Every year from September to November, the Western Sichuan Plateau sheds its lush green. Layers of golden yellow, vibrant orange-red, clear sky blue, and sacred snow white intertwine—it's breathtaking! 🍂🏔️
Day 1: Chengdu → Zheduo Mountain → Yuzixi → Xinduqiao
1️⃣ Zheduo Mountain
The first pass of Western Sichuan. In autumn, the summit is often covered in a light dusting of snow ❄️. Under the deep blue sky, prayer flags flutter in the wind. Every photo you take is a masterpiece 📸
2️⃣ Rainbow Road
A popular road with colorful markings 🌈. The poplar forests on both sides turn completely golden. Driving through it is incredibly healing~
3️⃣ Yuzixi
Overlook the peaks of Gongga Snow Mountain 🏔️. In the evening, wait for the gentle "golden mountain" sunset. The afterglow fills the sky—it's stunningly beautiful! 🌄
✅ Stay in Xinduqiao in the evening. The night sky is filled with clear stars ✨, the evening breeze is cool, and it's quiet and healing—absolutely amazing!
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Day 2: Xinduqiao → 18 Bends of the Heavenly Road → Litang → Daocheng
1️⃣ 18 Bends of the Heavenly Road
The winding mountain road twists and turns. In autumn, the valley is painted with colorful forests 🍁. Looking down, the road winds through the golden valley—a total visual feast!
2️⃣ Kazila Mountain
Endless highland grasslands. In autumn, they shed their green and turn a gentle golden-brown. With snow-capped mountains stretching into the distance and the vast sky, you'll really want to just lie down and relax 😌
3️⃣ Letong Ancient Town & Thousand-Household Tibetan Village
The core attraction of the "City in the Sky," Litang. On a clear autumn day ☀️, the white Tibetan houses against the golden grasslands create a perfect Tibetan atmosphere!
4️⃣ Maoya Grassland
The autumn grassland is covered in gold, with cattle and sheep scattered throughout 🐑. As the breeze blows, it reveals the vast and gentle nature of the plateau—so healing~
⚠️ Important note!! Do not stay overnight in Litang! At an altitude of 4,014m, it's very easy to get altitude sickness, insomnia, and headaches. Be sure to head south and stay in Daocheng to rest! Your safety comes first! 🆘
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Day 3: Daocheng → Zunsheng Pagoda Forest → Red Grassland → Shangri-La Town
1️⃣ Daocheng Zunsheng Pagoda Forest
Pure white pagodas are scattered about 🤍, backed by golden poplar forests. With the blue sky as a backdrop and the white pagodas as the scenery, the atmosphere is quiet and sacred. Every photo is wallpaper-worthy!
2️⃣ Daocheng Red Grassland
The entire grassland is a vibrant, intense red 🔥. Paired with the golden poplars and clear blue sky in the distance, the color contrast is extreme—a limited-edition autumn view!
3️⃣ Poplar Forest
Ten thousand acres of poplar trees turn completely golden in autumn. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating dappled shadows ✨. Strolling through the forest, you're surrounded by gentle autumn colors—it's so photogenic!
✅ Stay in Shangri-La Town in the evening. It has the lowest altitude and is the most comfortable place on the entire trip, ensuring excellent sleep quality 😴. It's the best base for entering the Yading Scenic Area!
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Day 4: In-depth tour of Yading Scenic Area
Navigate to the Daocheng Yading Scenic Area Visitor Center, take the scenic bus directly to Zhaguanbeng, and transfer to the sightseeing bus to reach Luorong Pasture. In autumn, the pasture completely transforms into a golden grassland 🌾. Backed by the two sacred mountains, Mt. Chenrezig and Mt. Jambeyang, with snow-capped peaks, golden meadows, and babbling streams, it's absolutely divine!
Hike up along the boardwalk 🚶. Along the way, you'll be accompanied by colorful forests, meadows, and snow-capped mountains, with autumn colors deepening at every step. Arrive at Five-Color Lake; under the clear autumn sky, the lake water is transparent and deep blue 💙, reflecting the sacred snow-capped mountains. The changing light and shadow create a colorful scene—it's breathtaking!
Continue on to visit Milk Lake, a turquoise lake surrounded by mountains 🏞️. Paired with the yellowing meadows and snow-capped peaks all around, the lake reflects the mountain scenery—absolutely stunning!
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Day 5: Short leisure tour of Yading → Zheduo Mountain → Return to Chengdu
Short tour: Zhaguanbeng → Chonggu Temple → Pearl Lake
Get a close-up view of the sacred Mt. Chenrezig. In autumn, Pearl Lake is quiet and clear 🌊. The lake surface perfectly reflects the snow-capped mountains and the autumn colors filling the sky. With ancient trees turning yellow and forests layered with color, the whole scene looks like an oil painting!
After the tour, return along the G318. With autumn colors accompanying you all the way, it's the perfect end to the trip! 🎬
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📌 Tips:
· The entire trip is at a high altitude, so it's recommended to prepare oxygen bottles and anti-altitude sickness medication 💊
· There is a large temperature difference between day and night, so a thick jacket or down jacket is a must 🧥
· If driving, pay attention to safety. There are many curves on the mountain roads, so drive slowly~