Aba prefecture hides a "little Switzerland" with direct high-speed rail access, few visitors, and beautiful scenery that hardly anyone knows about
20℃, no need for air conditioning, and you still need a blanket at night. The 2,000-year-old stone fortress glows warmly under the sun. The ice lake formed by snowmelt is as blue as a gem. On the forest boardwalk, you can step on pine needles and wildflowers after just a few steps. A three-hour drive west of Chengdu, this is a place not yet overtaken by internet fame.
This hidden gem deep in the Tibetan and Qiang regions of western Sichuan almost includes all the must-see landscapes of western Sichuan—snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, red rock beaches, primeval forests, alpine meadows—nothing is missing. Even more remarkable, it doesn’t have the crowds of Jiuzhaigou or the long lines of Siguniang Mountain. Visitors are sparse, and prices are reasonable. If you want to find a place to hide away for a few days in summer, I would choose this place without hesitation. 🌿
🚗 How to get there?
Lixian currently has no high-speed rail station, but there are several easy ways to reach it:
🚌 Bus (best value): Take a bus from Chengdu Chadianzi station directly to Lixian. The trip takes about 3 hours and costs around 60 yuan per person. You can also transfer from Xinnanmen station.
🚙 Self-drive (most flexible): From Chengdu, take the Wenma Expressway or National Highway 317. The whole trip takes about 3–3.5 hours. The "Lixiaolu" route connects snow mountains, red rock beaches, and forests with stunning scenery along the way.
⚠️ Mountain roads have many curves. Watch for landslides during the rainy season. New drivers should be cautious.
🚄 High-speed rail + carpool: Take the high-speed rail to Dujiangyan station, then carpool to Lixian. About 50 yuan per person.
Lixian bus station has buses to Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Maerkang, and other places.
🏨 Where to stay?
Lixian offers a wide range of accommodations to suit all budgets:
· Around Bipenggou scenic area: guesthouses with views of snow mountains and forests from the window, 200–500 yuan per night.
· Taoping Qiang village / Gergou: experience Qiang and Tibetan culture by staying in characteristic guesthouses or enjoying the natural hot springs of Gergou.
📸 Must-visit spots (20℃ green wonderland)
1️⃣ Bipenggou | Known as "little Switzerland of western Sichuan," shaded all the way
Longwang Sea is clear green, and Panyang Lake reflects the snow mountains. Recommended to take the electric cart to Swallow Rock Nest to face the snow mountain meadows directly. The entire trail is shaded and easy for light hiking. Tickets plus sightseeing bus cost about 130–160 yuan per person.
2️⃣ Taoping Qiang village | 2,000-year-old "eastern fortress," maze-like alleys with natural air conditioning
Over 2,000 years old, the alleys are like a maze with a complete underground water system beneath, making it several degrees cooler inside than outside. Filming location for the movie "Sasheng." Tickets about 60 yuan. Open 8:30 AM–6:00 PM (last ticket sold at 5:30 PM).
3️⃣ Ganbao Tibetan village | Pristine stone village, free entry!
Prayer flags flutter across the mountains, and visitors are few. Open 24 hours with free admission. You can get up close to Tibetan-style homes.
4️⃣ Gergou hot springs | Surrounded by forest, soak at dusk with mountain views
Known as "western Sichuan’s top hot spring," surrounded by forest with warm spring water. Relax in the hot springs after a day of activities and enjoy the distant mountains at dusk.
5️⃣ Liantaigou | Free hidden gem! Red rock beach + snow mountain forest
Continuous red rock beaches paired with snow mountain forests. Free entry. Stop and take photos along the road when driving.
6️⃣ Mengtun Valley | "Backpacker’s paradise," a secret spot for camping lovers
Pristine ecological valley with icy cold streams in summer. Suitable for light hiking or camping. On clear nights, you can see a sky full of stars.
🍜 Must-try foods (Tibetan and Qiang flavors, about 50 yuan per person to eat your fill)
· Yak meat hot pot / traditional fire pot: firm meat paired with alpine mushrooms, a must-try!
· Handmade potato cakes: soft and chewy, delicious dipped in honey or chili powder
· Freshly baked highland barley cakes / butter tea: savory and crispy, perfect with butter tea
· Wild mushroom hot pot: fresh summer mushrooms simply cooked
· Gastrodia health chicken: chicken soup with gastrodia for calming effects
· Street-side sauerkraut noodles: sour and spicy, appetizing
· Seasonal fruits: local cherries, sugar-heart apples (seasonal), Qiang crispy plums
⚠️ For affordable food, prioritize small shops in the county residential areas. Prices near scenic spots tend to be higher.
💡 Travel tips:
🌡️ Weather and clothing: Lixian’s summer average temperature is 20–23℃, but there is a big temperature difference between day and night. Short sleeves during the day, but bring a light jacket or windbreaker for mornings and evenings. On July 27, Milaro is 16–26℃, Ganbao Tibetan village 17–28℃.
👒 Sunscreen is essential: The highland UV rays are extremely strong. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are all must-haves, even on cloudy days.
👟 Shoes and altitude sickness: Trails have many stone slabs and slippery boardwalks. Wear non-slip flat shoes. Bipenggou is at a high altitude, so walk slowly and avoid running. Bring two oxygen bottles if you are prone to altitude sickness.
🙏 Respect the culture: When visiting Tibetan and Qiang villages, do not step on prayer flags or mani stones. Ask permission before photographing residents. Keep quiet inside Qiang villages and avoid disturbing people.
🚫 Avoid pitfalls: Don’t trust unlicensed roadside taxis (they charge 150 yuan per person). Mountain roads have many curves during the rainy season, so drive slowly. To save money, stay and eat in small county shops.
🎯 Key points:
The right way to explore Lixian—see snow mountains and lakes at Bipenggou, explore the millennia-old fortress at Taoping Qiang village, soak in natural hot springs at Gergou, and photograph red rock beaches at Liantaigou. Three days and two nights cost about 800–1,200 yuan per person to experience the Tibetan and Qiang secret spots and enjoy a 20℃ summer. Just 3 hours from Chengdu, go before more people discover it 🌿