[2025 Baiyu Attraction] Travel Guide for Yarchen Uddiyana Meditation Monastery (Updated Mar)

### **I. Must-Visit Attractions** 1. **Larung Gar Buddhist Academy** - **Highlights**: The world's largest Tibetan Buddhist institute, with thousands of red monastic houses covering the valley. Witness the awe-inspiring scenes of monks practicing their faith. Recommended to capture panoramic views at dawn or dusk and experience the power of belief. - **Tips**: Registration is required at the entrance. Overnight stays are prohibited. Respect the monks' privacy and avoid taking photos without permission. 2. **Sky Burial Platform** - **Features**: A traditional Tibetan burial site. Experience the philosophy of life, death, and the cycle of nature. Maintain a solemn demeanor. Photography and loud noises are prohibited. 3. **Tagong Grassland and Tagong Monastery** - **Nature and Culture Combined**: Vast grasslands with picturesque reflections of snow-capped mountains. Tagong Monastery is an important Sakya sect temple of Tibetan Buddhism, its golden roof shimmering against the backdrop of Mount Yala. 4. **Yachen Monastery** - **Holy Place of Practice**: Known for its community of nuns (female practitioners). Buildings are constructed along the river. Experience religious activities such as circumambulation and listening to scriptures. 5. **Cuopugou and Cuopu Monastery** - **Natural Sanctuary**: A tapestry of snow-capped mountains, lakes, and forests. The area around Cuopu Monastery offers pristine and tranquil scenery, ideal for hiking and photography. --- ### **II. Itinerary Suggestions** **Classic 5-Day In-Depth Tour** - **Day 1**: Depart from Chengdu → Seda County (acclimatize to the altitude) → Evening stroll through the Buddhist Academy, capturing photos of the red houses at sunset. - **Day 2**: Morning classes at Larung Gar Buddhist Academy → Circumambulation at the Mandala → Visit Zhalang Monastery → Tibetan dining experience. - **Day 3**: Sky Burial Platform → Tagong Grassland → Tagong Monastery → Return to Seda. - **Day 4**: Yachen Monastery → Golden Horse River Valley → Tibetan song and dance performance. - **Day 5**: Hiking in Cuopugou → Return trip. **Compact 3-Day Tour** - **Day 1**: Larung Gar Buddhist Academy → Sky Burial Platform → Check in to a Tibetan guesthouse. - **Day 2**: Mandala → Cuopugou → Huo'er Monastery. - **Day 3**: Tagong Grassland → Return trip. **Recommended Self-Drive Route** - **Route**: Chengdu → Wenchuan → Ma'erkang → Seda → Danba → Luding → Chengdu (approx. 1,367 km). Combine with attractions like Daocheng Yading and Xinduqiao along the way. - **Tips**: Road conditions on the plateau are complex. SUVs are recommended, and carry snow chains. Gas stations are readily available, and 97-octane gasoline is easy to find. --- ### **III. Transportation** 1. **External Transportation** - **Chengdu → Seda**: - **Bus**: Direct buses from Chengdu West Bus Station to Seda (approx. 14–16 hrs, fare approx. CNY 60). - **Self-drive**: Approx. 10–12 hrs via National Highway 317. Scenic but requires cautious driving. - **Flight**: Fly to Kangding Airport, then transfer to a bus (approx. 6 hrs). 2. **Internal Transportation** - **Within the Buddhist Academy**: Walk or take the scenic shuttle bus (self-drive is permitted in some areas). - **Chartered car/carpooling**: Suitable for groups, offering flexible travel to surrounding attractions. Daily cost approx. CNY 300–500. --- ### **IV. Accommodation Recommendations** - **Near the Buddhist Academy**: Larong Hotel or Tibetan homestays (basic conditions, price CNY 50–150/bed), suitable for an immersive religious experience. - **Seda County**: Seda County Guesthouse, youth hostels (budget-friendly, CNY 100–300/night), with better facilities. - **High-end options**: Boutique guesthouses in Tagong Grassland or Danba Tibetan Village (approx. CNY 500–1,000/night), offering both comfort and local characteristics. --- ### **V. Practical Tips** 1. **Altitude Acclimatization**: Seda has an average altitude of 4,000m. Prepare Rhodiola and oxygen tanks in advance. Avoid strenuous activity on the first day. 2. **Climate and Clothing**: Large temperature difference between day and night. Bring a windbreaker in summer and down jackets in winter. Strong UV radiation, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential. 3. **Cultural Etiquette**: - Circumambulate clockwise. Do not touch Buddha statues or scriptures. - Photography is prohibited during sky burial ceremonies. Maintain silence. 4. **Dining Suggestions**: Try tsampa, butter tea, and yak meat. Restaurants in the county town mainly serve Sichuan cuisine, while vegetarian food is prevalent within the Buddhist Academy. 5. **Environmental Protection and Safety**: Do not litter. Be aware of falling rocks and black ice when driving. It is recommended to participate in outdoor activities with companions. --- ### **VI. Best Time to Travel** - **May–October**: Mild climate, lush grasslands, suitable for hiking and photography. - **Winter (November–April)**: Fewer tourists, experience the snow-covered Buddhist Academy, but be prepared for cold weather.

