2025 Xinlong Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Cuoka Lake, located in Marixiang, Xinlong County, Ganzi Prefecture, is known as "a fairyland on earth, a jade pool in the sky". Cuoka Lake is locally known as Cuoka Haizi, also known as Zanduo Conama, which in Tibetan means black seawater in the midst of rubble. The lake water is as clear as jade, collecting like a kaleidoscope, the figures of the blue sky, white clouds, green trees, and green mountains. Surrounded by green mountains and shrouded in white clouds, it seems to place people in a fairyland. It has the most dreamy reflection, heaven and earth, mountains and lakes, all naturally formed. It's like a fairyland, both real and illusory. In winter, the surface of Cuoka Lake is covered with a layer of hazy white gauze overnight, and the reflection on the lake can be vaguely seen. When the weather is fine, it is the scene of ice melting and snow reviving, the remaining snow is white, as if heralding the warm spring light of the coming days; when the weather is gloomy, the sky hangs up a vast curtain of snow, like a secret realm shuttle.

As a popular tourist city, Chengdu gets crowded during the May Day holiday, but there are still many hidden gems in the surrounding areas. I. Western Sichuan Hidden Treasures: Plateau Lakes and Snow-Capped Mountains 1. Cuoka Lake Features: Known as the "Heavenly Jade Pool," the crystal-clear lake mirrors Cuoka Temple and surrounding snow mountains, creating a fairyland-like scene. The surrounding grasslands are perfect for camping, dotted with yaks and sheep herds, and remain uncommercial. Route: Chengdu → Ya'an → Kangding → Xinduqiao → Litang → Mari Township (about 6 hours by car). Tips: Winding mountain roads, self-driving or chartered car recommended; best photography times are early morning and dusk to capture golden sunlight on mountains and reflections. 2. Ergu Stream Features: Known as the "Hiking Paradise" of Aba Prefecture, featuring alpine meadows and flower seas that are particularly magnificent in summer. Camp under the stars at night and hike through pristine forests during the day for a true wilderness experience. Route: Chengdu → Rongchang Expressway → Li County → Ergu Stream Village (about 4 hours by car). Tips: Three hiking sections required, travel light; some areas have no signal, download offline maps in advance. II. City Outskirts: Blend of Nature and Culture 1. Wawo Mountain Features: The world's second-largest mesa mountain, with rhododendrons in full bloom (early May), over 95% covered by pristine forest where you might encounter squirrels, red pandas, and other wildlife. Two cable cars reach the summit, and the Lanxi Cliff walkway offers thrilling experiences. Admission: From CNY 88 (including Jinhua Bridge cable car), advance booking required. Tips: Arrive early to avoid crowds, recommended entry before 8 AM; Half-mountain Gallery open limited hours (8:00-11:00). 2. Dujiangyan Tea Mountains Features: An escape from crowds for "tea-picking serenity," with 1,200 acres of tea plantations hidden at the foot of Mount Qingcheng. Experience carrying bamboo baskets for tea picking and processing, and learn about Sichuan tea culture. Route: Chengdu → Chengdu-Guanxian Expressway → Dujiangyan (multiple tea gardens in the city, such as "Wenhua Village"). Tips: Combine with a visit to Dujiangyan Scenic Area (tickets from CNY 40), stay overnight in Guanxian Ancient Town, and taste local delicacies like pork trotter and iced jelly. III. Unique Cultural Experiences 1. Niubei Mountain Features: China's most beautiful 360° viewing platform offering unobstructed views of sea of clouds, sunrise, and starry skies—comparable to Dawagencha but with fewer tourists. Admission: From CNY 10 (Ya'an Yingjing County). Tips: Climb in the early morning for sunrise, dress warmly; visit Luding Bridge on your way down. 2. Dayi Anren Ancient Town Features: Home to Liu Family Manor and Jianchuan Museum, combining Republican-era architecture with historical exhibits, perfect for photography. Nearby Xiling Snow Mountain (late rhododendron season during May Day) can be visited on the same trip. Route: Chengdu → Chengdu-Wenqiong Expressway → Dayi (about 1 hour by car). IV. Recommended Ways to Avoid Crowds Greenway Cycling: Jincheng Greenway → Qinglong Lake → Dong'an Lake, free cycling, night tour of Guixi Ecological Park light show. Lesser-known Ancient Towns: Pingle Ancient Town (Qionglai City) or Jiezi Ancient Town (Chongzhou), explore old streets during the day and enjoy river cuisine at night. Family Fun: Hike and breathe fresh air in Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea (Qionglai) or enjoy water activities at Dujiangyan Sunac Water World (opening in late April). V. Important Notes 1. Transportation: Self-driving or chartered cars recommended for Western Sichuan routes, prepare offline navigation for mountain areas with poor signals; advance booking required for scenic spots like Wawo Mountain. 2. Weather: Large temperature differences between day and night in Western Sichuan in May, bring windproof jackets; plains areas may be rainy, prepare both sun protection and rain gear. 3. Peak-avoidance Tips: Travel during off-peak times (such as April 28 or after May 2), visit popular attractions early in the morning, and explore lesser-known places in the afternoon.

