The Most Beautiful Countryside - Danba, In-Depth Tour

🏞 **1. Core Must-Visit Attractions** 1. **Jiaju Tibetan Village** - **Features**: 149 Tibetan villages staggered along the mountainside, with red and white Garzê-style residences, watchtowers, and farmland forming the top "Most Beautiful Countryside Ancient Town in China." - **Activities**: Take panoramic photos from the viewing platform (sunset recommended), try on Tibetan costumes for photos (about 50 RMB/set), stay in Tibetan-style guesthouses (e.g., Danba Garzê Family Inn). - **Admission**: 50 RMB/person. 2. **Zhonglu Tibetan Village** - **Features**: A more pristine Garzê village with clusters of watchtowers and ancient trees, enhanced by pear blossoms in spring and colorful forests in autumn, a paradise for photography. - **Activities**: Hike the Kegyi Village loop (3 hours), watch sunrise and sunset from viewing platforms 1 and 2, rent Tibetan costumes to blend into the cultural scenes. - **Admission**: Free. 3. **Suopo Ancient Watchtower Cluster** - **Features**: The area with the highest density of watchtowers in Danba, including four-cornered to thirteen-cornered towers, said to be designed by ancient women, serving both defensive and religious purposes. - **Activities**: Observe the watchtower structures up close and listen to villagers tell the legend of the Eastern Women’s Kingdom. - **Admission**: Free. 4. **Dangling Secret Realm** - **Highlights**: Hulu Lake (altitude 4120m) reflects the Xiangla Snow Mountain, autumn’s colorful forests are stunning, and there are wild hot springs (hot springs 1 and 3 are accessible for bathing). - **Hiking**: - Easy route: Dangling Village → Airstrip → Hulu Lake (7 km one way, 3-4 hours hiking, motorcycle rental available for 200 RMB/one way). - Challenge route: Add Zhuoyongcuo and Jiayilacuo lakes (2 days, camping or staying with Tibetan families). - **Admission**: Free, only a 20 RMB garbage fee. 5. **Moska Village** - **Features**: A highland pasture where you can interact closely with marmots, experiencing the harmony of "humans and gods coexisting." - **Tips**: Requires chartered car (about 3 hours from Danba), bring biscuits to feed the marmots. 🌸 **2. Best Travel Seasons and Activities** - **Mid-March to Early April**: Pear blossoms bloom in the Jinchuan Valley, a 200 km flower corridor open for free! - **Photo spots**: Sha’er Township Fairy Package (morning mist flower sea), Zhonglu Tibetan Village (pear blossoms + watchtowers), Ka’er Township ancient pear trees (Hanfu photoshoot). - **Mid-October to Early November**: Peak autumn colors at Hulu Lake in Dangling, colorful forests and snow mountains interweave; Zhonglu Tibetan Village is ablaze with autumn foliage. - **May**: Beauty pageant in Beauty Valley (around May 23), experience Garzê Tibetan culture. - **All year**: Jiaju Tibetan Village offers scenic views in all seasons, with snow-covered watchtowers in winter providing a unique charm. 🚗 **3. Transportation and Accommodation Guide** - **How to get there**: - **Self-drive**: Chengdu → Du-Wen Expressway → Xiaojin County → Danba (about 5-6 hours, good road conditions). - **Bus**: Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station → Danba (2 daily buses, 7 hours, ticket price 108-131 RMB). - **Local transport**: - Minivan charter from county town to Tibetan villages (Jiaju/Zhonglu about 50 RMB/car); Dangling requires an off-road vehicle (round trip from Danba about 600 RMB/car). - **Recommended accommodation**: - **Tibetan village guesthouses**: Jiaju "Deji Kangwa Queen’s Castle," Zhonglu Han’e Manor (watchtowers visible from windows, 100-300 RMB per person). - **County hotels**: Rongmei Hotel (cost-effective, confirm parking in advance). - **Dangling**: Stay with Tibetan families or camp (limited capacity, bring your own sleeping bag recommended). 🗓️ **4. Recommended Itineraries** **Classic 3-day tour (nature + culture)** - **Day 1**: Chengdu → Danba → Zhonglu Tibetan Village (sunset photography + overnight in the village) - **Day 2**: Zhonglu sunrise → Jiaju Tibetan Village → Suopo watchtowers → Danba county town - **Day 3**: Danba → Moska (marmot interaction) → return trip **In-depth 5-day tour (including hiking)** - **Days 1-2**: Same as above - **Day 3**: Danba → Dangling Village → hike to Hot Spring No. 3 campsite (overnight near hot springs) - **Day 4**: Hot springs → Hulu Lake → Zhuoyongcuo → return to Dangling Village - **Day 5**: Dangling → Danba → Chengdu 🍜 **5. Food and Special Experiences** - **Must-try foods**: - **Danba fragrant pork leg**: air-dried and cured, eaten shredded raw or stewed. - **Butter tea + barley cakes**: experience making at Tibetan homes, warms the body and helps prevent altitude sickness. - **Matsutake mushroom stewed chicken**: summer special, fresh mountain mushrooms with rich aroma. - **Cultural experiences**: - Participate in Guozhuang dance evening parties (regularly held in Jiaju Tibetan Village). - Watch the live-action play "Coming of Age under the Pear Blossoms" (performed in spring/around May Day). ⚠️ **6. Notes** 1. **Altitude sickness**: Take Rhodiola 7 days in advance, avoid bathing or strenuous exercise on the first day of arrival. 2. **Clothing and gear**: - Bring down jackets for all seasons (large temperature difference between day and night), hiking requires anti-slip boots and trekking poles. - Sunscreen essentials: sunglasses, hat, SPF50+ sunscreen. 3. **Respect customs**: - No photography inside temples, do not point fingers at Buddha statues; offer gifts with both hands. 4. **Communication and supplies**: - No signal in Dangling, bring cash; few dining options in scenic areas, bring your own snacks and water. **The beauty of Danba lies in the changing light and shadow of the Tibetan villages through the seasons, the wildness of snow mountains and lakes, and the simple smiles of the Garzê people. Avoid the crowds, choose a season to set off, and that is the best way to unlock this secret realm.** 🌄