Escape the Crowds and Discover Songpan's Hidden Gems

Avoid the tourist rush and explore Songpan's secret wonders with this off-the-beaten-path guide! Beyond its ancient town and Huanglong Valley, this northwestern Sichuan region hides breathtaking landscapes untouched by mass tourism. Sansheyi Post is one such gem—a former Tea Horse Road relay station now home to a few Tibetan families and boundless wilderness, so remote it's barely pinpointed on maps. 🌄 **Sansheyi Post · Hidden Gem Profile** 📍 Location: Northwest of Songpan County, 55km from town (2-hour drive) 🚗 Accessibility: 4WD only—final 8km is gravel road (caution in rainy season) 🌿 Highlights: Primeval forests, alpine lakes, abandoned ancient trails, wild deer herds 🗺️ **In-Depth Adventure Guide** ⚠️ Note: The Songpan Ancient Trail is uninhabited wilderness. Solo travel is prohibited—requires official permits + guided horseback tours. Without guides, the area is highly dangerous. We offer these curated experiences: **Option 1**: Ride from remnant stone steps along the Tea Horse Road to **Base Camp 1** (round trip). Explore: • Sansheyi ancient village • Highland barley fields • Pastures • Primitive shrublands • Distant views of Min Mountains' Snow Treasure Peak • Wooden gateways 📏 5km total • ⏳ 120 mins **Option 2**: Costumed horseback ride from Sansheyi Cultural Park to **Base Camp 2** (round trip). Adds: • Alpine meadows • Base Camp 1 📏 6.5km total • ⏳ 180 mins **Option 3**: Tibetan afternoon tea at Base Camp or Sansheyi Cultural Park. Choose: • Butter tea / Horse tea + Tibetan snacks 🚌 **Pro Tip**: Sansheyi is just 8km from Huanglong Scenic Area. Take the high-speed rail → direct shuttle to Huanglong → short taxi ride! **Activity Combos**: 🏇 **Horseback Only**: Round trip to Base Camp 1 (6km, 100 mins) 🛶 **Rafting Only**: Uphill by shuttle + 20-min downstream raft (2.5km) 🏇+🛶 **Combo**: • Uphill ride (2km, 20 mins) • Downhill raft (2.5km, 20 mins) Perfect for urban escapees who dread crowds—even on holidays, it stays blissfully quiet! 🌿✨