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Photography tour in Sichuan

Day 1: arriving at Chengdu

Meal: welcome dinner
Accommodation: hotel

Day 2: Chengdu–57KM–Dujiangyan–30KM–Yingxiu–65KM–Wolong–94KM–Rilong

Meal: not included
Accommodation: local inn (2 to 4 people in a standard room with private restroom) in Rilong
At 7: 30 in the morning, tourists gather together and pass by Dujiangyan (national scenic spot), along Min River by bus, and they can enjoy the valley landscape in Min River. After passing by the epicenter of Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, visiting earthquake sites, along 303 provincial road, tourists can arrive at Wolong to have lunch. Wolong was the place to produce panda. After lunch, tourists should go upward along Wolong Valley, climb over Balang Mountain (4532 M), see the meadow on the mountain, feel the splendid natural scenery of Balang Mountain, and enjoy the whole view of Mount Siguniang standing on Maobiliang in good day.
Warm tips: if tourists are over 8 people, the route would be following: Chengdu–132 KM–Wenchuan–58 KM–Li County–139 KM–Chorky–173 KM– Rilong Town
At 6: 00 in the morning, tourists start their trip and pass by Dujiangyan (national scenic spot), along Min River by bus, and they can enjoy the valley landscape in Min River. After passing by the epicenter of Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, visiting earthquake sites, tourists can arrive at Li County to have lunch. After lunch, after passing Miyaluo scenic spot, climbing over Zhegushan tunnel, passing by Chorky Village (CNY 60 of ticket, not included, not recommended), climbing Mengbi Mountain, tourists can arrive at Rilong Town at the foot of Mount Siguniang.

Day 3: Rilong–7 KM–Shuangqiao Valley–48 KM–Xiaojin–58 KM–Danba–7 KM– Jiaju Tibetan Village

Meal: not included

Accommodation: family stay at Jiaju Tibetan Village
After breakfast, tourists will be guided to Maobiliang to enjoy the whole view of Mount Siguniang, and visit Shuangqiao Valley scenic spot. Mount Siguniang scenic spot is combined by Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley and Haizi Valley. Shuangqiao Valley is over 30 KM long, which is the earliest developed valley with the most complete infrastructure. The scenic spot are mainly snow-capped peaks, pasture, meadow and forests, which is the most beautiful valley in Mount Siguniang. Tourists can visit Shuangqiao Valley for around 3 hours, after that they can go to the most beautiful Tibetan village in Danba–Jiaju Tibetan village, after passing by Xiaojin, to appreciate the architecture of Tibetan Jiarong. They can stay at Jiaju Tibetan village at night,
Time needed: Rilong–Xiaojin, around 2 hours, Xiaojin–Danba, around 2 hours
Altitude: Shuangqiao Valley Sequoias (3840 M), Danba Jiaju (2200 M)

Day 4: Danba–87 KM–Bamei–30 KM–Tagong Meadow (Yala Deity Mountain)–59 KM–Gaoersi Heishi Town–26 KM–Xinduqiao

Meal: not included
Accommodation: Xinduqiao hotel
Tourists can get up early to take photos of Jiaju Tibetan village in morning haze. After breakfast they leave Jiaju, see Suopo Watchtowers across Dadu River, then along Yak Valley, they come to Bamei to appreciate the quiet Bamei grassland landscape and Bamei forests. After that they will arrive at Tagong grassland to enjoy the south wall of Yala Deity Mountain, visit the Monument made by gold in honor of Master Banchan, and Tagong Temple. Yala Deity Mountain in Tagong rises from the grassland, splendid, covered by snow all year round, surrounded by clouds, set off boundless grassland and golden Tagong temple, which present a picturesque plateau landscape.
At 15: 30 in the afternoon, they go to Heishi Town in Gaoersi Mountain. Heishi Town is in Zhusang County, left of No. 2913 public pile on 318 state road. It is said that it is a mysterious religious and holy place, and the black stones all over the mountain were carried by earlier Lama there. Also it is said that this mountain was an important hub of the war between all tribes 300 years ago, but now there are only ruined sites. Here is the best place to see Gonka Mountain–the king of mountains in Sichuan, from the west to the east. From ruins, we can still feel the power of faith. Except many Mani piles, every window and every lookout is facing Gonka Snow Mountain. Many famous and beautiful pictures about Gonka Snow Mountain are taken from here!
After the sunset, we also finish our photo taking, leave for Xinduqiao (the paradise of photographer) by car.
Time needed: Danba–Tagong, around 4 hours, Tagong–Heishi Town, around 1.5 hours, Heishi Town–Xinduqiao, around 1 hour
Altitude: Danba County (1800 M), Tagong grassland (3780 M), Xinduqiao (3300 M)

