I highly recommend visiting Western Sichuan, one of the most beautiful places in China.

Western Sichuan is a place of great beauty that never disappoints. With the opening of the Western Sichuan Four Seasons Highway, you can now visit at any time of the year and enjoy breathtaking natural scenery. This trip to Daocheng was truly moving and unforgettable. The G227 Highway in Daocheng is simply stunning. The natural scenery and pure cultural landscapes along the way are mesmerizing. Colorful forests, flower seas, snow-capped mountains, meadows, pastures, strange rocks, and lakes... All the beautiful scenery before your eyes is captivating. We visited historical and archaeological sites along the way. This journey was truly a cleansing of the soul. Pilo Paleolithic Site - Zimai Sutra Hall - Xianghe Pagoda - Daocheng Yading - Rubuchaka Hot Spring Most of the attractions along the way are free, making it perfect for a self-driving tour where you can stop and enjoy the scenery at your own pace. 🚗 Itinerary Day 1: Chengdu - Xinduqiao - Litang Day 2: Litang - Haizi Mountain World Geopark - Xiayucuo - High Altitude Cosmic Ray Observatory - Red Grassland - Rubuchaka Hot Spring - Daocheng County Day 3: Daocheng County - Daocheng Yading - Shangri-La Town Day 4: Shangri-La Town - Zimai Sutra Hall - "Thousand-Eyed Dzi Bead" Meridian Project - Ten Thousand Mu Poplar Forest - Ancient Tree Tibetan House - Pilo Paleolithic Site - Zunsheng Pagoda Forest - Litang Day 5: Litang - Xinduqiao - Chengdu ⛰️ Attractions ✅ Ten Thousand Mu Poplar Forest: One of the "Three Most" of Daocheng Yading, the world's highest (3,740 meters) man-made poplar forest, covering an area of about 15,000 mu. The scenery varies with the seasons, and in autumn, the poplar forest is as beautiful as a colorful palette, with every photo looking like a masterpiece. ✅ Zimai Sutra Hall: With a history of over 400 years, it has produced 13 reincarnated living Buddhas. It is a typical traditional Tibetan building made of stone, mud, and grass, with sutra halls of both the Gelug and Sakya sects, featuring exquisite murals and dusty scriptures. ✅ Pilo Paleolithic Site: With a history of 230,000 years, it carries the wisdom and civilization of ancient humans. Every stone seems to tell the story of that ancient and mysterious history. ✅ Rubuchaka Hot Spring: After climbing Daocheng Yading, stay in this hot spring village and soak in the hot springs to relax. Soaking in natural hot springs at an altitude of 3,700 meters is incredibly comfortable! The average cost is only 15-20 per person, and many locals from Daocheng and surrounding areas come here specifically to soak in the hot springs. ✅ Other attractions: The High Altitude Cosmic Ray Observatory and Ancient Tree Tibetan House are also great, each with its own charm.