Yaqing Monastery is located in Changtuo Village, Achazhen, Baiyu County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. It is a must-see attraction on the Ganbai Line, 120 km from the county seat and about 4,000 meters above sea level. It is a temple with a profound historical background and unique Tibetan culture. Yaqing Monastery is one of the most important monasteries of the Nyingma (Red) sect of Tibetan Buddhism in China. Yaqing Monastery is located by the mountains and water and is known as the "Buddhist Kingdom on Water." The temple is surrounded by green grass and clear lakes, and the blue sky and ancient temples form a unique landscape painting. Yaqing Monastery is famous for its tranquil atmosphere of spiritual practice. Here, believers live a simple and fulfilling life, chanting, practicing, and reciting mantras on time every day, constantly purifying their minds. Special features 1. Nunnery: There is a special area in Yaqing Monastery called the Nunnery, where all the monks are female and are called nuns. The river is the boundary, and the west bank is the female area, where men are not allowed to enter. It is said that there are more than 20,000 nuns in Yaqing Monastery, making it the largest nunnery in the world and a pure land for female practitioners. The buildings on the island are mainly simple huts built by the nuns themselves with planks, cloth, plastic sheeting, etc., and are called "matchboxes." 2. Religious festivals and dharma assemblies: The annual religious festivals and dharma assemblies are a highlight of Yaqing Monastery, attracting many believers and tourists to participate. Tourist information: 1. Yaqing Monastery is not a tourist attraction, so there is no entrance fee or parking fee. 2. The hill where Guru Rinpoche is located is the best place for photography and offers a bird's eye view of Yaqing Monastery. 3. Drones and video shooting are prohibited. 4. Navigate directly to Yaqing Monastery. It takes about 2 hours from Baiyu County to Yaqing Monastery. You can visit and then stay in Ganzi, or you can stay in the nearby Achazhen, but the altitude is around 4,000 meters, so it is easy to get altitude sickness.

🍁 While many people know Seda, few have heard of Yaqing Monastery. It is further away and less well-known than Seda, and is a sacred place for the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Yaqing Monastery is divided by a river into two areas: Zhaba (for male monks) and Jiumu (for female monks). The Jiumu area is surrounded by water on three sides, and is also called Jiumu Island. It is the place where the most female monks in the world practice together, and is also known as the "Kingdom of Daughters" in Tibet. 🍁 In the center of Jiumu Island, each Jiumu has built their own red house out of wood, which is called a place of practice. Looking out from the hillside, the unique red houses surrounded by mountains are a sight to behold. 🍁 Yaqing Monastery is famous for its tranquil atmosphere. Here, believers live a simple and fulfilling life, chanting, practicing, and reciting mantras on time every day, constantly purifying their minds.