Day 5: Xinduqiao–75 KM–Kangding–26 KM–Hongshitan Park–26 KM–Kangding–49 KM–Luding–52 KM–Moxi

Meal: not included
Accommodation: hotel in Moxi Town
Xinduqiao is regarded as the paradise of photography. Its beauty is not in Xinduqiao itself, but in the following three routes: Xinduqiao–Tagong, Xinduqiao–Jiagenba–Xinduqiao–Zheduo Mountain. On the road, there are winding rivers, meadow with all kinds of flowers in summer or golden poplar trees in autumn, unique Tibetan building and wonderful shadow reflected from the clouds. Here you can also see from the long distance the most beautiful Snow Mountain–Gonka Snow Mountain. This is the paradise of photography, Xinduqiao. According to the time of sunrise, tourists can go to a special site arranged by our club to take photos in the morning, after that they can climb over the last mountain–Zheduo Mountain (4298 M), and arrive at Kangding, the town of love songs. Then tourists can go to Hongshitan Park, which is a paradise of red. Tourists can take photos around 1 hour here and will be guided to Qingren Lake by walking 20 minutes. At night tourists can enjoy the authentic wild hot springs bubble.
Ps: today’s schedule is free for choosing. At night we can go together to wild spring to get rid of exhaust the whole day!
Time needed: Xinduqiao–Kangding, around 2 hours, Kangding–Hongshitan, around 1 hour, Hongshitan Park–Qingren Lake, around 20 minutes by walking, Hongshitan–Hailuo Valley, around 1 hour.
Altitude: Xinduqiao (3300 M), Moxi (1500 M)

Day 6: one-day tour in Hailuogou Valley–Moxi

Meal: not included
Accommodation: hotel in Moxi (4 stars, double room with private restroom)
Before the sunrise, with the help of the guide, tourists go to Moxi Town to take photos of Zhongshan Peak and glaciers on Mozi Valley. You should not miss it. After that tourists have a breakfast, and take sightseeing car to enter Hailuo Valley, the national geological park. After passing by No. 2 Camp Site and No. 3 Camp Site, they will arrive at Ganheba Cable station, and then they can choose 3 ways to see the glaciers:
1) you can take the cable to across the glaciers and go to the No. 4 Camp Site to see glaciers and the waterfall. The tickets are expensive, round tickets for 150 per person (not included, only round tickets offered), but it is easier. We recommend this way in good day.
2) You can walk to the glaciers: you can take sightseeing car from No. 3 Camp Site to Cable Tickets, and walk along the sightseeing path to lookout. This needs half hours to 1 hour for one-way walking. While walking, you can go through original forests and enjoy the beautiful scenery. When you arrive at the lookout, you can also walk deep down the glaciers, to see them closely. However, walking is very tired, and needs a lot of time. Tips: you can not arrive at No. 4 Camp Site, so you cannot enjoy the wonderful scenery as the people who take cable cars. If you happen to bad weather, you can choose this way.
3) You can also take the slider which is only in Sichuan to arrive at the lookout, and enjoy the scenery while walking. This way is not so tired, so it is suitable for those who are in weak condition and senior people. You can take the slider section by section, and the expense is from CNY 20 to 80 (not included).
We suggest that you can buy the tickets at 8:00 at the front door of the scenic spot, take sightseeing car to pass No.1, No.2 and No.3 Camp Site, and take 90 minutes to arrive at Ganheba Cable station. You can buy cable tickets here or walk to the glaciers. But whether which way you choose, the time of 3 to 4 hours is enough.
After finishing the sightseeing, tourists can take sightseeing car to return the mouth of the valley, Moxi Town (around 16:00). They can have 3 hours for free activities and dinner, or they can hang out on Moxi old street and the catholic church (CNY 10 per person, not included). After dinner, tourists who are interested in hot spring should confirm to the guide and the driver, and gather at the hotel to go to Hailuo Valley No.1 Camp Site, to enjoy the luxury Gonka hot spring (CNY 188 per person, not included). Gonka hoe spring (1580 M) is the lowest and the best glaciers hot spring among those high-mountain springs. You can not feel any dizziness, chest tightness and hypoxia.
Time needed: the whole day
Altitude: Moxi Town, 1520 M

