High Cost-Performance Two-Day Secret Journey to Zhonglu Tibetan Village

🌅 Day 1: Entering the Millennia-Old Tibetan Village in the Clouds Arrive in Danba in the morning, and head straight to Zhonglu Tibetan Village—the quieter "Thousand Watchtowers Secret Realm" compared to Bijiaju. The village is built along the mountain, with red and white Tibetan houses scattered among terraced fields, thirteen-sided watchtowers pointing to the blue sky, and Mount Merduo quietly watching from afar. First rush to Han’e Manor viewing platform; in the late summer morning mist, the watchtower clusters appear faintly in the light and shadow, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, every shot is a no-filter masterpiece. Walk 20 minutes to Kangbo Ancient Watchtower, borrow the key from the homestay owner to climb to the top, overlooking the entire Tibetan village and valley scenery. Using a telephoto lens to capture watchtowers and snow-capped mountains in the same frame is stunning. In the afternoon, stroll around the village, encounter grandmas weaving wool and children picking apples. You can spend 50 yuan learning to make Tibetan incense, and the finished product can be a souvenir. For dinner, choose a Tibetan family restaurant; for 40 yuan, you can enjoy seven or eight kinds of home-cooked dishes. Wild mushroom fried rice and pickled yak beef are incredibly delicious, paired with homemade apple wine to perfectly cut the grease. In the evening, stay at a Tibetan-style homestay; for 200 yuan per person, you can stay in a room with a terrace. Open the window to see the starry sky, with zero light pollution, the Milky Way is clearly visible. 🍃 Day 2: Tibetan Local Culture and Return Journey Climb the hillside before 7 a.m. to photograph the village smoke in the morning mist; the moment sunlight shines on the golden tops of the watchtowers is breathtaking. Breakfast is barley bread with butter tea at the homestay, warming the body and helping prevent altitude sickness. In the morning, head to Merduo Monastery, spin the prayer wheels clockwise, and listen to the Buddhist chants echoing in the mountains. The hillside behind the monastery is an excellent spot for panoramic shots of the Tibetan village. If time allows, you can charter a car for 40 minutes to Suopo Ancient Watchtower Cluster to see the majestic "King of Watchtowers." There are fewer tourists here, making it easier to capture cultural details. After lunch, visit the village entrance market to buy 5 yuan per jin (500g) organic apples and 20 yuan per jar of wild honey, offering great value. Depart at 3 p.m. to return, ending a fulfilling two-day trip. ✨ Reasons to Visit in Late Summer - Avoid the heavy rain season of July and August; September offers safe road conditions, fewer tourists, and no need to avoid people when taking photos. - Accommodation and dining prices drop; hundred-yuan homestays offer snow mountain views, and meals cost about 40 yuan per person to fill you up. - Apples and pears hang full on the branches, freely pick fruit by the roadside, achieving fruit freedom. 📌 Practical Tips - Transportation: Carpool from Chengdu costs 200 yuan per person directly to the village entrance; use the code phrase "No county detour" to avoid longer routes. - Note: Always ask permission before photographing Tibetans; do not touch prayer flags or mani stone piles casually.