🌟 Yaqing Wujin Zen Forest, also known as Yaqing Temple, is located in Achang Township, Changtai District, Baiyu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is like a hidden pearl in the depths of the western Sichuan Plateau, a mysterious hidden Buddhist kingdom. 😎 Unlike the Seda Wuming Buddhist College, which is built on a mountain, most of the practitioners' houses in Yaqing Temple are built around the river, which is unique. 🎈 📖 The Kingdom of Women in Journey to the West is a place that many people yearn for, where there are only women and no men. In China, there is a real "Kingdom of Women," which is Yaqing Temple in Sichuan. Unlike traditional temples, Yaqing Temple is called the Kingdom of Women because among the more than 20,000 monks and nuns who live here, the majority are female monks, making it the place with the largest number of female monks in the world! They live collectively on the island, while the few male monks live on the other side of the river. 🤩 🌈 Every corner of Yaqing Temple is a great place for photography! From the magnificent temple buildings to the daily devout practice of the monks, from the magnificent natural scenery to the unique and profound Tibetan culture, it is worth staying here for a few days to savor. The best shooting spot is at the Buddha statue in picture 6, which is the highest point and offers a breathtaking view of the entire Yaqing! 😍 🎈 Attraction: Yaqing Temple 📍 Location: Near County Road 037, Baiyu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province 💡 Tips: 1. Yaqing Temple is located at a high altitude, about 4,000 meters, so be sure to take precautions against altitude sickness, such as bringing an oxygen tank and taking appropriate breaks during your visit. ⛰️ 2. When visiting the temple, respect the local religious beliefs and customs, do not touch the Buddha statues, and do not disturb the monks' practice. 🙏 3. We went to Yaqing from National Highway G215, where there are few places to stay and eat, so we went straight to Ganzi County after visiting Yaqing in the afternoon, which took about two hours to reach the county seat. 🚗 Come to Yaqing Temple and experience this unique mystery! 💕

⭐️ Yaqing Wujin Zen Forest, or Yaqing Temple, is located in Achang Township, Changtai District, Baiyu County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is a hidden Buddhist kingdom deep in the western Sichuan Plateau. Unlike the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Seda, which is built on a mountain, most of the houses of practitioners in Yaqing Temple are built around a river. - ⭐️ In Journey to the West, there is a Kingdom of Women that many people yearn for. There is not a single man in the kingdom, only women. However, there is a real "Kingdom of Women" in China, which is Yaqing Temple in Sichuan. Unlike traditional temples, Yaqing Temple is called the Kingdom of Women because most of the more than 20,000 monks and nuns living there are women. It is the place with the largest number of female monks in the world. They live together on an island, while the few male monks live on the other side of the river. - ⭐️ Every corner of Yaqing Temple is a great place for photography. From the magnificent architecture of the temple to the daily practice of the monks, from the spectacular natural scenery to the unique Tibetan culture, it is worth spending a few days here. The best place to take photos is the Buddha statue in Picture 6, which is the highest point and offers a panoramic view of Yaqing Temple. - ▫️Attraction: Yaqing Temple 📍Location: Near County Road 037, Baiyu County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province - 💡Tips 1. Yaqing Temple is located at a high altitude, about 4,000 meters above sea level. Please be sure to take precautions against altitude sickness, such as carrying an oxygen tank and taking proper rest. 2. When visiting the temple, please respect the local religious beliefs and customs, and do not touch the Buddha statues or disturb the monks' practice. 3. We went to Yaqing Temple from National Highway G215. There are few places to stay and eat there, so we went to Ganzi County after visiting Yaqing Temple in the afternoon. It took about two hours to get to Ganzi County.

