Sichuan · Aba Prefecture - Snow Mountains, Lakes, Colorful Forests, Tibetan Villages
Who understands! After visiting Western Sichuan 10 times, Aba Prefecture still captivates me the most! Snow mountains, lakes, colorful forests, Tibetan villages… God has splashed the most healing colors here, and I can’t bear to delete photos even when my phone overheats! This comprehensive guide helps you avoid 90% of the pitfalls and unlock the magical ways to explore Aba Prefecture~
🌄 Key points first: Must-visit core spots in Aba Prefecture
✅ Jiuzhaigou: The "Fairyland on Earth" lives up to its name! The lakes are blue-green as if filtered, you can see rainbows in the mist of Nuorilang Waterfall, and the autumn colorful forests reflected on the lake are stunningly beautiful (recommend avoiding holidays, early morning has fewer people and better photo opportunities)
✅ Huanglong: Terraced calcified colorful pools look like a spilled palette. If you have good stamina, rush to the summit’s Five-Color Pond for an amazing panoramic view (altitude 3500+, remember to bring an oxygen bottle, walk slowly and don’t run)
✅ Siguniang Mountain: The "Alps of the East"! The meadows of Shuangqiao Valley, hiking trails of Changping Valley, and the golden sunlight on Yaomei Peak. Beginners choose Shuangqiao Valley (easy by car), hikers go for Changping Valley
✅ Songpan Ancient Town: An old town blending Tibetan, Qiang, Hui, and Han cultures. The atmosphere is amazing when the lights come on at night. Enjoy yak meat skewers + highland barley cakes, and stay in an ancient town guesthouse to experience slow living
🛣️ 3 private routes (choose as needed, no pitfalls)
🔥 Classic 5-day tour (a must for first-timers)
Chengdu → Songpan Ancient Town (stay one night) → Jiuzhaigou (1.5 days) → Huanglong (half day) → Chengdu
👉 Highlights: Covers core attractions, relaxed pace, suitable for families / friends trips, good road conditions for sedans
🌿 Off-the-beaten-path 4-day tour (escape and healing)
Chengdu → Siguniang Mountain (Shuangqiao Valley + Changping Valley) → Danba Tibetan Village → Maerkang → Chengdu
👉 Highlights: Few people, pure scenery, Tibetan villages with curling smoke, pristine natural landscapes along the way, no random passersby in photos, perfect for those who love quiet
❄️ Winter limited 3-day tour (snow scenery is legendary)
Chengdu → Bipenggou (skiing + ice waterfall viewing) → Zhegu Mountain (popular snow town) → Chengdu
👉 Highlights: Skiing + snow scenery for about 500 RMB per person, Zhegu Mountain’s carousel and small train are great for photos, fewer people in winter with high cost performance (remember to wear anti-slip shoes and bring enough warm clothes)
🚨 Blogger’s private pit-avoidance guide (learn from painful lessons!)
Transportation: For Jiuzhaigou / Huanglong, it’s recommended to join official small groups or self-drive, avoid illegal taxis (easy to be overcharged); mountain roads have many curves, drive slowly, book hotels + tickets in advance during peak season (Jiuzhaigou limits visitors!)
Clothing: High altitude with big temperature differences, wear layered "outdoor jacket + thin down jacket," wear red/white clothes for photos to match snow mountains and lakes (avoid dark colors, which look dull in photos)
Food: Don’t eat overpriced meals at scenic area entrances! Try Tibetan family courtyards near Jiuzhaigou entrance and yak meat hotpot in Songpan Ancient Town, about 50 RMB per person to eat until full; Tibetan yogurt is sour, add honey for a better taste
Altitude sickness: Huanglong / Siguniang Mountain are high altitude, avoid strenuous exercise, drink Rhodiola in advance, bring oxygen bottles (expensive in scenic areas, buy in Chengdu beforehand)
Photography: Take reflections at Mirror Lake in Jiuzhaigou early morning when there’s no wind, best light at Huanglong Five-Color Pond in the afternoon, camp at Siguniang Mountain one hour before sunrise for golden sunlight on the peak
🏡 Accommodation recommendations (best value)
Jiuzhaigou: Stay at guesthouses near the entrance (10-minute walk to the park, half the price of hotels inside the park, recommend "Tibetan Style Courtyard," the owner makes butter tea)
Siguniang Mountain: Stay near Shuangqiao Valley, choose guesthouses with viewing platforms, open the window in the morning to see snow mountains
Songpan Ancient Town: Stay in inns inside the ancient town, wooden structures with Tibetan decorations, hear the ancient town’s bell at night
💡 Blogger’s rambling
The beauty of Aba Prefecture is beyond what a camera can capture! Here, no need to rush your itinerary, just sit by a lake all afternoon, watch the snow mountains and flowing clouds, listen to Tibetan monks chanting, and all worries will be healed~ Remember to bring plenty of memory cards because every second is wallpaper-worthy scenery!