Finding the answers to life between snowy mountains and sacred lakes

The lasting appeal of Western Sichuan is immense. Every time I talk about this trip, I proudly share how we managed to spend 6 days and 5 nights with an average cost of 4500 per person, and still visited all the attractions we wanted! Even though more than seven months have passed, my soul remains in those endless snowy mountains, the crystal-clear lakes, and the fluttering prayer flags. * Day 1: Beijing to Chengdu → The romance of "Kangding Love Song" → Honghai Lake → Xinduqiao (overnight) * Day 2: Xinduqiao → Yajiang → Litang · Ding Zhen’s world → Daocheng/Shangri-La Town (overnight) * Day 3: Daocheng Yading free-style hiking → Chonggu Temple → Luorong Pasture → Pearl Lake → Farewell to Yading → Yajiang County (overnight) * Day 4: Yajiang County → Tagong Grassland · Yala Snow Mountain → Muya Monastery → Balangshengdu → Gunong Village (overnight) * Day 5: Gunong Village → Moxi Park (an alien planet) → Danba → Siguniang Mountain (overnight) * Day 6: Siguniang Mountain Shuangqiao Valley → Return to Chengdu → Dinner in the city → Fly back to Beijing Along the way, we didn’t experience traffic jams or huge crowds. At Honghai Lake, the vast whiteness revealed layers of mountains and lakes. The first night, I suffered from altitude sickness headaches and couldn’t sleep but gained the care of companions. In Litang, I touched the faith of the Sky City. In Daocheng Yading, we didn’t follow the route shared by Li Xian, but “free-style” hiking at Chonggu Temple, Luorong Pasture, and Pearl Lake offered a unique experience. Balangshengdu was my biggest surprise, offering an unbeatable 360° view of Gongga and Yala Snow Mountains, quietly waiting for a golden sunlit mountain moment—romance doesn’t need a high price. Embraced by the sunshine of Siguniang Mountain, no need to bundle up tightly. This trip gave me more than just photos; it was a renewed understanding of nature and life. The grandeur, tranquility, and sacredness of Western Sichuan are enough to heal everything.