Dangling 3-Day 2-Night Hiking Guide (Non-Camping Version)

How can you miss the autumn scenery of Western Sichuan in the fall? Be prepared and go for it. A few days before our trip this year, we happened to encounter several heavy snowfalls, and the sky was not clear. At first, we felt a bit regretful, but during the hike, we found that the misty Dangling had a different kind of charm, still ✅ Best time: Mid-October to early November 🎒 Hiking gear: shell jacket, down inner layer, quick-dry clothes, fleece pants, base layer pants, waterproof shoes, trekking poles, wool hat, gloves, sunglasses, face towel, snacks, thermos, gaiters 💰 Total cost: 1200-1500 RMB per person ———— 📝 Itinerary Day 1️⃣: Chengdu ➡️ Danba 🚌 (about 7 hours) The first day is mostly spent on the bus, with plenty of time. You can stop at Maobixiang to take some photos along the way. 🏡 Stay overnight in Danba County; the accommodation conditions are better than in Dangling Village, and the altitude is more suitable, ideal for those who require better sleep quality. You can also choose to go straight to Dangling Village to rest, depending on personal preference. Altitude: 1900m 🍲 For lunch, have some stir-fry in Siguniangshan Town; for dinner, enjoy barbecue in Danba County. After dinner, you can stroll around the county. Day 2️⃣: Danba ➡️ Dangling Village ➡️ Hulu Lake 🚌 Depart early at 6:30 AM to Dangling Village (2 hours) 🥾 Hike to Hulu Lake (one way 3-4 hours), altitude: 3400-4100m Due to snow accumulation, we did not go to Zhuoyongcuo this day, so we had more time and energy to hike from Dangling Village to Hulu Lake. Usually, you can complete the round trip on foot without taking a motorcycle. ‼️ However, if the weather is good and you plan to go to Zhuoyongcuo, people with less stamina are advised to take a motorcycle once between Dangling Village and Hulu Lake. This helps save some energy and time for the high-altitude climb. Hiking to Zhuoyongcuo and back in one day is very demanding, and you also need to consider the next day's hike. 🌌 Return to Dangling Village in the evening for dinner and accommodation. When sleeping at night, it’s best not to keep the electric blanket on all the time to avoid altitude sickness. Also, leave a small gap in the window. I had a headache and poor sleep that night, but after leaving the room for a while the next day, the headache went away, indicating the room was really low on oxygen 😂 Day 3️⃣: Jiayila Lake ➡️ Return trip 🚌 After breakfast, take a 40-minute drive to the hiking start point 🥾 One way 2-3 hours, altitude: 3800-4100m Jiayila Lake has a gentler ascent and more open scenery. Compared to Hulu Lake, I prefer hiking here. The scenery is all along the way, and every short walk offers a different feeling. This area is especially suitable for ordinary tourists. 🏞️ When you reach Jiayila Lake, you can take a small path to the right for more photos. 🚌 Depart at 12:30 PM to return to Chengdu. Without unnecessary stops, you should arrive around 9-10 PM, assuming no traffic jams. ‼️ Pay attention to the departure time at noon. Leaving too late can be dangerous when crossing Balang Mountain, as fog often forms there at night. It’s best to cross Balang Mountain before dark. ———— ▪️ High altitude, beware of altitude sickness ▪️ Mobile signal is okay, intermittent; China Mobile > China Telecom > China Unicom