Tagong Grassland, a hidden paradise in western Sichuan where "the wind blows the grass low to reveal cattle and sheep"

Basic Information • Address: Northeast side of Tagong Town Government, Kangding City, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province • Altitude: 3,750 meters (altitude sickness prevention needed) • Opening Hours: Open all day (some spots within the scenic area, such as Tagong Monastery, have restricted hours) • Admission: Free (cleaning fee 15 RMB) • Highlights: Yala Snow Mountain, Muya Golden Stupa, Tibetan style, grassland starry sky 🚶 Route Plan (One-day Highlights) ⏰ 8:00-9:00 🚗 Transportation • Self-driving: Depart from Kangding city center, take National Highway 318 then Provincial Road 434, about 2 hours to reach. • Public Transport: Take a shuttle bus from Kangding Bus Station to Tagong Town (about 10 RMB/person), or taxi/carpool (about 50 RMB/person). ⏰ 9:00-10:00 🏯 Check-in at Tagong Monastery • Ticket: 20 RMB (optional) • Activities: • Visit the main hall, Dharma Protector Hall, and Juewo Buddha Hall. • Walk clockwise around the prayer corridor to experience Tibetan faith. • Rent Tibetan costumes for photos (about 100 RMB/set, including makeup), with golden roofs and red walls as a stunning backdrop! ⏰ 10:00-11:30 🏞️ Grassland Walk + Yala Snow Mountain Viewing • Route: Walk from Tagong Monastery to the core grassland area, enjoy alpine meadows, wildflowers, and yak herds along the way. • Photo spots: • Muya Golden Stupa: Frame the golden stupa with the snow mountain; wearing red or white long dresses looks great on camera. • High grassland spots: Shoot panoramic views of the grassland and snow mountains from above, using telephoto lenses to compress the space. • Hidden experience: Follow herders to milk yaks and experience Tibetan life (advance arrangement required). ⏰ 11:30-13:00 🍜 Lunch • Recommendation: Tibetan restaurant in Tagong Town • Yak meat hot pot: 80 RMB/pot (serves 2), tender meat with rich broth. • Butter tea: 15 RMB/pot, a magic remedy for altitude sickness, rich in flavor. • Highland barley cake: 10 RMB each, sweet and tasty, perfect with butter tea. ⏰ 13:00-14:30 🚶 Hike to Muya Monastery • Distance: 20-minute walk from Tagong Grassland • Highlights: • The combination of pure white snow mountains and the monastery’s golden roofs and red walls is called "Little Seda." • Visit the world’s largest Mani stone pile and sprinkle barley grains for blessings. • Chance to see wild animals like blue sheep and sika deer (injured animals rescued by the monastery). ⏰ 14:30-16:00 📸 Camping Experience at Gunong Village • Transportation: Taxi or charter from Muya Monastery (about 15 RMB, 10 minutes). • Activities: • Set up a canopy and chairs by the creek, facing the main peak of Yala Snow Mountain, enjoy afternoon tea (bring your own snacks). • Fee: 20 RMB/person, camping gear rental available (tent 50 RMB each, canopy 30 RMB each). ⏰ 16:00-17:30 🌅 Sunset Viewing at Balangshengdu Scenic Platform • Transportation: Self-drive or charter from Gunong Village (about 15 minutes, rough road, SUV recommended). • Highlights: • 360° viewing platform with close-up views of Yala Snow Mountain and Gongga Mountains. • Sunset around 17:30-18:00, golden snow mountains and grassland in one frame, breathtaking! • Free wind shelter tents on the summit, reasonably priced meat skewers (10 RMB/skewer) and instant noodles (15 RMB/cup). ⏰ 17:30-19:00 🌌 Return Trip + Optional Star Photography • If time allows, stay at Tagong Grassland to shoot the starry sky (tripod and long exposure required). • Return to Kangding city for accommodation (about 2 hours by car), or stay in Tagong Town/Xinduqiao (budget 200-500 RMB/night). ⚠️ Tips to Avoid Pitfalls 1️⃣ Altitude sickness prevention: Take Rhodiola three days in advance, oxygen bottles available in the scenic area, avoid strenuous exercise! 2️⃣ Weather: Plateau weather is changeable, bring raincoat + down jacket, apply sunscreen (UV rays are very strong). 3️⃣ Transportation: Balangshengdu road is poor, recommend charter/SUV, beginners avoid self-driving! 4️⃣ Respect culture: Do not touch prayer wheels or Mani stones, do not photograph lamas or Tibetans without permission. 5️⃣ Ecology: Do not litter, do not pick grassland plants, do not feed wild animals! 🌈 Seasonal Highlights • Spring (April-May): Rhododendron flowers cover the hills, wear light-colored dresses for stunning flower sea photos. • Summer (June-August): Cool camping, watch the Milky Way at night, bring thick clothes for cold. • Autumn (September-October): Colorful forests and red leaves with snow mountains in the frame, like an oil painting. • Winter (November-March): Fewer people and pure scenery, after snow the grassland turns into an "ice and snow kingdom."