Just after leaving the house, I found a magnificent temple by the roadside... I checked the map and found out its name is Dongga Temple. Feeling inspired, I decided to go up the mountain. The scenery at the top is really beautiful, with a vast sky and clouds, offering an unobstructed view. The temple exudes a sense of understated luxury from the outside to the inside, with various statues of deities inside... There were also lamas chanting scriptures with great concentration. Although it has been around for 500 years, compared to the bustling F Academy, it feels a bit obscure... even a bit desolate... But I quite like it here, with its peaceful and serene atmosphere... The national road from Seda to Ganzi completely exceeded my expectations... No wonder some people call Route 317 the 'Road of Hell.' Not only is it at a high altitude, but it's also full of sharp, winding mountain roads with cliffs on one side and steep slopes on the other, making the drive heart-pounding... But the scenery is truly beautiful, offering an endless view at the peak... Snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, surrounded by clouds and mist. I deeply regret not bringing my pocket camera to capture it all... The section from Ganzi to Dege was not favored by the weather, with some drizzling rain, so I couldn't capture the best state of Yulong Laco (Xinlu Lake) as I passed by... The rain got heavier and heavier, so instead of rushing, I decided to have a cup of roaming coffee ... Today's insights: * I didn't do enough research. After leaving Seda, I should have taken the Ganbai Road to see Yaqing Temple. I hesitated at the intersection but ultimately took Route 317, mainly considering the electric car's range... * The second hesitation today was at Zhashi Teling Temple, whether to take a detour to Cuotong Cui Lake. The guide said the road conditions were poor, and I was worried about tire damage from gravel and the low ground clearance... So I gave up, feeling a bit regretful... An off-road vehicle would have been better.

Blue sky and white clouds reflect Yaqing, True practice and true realization in the path of yoga. The tower and prayer flags flutter in the wind, Red walls and golden tiles reveal the true scriptures. The first time I came to Yaqing Monastery was more than 20 years ago. I have visited Yaqing Monastery many times, and each time there have been new and earth-shaking changes. I haven't been to Yaqing Monastery for seven years, and now it looks like a small town, with a new look replacing the old. Written by Layman Ren Jun on 2024.7.6 at Yaqing Monastery

Whether you love traveling or not, you must have heard this sentence: “After Seda, there is no Seda anymore.” Speaking of Buddhist holy places, Seda is truly a "must visit in this lifetime" for countless people. This largest Buddhist college in the world is impressive because of its spreading red houses. Standing on the top of the mountain and looking down, it will surely shock your soul. But few people know that, 300 meters away from Sertar Lama Buddhist College, Kilometers away, there is a holy place for spiritual practice that is more primitive and shocking than Seda. It is Yachen Monastery. The only "daughter country" As the largest nunnery in China, Yachen Monastery has more than 20,000 monks and nuns. Women make up the majority of the temple, but there are men as well. The locals call the men here "Zaba" and the women "Jiumu".

For the sake of cultivating their inner selves, even in the face of the harsh environment of the high-altitude plateau, they chose to stay, building 'square boxes' with a few planks of wood. The lower part of the wooden board is deeply inserted into the soil layer, the top is covered with waterproof cloth, and then a layer of simple mud is applied. This is their hand-built, only a few square meters of simple living room, also known as the matchbox room and such living rooms, there are more than 20,000 on the open ground next to the Yaqing Temple in Baiyu County, Sichuan. If you are eager to find a pure land of the soul, this is definitely a good choice! Recommendation reasons: 1.🏞The natural scenery is beautiful, isolated from the world, like a fairyland. 2.🕉Deep Tibetan Buddhist culture, feel the baptism of the soul. 3.📸Photography spot, every shot is screen saver level. Schedule: Morning: Arrive at Baiyu Yaqing Temple, visit the temple, understand Tibetan Buddhist culture. Afternoon: Explore the surrounding natural scenery in depth, such as hiking, cycling or quietly watching the clouds. Evening: Participate in the local bonfire party, singing and dancing with the local Tibetans. Hotel recommendation: 🏨Baiyu Yaqing Temple Hotel: Fully equipped, clean and hygienic, most importantly, it is super close to the scenic spot! Food recommendation: 🍲Yak meat hot pot: The meat is fresh and delicious, paired with local wild vegetables, it's extremely delicious! 🍺Barley wine: Be sure to taste the local specialty wine, the taste is mellow, and the aftertaste is endless. Precautions: 1. The altitude is high, pay attention to altitude sickness. 2. Respect local customs and religious beliefs. 3. Pay attention to environmental protection, do not litter at will. 4. Please do not disturb others when taking pictures, try to ask for consent before shooting. Practical guide: It is recommended to book hotels and transportation in advance. Bring sunscreen, hats and sunglasses, the sun here is very toxic! ☀ Prepare more cash, because some places may not have ATMs. Small Tips: 1. If you are interested in Tibetan Buddhism, you can ask a guide to explain, they will tell you many interesting stories. 2. Here you can try to paint Thangka, make butter tea and other traditional activities, experience the life of the locals. 3. If you have the chance, you can attend a sky burial ceremony, although it is a bit shocking, but this is the Tibetan people's understanding of life. 4. Remember to bring a small notebook, record your feelings and insights, this will be your precious memory in the trip. 📔Yaqing Temple

