Let’s start from Chengdu, walk along National Highway 318, walk into Daocheng, walk into Aden, and start the first movement of the Shangri-La Ring.
Yang Maiyong, @神游的鱼
Chengdu to Kangding, expressway. From Kangding to Yajiang, it is National Highway 318, an asphalt road. After the Yakang Expressway is opened to traffic, starting from Chengdu, it is easy to reach Yajiang in one day.
Attractions: Luding Bridge, Zheduo Mountain, Xindu Bridge, Gaoersi Mountain
As the sun sets, Zheduo Mountain and Xindu Bridge turn into a world of light and shadow. In Heishicheng near the Gaoersi Mountain pass, you can watch the sunset of Gongga Mountain. The old National Highway 318 and rural roads to Heishicheng have bad roads, requiring off-road vehicles or SUVs, and it is difficult for cars to pass.
Accommodation: Yajiang County, 2700 meters above sea level.
D2: Yajiang-Litang-Daocheng, 278 kilometers, 5 and a half hours
The entire journey is asphalt, with good surface and good scenery, so don’t drive too fast. On this day, we will climb several mountains with an altitude of more than 4,000 meters, so pay attention to the high altitude. There are dozens of kilometers of bad road to Xingyicuo, so you need an off-road vehicle, SUV or high-riding car.
Attractions : Eighteen Bends of the Tianlu (Jianzi Bend Mountain), Kazila Mountain, Western Sichuan Alpine Grassland, Haizi Mountain, Xingyicuo, Sangdui River Valley, Red Earth
Xingyicuo, @老江
After leaving Yajiang County, turn over Jianziwan Mountain and you will find the Eighteen Bends Observation Deck of Tianlu. Along the way, you will be accompanied by beautiful scenery of grasslands and snow-capped mountains. Haizi Mountain is dotted with large and small lakes and strange rocks, and is as wild as the surface of Mars. After descending from Haizi Mountain and entering the Sangdui River Valley, the picturesque pastoral scenery of the plateau reaches all the way to the county town.
There are many scenic spots along the road, which will take a lot of time; if you want to go to Xingyicuo, the round trip will take two hours. Although the journey is not long, it will take a day.
Red grassland, @against the current into a river
Accommodation: Jinzhu Town, Daocheng County, 3,700 meters above sea level.
Daocheng County is Jinzhu Town, and the entrance to Aden Scenic Area is in Riva (Shangri-La Town). The two places are more than 70 kilometers apart. Some websites will mark the wrong location of the hotel. It’s best to ask questions before booking to avoid booking the wrong place.
Gas station: There is a PetroChina gas station at the branch road in Litang County. There are no PetroChina or Sinopec gas stations in Daocheng, and there are two or three private gas stations near the county seat.
Scenery by the river, @miracle in your eyes
D3: Daocheng-Sela-terracotta-Riva (entrance of Aden Scenic Area). 81 kilometers, about an hour and a half. After entering the scenic spot, take a short tour to Yading Village for accommodation, which takes about 5 hours.
Continue along Liya Road to Aden, where you can see the poplar forest and the scenery along the river, climb over the Bawa Mountain with an altitude of more than 4,500 meters, arrive at Riva, park at the entrance of the Aden Scenic Area Visitor Center, and transfer to the sightseeing car.
Aden, @The first armored donkey
Attractions: Banghe River, Sera, Ten Thousand Mu Poplar Forest, Yading Village, Chonggu Temple, Chonggu Meadow, Xiannairi, Zhuoma Lacuo
From the county town to Riva, the scenery along the river and Sala is beautiful. Since you have to enter the scenic spot before noon, don’t waste too much time on the way.
Simply put, the Aden Scenic Area has two lines: the main line and the short line. The short line is to visit Chonggu Temple, Xiannairi and Zhuoma Lacuo.
Aden Village
Accommodation: Yading Village, 3740 meters above sea level.
Tip: Aden has a high altitude. Locals say that taking the cold medicine Hashtong produced by Tai Chi Group before going to bed can prevent high fever and help you sleep better. I've taken it before, it's really effective.
Aden Village is a small village within the Aden Scenic Area. Do not confuse Aden Village with the Aden Scenic Area when navigating or asking for directions.
D4: Yading Village-Zhaguubeng-Chonggu Temple-Luorong Niu Farm-Milk Sea-Five Color Sea-Original line returns to Zhaguubeng and takes a sightseeing bus to Riva, one day
Get up early, take a sightseeing bus from Yading Village to Zhaguubeng, and start hiking. Among them, there are battery cars from Zhaguanbeng to Luorong Niuchang, and there are horse caravans from Luorong Niuchang to Milk Sea. If it rains, the roads above Luorong Cattle Farm will be muddy and difficult to walk.
Luorong Ranch, @lvlinglong
Attractions : Luorong Ranch, Milk Sea, Five Color Sea, Yangmaiyong, Shanuoduoji
This is the main line of the Aden Scenic Area, with a long journey, high altitude, and very high physical exertion.
Get up at 6 o'clock, pack your luggage, and take the first sightseeing bus to Zhaguubeng. Starting from Zhaguubeng, we will walk all the way. After arriving at Wusehai, we will return to Zhaguubeng and take a sightseeing bus to stay in Riva. It will take one day.
Accommodation: Riva, 2880 meters above sea level.
By the river, @miracle in your eyes
Continue following
Starting from Aden, we will enter Xiangcheng, Derong, pass through Benzilan, and make a pilgrimage to Meili Snow Mountain. The guide to Aden to Meili Snow Mountain will be released in the next issue