China Photo Guide
11 Days West Sichuan Photography Tour
Sichuan, lying in the Southwest of China, it is composed of five types of topography, and contains six climatic zones. The unique geographical-location, diverse topography, and complex climatic conditions lead to the development of various types of ecosystems in the region. These make the province a natural gene pool for many endemic species that live here and gives it rich biodiversity in China. Ranging from the fresh welters of the Chengdu Plain, to the hills of the Sichuan Basin, the forests Of the southwestern mountains, and the meadows of the western plateau, this vast land of abundance is full of beauty and endless variation of living things
Type
Nature &People
Place
West Sichuan
Duration
11 days, 10 nights
All-inclusive
accommodations, meals, guiding and transportation
Group Size
Less than 10
Activity Level
Easy
Cities We Go: Chengdu-Kangding-Litang-Daocheng-Xinlong-Tagong-Danba-Barkam- Lixian
What to Expect
Snow-capped mountains
High plateau lakes
Tibetan villages & people
Grasslands & pastures
Ancient glacier sites
Buddhist pagodas & temples
Mylonite rock forest
Fiery red maple leaves
Route Overview
D1 | Arrive in Chengdu
D2 | Chengdu – Honghaizi – Yuzixi - Xinduqiao
D3 | Xinduqiao - Tianlushibawan - Litang - Zunsheng Pagoda Forest - Daocheng
D4| Daocheng - Shangri-La - Yading
D5 | Full - day shooting in Aden
D6 | Daocheng - Red Grassland - Litang - Xinlong
D7 | Xinlong - Cuo Ka Lake - Kasa Lake - Luhuo - Dawu - Bamei or Tago
D8 | Bamei or Tagong - Inkstone Park - Yala Snow Mountain - Zhonglu Tibetan Village
D9 | Zhonglu Tibetan Village - Jinchuan - Maerkang – Guergou
D10 | Bipenggou – Chengdu
D11 | Chengdu - Various Destinations (Dispersing Group)
Itinerary
D1 | Arrive in Chengdu
For the first day, everyone will head to the designated hotel in Chengdu, to check in. Those who arrive early may choose to visit Jinli Ancient Street, Wuhou Temple, and the Wide and Narrow Alleys (claimed to be "the most Chengdu-esque place," which is an ancient street from the Qing Dynasty that has evolved into a modern cultural commercial street, combined by Kuanzhaixiang, Zhaixiangzi, and Jingxiangzi three small alleys). Also, one of the top ten walking streets in China - Chunxi Road, where you can do shopping and capture urban scenery, cultural aspects, and the charm of ancient streets. You may also visit Chengdu's most beautiful riverside walking street, "Jiuyan Bridge," to photograph its dazzling night scene. Here, experience the longed-for, unique leisurely pace of life in Chengdu, and enjoy a slow-paced lifestyle!
D2 | Chengdu-Honghaizi-Yuzixi-Xinduqiao
After breakfast, we set off by car on the journey of "Autumn Shooting in Western Sichuan." We will drive along the popular "Kangding Airport Road," capturing the beauty of this new internet-famous highway with every shot. Next, we'll head to Honghaizi Lake to photograph the sprawling snow-capped mountains and high plateau lakes. Then, we'll arrive at "Photographers' Paradise, a World of Light and Shadow"—Xinduqiao town. On this way, we'll proceed to the newly famous photography spot "Yuzixi", which offers a 360° panoramic view that takes in the entire Hengduan Mountain Range. Here, you can see one of the four sacred mountains of the Tibetan area and the full view of Yala, known as the "Second Shambhala," as well as the full range of the Minya Konka, the highest peak in Sichuan, known as the "King of Sichuan Mountains." It's a rare vantage point for sightseeing and photography in the Gongga West Slope area. Stay: Xinduqiao.
D3 | Xinduqiao-Tianlushibawan-Litang(World's High City) - Zunsheng
Pagoda Forest - Daocheng
Photograph the morning light and shadows around Xinduqiao, as well as the autumn colors of Tibetan villages and fields. Enjoy a breakfast while seizing opportunities to capture the autumnal scenery of the fields along the way. Capture the "Heavenly Road with 18 Bends" on National Highway 318 during the journey. Later we will make a stop to photograph the entrance sign of Litang(World's High City). Then we turn onto another scenic highway, S217, crossing the vast Maoya Grassland, climbing over Rabbit Mountain, and passing by the largest ancient glacier site on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Daocheng Ancient Ice Cap – Haizi Mountain Nature Reserve (altitude 4500 meters), which is a natural stone carving park! In the evening, you can go to the Zunsheng White Pagoda to capture the pagoda forest adorned with lights, presenting a dazzling and majestic night view with glittering golden lights! Stay: Daocheng
D4 | Daocheng - Shangri-La - Yading (Short Line to Yading)
Rising early to capture the sunrise over the largest white pagoda in Garzê Prefecture, the majestic and awe-inspiring Zunsheng White Pagoda, a landmark of Daocheng! After breakfast, we pass through the vast golden poplar forest park and the Se La Grassland, cross over the Bowa Mountain (altitude 4695 meters), and descend along the Chitug River Valley. We then arrive at the longed-for "last pure land on the blue planet, the last Shangri-La on earth" - the Yading scenic area. After checking in, we take a car directly to the final stop - Zaguang Bong, and walk to the Chonggu Temple. Following the wooden walkway, we trek into one of the three great sacred mountains of Yading - Xiannairi (a one-way walk of 2 kilometers, about 1 hour) and later return to the Chonggu meadow. From there, we capture the distant Xianodeiji sacred mountain. In the evening, we return to Yading Village, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, where we can watch the sunset and see the stars gradually adorn the night sky, with the Milky Way like a ribbon across the night. Stay: Yading Scenic Area.