⛰【Attractions Guide】 📍Detailed address: Cokha Lake is located in Maji Township, Xinlong County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province, 32 kilometers away from the county seat, with an altitude of about 4,000 meters. It is known as "a paradise on earth, the Nine Heavens Yaochi". 💞💞💞 🚗Transportation strategy: 1️⃣Take a bus from Chengdu to Xinlong County. After arriving in Xinlong, you can charter a car to Cokha Lake. 💖 2️⃣ Self-driving location: Cokha Lake, Xinlong County, Ganzi Prefecture (2.5 hours from Yajiang). ❤️❤️ 🕙Opening hours: Open all day. [HandsUp][HandsUp] 💰Ticket price: 20 yuan. [Heart][Heart] 🌟Highlights: Cokha Lake is like a gem lost in the world, emitting a mysterious and charming light. When you step into this land, it feels like you have entered a fairyland isolated from the world. ♻️♻️ 💟The lake water is as clear as a mirror for fairies to dress up, reflecting the sky, white clouds, green mountains, green trees, and the ancient temple one by one. As the breeze blew, ripples appeared on the lake surface, and the reflections swayed gently, like a dream. [HandsUp][HandsUp][HandsUp]

Cuoka Lake in Chuanxi, A dreamlike realm of thousands of years at a glance. The clear and mirror like lake water is unbelievably blue, like a huge sapphire embedded in the mountains. The sky, white clouds, green mountains, and ancient temples are all reflected in it, unable to distinguish between reality and illusion, so beautiful that it is suffocating. A gentle breeze blows by, creating shimmering waves on the lake surface. The interplay of light and shadow creates a wallpaper for every frame. Strolling along the lake, the surroundings were so quiet that only one could hear their own footsteps and the sound of the lake gently tapping the shore. The distant sound of reciting scriptures, ethereal and sacred, instantly purified the soul. Here, time seems to stand still, and all worries are thrown into the clouds.

‼ ️ Snow-capped mountains, forests, streams, meadows, flowers, scattered cattle and sheep... Next up is Western Kawanishi, the dreamy summer described by Hayao Miyazaki! I went to western Sichuan three times in a row and compiled this guide to western Sichuan👇 ✅There are abundant landscapes and more time to adapt to reduce altitude sickness ✅0 walking tour, the car will take you directly to the viewing point ✅The itinerary is reasonable and there is no turning back. You can see 3 snow-capped mountains in a row🏔 . 🌳【Must-visit attractions】 1️⃣ Siguniang Mountain It is recommended to go to Shuangqiaogou, one of the core areas of Siguniang Mountain One of the few well-developed scenic spots in western Sichuan 2️⃣ Hachiro Ichi The huge snow-capped mountain Yala Snow Mountain stands on the Tagong grassland Balangshengdu is an excellent viewing platform with no obstructions and close to the snow-capped mountains. 3️⃣ Muyacuo Gongga Snow Mountain, the King of Shu Mountains, is located here Here you can see the mirror-like lake reflections like Lenggacuo. 4️⃣ Moshi Park There is a unique gray stone forest in the park, which looks like an alien planet. Light gray + blue in spring and winter, bright blue in summer and autumn 5️⃣Xinduqiao 318 Sichuan-Tibet Plateau Scenic Spot after Crossing Zheduo Mountain A rural town with mottled light and shadows like a fairy tale 🌡️【Temperature in Western Sichuan】 Winter: -10 degrees at night, 10-15 degrees during the day Spring and Autumn: -5 degrees at night, 15-25 degrees during the day Summer: 5-10 degrees at night, 20-30 degrees during the day ⚠️TIPS: No matter what season it is, you should bring a thick coat + hat The snow mountain pass is at a high altitude and the wind is strong, so avoid getting cold or getting windy! . 🧳【Luggage preparation】 1. Clothes: 4-5 sets of base clothes, sweatshirts, thick coats In summer, you can bring some short-sleeved shirts and a thin jacket 2. Shoes: a pair of casual shoes 3. Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, umbrella, sunglasses 4. Medicines: gastrointestinal medicine, cold medicine and other internal medicines 5. Others: power bank, a small amount of cash, suitcase, small bag (for carrying personal belongings)

