Hello everyone (*´▽｀)ノノ, this is Leilei whose health code has turned green and his mind has become active again.
Today we are going to talk about a very unpopular place. You may not be able to tell where it is when you hear the name, but you will definitely know it after mentioning a few attractions.
There is Jiuzhaigou that everyone knows about here. She came back from "retouching makeup", but the camera still cannot capture 10% of her beautiful magic;
There is also the "Huanglong" Huanglong, the Turkish Internet celebrity attraction Pamukkale, which looks like a primary school chicken in front of her;
Siguniang Mountain, which outdoor enthusiasts cannot avoid, is also here. It is the "Oriental Alps" that everyone dreams of conquering;
Hulunbuir is not the only grassland. In the summer here there is Ruoergai Prairie, and the ten thousand acres of flower sea wetland is so beautiful;
There is also The First Bend of the Nine Bends of the Yellow River, which has produced numerous official promotional videos. The creator’s aesthetics are quite remarkable;
Moreover, Miyaro , which has to wait a few months to reach the peak of its beauty, is also one of the most charming places in China for its autumn colors.
“The most beautiful place in Sichuan is in western Sichuan, and the most beautiful place in western Sichuan is in Aba.”
Aba Prefecture In many people's hearts, it is probably the pointed tip of the strawberry or the sweetest part in the middle of the watermelon.
As for why I paid attention to this, it was because I saw Aba Prefecture announced From June 12, 2021 to June 11, 2026, residents with household registration in seven cities in Zhejiang Province will enjoy free admission to state-owned A-level tourist attractions.
The tickets are free for five years, which is a big deal! (The specific preferential conditions are posted at the end of the article~
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Why are there only 7 cities in Zhejiang? In fact, in 2013, Zhejiang and Sichuan signed a cooperation agreement on poverty alleviation in the east and west. These 7 cities are the Aba Prefecture that provides paired assistance.
Although only some shareholders can enjoy the free ticket benefits, Aba is definitely a destination worth exploring!
Especially in June, the sauna days with temperatures of 38℃ are coming soon. A small summer resort with an average temperature of only 25℃ in midsummer , why not take a look~
Where is Aba Prefecture?
Usually when talking about a place, we just introduce how to play, but Aba is relatively niche, so let’s introduce the basic information first.
Aba Prefecture is located in western Sichuan, northwest of Chengdu, and has 11 counties.
Litang, where the number of tourists tripled during the May Day holiday, is in Garze Prefecture next door to Aba. Aba and Ganzi Prefecture are strung together, which is a very classic self-driving route in Western Sichuan.
I have written a large and comprehensive guide to Western Sichuan before. Click on the right to review 👉 With so many beautiful scenery on the Western Sichuan Ring Road, what is the best way to arrange the itinerary?
The Western Sichuan Loop Line sounds like a route with high time cost, right? But you can play for a long time and in depth. You can also pick out a few scenic spots you want to visit and take a small loop. About 3-4 days will be enough.
For office workers who have the most precious time, if they want to see snow-capped mountains, grasslands, Grand Canyon, etc., whether it is Tibet, Xinjiang, or the Northwest, it will take a long time.
With Chengdu as the starting and ending point, Aba Prefecture and Garze Prefecture can each connect a small loop. Although self-driving is a bit tiring, but if you want a unique travel experience, the Western Sichuan Small Ring Road is a very practical way to go.
What are the must-see attractions in Aba Prefecture?
Let’s talk about the places worth visiting here if we focus on Aba Prefecture.
Although scenic spots like Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong have different beauty in each season, as far as the entire Aba Prefecture is concerned, summer is the most suitable time to travel.
Because the altitude is relatively high, the average temperature in Aba in summer is only around 25°C. You even have to wear a coat in the morning and evening. Moreover, June and July are also the flower season in Zoige, which is very beautiful~
/The number one spot in Aba Scenic Area/
Jiuzhaigou Valley
💰: Peak season (April 1st to November 15th) 220 yuan/person; low season (November 16th to March 31st) 80 yuan/person
Jiuzhaigou needs no introduction. To be honest, it is the pinnacle of beauty among similar attractions in China.
Colorful forests, green sea, waterfalls, and mountain peaks, the photos look beautiful, right? The eyes see better! It is the scenic spot that is most consistent with the real thing and the picture.
Although Jiuzhaigou has been closed for two years due to the earthquake, it has basically returned to its original level of accepting customers~
It is said that the most beautiful season in Jiuzhaigou is in autumn. I think summer is also good. The blue and green colors of Haizi are probably not so pure that a painter can make them. Looking at them more often seems to have a cooling effect.
The entire scenic spot is quite large, and the time required to complete the tour in one day is quite tight. It is recommended that you bring some dry food and water.
Huanglong
💰: Peak season (June 1st - December 15th) 170 yuan/person; low season (December 16th - May 31st) 60 yuan/person
Huanglong, which is a World Natural Heritage and a national 5A scenic spot like Jiuzhaigou Valley, is usually played together.
