round-trip ⚠️Note: No shuttle buses—all trails require hiking! 🍢【Local Food Recs】 · 5🌟Roasted potatoes: Crispy outside, fluffy inside with fermented tofu dip—heavenly! · 4.8🌟Ham pancakes: Flaky crust with savory filling · 4.5🌟Buckwheat tea: Locals' favorite digestion aid 💣【Must-Know Warnings】 ❗3,500m+ altitude sickness alert! Bring rhodiola + oxygen ❗Weather changes instantly! Windbreaker + sunglasses + hat essential ❗Pack snacks! No stores in scenic area ❗Download offline maps! Spotty signal ❗Respect customs! Don't photograph prayer flags randomly Final plea: This uncommercialized gem needs our protection—please treasure it❤️

| Flower Sea, Ink Lake, Yi Village Charm. ‌🌤️Weather and Outfit Guide‌ ‌Climate‌: Altitude 3,000-4,000m, large temperature difference between day and night. Summer summit temperature is around 10-15°C, winter can be as low as -5°C.‌ ‌ 🎒Essential Gear‌: Windproof and Warm: Hiking jacket/light down jacket + quick-drying base layer for high-altitude wind and cold protection.‌ Hiking Boots: Non-slip hiking boots (lots of gravel and muddy sections).‌ Protective Gear: Sunglasses, sunscreen (strong UV rays), raincoat (rainy season June-September). ‌ 🚶Day 1 Xichang → Erze'e Village → Ink Lake Round Trip‌ ‌Transportation‌: Drive to Erze'e Village (approx. 2.5h drive). You need to pass a fire prevention checkpoint at the village entrance. Non-local vehicles need to contact a guide (fee approx. CNY 200/group) and be led up the mountain by a villager.‌ ‌Hiking Section‌: Starting Point: Village parking lot → 10km gravel road (can be driven slowly) → Hiking trailhead.‌ Core Attractions: ‌Alpine Rhododendron Sea‌🌸 (full bloom in June, pink and white flowers intertwined with the sea of clouds).‌ ‌Ink Lake‌: A glacial lake reflecting the surrounding peaks. On a clear, windless day, you can capture symmetrical compositions.‌ Duration: Approx. 4 hours round trip (altitude 3,000m+, slow walking recommended).‌ ‌ 🚶Day 2 Xiaoxiangling Tea-Horse Trail → Today Mountain Scenic Area‌ ‌Cultural Hiking Route‌: Walk through the Xiaoxiangling Tunnel (3.5km) and experience the "Ten Miles, Different Skies" climate phenomenon.‌ Climb to the "Today Mountain" viewing platform to photograph the warhorse sculptures and the landscape.‌ Lunch Recommendation: Yi farmhouse restaurant on the mountainside. Try buckwheat pancakes + sour vegetable and potato soup (approx. CNY 40 per person).‌ ‌🍜 Food Guide‌: Breakfast from Xichang‌: [Dechang Laobing Mutton Restaurant]: Mutton rice noodles + mint leaves, rich and flavorful soup (search term: Dechang mutton rice noodles).‌ ‌Hiking Snacks‌: Roasted potatoes from the Yi guide's home, dipped in chili paste + pepper powder (portable and filling).‌ ‌Dinner after Descent‌: [Qionghai 17 Degrees Fire Pit BBQ]: Small intestine wrapped bean curd + Tuo Tuo meat (dipped in soybean chili powder).‌ [Erze'e Farmhouse Restaurant]: Firewood chicken + wild mushroom soup (approx. CNY 60 per person).‌ ‌⚠️ Safety and Environmental Tips‌: ‌Mandatory‌: No solo hiking. Must follow a guide (to prevent getting lost + deal with sudden weather changes).‌ ‌Water Source‌: Ink Lake water is not drinkable. Bring at least 2L of drinking water.‌ ‌Leave No Trace‌: Take away all trash, protect the alpine rhododendrons and the virgin forest.‌ 🚗Alternative Route Suggestions‌: If you have limited physical strength, you can wait for the new road to open (estimated completion by the end of 2025), which will lead directly to the trailhead.‌ Combined Itinerary: Xiaoxiangling + Luojishan (hot springs to relieve hiking fatigue).‌ Xichang Xiaoxiangling, an unspoiled plateau, reveals its natural beauty and rich culture to those who explore it on foot.✨

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|Attached is the guide. The city streets surrounded by light purple may have the exclusive romance of this season. If you also like purple, you don’t have to fly to Kunming. Sichuan has a similar Jacaranda Street Xichang is at its most beautiful at this moment, with endless sunshine and fruits everywhere. My three-day and two-night Xichang tour itinerary: Day 1: Chengdu - Xide County (3 hours by train) - Check in at Xidexi Hotel and put your luggage there - Check in at Xiaoxiangling (10 minutes by car) - Return to the hotel and soak in the hot springs Day 2: Hotel - Xichang City (1.5h) - Xinxingyue Hotel - Qionghai (300m away) Day 3: Sleep until you wake up naturally and see the Jacaranda trees in Chengdu About Xiaoxiangling Xiaoxiangling is very suitable for beginners to hike. ▲The plateau lake on the mountain The primeval forest azalea forest ▲ The stream and the road The grassland is amazing again and again! The scenery is so beautiful. About [Qionghai] Qionghai is very large, and great views can be seen everywhere. When you are tired of walking, you can find a chair to sit down, watching the ripples on the water and basking in the sun, which is very comfortable. Internet celebrity check-in spots: Diaoyutai, Moonlight Town, and Jinlin Beach. Diaoyutai has a long corridor and tree trunks extending into the water, which is very photogenic but there are so many people that you have to queue up to take pictures. There is an internet-famous coffee shop near the Moonlight Town. Jinlin Beach is just a small beach with coconut trees. About [Jacaranda shooting position Hangtian North Road (most densely populated with flowers, suitable for taking environmental portraits): Zhuijia Shooting time: 16:00-18:00 in the afternoon The densely populated areas on this road section are mainly concentrated on the east side of the road Wenhui East Road (the flowers are the most compact, suitable for flying drones): Zhuijia Shooting time: noon 11:00-13:00 There are high-rise buildings on both sides of this section 3 Jianchang East Road (with a memorial archway as the background, the combination type is best): Zhuijia Shooting time: 9:00-11:00 am There is a memorial archway on this section of the road, and the memorial archway faces the west 4 Jiankang Road (two-way lane, the widest road, suitable for taking photos of city streets): Zhuijia shooting time: noon 11:00-13:00 There is a local specialty Tianma chicken nearby to eat~ About [Hotel] First Day Xidexi Hot Spring Hotel: It is only 1 hour away from Xichang by car. The hotel is only 10 minutes away from the train station. It is a 5-diamond luxury hotel. Each room has its own hot spring pool. The package is valid until June 30, 24! The next day Zhongxin Star Moon Hotel: The geographical location is very advantageous. It is located in the Dashiban Ancient Village Scenic Area in Xichang, 300m away from Qionghai, adjacent to Qionghai Wetland Park, and backed by Lingying Ancient Temple in the east. You can enjoy the tranquility of the ancient village and the Zen of the ancient temple. With its superior geographical location, complete facilities and high-quality services, it has become an ideal place for tourists to explore Xichang.