Cuoka Lake is located in Xinlong County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, at an altitude of over 4,000 meters. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and the water is as green as jade, like a natural ink painting. It gives people a sense of tranquility and mystery of the plateau. It is open from April to October every year. The lake is like a kaleidoscope, reflecting the beautiful scenery of blue sky, white clouds, green trees, green mountains, and red temples. It has a unique landscape of "a mountain, a temple, a village, a lake, a water, and a lotus platform." Cuoka Township, where Cuoka Lake is located, is at an altitude of 2,800 meters at the foot of the mountain and 3,900 meters at the lake. Standing by the lake, you will be deeply shocked by the beautiful scenery. The snow-capped mountains and trees are reflected on the lake, forming a beautiful oil painting that makes people linger.

🎒As soon as you step into Xinlong Red Mountain, it's like you've traveled to another world, with lush greenery all around, making you feel refreshed!🌳 The mountains here are undulating, shrouded in mist, and every step feels like walking in a fairyland.🌄 As you wind your way up the mountain path, new scenery awaits you at every step.👣 📸Don't forget to bring your camera, as every spot here is a perfect photo opportunity. Whether it's the sea of clouds at the mountain top or the interplay of light and shadow in the forest, your photos will surely be the highlight of your social media!✨ 🍃Walking along the mountain path, breathing in the fresh air, listening to the birds sing, you feel completely rejuvenated.🎵 This trip to Xinlong Red Mountain not only allowed me to appreciate the grandeur of nature but also brought me inner peace.😌 🌄Standing at the mountain top, overlooking the beautiful scenery below, I can't help but exclaim: Xinlong Red Mountain, you are truly beautiful! I'll be back!💖

🍁 From Yaqing Temple to Litang, you will pass by Cuoka Lake, the "Lost Horizon." The road is uphill, with steep slopes and sharp turns. After 140 sharp turns, you will be amazed by the golden roof of Cuoka Temple shining in the sun. At an altitude of 3,800 meters, the temple is surrounded by mountains, and in front of it is the clear and green Cuoka Lake. The lake and the temple together create a fairyland on earth. 🍁 Cuoka Temple is built on a mountain and is a Tibetan Buddhist temple with a history of hundreds of years. Padmasambhava once blessed Cuoka Temple. The temple is composed of a group of large and small temples, which look solemn and mysterious. 🍁 Although Cuoka Lake is not very large, the water is crystal clear. With the temple, blue sky, white clouds, green mountains, and tall trees as a backdrop, the lake becomes even more beautiful and charming. 🍁 When you see Cuoka Lake, you will be so excited that you want to scream, but in the end, you will just stand quietly by the lake, unwilling to break the peace and beauty.

Blue sky and white clouds, fairyland, beautiful Cokha Lake.

#August2024 There is a vast lake here, the lake surface is as blue as a huge sapphire inlaid in the snow-capped mountains and meadows. The lakeside is dotted with snow-capped peaks and glaciers, which sparkle in the sunlight. The most fascinating thing is that the lake surface can sometimes perfectly reflect the surrounding mountains and clouds. The scenery of the lake and mountains is reflected and blended in the water, as if bringing people into a completely new parallel space. In addition, there are often wisps of white clouds floating in the blue sky, forming a calm and beautiful picture.

