Outing Toward Daocheng

Itinerary : 12 Days of Chengdu - Kangding - Yajiang - Litang - Daocheng - Riwa Town - Gongga - Daocheng

After you get to the airport, take the shuttle bus to the hostel and stay overnight there. You
are suggested to stay in The Traffic Hotel(Tel:0086-(0)28-8545 1017), which will cost youRMB40-60 net per person. Have a rest and you may go to see the famous Sichuan Opera if you have time.

The second day, take the direct coach from Chengdu to Kangding in the Xin'nanmen Bus Station (please refer to Chengdu 04 for details). During your route on the Cheng-ya Highway, pass famous Rainy City- Ya'an. Visit the valley of the Qingyi River, Erlang Mountain and Luding Bridge over the Dadu River. Arrive in Kangding and stay overnight in the local hostel. Today's journey is about 320 kms and it will take you about seven hours on coach.

The third day, visit the beautiful Kangding city and the well-known Horse –racing Hill, the Zeduo River, Mt. Zeduo. Take the chance to visit the Tibetan herdsman, pastureland, Tibetan-styled Bajiao House and the Valley of the Ya-lung River, then arrive at the Yajiang county, which locates in the west of Kangding. You can take the mini-bus to Yajiang, while the driver will leave till get ten passengers. Stay at the Yajing Geusthouse(0835-5124588).

The fourth day, you are suggested to rent a mini-bus (three or five people together) to Daocheng. It will cost you about RMB40.00 net per seat. Travel on the roof of the famous Mt. Jianziwan (Notes:The altitude in the narrow mountain pass is 4659m, which is one of the highest mountain pass of No. 318 national highway passes through) on zigzag road and have bird-view of the beautiful mountain ranges, vast grassland and splendid lamaseries. Then pass the Mt. Kazila pass and arrive at Litang, the average altitude is 4300m and it is said to be the highest city in the world, which is known as the “the World' First Highest City”. You can see the snow mountain with its splendid scenery clearly in Litang. Stay overnight at the Litang County. You can stay in the Gaocheng Motel (0836-5322706), which is said to be the local best hotel there. (Tips: It is not suitable for those who have a severe High Altitude Action since Litang is the highest city in the world and people there feel fell they lack of oxygen.)

The fifth day, rent a mini-bus with others to cross the Mt. Gaoersi (4412m) in the morning, cross the Natural Reserve Site of Ancient Glacier in Mt.Haizi, enjoy the beautiful scenery. Visit the Changqingchunker Temple, which is the largest Gelug Monastery in the Ganzi Khampa region. It is located to the north of Litang, which claims to be a county at the highest elevation in the world. Construction first began in 1581 and now covers a total area of 900 sq m and houses 4,300 monks. (Tips: It is not allowed to visit during its ritual ceremony ).Besides, you will find the well-deserved reputed Rabbit Ears( a well-known scenic spot) on Rabbit Mountain, the lakes(formed in the small basins in rocks with ice-melting water) dotted here and there, the picturesque Sangdui (a little town). Get down the Haizi Mountain, arrive at the Daocheng abuttals. In the Daocheng County, you can take a bath in the hot spring. Stay in Daocheng. You can stay in the Daocheng Yading Hostel, and it will cost you about RMB 80-100 per person per night for the twin occupancy or triple occupancy. The electric carpet, electric cooker are all available for getting warm.

The following day, head toward Riwa Town, which locates in the Yading Natural Reserve Area to see the beautiful sceneary there .You can take the coach from the Daocheng coach station(0836-5728762) or you can rent a private van to Riwa with about three hours' drive(about 74 kms). You can also wait to take the pass-by bus to there, but it will be time-consuming. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Chitu River Valley. After your lunch in Riwa, head for Yading Village, visit the Snow Mountain there. From Riwa to Yading, it is about 38 kms and road conditions there during the rainy days is not very good and sometimes you need to push the car forward. Stay at the tent or camp.

The seventh day, trek or ride horses to the Yading Nature Reserve to enjoy its beautiful scenery in Gongga Mountain and Echu Mountain (It is about 2kms from Yading Village to Yading Nature Reserve). The admission fee is RMB150 net , if you rent a horse, then the extra charge RMB70-150(depends on the distance )will be added. You can also take the chance to experience the Tibetan customs in those holy mountains: Mt. Shiannairi, Mt. Yangmaiyong, Mt. Xianuoduoji and Luorong Cattle Farm. You can see the wildlife, snow forest, snow mountain and glacier as well. Stay overnight in the camp.

The eighty day, trek or ride horses to the Wusehai(Five-Color Lake) Scenic spot, which locates between the Mt. Shiannairi and Mt. Yangmaiyong. It appeared in a round ship with the altitude of 4600m. The inverted images of the snow mountain take on wonder colors. It is said that it can predict the future. Stay overnight in the camp.

The ninth day, return to Daocheng and hike around. Stay overnight in Daocheng.

The tenth day morning, rise up early to take the direct coach to Chengdu from Daocheng Coach station(0836-5728762)) if time permits. It is about 800 kms from Daocheng to Chengdu. The coach is available every even-numbered days and start at 6:00 o'clock in the morning. The ticket is about RMB218.00 net per person, and the coach will stop in Kangding overnight and arrival in Chengdu in the afternoon of the eleventh day. (Tips: Since the coach is not available daily, you can connect the coach in Kangding and then get to Chengdu.The ticket is about RMB125.00 net of Daocheng/ Kangding and RMB115 of Kangding/ Chengdu, in this way, you need to stay in Kangding for one night).

On the twelfth day, leave Chengdu according to your time schedule. Your unforgettable hiking ends.