Moreover, the tickets for these two attractions are also the most expensive, so it is a good deal to use the ticket discounts.
What you see in Huanglong Scenic Area is a calcified landform, including calcified beaches, calcified lakes, calcified waterfalls, and calcified caves, but the most beautiful and photogenic one is the colorful pool.
Moreover, the background of Wucai Pond is the rolling snow-capped mountains, and the scenery is truly stunning.
The two scenic spots, Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou, are 126 kilometers apart and take about 3-4 hours to drive. Especially the last section of the winding mountain road has steep and sharp slopes, so the driver must be alert!
/The most seasonal scenery in summer/
Zoige Prairie
💰: Free
I think the most beautiful grassland in western Sichuan is Zoige, which is also the largest high-altitude grassland in the world.
Although it is called "grassland", it is rich in water and grass and is also one of the three major wetlands in my country.
In addition to being a great place to escape the heat, there are vast swaths of flowers blooming on the grassland without borders, which makes people want to roll around.
The most beautiful scenery in Zoige is on the road.
At the beginning of the self-driving, it was a relatively rugged mountain road. After arriving at Zoige, it turned into a plateau grassland landscape with vast plains.
Along the way, you can see herds of cattle and sheep, tents and white windmills, and occasionally herdsmen in transition.
Whether it is cattle, sheep, horses or wild yaks, it is best not to take the initiative to tease the animals to avoid unnecessary harm.
Flower Lake
💰: 75yuan/person
There is no ticket required to enter the Zoige Grassland. The two paid attractions in Zoige are free of charge.
There are many large and small wetlands on the Zoige Grassland. The Huahu Lake got its name because of the many white flowers blooming in the lake. If you have never been to a scenic spot similar to Pudacuo before, you can go there. The scenery is still very fairy tale-like.
The Yellow River has nine and eighteen bends
💰: 65yuan/person
The Yellow River flows through several provinces, and this section of Aba Tangke is the most iconic.
The total distance of this big bend is 440 kilometers. Only at this point in Tangke, because of the flat terrain, can you see the full shape of the perfect big bend.
This scenic spot is actually a viewing platform with a super long elevator that can take you directly to the highest point.
The best time to view the scenery is in the morning and at night. Climb up and look at it. In the morning there is a sea of rising clouds, and in the evening there is a charming glow. The entire Tangke Town is in front of you. It is so beautiful that it is indescribable.
/A favorite for outdoor enthusiasts/
Siguniang Mountain
💰: Peak season (April 1st - November 30th) Shuangqiaogou 80 yuan/person, Changpinggou 70 yuan/person, Haizigou 60 yuan/person
There are really many snow-capped mountains in Sichuan. I was browsing Weibo and saw clearly visible snow-capped mountains taken from Chengdu city. It was really beautiful and shocking.
The holy mountain Siguniang Mountain, which echoes the "King of Shu Mountains" Gongga, has a particularly high status. Because of its short snow line and relatively low altitude, it is also the first 5,000-meter snow mountain for many outdoor enthusiasts.
For ordinary tourists like me, she looks very beautiful from a distance.
After driving for more than ten kilometers on this road, Yaoguniang Mountain, Sanguniang Mountain, Erguniang Mountain and Dagonguniang Mountain are lined up. They are covered with snow all year round. There is a high chance that you can see the true face of the mountain when the weather is clear in summer.
dagu glacier
💰: Admission fee is 120 yuan, sightseeing car is 70 yuan, cableway is 180 yuan
Dagu Glacier does not belong to the category of "summer escape". Even in the middle of summer, it can still make people runny noses and tears.
Glaciers are actually not uncommon in China, and Dagu is particularly well-equipped with facilities, so you can have a great time even if you have little outdoor experience.
For example, there is a ropeway with the highest altitude here. It takes 15 minutes to reach an altitude of 3,000 meters and rises to 4,860 meters. The Chinese are really crazy about infrastructure.
The only building on the top of the mountain is a cafe, which is lonely and romantic~
lotus leaves
💰: 120 yuan/person
In 2018, Nian Baoyu, known as the "God's Back Garden", announced its complete closure. When the news came out, many people felt it was a pity.
In fact, this secret place spans provinces. In Jiuzhi, Qinghai, it is called Nian Baoyuze, and in Aba, Sichuan, it is called Lianbao Yeze. They are actually the same place.
This is a famous sacred mountain in Tibetan areas. It became a national geological park in 2005 and has a particularly good ecological environment.
May to August is the most pleasant season for lotus leaves, and the chance of encountering wild animals such as hares, otters, antelopes, etc. is also the highest.
/Charming Tibetan Humanities/
Taoping Qiang Village
💰: 65 yuan/person
There are many ethnic minorities living in groups in western Sichuan. In addition to Malkang, where the Tibetan people live, Taoping Qiang Village, where the Qiang people live, is also very unique.
This is the best preserved and inhabited complex of watchtowers and residential buildings in the world.
