5-Day Tour of the Western Sichuan Small Loop, Day 3, Lixiao Road.

We left Bipenggou early yesterday afternoon and went to Miyaluo Red Maple Forest. We found that the red leaves in Miyaluo had not yet turned red on a large scale, only a few were red. It would be better to come a week later. As the saying goes, the scenery is on the road! This morning, we set off from the 0 km point of the popular "Lixiao Road" and traveled for a day, stopping and playing along the way. Lover's Valley, Lei Wang Shen Waterfall, Red Stone Beach, Da Erpu, Lujiaojiao, Xianghua Village, Jiesi Glacier, etc. Snow-capped mountains, forests, river valleys, glaciers, meadows... everything you could want, just like the Duku Highway. Lixiao Road, which opened in June this year, connects Lixian County and Xiaojin County, which are separated by mountains, greatly shortening the journey of the Western Sichuan Small Loop. The scenery along the way is excellent, with beautiful views all the way! We arrived at Maobiliang before dusk. Maobiliang is the best place to take photos of "Sunshine on the Golden Mountain". You must come here at dusk! Look at the four sisters, they are so graceful~ We were not very lucky today. After waiting for two hours, Mount Siguniang was blocked by white clouds when the sun set. Lixiao Road Guide: 1. There is a parking lot outside "Lover's Valley", which charges CNY 10. The valley charges CNY 5 per person for sanitation. Many people just take photos outside and leave. The scenery inside is average. 2. There is also a parking lot next to "Lei Wang Shen Waterfall", which charges CNY 10. Go downhill on the left side of the road from Li to Xiao, cross a small wooden bridge, follow the path made by previous visitors, cross the primitive forest, and climb uphill for about ten minutes to reach Lei Wang Shen Waterfall. The water flow is large, and you can hear the sound of water from a distance. 3. Navigate to "Daliangwan Shed", you will pass "Red Stone Beach", which is actually a short walk from Lei Wang Shen Waterfall. There are not many red stones, but the surrounding woods and snow-capped mountains make for great photos. On the mountain road from Red Stone Beach to Daliangwan Shed, you will pass the photo spot of Magic Ring Peak, where you can take aerial photos of Red Stone Beach. The third photo is Magic Ring Peak. 4. Navigate to "Da Erpu", after passing through the "Lixiao Road Tunnel", you will reach a beach area not far away, where there are many green wooden houses, and some people still live there. There are many parking lots here, and the commercial atmosphere is strong. Many businesses set up stalls and shout along the road. There are many tourists on the beach, and the surrounding scenery is also great for photos. 5. There are fewer cars parked near "Lujiaojiao", but it is also great for photos. The seventh photo was taken there. 6. "Jiesi Glacier" cannot be navigated to "Jiesi Valley", but to "Xianghua Village". On the way to "Xianghua Village", pay attention to a small sign on the left side of the road that says "Xianghua Village Bridge", and there is also a big sign for "Jiesi Glacier". Follow the concrete road under the sign and drive for about one kilometer to reach an iron gate. There is a guard who charges CNY 10 per person for sanitation. After paying, drive for about eight kilometers to reach Jiesi Glacier. It is said that there are two lakes. We didn't go in today, we turned back to Lixiao Road at the iron gate. 7. "Xianghua Village" is under construction and has not yet been completed, but the buildings in the village have a Tibetan style. 8. The first five scenic spots can all be camped, and a separate fee of CNY 50 is required. We didn't go to the sixth one, so we don't know if camping is allowed. 9. The highest point of Lixiao Road is Lixiao Tunnel, with an altitude of 3,800 meters. It is necessary to download offline maps in advance, as there is no signal in many places. Remember to bring cash. 10. There may be mild altitude sickness, and it is necessary to prepare thick clothes according to the season. We had to wear down jackets and thick sweaters to keep warm today, especially near Lei Wang Shen Waterfall, where it was particularly cold. 11. It is best to go to "Maobiliang" early to get a parking space. We arrived around 4:00, and there were no spaces left by 5:00. Before 6:00, the whole road was full of cars, and there was a traffic jam on the road. In fact, "Sunshine on the Golden Mountain" only lasts for less than five minutes, so you need to act quickly. The second-to-last photo is Mount Siguniang, taken in the afternoon, and the last photo was taken during "Sunshine on the Golden Mountain".