Self-driving in Western Sichuan | Six Essential Things to Know Before Visiting the Eye of Genie, Unlocking the Essence of Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions

The sixth record of my self-driving trip in Western Sichuan Setting off from Litang, we traversed the southern route of Genie, and the ultimate beauty filled every photo we took. While organizing the photos on the computer, Cai Cai Juan'er felt the endless play of light and shadow was about to spill out of the screen, transforming the small square world of the room. In this issue, Cai Cai Juan'er summarizes six essential things to know before visiting the Eye of Genie based on our self-driving experience, so you won't miss the highlights along the way. Among them, three are less known, so don't miss them when you pass by during your self-drive. ❶ Please stop at the Tieshan Mountain Service Area (Photos 2, 3) The service area is the first stop on the southern route through Genie, with a nearby lake where you can walk to the lakeside. When the weather is clear, the colors are dreamily blue. Driving past the service area, you begin to ascend, and halfway up the mountain, there is a natural stone slope parking area where visitors can get their first distant view of the Genie mountain peaks. There is a huge boulder on the outer edge, suitable for visitors to take photos. ❷ Don't miss the Tieshan Mountain Pass (Photos 4–6) The Tieshan Mountain Pass is the first high point on the southern route through Genie. Here, the Genie peaks appear clearly in the visitors' view for the first time. There are several parking areas here, all worth stopping at to enjoy the view. ❸ The Yilaka Viewing Platform is a highlight (Photos 7–9) After that, the Genie peaks will temporarily disappear from the visitors' view. After reaching Genie Town, there are two roads to the Eye of Genie. If you choose the road through the village, the peaks will suddenly appear close at hand, and most visitors will be amazed and touched by the sight. This is the Yilaka Viewing Platform, where you can view the Genie peaks up close. From the main peak of Genie, which is 6240 meters high, to the left are Xiao Zha, Ka Qing Mailong, and other peaks ranging from 5000 to 6000 meters in altitude. ❹ The Genie Peak Viewing Platform is a hidden gem (Photos 10–12) Leaving Yilaka and continuing forward, there is a viewing platform ahead that requires a hike to the top, which is very niche. The view from the peak can be described as divine. Here, the main focus is on the main peak of Genie Mountain, which is 6240 meters high. ❺ This is how to photograph the Eye of Genie (Photos 13–15) After leaving the village, the paved road turns into a dirt road. However, when the weather is clear, the road conditions are still passable, and sedans can travel on it. Upon arrival, we found that the Eye of Genie is not only the eye that illuminates the hinterland of Genie but also a mirror reflecting the Genie peaks. Therefore, when taking photos, in addition to the classic overhead drone position, you can also capture the reflection of the snow-capped mountains from a level perspective. ❻ Things to note on a self-drive trip 📱 Navigation: Enter from the main gate of the Genie scenic area in Litang and set 'Eye of Genie' as your destination, with scenic views along the way. 🛣️ Road conditions: The road conditions are good before reaching the village, with asphalt roads making up the majority. After the village, it becomes a mountainous dirt road, and it is not recommended for sedans to travel in rainy or snowy weather. ⏳ Time: It is recommended to arrange a full day to slowly enjoy the scenery. ❄️ Season: All seasons are suitable for visiting. Personally, I think the scenery is better in autumn and winter. ▶️ The above content is summarized based on personal travel experience, please forgive any omissions. ▶️ Due to the timeliness, some scenes may have changed, current conditions prevail. ▶️ Address location information is provided by the website, please leave a message for more detailed information. ▶️ Cai Cai Juan'er and Mr. Dog have traveled to all the attractions accessible by sedan. 🔸🔹🔸 If you like self-driving tours and prefer the road less traveled, listen to the stories of Cai Cai Juan'er.