Kawagebo Scenic Area is located within the territory of Dagai Township, 90 kilometers away from the county seat of Xinlong. It stands at an altitude of 5992 meters, with its summit perennially covered in snow❄️, making it an excellent destination for sightseeing and adventure tourism!👏🏻 The mountain⛰️ is composed of limestone, dolomite, red sandstone, and mud shale, with undulating ridges and towering peaks, as well as modern glaciers, sharp peaks, and spires. It is truly covered with snow all year round! The forest resources in the mountain area are also extremely rich🌲, including spruce, fir, pine, birch, alpine pine, and shrubbery, and there are also wild animals such as argali, deer, roe deer, and sika deer🦌. 🗺️Recommended travel routes: 👉Snow mountain trekking route: Start from the foot of the mountain, trek through the dense forest🌳, and fully enjoy the magnificent glacial scenery. You can also choose to camp on the mountain🏕️, and gaze at the dazzling starry sky✨ at night, which is super romantic. 👉Temple culture tour: Visit the Tangbo Temple at the foot of the mountain to deeply feel the rich religious atmosphere🙏. There is also a sutra temple in the forest below the summit for chanting, where you can experience the local culture and customs.🥰 Best travel time🕰️: The best time to visit Kawagebo Mountain is from May to October each year, when the weather☁️ is more stable and the temperature is moderate, making it very suitable for trekking and sightseeing. Food recommendations🍽️: 👉Tibetan cuisine: Be sure to taste the authentic Tibetan food, such as butter tea, highland barley cake, yak meat, etc., super delicious😋. 👉Local specialties: Try the local specialties, such as the fish delicacies of Xinlong County, which will satisfy your taste buds. Accommodation suggestions🏠: ✅Camping: If you love camping, you can choose a suitable campsite on the mountain⛺️, but be sure to pay attention to safety⚠️. ✅Homestay: There are many characteristic homestays🏨 around Kawagebo Mountain to choose from, providing you with a comfortable accommodation environment. Precautions⚠️: 1️⃣Kawagebo Mountain is at a high altitude, so it is best to have a comprehensive physical examination before traveling to ensure that you are in good health💪! 2️⃣Bring enough warm clothing👔 and sunscreen🧴 to cope with the cold and strong ultraviolet rays at high altitudes. 3️⃣Respect the local religion and cultural customs, and strictly abide by the regulations of the scenic area.🙏 4️⃣The oxygen is thin at high altitudes, so avoid strenuous exercise to prevent altitude sickness. 5️⃣You can learn about the local weather🌤️ in advance and plan your trip accordingly.

Many people who travel to western Sichuan will choose to go to Moshi Park and Lianbaoyize. These two places have become exotic planets and Middle-earth in the minds of many people because of their unique black mylonite and fantastic stalagmite mountains. But in fact, there is a little-known plateau Danxia hidden in western Sichuan - the Hongshan Scenic Area in Xinlong County. Speaking of Danxia landform, Zhangye's colorful Danxia is undoubtedly the most famous, but its Danxia landform is all exposed. The Hongshan in Xinlong County cleverly mixes forests, meadows and waterfalls in the Danxia landform, making the entire scenic area look more layered and dreamy. This scenic spot has just opened recently and the number of tourists is relatively small. If you come to western Sichuan during holidays and are afraid of crowds, then this scenic spot is definitely worth a visit. Just navigate to "Xinlong Hongshan Scenic Area" to arrive. You can take a sightseeing bus during the entire tour, and then walk down the mountain. This is very good because the scenic area is at a high altitude of about 4,000 meters, and tourists may feel exhausted if they climb too much. The entire tour only takes half a day, which will not waste too much time and allow you to fully appreciate the beautiful scenery of Hongshan Scenic Area. Along the way, you can enjoy the Danxia landform from various angles. Some places require climbing, but the view overlooking the entire Danxia landform is definitely worth it. I think Hongshan Scenic Area can definitely be ranked among the top ten scenic spots in Sichuan, and it is even an underestimated niche scenic spot. The beauty and uniqueness of the scenery here lies in the fact that in the midst of a green hillside, the red Danxia stone mountain suddenly appears, creating a sense of separation. Moreover, the entire Hongshan Scenic Area is very large, and the rolling Hongshan Mountains spread out in front of you, which is very spectacular. Xinlong County is very close to Ganzi County. As the pearl on National Highway 317, Ganzi County has many densely populated scenic spots around it. If you travel in western Sichuan, don't miss this underrated county. Day 1: Ganzi County - Hongshan Scenic Area - Cuotong Sanlian Lake Day 2: Head to Queershan Glacier - Xinluhai - Derge Scripture Printing House Day 3: Derge - Baiyu County - Ganbai Road - Yachen Monastery Day 4: Return to Ganzi County - Serthar Buddhist College Believe me, Ganzi County is a beautiful place worth visiting.

