Trip Overview
When: December (winter snow season)
Duration: 2 days
Travelers: Group of friends
Budget: ~1,500-2,500 RMB (~$210-350 USD) per person
Transportation: Self-driving recommended
Essential Foreigner Info
Getting There: Most attractions are 3-5 hours by car from Chengdu. Renting a car is the most flexible option, but note that mountain roads can be challenging—narrow curves, occasional ice, and limited signage in English. Consider hiring a local driver if you're not comfortable with Chinese mountain driving.
Altitude Alert: These destinations sit at 2,000-4,800 meters elevation. Altitude sickness is real—take it easy the first day, stay hydrated, and consider bringing altitude sickness medication (available at Chengdu pharmacies).
Cold Reality: Temperatures can drop to -10°C or lower at night. Layers are non-negotiable. Bring thermal underwear, insulated jackets, and waterproof gloves.
Cash is King: Some small vendors at scenic spots only accept cash. ATM availability is limited in mountain areas—bring enough cash before heading out.
No. 1: Dawa Gengza (达瓦更扎)
The closest thing to touching heaven without leaving Sichuan Province. Dawa Gengza offers a complete package: sunrise, Buddha's light (佛光), snow plains, and sea of clouds—all in one dramatic mountain summit.
Address: Gari Village, Qiaoqi Tibetan Township, Baoxing County, Ya'an City, Sichuan Province (四川省雅安市宝兴县硗碛藏族乡嘎日村境内)
Getting There: Self-drive: 4-5 hours. Route: Chengdu → Ya'an → Baoxing → Qiaoqi → Dawa Gengza. The mountain roads are steep and winding—take the shuttle bus (观光车) up and down rather than driving yourself.
Travel Tips: The mountain roads are treacherous—stick to the shuttle bus. Weather changes fast at altitude; bring layers. Sunscreen is essential (reflective snow = intense UV). Stock up on glucose and altitude sickness pills before ascending. No food vendors on the mountain—bring your own lunch and water.
Even National Geographic couldn't stop raving about this place. At the summit, you feel close enough to grab stars from the sky. Winter is the prime season for viewing sacred mountain snow scenes, sea of clouds, and starry skies. If you're lucky, you might catch locals slaughtering yaks and pigs for the year—quite the cultural experience.
Pro tip: Depart early in the morning and arrive by afternoon. If fortune smiles, you'll catch a spectacular sunset—red flames painting distant snow mountains with a crimson glow.
The sea of clouds at the summit floats like mist from a heavenly pool. As cool winds sweep past, you're reminded of the poetic line: 'I suspect celestial immortals got drunk and scattered white clouds in disorder.'
Dawa Gengza's peak sits so close to the sky you can practically pluck stars. The starry sky, sunrise, sea of clouds, and snow-capped mountains come as a set package. It's as magnificent as a giant dragon, yet as gentle as a breeze...
No. 2: Shenmulei & Qiaoqiao Lake (神木垒 & 硗碛湖)
The most pristine forest snow sea—perfect for hiking with kids. This place feels like stepping into a fairy tale winter wonderland.
Address: Qiaoqi Tibetan Township, Baoxing County, Ya'an City, Sichuan Province (四川省雅安市宝兴县硗碛藏族乡)
Getting There: Self-drive: 3-4 hours. Close to Dawa Gengza—can visit both if time permits.
Travel Tips: Park at the visitor center. Snack stalls at the summit, but bringing your own food is safer. Qiaoqiao Lake has no entrance fee—highly recommended!
At Shenmulei, no matter what angle you photograph from, it's a fairy tale world. Winter transforms this place into pure white—branches laden with snow await visitors for a frozen fairytale adventure.
The signature landscapes here include forests, snow mountains, streams, alpine meadows, and high-altitude calcified streams. Snow-covered meadows scatter through primitive forests, surrounded by rolling mountains—some peaks stand tall and sharp, others wind and twist.
And then there's the beautiful Qiaoqiao Lake (硗碛湖). The entire journey from Baoxing to here is a gift from nature.
The sapphire-blue lake resembles a deity's eye. Locals say this is where immortals live. I think pure white snow and azure blue lake make the perfect color combination for winter.
No. 3: Lianbaoyeze Stone Mountain Scenic Area (莲宝叶则·石头山景区)
A sacred mountain you must see with your own eyes—nature's breathtaking masterpiece that defies imagination.
Address: Lianbaoyeze·Stone Mountain Scenic Area, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province (四川省阿坝州 莲宝叶则·石头山景区)
Getting There: 40 km from Aba County. Route: Chengdu → Hongyuan → Aba → Lianbaoyeze.
Travel Tips: High altitude—minimize strenuous activity. Strong UV rays—sunscreen and sunglasses are musts. Huge day-night temperature difference—focus on staying warm. Hiking is physically demanding—bring high-calorie foods.
I call this place the Eternal Art Sanctuary. The strange, steep rock world and towering stone peaks are its unyielding spirit. The crystal-clear, azure lakes are its gem-like, affectionate eyes.
There are many lakes (海子) here. When the light is just right, the blue lakes embrace mountain reflections in their arms—lake and mountain become one. At that moment...
The red light on distant mountains feels like divine blessing. That's the sunset leaping on the snow-capped peak. Mountains that have stood for millennia now awaken like dark knights—I can almost witness their brave battles in distant ages!
Lianbaoyeze (莲宝叶则) is the Mountain of Jade—majestic and sacred. The road from Aba County to Lianbaoyeze winds along, with rolling rivers and mountains piercing the clouds on either side.
No. 4: Dagu Glacier (达古冰川)
Sichuan's 'Little Switzerland'—the glacier closest to any city in China.
Address: Dagu Glacier, Heishui County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province (四川省阿坝州黑水县达古冰川)
Getting There: Self-drive: ~5 hours. Route: Chengdu → Naizigou → Heishui County.
Accommodation: Menghe Tribe (猛河部落), Heishui County
Travel Tips: Bundle up and bring altitude sickness medication. Carry oxygen and wear athletic clothing—skip the fancy outfits. Pets are not allowed inside the scenic area.
Arriving here feels like entering a silver-coated ice and snow world. Branches, boardwalks, and meadows—all are covered in pure white.
This is the amazing beautiful other realm hidden near the city. Alpine lakes, primitive forests... Feathery snow lands on your shoulders. If temperatures are low enough, you might witness stunning rime ice, silver-glowing under high-altitude sunlight.
Ride the highest cable car to the mountain summit, overlook this long-established glacier. What you see is absolutely breathtaking—a vast expanse that makes you want to applaud.
Light green ice lakes, tall steep snow mountains crisscrossing—visitors are left with a long-lasting shock that refuses to fade.
Stay at Heishui County, just 20 minutes from the scenic area. Everything is convenient—food, accommodation, transportation. After visiting, head straight back to the hotel.
They say Sichuanese can't go anywhere without mahjong. In the small garden, play cards, drink tea—and that wraps up a beautiful journey.
New Year's Day is coming. After seeing these heart-stopping attractions, why not rush out for a snow adventure during the holiday!