[2025 Kangding Hotels] Travel Guide for Kangding Xueyinge Manor Homestay (Updated Oct)

Jiagenba is located about 90 kilometers southwest of Kangding City in the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan, situated in a highland river valley west of Zheduo Mountain, with an average altitude of approximately 3,200 meters. This area combines snow-capped mountains, streams, meadows, Tibetan villages, and open fields, preserving the rustic Muya Tibetan culture while also being renowned as a "photography paradise" for its "Ese flowers" (Gongga crabapple blossoms) and autumn foliage. The TV series "Kangding Love Song" was also filmed here, adding to its poetic and legendary charm. ⛺【Must-Visit Spots】 ✔️ Liqiu River Valley Streams and Meadows: Crystal-clear streams, poplars, firs, boardwalks, and wooden bridges are everywhere, making village strolls and riverside walks perfect for photos. ✔️ Ese Flower Sea (May–June): The white Gongga crabapple blossoms create a romantic snow-like scene, with a short but stunningly fresh and elegant blooming period. ✔️ Autumn Foliage (September–October): Golden poplar forests, red leaves, and fields intertwine like a Van Gogh painting. ✔️ Tiwu Village’s Viral Tree Boardwalk and Cabin: Ideal for Instagrammable photos or stargazing shots. ✔️ Remede Ancient Watchtower: A nearly thousand-year-old watchtower, both sturdy and visually striking. ✔️ Songdun Niji Homestay: Also known as the "Sky Garden," at 3,721 meters, this homestay and campsite offers stunning views and high aesthetics. ✔️ Tibetan Home Visit Experience: Enjoy butter tea, tsampa, and Tibetan opera stories while experiencing authentic Tibetan life. 🛬【Travel Tips】 • Recommended Duration: 2–3 days for a deeper exploration, especially during flower and autumn seasons. • Best Time to Visit: May–June for Ese flowers, September–October for autumn colors. • Suggested Itinerary: Day 1: Chengdu → Kangding → Cross Zheduo Mountain → Enjoy the light and shadows in Xinduqiao → Wander through Jiagenba Village → Stay overnight at Songdun Niji or camp in Riche Village. Day 2: Head to Tiwu in the morning for viral photo spots by the stream → Experience a Tibetan home visit at noon → Visit the Remede Ancient Watchtower in the afternoon → Return to Xinduqiao or Kangding in the evening. Day 3 (Optional): Stop by Yuzi West for sunset or "Sunshine on Golden Mountain," or continue exploring villages for photography. 🏨【Accommodation Guide】 • Songdun Niji Homestay: Around ¥316 per person, with beautiful surroundings and great stargazing. • Shanseji Starlight Camp: Grassland camping, approximately ¥300–400/night (includes tent setup and views). • Xueyin Ge Homestay: Close to the Sky Garden, offering sunset and sunrise views; prices vary. • Local Tibetan Homestays: Small family-run lodgings like Songdun Niji, often including butter tea visits, priced around ¥200–400/night. 🧡【Tips】 • Altitude Sickness: Starts at 3,000 meters; dress in layers, move slowly, and stay hydrated. Oxygen bottles can help if needed. • Warmth and Rain Gear: Daily temperature swings exceed 10°C; even in summer, bring warm clothes and rain gear. • Road Conditions: National Highway 318 has many curves and falling rocks; drive or ride slowly, honk, and yield to livestock and cyclists. • Preserve Nature: Limited trash facilities in villages; bring your own bags and respect Tibetan customs. Ask permission before entering homes. • Essential Gear: Camera/phone, sunscreen, water bottle, snacks, headlamp (for camping), and water filter (for stream water). • Payment: Mobile payments are common but signals may be weak; carry enough cash. In summary, Jiagenba is a rare hidden gem in Western Sichuan, offering vibrant flower seas, ancient Tibetan villages and watchtowers, and the joy of streams, meadows, and camping. June is perfect for Ese flowers, while autumn brings stunning foliage. A 2–3 day trip is ideal for photography and cultural immersion. Wishing you a smooth journey and unforgettable memories! 📷 Western Sichuan · Sichuan Kangding · Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