D5 | Full-day shooting in Aden (Extended Aden route)
Rise early to freely capture the morning glow of Aden Village. After breakfast, take the shuttle bus directly to its terminal at Zaguang Bong. Walk to the Chonggu Temple and once again photograph the Xia Nuo Duo Ji divine mountain in the morning light before heading to Luorong Cattle Farm. Luorong Cattle Farm is the core area of the Aden scenic spot and the region with the densest concentration of scenery. If you want walk some more, you may continue to shoot further. For those who are physically strong (the altitude along the way is high), you may pay on your own to ride horses to Yading's most beautiful Five Color Lake (Tibetan name "Naka Cuomu" means "Sea on Top of the Mountain") and Milk Lake. Take photos, return to the scenic area entrance at the in the afternoon, and head back to Daocheng by vehicle, seizing opportunities along the way to capture the golden Qingyang Forest and the scenic beauty along the river. Stay: Daocheng.
D6 | Daocheng - Red Grassland - Litang – Xinlong
In the morning, depending on the lighting conditions of the previous shoot at the Zunsheng White Pagoda and the current weather situation, we'll decide whether to reshoot. Then we'll head to the Sangdui Red Grassland for photography (this attraction features seasonal scenery, with the red grass only visible from late September to mid-October each year). After crossing over the Daocheng Ancient Ice Cap - Haizi Mountain Nature Reserve, Rabbit Mountain, we'll have lunch in Litang at noon. In the afternoon, we'll capture images of Tibetan villages and pastoral scenery along the way, and then enter the Yalong River Gorge for opportune shooting. Stay: Xinlong.
D7 | Xinlong - Cuo Ka Lake - Kasa Lake - Luhuo - Dawu - Bamei or Tago
Early in the morning, head to the "Heavenly Wonderland, the Paradise Jade Pool" - Cuo Ka Lake to capture the morning light and shadows. Later, proceed to shoot the scenery of the plateau freshwater lake "Kasaka Lake," named a "Provincial Nature Reserve" in 1999, it is a famous holy lake in the area. Then through Luhuo, Dawu, and Re'er Grassland, along the way, photograph Tibetan village dwellings, autumnal field colors, peculiar peaks and snow-capped mountains, solemn white pagodas, and herds of cattle, sheep, and horses on the grassland, each place is like a picture resembling a heavenly wonderland (if time and weather permit, we will arrange to shoot the sunset of the Ya La Snow Mountain). Stay: Bamei or Tagzhong.
D8 | Bamei or Tagong - Inkstone Park - Yala Snow Mountain - Zhonglu Tibetan Village
After breakfast, head to the Moshi Stone Park. The layered highland stone forest is also one of the eight beauties of Daocheng County in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Along the way, take opportunities to capture the beauty of Ta'gong Grassland, the autumn hues of Babao, Tibetan-style dwellings, and the distant snow-capped Yala Mountain. Later, arrive in Danba County and proceed to the Zhonglu Tibetan Village for photography. The Zhonglu Tibetan Village is an integral part of "China's most beautiful village" – the Danba Tibetan Village. Stay: Zhonglu.
D9 | Zhonglu Tibetan Village - Jinchuan - Maerkang – Guergou
Rising early to capture the morning scene of Zhonglu Tibetan Village, the sun rises above the high mountains behind the village. After breakfast, we take opportunities to photograph along the way until lunchtime in Jinchuan. In the afternoon, passing through Maerkang, the capital of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, we take photos of the autumn colors of the valley, wetland pastures, and Qiang villages along Route 317. Passing by Miyaluo, we continue to capture the autumnal landscapes. Stay: Guergou (tentative).
D10 | Bipenggou – Chengdu
After breakfast, we will head to Bipenggou Valley, known as the "Fairy Mountain and Jade Pool, Divine Spring of Ling" , which is a very famous domestic spot for viewing red leaves. The most beautiful season of Bipenggou must be late October in autumn. The valley is home to primeval forests, perennial glaciers, countless snow mountains, seas, streams, cascading waterfalls, wetland meadows, colorful forests with red leaves, and unique glacial landscapes. Afterward, we will return to Chengdu by car. Stay: Chengdu.
D11 Chengdu - Various Destinations (Dispersing Group)
After breakfast, the group will disband, and everyone will return to their warm homes!
Xu Changhong
Photographer
請用此空間來介紹自己並分享專業背景。
-
Photography guide + local professional
-
Private transportation
-
10-night accommodation
-
Inclusive entrance fees to photography locations
-
Personalized processing instructions
