The aftereffects are intense—The most magical and romantic place for a self-drive trip in Western Sichuan

As the wheels roll over the winding plateau road, the pitch-black stone peaks pierce the clouds like demonic fangs, I feel as if I have entered Middle-earth from "The Lord of the Rings." This is not Iceland, nor Patagonia, but Liánbǎo Yèzé in Aba, Western Sichuan— a "jade peak" sculpted by glaciers and time. Standing on the 4,520-meter viewing platform, clouds surge beneath my feet, and in the distance, Lake Zhāgá'ěrcuò shines like a sapphire set among jagged stone formations. I take a deep breath of the crisp air, and faintly hear the neighing of King Gesar’s warhorse! The romance of Liánbǎo Yèzé is a hardcore kind of romance. Black granite stacks into spires, castles, and giant beasts, under sunlight like a gift box opened by the gods, and when covered in snow, it resembles a dark cult realm where the One Ring awakens. We climb 1,314 steps hand in hand, and at the fluttering prayer flags, we freeze the altitude number "4520"— which means "I love you" in Tibetan. At dusk, the surface of Lake Zhāgá'ěrcuò reflects the stone peaks and sunset glow, the water deep blue like tears. Local legend says this is where King Gesar shed his longing for his beloved Zhūmǔ. We sit quietly by the lake, watching the stars rise, as if the entire universe bows to this moment! (🎬 Bonus preview: Our magical Liánbǎo Yèzé film is in editing, see photo 12, stay tuned for the full release!) 【Travel Tips】 🚗 Self-drive route: Chengdu - Wenchuan - Lixian - Aba County (about 450 km / 8 hours) From Aba County to the scenic area, 45 km is paved road; an SUV is preferred; Inside the scenic area, you can drive 22 km directly to the Zhāgá'ěrcuò parking lot, with S-shaped mountain roads perfect for drone shots like a demonic flying dragon. 🏨 Accommodation recommendation: Choose freely within Aba County / or stay inside the scenic area to start exploring earlier 📷 Must-shoot spots: 1️⃣ Zhāgá'ěrcuò: 1.2 km lakeside walk to capture reflections of stone peaks and glacier cliffs 2️⃣ 4520 Viewing Platform: Climb to overlook the U-shaped valley, where sunrise clouds create a fairyland 3️⃣ Dàngzàngécuò: A moraine lake 20 km from the entrance, with S-shaped roads and waterfall stone beaches full of magic 4️⃣ The Millennium Kiss Stone Peaks: Two embracing rock formations inside the scenic area, said to be the love sanctuary of King Gesar and his queen 5️⃣ Road film shots: Choose a less crowded area to launch your drone and start filming ⚠️ Altitude sickness tips: ✅ Altitude 4,000–5,100 meters, bring oxygen tanks and glucose; ✅ Only simple meals available in the scenic area, bring your own snacks; ✅ Temperature difference between day and night over 20°C, a windbreaker is essential Finally, we declare that if you’re driving in Western Sichuan, this is a must-visit place—Liánbǎo Yèzé‼️