Five People's Road Trip Along the Lixiaolu Road | 3 Days 2 Nights, Taking in the Snow-capped Mountains, Red Rocks, and Colorful Forests of Western Sichuan from the Car Window
If you ask me if there's a road in Western Sichuan that can combine snow-capped mountains, red rock beaches, primeval forests, alpine meadows, and colorful forests within 100 kilometers, all free and without long queues, I would answer without hesitation—the Lixiaolu Road.
It's not a "scenic spot," but a road that is scenic in itself. Starting from Putou Town in Li County, crossing the Qionglai Mountains, and plunging into Jiesigou in Xiaojin County, the entire route is about 96 kilometers long. It was fully paved and opened to traffic in 2026, and can be driven by sedans. Five people in one car, 3 days and 2 nights, not rushing, not forcing your way into scenic spots, slowing down—that's the right way to experience this road.
Pre-trip Preparations | This road isn't difficult, but it's riddled with potholes.
Vehicles: The official description is "paved throughout, suitable for sedans," but some sections have sharp bends, steep slopes, and loose gravel, making SUVs more suitable. If your vehicle has a low chassis, avoid driving after rain; it shouldn't be a problem. Fill up your tank in Lixian or Xiaojin county before departure—there are no gas stations or shops along the entire Lixiao Road, so top up when your tank is below half full.
Traffic Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Entry into the mountains is prohibited after 6:00 PM; avoid driving at night. Speed limits are 30-60 km/h on cliff bends; honk your horn before meeting oncoming traffic.
Altitude Sickness: The highest point on the entire road is around the Daerpu and Lixiao tunnels, at an altitude of approximately 3800-3850 meters. The good news is that both nights' accommodations are at altitudes below 2400 meters—approximately 1800 meters in Lixian and 2367 meters in Xiaojin, significantly reducing the probability of altitude sickness. However, avoid running and jumping in Daerpu; walk slowly and keep one or two oxygen cylinders in the car.
Accommodation: Five people need three rooms. The first night, stay in Lixian or Gulgou. Gulgou's hot spring hotels are recommended; they have free parking, and you can relax in the hot springs. The second night, stay in Xiaojin County. Choose a guesthouse or hotel with free parking; it's cost-effective and convenient for dining. Two nights in three rooms will cost approximately 1800-3000 yuan.
Luggage: The temperature difference between day and night in the high-altitude area is over 15℃. A windproof jacket and a light down jacket are essential. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are indispensable. Download offline maps in advance, as there is basically no signal in Jiesigou and Daerpu sections. Bring enough dry food, drinking water, and a power bank, as there are almost no supply points along the way.
Day 1|Chengdu → Lixian, Adapt to the Altitude
Morning|Chengdu → Lixian, 2.5 hours
Depart from Chengdu in the morning, taking the Rongchang Expressway through Wenchuan to Lixian, a journey of approximately 2.5 hours. You can have lunch in Wenchuan along the way, or take a quick look at the watchtowers of Taoping Qiang Village (exterior view is free, just take a few photos and leave).
Afternoon | Gurgou: Soaking in the hot springs is more important than rushing to see the sights.
After arriving in Gurgou, check into your hotel first, don't rush into the side roads. Gurgou is at an altitude of about 1800 meters, the best place to acclimatize. In the afternoon, soak in the hotel's hot springs to relieve the fatigue of driving. Five people chatting in the pool is more worthwhile than rushing to any viewpoint.
Evening | Yak Meat Hot Pot
Have a yak meat hot pot in Gurgou town, with barley cakes, about 60-80 yuan per person. Get some rest, tomorrow is the main event.
Day 1 Cost Reference: Fuel + tolls approximately 300 yuan | Accommodation 900-1500 yuan (three rooms) | Hot springs (included in hotel or extra) approximately 200-300 yuan | Dinner 350 yuan | Total approximately 1750-2450 yuan Day 2 | Full Route Traverse of the Li Trail, from Red Stone Beach to "Little Switzerland"
7:30 AM | Fill Up Gas and Head into the Mountains
Starting from Gulgou, fill up the gas in Li County or Putou Town, then drive to the 0km mark of the Li Trail. The first 20km follow the Suoluo Valley upstream. The valley is humid, with Tibetan and Qiang villages scattered along the banks, and the forests gradually become denser.
Morning | Liangtaigou Red Stone Beach + Leishenwang Waterfall
The Red Stone Beach is located at approximately kilometer 38, with free parking available by the roadside. Orange-red pebbles cover the stream banks in the valley, with fir forests and snow-capped mountains in the background—a striking contrast. Red stones are extremely sensitive to their environment, surviving only in places with clean air and excellent water quality. Just admire them; don't step on or move them.
A short distance further is Leishenwang Waterfall, a 10-minute hike after parking. The mist and snow-capped mountains create a tranquil atmosphere, and the wooden bridge offers excellent photo opportunities. We had a simple picnic at noon on the roadside meadow in Hongshitan – self-heating rice, bread, and fruit; everything tasted delicious in the sunshine.
Afternoon | Lixiao Tunnel + Da'erpu: The Highlight of the Entire Route
After passing through the 7-kilometer-long Lixiao Tunnel, the altitude instantly rose to approximately 3850 meters, directly facing the continuous snow-capped mountains – this is the most breathtaking vantage point on the Lixiao route, where many people stop to take photos. Continuing on, we reached Da'erpu, the essence of the entire route. At an altitude of approximately 3800 meters, the expansive alpine meadow was surrounded by snow-capped mountains, with streams flowing through it, cattle and sheep scattered about, and small wooden cabins standing on the meadow, like stepping onto a Windows desktop. Five people should spend at least 40 minutes here, walking slowly, taking photos at their own pace, and avoiding running or jumping.