🚗 Transportation Guide Self-drive (Recommended): Chengdu → Yaan-Kangding Expressway → Kangding → National Highway 318 → Xinduqiao → Jiagenba (approx. 6-7 hours, SUV preferred). Public Transport: Take a bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Station to Kangding (5 hours), then charter/share a car to Jiagenba (2 hours). 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations Tibetan-style Homestays: Songdun Niji (pastoral style in Riche Village), Xueyin Ge (near the Ese Flower Sea). Comfort Option: Xinduqiao Sengelangzan Homestay (with floor heating and oxygen supply to prevent altitude sickness). 🍜 Must-Try Local Cuisine Tibetan Yak Meat Hotpot ("Tibetan Family Feast") Butter Tea + Highland Barley Pancakes Summer Special: Chicken Stewed with Matsutake Mushrooms (freshly available in July-August). 📅 3-Day Summer Escape Itinerary Day 1: Chengdu → Kangding (lunch with yak meat hotpot) → Xinduqiao (stay in Tibetan-style homestay). Day 2: Xinduqiao → Jiagenba (Ese Flower Sea, hiking in Riche Village) → Camping in Tiwu Village (stargazing). Day 3: Jiagenba → Zesangla Sky Garden (sunrise over golden mountains) → Return to Chengdu. ⚠️ Important Notes Altitude Sickness: Prepare oxygen tanks and avoid strenuous activities. Sun Protection & Warmth: Large temperature differences between day and night, bring sunscreen + windproof jacket. Eco-Friendly: Do not trample on flower fields, take all trash with you.

In western Sichuan, Jagenba is a place favored by God, and summer is when its beauty peaks! 🚗Transportation: Depart from Chengdu and drive along Provincial Highway S215, enjoying picturesque views along the way. The journey takes about 7-8 hours. Alternatively, you can first go to Kangding and then hire a car or share a ride to Jagenba. 🏞Attractions: Zesangla Sky Garden: From June to July, the meadows at an altitude of 2,500-3,500 meters are painted with rhododendrons and cosmos flowers, offering a 360° view of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Tiwu Village: Famous for its photogenic tree and vast fields of white pear blossoms, with wooden walkways that make it a perfect spot for high-quality photos. Songdun Niji: Features a single-log bridge over a babbling brook amidst barley fields, creating a poetic scene. Riche Village: Offers riverside camping and a nearby viewpoint to admire the majestic Gongga Snow Mountain, providing a peaceful and beautiful experience. 🍱Food: Must-try Tibetan hotpot, with yak meat and wild mushrooms in one pot, warming and delicious; butter tea and tsampa offer a taste of Tibetan culinary culture. 🏠Accommodation: Songdun Niji Inn is rich in Tibetan style; Xueyin Ge Homestay is close to the Sky Garden, offering stunning sunrise and sunset views. 💕Visit Jagenba in summer and immerse yourself in a dreamy green wonderland!

