The Lesser-Known Western Sichuan Loop is a Total Win! Beautiful Scenery, No Traffic, and You Can See the Sunset Glow on Two Snow Mountains

Who says Western Sichuan only has Mount Siguniang and Bipenggou? Last weekend, avoiding the crowds, I checked in at a hidden gem of a loop route. Gongga and Yala Snow Mountains appear together, colorful forests and lakes are breathtaking, and best of all, no traffic jams the entire way. The experience was simply divine! 🗺️ 3 Days 2 Nights Essential Itinerary (120 km total, easy and stress-free) Friday: Chengdu → Kangding (Start the Western Sichuan journey) Head straight after work! A 3.5-hour drive from Chengdu to Kangding. At night, Kangding Ancient Town lights up brilliantly, full of Tibetan charm. Stay one night to recharge and prepare for the beautiful sights the next day🌙 Saturday: Kangding → Zheduo Mountain → Xinduqiao → Tagong → Gunong Village → Balangshengdu (Scenery density at its peak) 1. Zheduo Mountain Pass (Elevation 4298m): Depart early morning, first stop straight to Zheduo Mountain! Standing on the viewing platform overlooking the winding mountain road, with layers of majestic snow mountains in the distance, every shot looks like a grand cinematic scene. Instantly healed by the vastness of Western Sichuan~ 2. Xinduqiao Ten-Mile Gallery: Golden poplar trees stretch along the road, leaves fluttering down like a golden carpet when the wind blows. Melted snow forms blue ribbons gently winding through the meadows. The title "Photographer’s Paradise" is truly deserved📸 3. Tagong Monastery / Muya Golden Pagoda: Continue driving to Tagong, where you’ll encounter two cultural treasures. Tagong Monastery holds the legend of Princess Wencheng’s journey to Tibet, with a solemn and simple ancient temple; the Muya Golden Pagoda shines brilliantly under the sun, exquisitely ornate, perfect for stunning photos. 4. Gunong Village: This is a secret spot hidden beneath the snow mountains! Yellow meadows and clear blue streams frame the view, with snow mountains clearly visible in the distance. Many camp, rest, and take photos here; every shot is fresh and healing, the atmosphere is simply perfect~ 5. Balangshengdu (Sunset Glow on Two Snow Mountains is Amazing!): The highlight is here! You can see the sunset glow on both Gongga Snow Mountain and Yala Sacred Mountain simultaneously. Arrive 20 minutes early to secure a spot on the mountain. Watch the snow mountains change from gray-white to golden yellow, finally dyed orange-red—so beautiful it leaves you speechless🌄 The wind is strong on the mountain, so dress warmly. You can walk up or ride a horse, friendly for the lazy~ Accommodation Tips: You can stay in Bamei Town that night, which is close to the scenic area and at a lower altitude, suitable for those worried about altitude sickness; we chose to stay in Gunong Village so we could open the window and see the snow mountains, waking up to the sunrise on the snow mountains in the morning, pure happiness! 💡 Why say this route is a total win? - Beautiful scenery: Snow mountains, colorful forests, lakes, meadows, ancient temples—all included. The scenery rivals Mount Siguniang and Bipenggou, even more off-the-beaten-path and photogenic. - No traffic: Avoided the congested sections of the Western Sichuan small loop, smooth all the way, no time wasted on the road. - Easy: Only 120 km total, good road conditions, not too tiring for a day, perfect for a weekend short trip.