| The largest existing Tibetan nunnery. It is hidden deep in the plateau at the junction of western Sichuan and Tibet. It is more remote, more niche, and more secluded than Seda. It is surrounded by mountains, with an average altitude of over 4,100 meters. Here is Ganbai Road, a super niche natural landscape avenue. There is a red barrier like the color of Seda, but only women are allowed to enter. This is also the largest place for women to practice meditation in the country! 🖼️Attractions: Yachen Monastery 📍Location: Near County Road 037, Baiyu County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan 🚘Self-driving: 128 kilometers from Baiyu County, about 2 hours. The road condition is very good and cars can pass freely. 🎫Tickets: Free🆓 🅿️Parking: Free🆓 🏨Accommodation: There are many hotels in Yachen Monastery, 60 yuan per person, 120 yuan for a standard room 📸Photography: The best time to take photos is from 7:30-9:00 in the morning and from 5:00-7:00 in the afternoon. There is morning mist before the sun comes out in the early morning. The best place to take photos is at the observation deck. ✅✅✅Game Guide❗ 1️⃣The road condition to Yachen Monastery is very good, so those who drive cars don’t have to worry. 2️⃣The altitude here is over 4,000 meters, so those who are prone to altitude sickness should do so according to their ability. But I personally think the vegetation is better than that in Seda and the oxygen content is higher. 3️⃣The best place to view the view is at the viewing platform on the top of the mountain. You can drive directly to the entrance of the plank road. Cars can be parked on both sides of the road for free, which is very friendly. 4️⃣The wooden plank road to the observation deck is very well built, and the climb is not too high, so there is no need to worry about physical strength. 5️⃣Before the sun comes out in the morning, the wooden plank road is slippery because of hidden ice, so please pay attention to safety. 6️⃣It is recommended that you stay in Yachen Monastery at night so that you can see the sunset and sunrise in the early morning. The most beautiful scenery is at this time. 7️⃣ Let me introduce to you the food and accommodation at Yachen Monastery. There are many small hotels for accommodation, and the unified price is basically 60 yuan per person. The conditions are similar to those of small hotels in rural areas, but I personally think they are relatively clean and livable. You are not allowed to eat meat in Yachen Monastery, so all the restaurants only serve vegetarian food. However, the food tastes good and the prices are reasonable, with an average of more than 20 yuan per dish. 8️⃣Due to the high altitude, the temperature difference between day and night is large, please pay attention to sun protection and keep warm

It is recommended to spend 4-5 days on this route. You will see both natural and cultural scenery here. D1: Chengdu - Kangding - Provincial Road 434 - Tagong - Daofu D2: Daofu - Garze County - Xinluhai - Dege D3: Dege Juehe Ranch - Garze County D4: Garze County - Ganbai Road - Yaqing Temple - Garze County - Daofu (You can go directly to Baiyu to Batang without going back, and then take the 318 back, which will take longer.)