The entire Qiang Village is centered on the watchtower, with 8 entrances and exits and 13 corridors. If you don't have a good sense of direction, you may get lost when you enter the village.
There are many Qiang villages in Aba, and this is a relatively representative one. Although commercial development has been completed, there are still many aborigines living there.
You can climb to the top of the watchtower to overlook the entire Qiang Village. Although you have to pay an entrance fee, it is considered a special feature. If you have time, you can go there on the way to Malkang.
Songzhou Ancient City
💰: The ancient city is free, and the ticket to climb the ancient city wall is 150 yuan/person.
Songpan is a must-visit stop on the Aba Ring Line, and the nearby Songzhou Ancient City is also very lively.
This was once the only ancient plateau city on the northwest Sichuan Plateau that had both military border garrison and Han and Tang culture. It has a history of more than 2,000 years.
However, only a section of the ancient city wall remains now. Most of the buildings in the city are newly built and are not of special significance.
If you don't go up to the city wall, the ancient city is free. Tickets to climb the ancient city wall are quite expensive, but you can experience archery, Tibetan horse tea tasting, "traveling through the Tang Dynasty", "border patrol" and other projects on the city wall, all for free.
How to arrange food and accommodation for self-driving in Aba Prefecture?
The most classic self-driving route in Aba is called "Jiuhuang Great Ring Road" . The brief road book is probably
D1: Jiuzhaigou→Huanglong→Songpan Ancient City
D2: Songpan Ancient City → Muni Valley → Waqie → Tangke Jiuqu First Bend of the Yellow River
D3: Tangke→Langmusi
D4: Langmusi → Ruoergai
D5: Ruoergai→Jiuzhaigou
This trip takes approximately 5-7 days.
If you don’t have enough time during the holidays, then take the small loop route . A brief route book can be
D1: Jiuzhaigou→Huanglong→Songpan Ancient City
D2: Songfan Ancient City→Huahu→Ruoergai County
D3:Ruoergai County→Tangke Jiuqu First Bend of the Yellow River→Markang
D4:Markang→Li County→Wenchuan→Chengdu
This trip takes approximately 3-4 days.
For accommodation, I would tend to recommend you to stay in Jiuzhaigou, Songpan and Malkang.
Needless to say, Jiuzhaigou, Banyan Tree, Paradise Intercontinental, Hilton, etc., there are too many choices.
Songpan is an ancient city and a traditional transfer station on the self-driving road in Western Sichuan.
Although there are no boutique hotels here, there are many mature family hotels, and the altitude is low, which is suitable for most people to rest.
Markang is the capital of Aba Prefecture, with an altitude several hundred meters lower than Songpan. The food and accommodation conditions are pretty good along the way, and there are relatively many choices of hotels.
Tips for self-driving in Western Sichuan
When driving in Western Sichuan, you usually rent a car in Chengdu. Before departure, prepare plenty of dry food, warm clothes, and offline maps. Remember to buy insurance for both people and vehicles;
You can refuel when you see gas stations along the way, because you don’t know where the next gas station is;
There are some plateau areas in western Sichuan, with an average altitude of more than 3,000 meters. Drivers traveling from low-altitude areas will be more prone to fatigue. At the same time, special attention must be paid to the condition of the vehicle. This must be paid attention to.
I've been to Western Sichuan once before, and I really agree with the saying "the eyes are in heaven, the body is in hell".
Last year I slowed down and explored more domestic niche destinations. Although they are not well-known, they have great scenery.
If you don’t have any long-distance travel plans this summer, you might as well consider it~
Aba Prefecture free ticket discount content
Discount objects: Residents with household registration in the seven cities of Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Shaoxing, Huzhou, Jiaxing, Jinhua and Taizhou in Zhejiang Province that are assisting in the construction of Aba Prefecture can enjoy 11 state-owned A-level tourism in Aba Prefecture every year 1 free ticket discount for scenic spots;
Discount time: Lasts from June 12, 2021 to June 11, 2026, for 5 years;
Discount method: Counterpart support city citizens and tourists can reserve tickets for scenic spots with their real names on the Aba Tourism Network (www.abatour.com) or follow the WeChat article: "Aba Tour.com" with their valid ID card from the corresponding city in Zhejiang Province, and the reservation is successful. Afterwards, the discount recipients can bring their ID cards to the scenic spots to pick up tickets and travel.
List of scenic spots with free tickets in Aba Prefecture
Jiuzhaigou Valley
Huanglong
Siguniang Mountain
dagu glacier
Ruoergai County Huahu Ecological Tourism Area
The first bay of the nine bends of the Yellow River in Zoige
Ancient Qiang City in Maoxian County, China
Li County Taoping Qiang Village-Ganbao Tibetan Village Tourist Attraction
Malkang Zhuokeji Tusi Guanzhai Cultural Tourism Area
Songzhou Ancient Town, Songpan County
Heishui Kalonggou
*Includes large entrance tickets to the above scenic spots, excluding sightseeing cars, cableways, escalators and other business and consumption items in the scenic spots (specific preferential policies are subject to the announcement)