Day 7: Moxi–23KM–Lengzi–44 KM–Niubei Mountain

Meal: not included
Accommodation: the simple shed on top of Niubei Mountain ( few double room provided, tourists should pay to ask for a better room, but usually there are only simple bed offered.)
After breakfast, they can leave Moxi, and arrive at Lengzi along Dadu River Valley. They can take the local SUV (not included, about CNY 300 per person, price negotiable and based on local requirements) to arrive at the peak of Niubei Mountain. At that time, all the mountains, clouds, Gonka mountains, sunset, waterfall and other natural scenery present before you! Niubei Mountain is the dream place for tourists and photographers.

This place is surrounded by mountains and stands up in the middle, which makes it to be the biggest lookout in China where people can see the beautiful scenery form all directions. This place is also regarded as the best holy location for photography. Gonka Mountains (the king of the mountains in Sichuan) are located in west and southwest of Niubei Mountain; southeast of E’mei Mountain; southeast of Wawu Mountain: southeast of Niba Mountain; southwest of Niangniang Mountain; northeast of Jiajin Mountain; northeast of Mount Siguniang; and northwest of Erlang Mountain. All the famous mountains mentioned above are visible clearly and splendid when there is no fog or low clouds. Standing on the top of Niubei Mountain, when you look around, you can see the cloud sea and cloud waterfall. They are sometimes soft, sometimes strong like tide. The spectacular cloud waterfall is unique in the world, and there is a saying, “You will never see other clouds after you enjoy the cloud sea in Niubei Mountain.” We recommend the starry sky in Niubei Mountain, and hope that you will not miss it!
Time needed: Moxi—Lengzi, around 1 hour, Lengzi—Niubei Mountain, 3 to 5 hours, free activities in the afternoon
Altitude: the top of Niubei Mountain, 3600 M

Day8: Niubei Mountain—44KM—Lengzi—126KM—Ya’an—143KM—Chengdu

Meal: not included
Accommodation: hotel
At 5:00 in the morning, tourists get up and grab their cameras to watch sunrise, rosy rays in Gonka Mountain, clouds, and charming scenery around the mountains. When the sun rises from the east, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery to your heart’s content. After taking photos and having breakfast, you can climb down the mountain at 9:00. You will arrive at Lengzi Town around at 1 PM, and return Chengdu by bus after passing Gangudi and climbing over Erlang Mountain. You will arrive at Chengdu at around 7 PM. Due to the complicated road condition in west Sichuan and delay of traffic jam, we recommend that you should choose the flight or shuttle bus leaving from Chengdu next day.
Time needed: Niubei Mountain, around 3 hours, Lengzi—Chengdu, around 6 hours
Altitude: Chengdu (540 M)

Expense description:
Including:
Please call to consult for individual tour group
1) Transportation: including round transportation fee from Chengdu to west Sichuan (car size: SUV or Changan van for 1 to persons, Jinbei business car for to 8 persons, Quanshun or Yiweike car for 8 to 14 persons, and bus for 20 to 30 persons)
2) Accommodation: hotel or home stay
3) Tickets: tickets for Shuangqiao Valley and sightseeing car, tickets for Mugecuo and sightseeing car, tickets for Hailuo Valley and sightseeing car, tickets for Jiaju Tibetan Village
4) Meal and food: not included, we recommend you can prepare some snacks or split the bill.
5) Guide: our club will arrange an experienced outdoor guide for you based on your members of group.