Transportation Guide 👉🚗 Self-drive: Depart from Chengdu, pass through Kangding and Xinduqiao, then take Provincial Highway S215 to Jagenba. The entire journey takes about 7-8 hours, with stunning scenery along the way. ⛳ Public transport: Take a bus from Chengdu's Xinnanmen Station to Kangding 🚌, then hire a car or share a taxi to Jagenba 🚕, which takes about 3 hours. Best Time to Visit 🤗 May-June: The Ose flowers bloom, covering the mountains in a sea of white, creating a fairy-tale scene against the backdrop of Tibetan villages. ✌️ Mid-to-late October: The colorful foliage season begins, with snow-capped mountains, golden meadows, and streams weaving together in vibrant hues, making it the golden period for photography. Attraction Recommendations ✨ Zesangla Sky Garden: At an altitude of 2,500-3,500 meters, the meadows transform into a palette of colors when rhododendrons and Gesang flowers bloom in June-July, offering a 360° view of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. 🎉 Tiwu Village: Famous for its photogenic tree and vast Ose flower fields, with wooden walkways perfect for photo ops. ❤️ Songdun Niji: A rustic wooden bridge spans across lush barley fields, with a babbling stream beneath, evoking a picturesque scene. 🤩 Riche Village: A great spot for camping by the stream, with a nearby viewpoint offering distant views of Gongga Snow Mountain, ideal for soaking in nature's tranquility. 👍 Monya Monastery: Capture the stunning frame of the Thousand Buddha Pagoda and Yala Snow Mountain 🤳, or walk around the world's largest Mani stone pile for a soul-soothing experience. Accommodation Options ✨✨ Songdun Niji Inn: Rich in Tibetan style, the owner even shares exclusive scenic viewpoints. 🌺😉 Xueyin Ge Homestay: Close to Zesangla Sky Garden, offering breathtaking sunrise and sunset views. ☺️ Shan Se Ji Starry Sky Camp: Perfect for stargazers, with cozy camping under the vast grassland sky. Food Recommendations 🍲 Tibetan Hotpot: Made with yak meat, Tibetan pork, and assorted mushrooms and vegetables 🥗🍡, a hearty and warming meal in the cold highlands. 🥗 Butter Tea: A traditional Tibetan drink with rich creamy and tea flavors, great for alleviating altitude sickness and replenishing energy. 🥞 Tsampa: Roasted barley flour, eaten with butter tea or sugar, a staple of Tibetan cuisine.

🚗Transportation • Self-drive: Depart from Chengdu, pass through Kangding and Xinduqiao, the whole journey takes about 5-7 hours. The scenery along the way is picturesque, making for a pleasant trip. • Public transport: Take a long-distance bus or charter a car from Kangding city. 🏞Attractions • Jagenba Village: The core area where Tibetan architecture blends harmoniously with pastoral scenery. Stroll along the country paths and soak in the rural atmosphere. • Tiewu Village: Features a viral tree and vast fields of white pear blossoms, surrounded by wooden walkways—a popular photo spot. • Songdun Niji: Expansive barley fields with a log bridge spanning a stream, creating a picturesque scene of a small bridge over flowing water. • Riche Village: Camp by the stream, and enjoy distant views of Gongga Snow Mountain from the nearby observation deck. 🍲Food Recommendations • Yak Meat Hot Pot: Tender meat with a rich, flavorful broth. • Butter Tea: A blend of creamy milk and tea, both thirst-quenching and filling. • Barley Wine: Light and mellow with a low alcohol content. • Wild Mushroom Soup: A nutritious delicacy from the mountains. 🏨Accommodation Options • Songdun Niji Inn: Rich in Tibetan style, offering activities like milking cows. • Shanseji Starry Sky Camp: A prime stargazing spot on the grassland, priced around 316 RMB per person. • Xueyin Ge Homestay: Close to Zesangla Sky Garden, with breathtaking sunrise and sunset views. 📸Great Photo Spots • Songdun Niji: Vast barley fields with a babbling stream under a log bridge—perfectly picturesque. • Tiewu Village: Wooden walkways and the viral tree, stunning when the white pear blossoms bloom. • Riche Village: Camp by the stream with Gongga Snow Mountain in the background. 📆Best Travel Time • Spring: Nature awakens, and wildflowers bloom. • Autumn: Golden barley fields contrast beautifully with snow-capped mountains. 📝Tips • The high-altitude area is cold—dress warmly. • Respect local customs and protect the environment. Come to Jagenba and embark on a romantic journey through Western Sichuan! ✨