🌟 Explore Yaqing Temple: A more secluded and shocking practice holy land than Seda 🌟 🔍 Mysterious Buddhist holy land: Yaqing Temple 🔍 'Beyond Seda, there is Yaqing.' 🌈 Yaqing Temple, this mysterious Buddhist holy land, is located 300 kilometers away from the Seda Lama Wuming Buddhist Academy, and its primitive and shocking beauty is beyond imagination. 🏞️ 🏡 The tranquility and uniqueness of the 'Water Buddha Country' 🏡 Yaqing Temple, known as the 'Water Buddha Country' comparable to Seda, faces Tibet across the river. Here, time seems to stand still, there is no internet, and electricity has only been available in recent years. 🌌 It is not easy to reach Yaqing Temple, but for this reason, the primitive beauty here is well preserved. 🛤️ 💧 Red wooden houses and peaceful practice life 💧 Yaqing Temple has thousands of red wooden houses, surrounded by rivers, forming a unique practice environment. The practice atmosphere here is strong, the living conditions are hard, like Seda ten years ago. 🌄 🧘‍♀️ 'Kingdom of Daughters': The feature of Yaqing Temple 🧘‍♀️ This is China's largest nunnery, with more than 20,000 female practitioners. Inside Yaqing Temple, there are strict distinctions between life and practice, as well as strict boundaries between men and women. 🚫 🙏 Strict practice and life rules 🙏 Life in Yaqing Temple is full of precepts and rules, and practitioners must follow strict living habits and schedules. These rules not only limit material desires, but also help practitioners focus on spiritual improvement. 📜 🌅 Closed practice: The practice tradition of Yaqing Temple 🌅 The closed practice of Yaqing Temple is particularly strict, and those who close must undergo strict physical examinations and assessments. During the closing process, practitioners are completely isolated from the outside world and focus on inner spiritual practice. 🧘‍♀️ 💭 Transcendent lifestyle 💭 In Yaqing Temple, there are no conveniences of modern life, and the lives of practitioners depend entirely on their own labor and practice. Their lives are hard, but their hearts are full of richness and peace. 🌼 📚 Yaqing Temple opens: An opportunity not to be missed 📚 After five years of closure, Yaqing Temple is open to the outside world again. For those who long to explore this mysterious holy land, this is an opportunity not to be missed. But remember, respect local rules and traditions. 🚪

Seda and Yaqing Temple are my long-awaited places! After yesterday's one-day Bi Penggou trip, I was exhausted and finally got out of the clouds! The scene in front of me seems to have returned in my dreams! For a moment, it is refreshing, and now it is a diverse world. Everyone has a lot of worlds outside the world. You don't have to be surprised by other people's lifestyles. Maybe you are intoxicated with buying famous brands, string wineries, playing cards, and bustling names. They are here every day, they are turning their heads, turning to pagodas, endlessly practicing Buddhism, and comprehending the mysteries of heaven and earth. . Worship, feeling mother, spiritual practice... everything that is strange and familiar. Here is a world without earth and earth, a pure land that never disappears in the depths of the soul! Meditation in this land! It is my longing for life!

The place where the Yaqing Temple is most different from other monasteries is that there are a lot of monks who are born out of the house (the females who are translated into Tibetan in the Tibetan language) are studying in the Yaqing Temple. The living conditions are extremely difficult, and the inconvenience caused by transportation is lacking in materials. Everything can't stop the steps of aspiring practitioners. Walking into Yaqing, there is a full smile everywhere, and I can hear the cheerful songs at any time. It is far from the temptation of material desire, no worries of red dust, the way of living is simple, but everyone's heart is full of sunshine warmth. Looking at itself, life is not a practice. Everyone has their own way. After the splendour, looking back, the meaning of life is still so pure and simple.

The practitioners who come to the faith and stay, and then repair the house, intend not to leave for a lifetime, abound. With the increasing number of practitioners coming here, there are more and more cabins. No one will be shocked by the densely populated houses. It is a surprising thing to gather so many people in this desolate and sparsely populated western Sichuan Plateau. They are all trying to cultivate Dharma and live here. Extremely hard life. A world without a mundane world, quiet and sunny autumn. Day after day, the refined practice is only to get rid of the reincarnation. People here are born with faith... I think it is just a meaningful thing. The children are very simple here, and they can all show their innocent smiles when facing the camera. When the last rays of the setting sun are sprinkled on the island of Jum, in the practice lodge of Manshan, the girls who practiced for 100 days meditate in meditation and reading the scriptures, you can't help but feel the sacredness and purity of this place. In the plateau far from the secular life, I have gone through all the hardships and regrets, only to be able to climb to the highest realm of the soul, and to see the mountains, this is the last crowd in the world to live without any temptation. location.