Western Sichuan Short Loop: 5-Day, 4-Night Self-Drive Tour

My first trip to Western Sichuan was along the Grand Loop, from Chengdu➡️Kangding➡️Xinduqiao➡️Litang➡️Daocheng Yading. It was an unforgettable travel experience. Coincidentally, we came to Chengdu again, and this time we decided to experience the Western Sichuan Short Loop, from Tianfu➡️Yangrong Hade➡️Dagu Glacier➡️Bipenggou➡️Guanghan. Day 1️⃣ Shanghai✈️Chengdu Tianfu My first time flying with Sichuan Airlines, and it lived up to its reputation. Chopped chili fish with Laoganma, followed by brown sugar steamed buns, and then endless red date tea, green tea, flower tea, coffee…Wow! 🏨Accommodation: Radisson Blu Plaza Chengdu Jinyang Day 2️⃣ Yangrong Hade Village After a 6-hour drive, we arrived at Yangrong Hade Village in Heishui County, Aba. Known as the most beautiful Tibetan village in China, it lies at the foot of the Dagu Glacier. The village has a rich Tibetan cultural atmosphere. All homestays are managed by the village. Book a room (including breakfast) at the visitor center, and the staff will notify the "housekeeper" to guide you "home." Dinner can be enjoyed at the homestay, where the "housekeeper" will prepare a special Tibetan meal. In the evening, there's a "Guozhuang dance" performance in the tent in front of the white pagoda. 🏨Accommodation: Yangrong Hade Tibetan Village Homestay Day 3️⃣ Dagu Glacier Dagu Glacier is at an altitude of 4,860 meters. A shuttle bus takes about 38 km to reach the cable car station. This cable car is the "highest cable car in the world," taking about 15 minutes to reach Dagu Glacier at 4,860 meters. The air is thin at the top, so prepare oxygen tanks and dress warmly. We were unlucky that day. It happened to snow, and the heavy snow made it almost impossible to see the snowy mountains. As the saying goes, "Man proposes, God disposes…" 🎫Tickets: Tickets + bus + cable car CNY 360 ⌚️Time: 08:00–17:00 Accommodation: Flora Hotspring Hotel (Bipenggou Branch) Day 4️⃣ Bipenggou 🚌Park Entrance—Longwang Lake (approx. 10 mins): After getting off the bus, walk around the lake (approx. 1.7 km) before taking the electric sightseeing bus. Don't be captivated by the beautiful scenery here, as the views further on are even more stunning! 🚌Longwang Lake—Shanghaizi (approx. 30 mins): After two bus rides, transfer to the electric sightseeing bus. The snowy scenery along the way is breathtaking! 🛺Shanghaizi—Panyang Lake (approx. 10 mins): You can see the ice waterfall here. Be careful, as the ice surface is very slippery. 🛺Panyang Lake—Yanzigou (approx. 20 mins): After two electric sightseeing bus rides, you'll reach Yanzigou at an altitude of about 3,800 meters. If you have the energy, you can continue walking for about 30 minutes to reach the viewing platform. You won't regret the view from there. 🪭Return: You can choose to return the same way, or, like us, hike 4.5 km from Yanzigou to Panyang Lake. Since few people hike, the only sounds along the way are the falling snow and our footsteps. Every photo taken is a masterpiece. 🎫Tickets: Tickets + bus CNY 130 🛺Electric sightseeing bus (two sections): CNY 20 one-way, CNY 30 round-trip per section. 1️⃣Shanghaizi—Panyang Lake, 2️⃣Yueliangwan—Yanzigou ⌚️Time: 08:30–17:00 Accommodation: Primus Hotel (Guanghan Bailun Plaza Branch) Day 5️⃣ Sanxingdui Museum "Sleeping for thousands of years, awakening to astonish the world." I finally saw the "Standing Figure" with my own eyes (see my previous notes for details). ⌚️Time: 08:30-18:00 (peak season) / 08:30-17:30 (off-season), open on Mondays. 🎫Tickets: General admission CNY 72 (book up to 5 days in advance) ➡️Visit duration: 3–4 hrs, audio guide available on WeChat Official Account for CNY 20 or book a guide in advance. 🅿️Parking: Navigate to "Sanxingdui Museum Parking Lot." After entering the parking lot, turn left and go straight to the underground parking area. Park in B1 Zone 1 or B2 Zone 1. You can reach the ticket office quickly via the underground passage and escalator.