There are mushrooms to pick in Jiagenba in August. I am so excited. The weather has also improved. I plan to go there on the weekend to see the blue sky and white clouds, snow-capped mountains, cattle and sheep. I must be very happy here😝😝 Matcha green cedar trees and meadows on the hillside🪴 Swinging on the swing and looking at the small yellow flowers all over the hills🌼 Walking on the grassland path leading to the snow-capped mountains🏞️ Friends all asked me if I went to Switzerland! This is Jiagenba Riche Village My favorite stop on my trip to western Sichuan Lower your head to take a photo with the horses grazing in the pasture Look up at the snow-capped mountains that call to me It is the Monet garden in my heart 📍Navigation: Kangding Xueyinge Manor B&B 🎫Tickets: Self-driving to Zelasang Sky Gardens 💰25/car, take a chartered car in the village 💰260 (you can find someone to share) ✅Game tips: ① It is recommended to continue driving inside after arriving at the B&B, first go to the ranch with horses, the small bridge and the swing, you can choose to camp▲ or stay in the B&B for one night, and then go to the Sky Garden to see the snow-capped mountains the next day ② The mountain road leading to the Zelasang Sky Garden has many U-shaped bends, so it is better to drive an off-road vehicle or a large SUV. ③ For outfit, you can choose a cowboy hat, a jacket or a light-colored dress, which are all very good. ④There are relatively few restaurants along the way, and it is easy to have altitude sickness and not be able to eat staple food, so we prepared delicious and filling snacks in advance during the journey, such as eggs 🐣 chicken legs 🍗, which are always available in our car

Self-driving Essentials: hot water, oxygen tanks, sun protection tools, down jackets Scenery: The scenery along the way is quite special! Zesangla Sky Garden is pretty good! You can see Gongga Snow Mountain from afar! Food: It's very average, it's recommended to choose a restaurant where you can get full! Accommodation: Recommend Kangding Xueyinge Manor B&B, close to the Sky Garden! The overall accommodation environment is normal. Recommend Kangding Qiu Zhu famous B&B, close to the nearby river, the accommodation environment is also normal! (Normal = clean, no bugs, hot water, about the same as Home Inn) Play: The scenery along the way is very photogenic, places with streams are better for shooting, the evening light is amazing! You can see Gongga Snow Mountain from the Sky Garden, you may encounter the sunset on the golden mountain in the evening (there are coffee shops, small shops, barbecue, dry toilets on the top of the mountain) Off-road vehicles can still drive up, camping and picnicking are convenient~ ps: Wear a hat, bring hot water, wear thicker clothes, masks! The wind blows hard and the altitude sickness is very uncomfortable

✨Exploring the hidden gems of Western Sichuan — Sky Garden🌸 📍Location: Jia Gen Ba Ri Che Village, Kangding City, Western Sichuan 🚗Transportation: Self-driving is recommended, and an SUV is a must! The mountain roads are challenging, but the scenery is beautiful! 🌞Weather: Make sure to choose a sunny day to visit! You might not see anything on a rainy day, which could affect your experience. 🧥Clothing: The temperature varies greatly in the plateau area, remember to bring a cotton-padded jacket or down jacket to keep warm. 🍽Food: There is a small shop on the top of the mountain where you can buy food and coffee, but remember to take your trash with you when you leave! Protect the environment! 📸Photography: This is an excellent spot for photography, where you can enjoy the spectacular views of Gongga Snow Mountain and colorful forests. It's definitely worth a visit! 🏠Accommodation: We recommend staying at Xueyin Pavilion Homestay, which has a beautiful environment and attentive service. Itinerary: Day 1: Depart from Chengdu to Sky Garden, check into Xueyin Pavilion Homestay. You can enjoy local cuisine and beautiful night views at the homestay in the evening. Day 2: Visit Xindu Bridge, Songlin Mouth, Tagong Grassland, and Gunong Village to experience the grandeur and natural scenery of the plateau. You can choose to taste local specialties and experience local culture. In conclusion, this is a very worthwhile spot to visit, where you can not only enjoy the spectacular natural scenery, but also enjoy a comfortable stay at the homestay. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle and find a peaceful place to relax, this is definitely a good choice!✨