Evening | Crossing the Pass and Entering Xiaojin
Continuing downhill from Da'erpu, we entered Jiesigou. Unlike the open terrain of the Heli County section, Jiesi Valley is a secluded and deep primeval forest, densely covered with spruce and fir trees, with rushing streams and stone houses of the Jiarong Tibetan people built along the slopes. We arrived in Xiaojin County in the evening and checked into our hotel at an altitude of approximately 2367 meters, ensuring a good night's sleep.
Evening | Wild Mushroom and Yak Hot Pot
The wild mushroom and yak hot pot in Xiaojin County is recommended by locals. It features matsutake mushrooms and porcini mushrooms paired with fresh and flavorful yak meat in a sweet broth. Five people ate until they were stuffed for 60-80 yuan each.
Day 2 Cost Reference: Accommodation 900-1500 yuan (three rooms) | Fuel approximately 150 yuan | Food approximately 400 yuan | Total approximately 1450-2050 yuan.
Day 3 | Xiaojin → Jiajin Mountain → Chengdu, Saving the Colorful Forest for Last
Morning | Xiaojin → Jiajin Mountain Pass
We departed from Xiaojin and returned to Chengdu via Jiajin Mountain. Jiajin Mountain Pass, at an altitude of 4114 meters, is the highest point of the entire route. From mid-October to early November, the colorful forests along this route undergo a concentrated transformation, with layers of red birch, larch, and fir trees, creating a stunning panorama of snow-capped mountains, sea of clouds, and meadows. Don't spend more than 15 minutes taking photos at the pass; due to the strong winds and high altitude, descend immediately after taking your pictures.
Noon | Simple Lunch in Baoxing or Along the Way
After crossing Jiajin Mountain, the altitude gradually decreases. Have lunch in Baoxing or other towns along the way, costing approximately 30-40 yuan per person.
Afternoon | Return to Chengdu
Return to Chengdu via Baoxing and Ya'an, a journey of about 5 hours. Five people took turns driving, arriving in Chengdu in the evening. The trunk was filled with photos of the Red Stone Beach, memories of the meadows at Da'erpu, and the colorful forests of Jiajin Mountain.
Day 3 Cost Estimate: Fuel + Tolls approximately 350 yuan | Lunch 200 yuan | Total approximately 550 yuan.
Budget Overview | Moderate Comfort for Five People, Not Too Expensive
Item | Cost (Total for Five People)
Round-trip fuel + tolls: Approx. 800 RMB
Accommodation (Two nights, three rooms): Approx. 1800-3000 RMB
Lixiaolu Route: Free
Hot Springs/Issue Parking Fees: Approx. 300-500 RMB
Food (All-inclusive for three days): Approx. 1000-1200 RMB
Oxygen Cylinders/Snacks: Approx. 200 RMB
Total: Approx. 4100-5700 RMB
The Lixiaolu Route has no entrance fees or tolls. The biggest expenses are accommodation and fuel. For a moderately comfortable trip for five people, you can complete this "Little Duku Highway of Western Sichuan" for less than 1200 RMB per person. Any extra budget can be used to upgrade to a private hot spring hotel in Gulgou for one night, or stay an extra night in Xiaojin to slow down the pace for another day.
Practical Tips | Follow These Guides to Avoid 90% of Pitfalls
1. Fill up your tank in Lixian or Xiaojin before entering the mountains – there are no gas stations along the entire route, so don't wait until the fuel light comes on.
2. Exit the mountains before 6 PM – the daily exit time is 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, so don't stay out too late.
3. Don't jump or jog on Da'erpu – the altitude is approximately 3800 meters, so walk slowly and keep an oxygen cylinder in your car.
4. Red rocks are best viewed from a distance – stepping on or moving them will cause them to fade and become unusable.
5. Don't stop randomly on curves – find designated parking areas, and honk and slow down when passing oncoming traffic near cliff edges.
6. Download offline maps beforehand – there is basically no cell phone signal in Jiesigou and Da'erpu sections.
7. Don't try to cram in Bipenggou and Siguniang Mountain in one day – the Lixian-Xiaolu road is already full enough; trying to do more will only lead to driving at night.
8. The best time to visit is from September to early November—colorful forests, snow-capped mountains, and red rocks are all framed together. After November, the road may be closed due to snow and ice restrictions.
The Lixiao Road isn't the kind of road you need to "conquer." It's more like a window to western Sichuan, framing snow-capped mountains, red rocks, meadows, forests, and colorful forests all within its 96 kilometers, then telling you: drive slowly, no rush. When you five stand on the meadow of Daerpu, watching the stream meander from the foot of the snow-capped mountains, and cattle and sheep leisurely crossing the road; when you pass through the Lixiao Tunnel, and the snow-capped mountains rush towards you the moment you emerge—you'll understand that the beauty of some roads isn't in the destination, but in the journey itself, where you're reluctant to press the accelerator too hard.
Five people in one car, three days and two nights, capturing the layers of western Sichuan through the car window, and imprinting the free and vast Lixiao Road into your memory.