Embarking on a journey, once again came to western Sichuan, and started again. The snow-capped mountains are pure white, the lakes are clear, and the beautiful scenery of western Sichuan will hear the love songs sung to you by the world. Embarking on a journey, once again came to western Sichuan, and started again the story of meeting those mountains, those lakes, and those people. Lake Coka, it's the third time to come. The sun shines on the fragmented waves of Lake Coka, the reflection of the sky, the reflection of the trees, and the reflection of the temple, swaying with the slight waves. Lake Cuo Pu is like a colorful pearl, embedded in the valley of Zajin Jabo Mountain. Under the sunlight, Lake Zima Yong is full, as if it is covered with a layer of shining silver. The Gato Temple hidden in the lush greenery, the crimson courtyard wall, the apricot yellow roof, all bathed in the breeze and drizzle. Looking up, the mountain is the sky, the sky is the mountain, where you go, the front, back, left, and right are all mountains, as if you can touch the mountain peak with your hand.

Many people come to Western Sichuan and like to go to the Moshishan Park because it has unique black meileng stones, which are particularly like alien planets. Many people come to Western Sichuan and also like to go to Lianbao Yeze because of the magical stalagmite mountains, which are particularly like the Middle-earth world. But! There is also a unique plateau Danxia in my Western Sichuan! That is - the Red Mountain Scenic Area in Xinlong County. Speaking of Danxia landform, the most famous one is the colorful Danxia in Zhangye, but its Danxia landform is all exposed, and this Red Mountain in Xinlong County, in the Danxia landform, is mixed with forests, meadows, and waterfalls! So it looks more dreamy and has more levels. Tour route: Day1 Ganzi County - Red Mountain Scenic Area - Wrong Tong Sanlian Lake Day2 Queer Mountain Glacier - Xinlu Sea - Dege Sutra Printing House Day3 Dege - Baiyu County - Ganbai Road - Yaqing Temple - Ganzi County Day4 Ganzi County - Seda Buddhist College (Yes! Ganzi County is very close to Seda, more than 2 hours! tips: 1️⃣This scenic area has just opened, so the mobile phone signal is not good. The whole process of playing in the scenic area is to take a sightseeing car up the mountain, and then walk all the way down the hill. This is a good comment, because the altitude of the scenic area is a bit high, it seems to be 4000, if you climb too many slopes, it will be exhausting. 2️⃣So don't save the money for the sightseeing car, buy it. The ticket + sightseeing car was 110 per person when I went. Walk along the plank road all the way, there are clear signs that let you check in at various angles. There are a few places where you need to climb a slope, you can overlook the entire Danxia landform, it is recommended to climb.

The most pleasant trip is that a group of like-minded friends, different identities of different ages and different fields, drink coffee under the blue sky and white clouds, and the river flows quietly around the cows. There is no traffic jam here, there is no paradise here, paradise is very far, Lhasa is very close! The world is very big, and the Tanggu Township in Daban District is very beautiful!

This scene should only be seen in the sky / humans? Tokka Lake, located in Maji Township, Xinlong County, Ganzi Prefecture, 32 kilometers away from the county seat, is known as "the paradise on earth, Jiutian Yaochi". When we arrived, it was nearly noon. The lake was sun-baked with blue sun, and the reflections of the temples and Buddha statues reflected in the water, a beautiful and peaceful picture. The legendary Tacka is here to be taken care of by the gods, and the Hercules is back to the water. Since then, the lake has raised the mortal beings in a ditch in the town of Ma Ri, although the years have passed, the lake still For example, when the gods released water, they were generally clear and translucent, and there was no reduction. Xinlong, the real Chuanxi mystery you must come Arrival: Self-driving from Xinlong County to Tsuka Lake less than two hours into hemp After the daytime, it is basically Panshan Road, so it is recommended to use the off-road vehicle to go uphill : There are many local fish in the Lake of Tuca (cold water turtle), tourists can bring some bread/cookies and other feeding tickets Price: 20 yuan for a car to enter, no time

Quge Mountain is 5 km away from the Xinlong County of Ganzi Prefecture. The hh/ beautiful Tibetan village, the cattle and sheep at the pond, and the Tibetan compatriots of the dam are all composed. This fascinating picture arrived at the top of the 3,000-meter-high peak as if to reach the paradise of heaven blue sky, white clouds, green grass at the foot must have a road to heaven big beautiful new dragon chuanxi secret