Highland Roads & Temple Views
Escape the city into Sichuan's highlands
3–7 Days · Sichuan Highlands
Escape the city and explore highland roads, ancient temples, and mountain panoramas across the Tibetan plateau's eastern edge.
Per person
- 3 days · ClassicKangding, Xinduqiao, Zheduo PassUS$690
- 4 days · DanbaAdds Tagong grasslands and Zhonglu villageUS$850
- 5 days · In-DepthAdds Moshi Park and Siguniang MountainUS$1,050
- 7 days · Grand PanoramaFull loop with two nights in Shuangqiao ValleyUS$1,390
Based on 2 travellers sharing. Longer itineraries cost less per day — 3 days US$690, 4 days US$850, 5 days US$1,050, 7 days US$1,390. Travel-accident insurance is included.
Group size
2–8 guests (private departure)
Accommodation
Locally rated boutique hotels and Tibetan guesthouses, twin share. Higher categories available on request
Cancellation policy
- 6 days or more before departure: full refund
- 2–6 days before departure: 50% refund
- Under 2 days: no refund
Itinerary
Chengdu → Kangding
Depart Chengdu in the afternoon, cross the Erlang Mountain Tunnel via the Yakang Expressway, and arrive in Kangding — capital of Ganzi Prefecture — by evening. Stroll along the Zheduo River and soak in the Tibetan atmosphere of this legendary gateway town.
Stay: KangdingS434 · Muya Monastery · Yala Snow Mountain → Xinduqiao
Take the stunning Provincial Road 434 north — quieter and more scenic than the main G318. Visit Muya Monastery, where golden roofs and crimson walls frame snow peaks and grasslands. Stop at the Yala Snow Mountain viewpoint to face the majesty of this sacred peak. Arrive in Xinduqiao by dusk — known as 'photographer's paradise' for its dreamlike play of light on Tibetan villages and poplar forests.
Stay: XinduqiaoZheduo Pass → Chengdu
Cross Zheduo Pass (4,298m) — the first major pass on the Sichuan-Tibet highway — surrounded by prayer flags and snow peaks. Continue via Kangding back to Chengdu, arriving in the evening.
Highlights
- ✦Kangding Gateway Town
- ✦Tagong Grasslands
- ✦Lhagang Temple
- ✦Zheduo Pass at 4,298m
What's included
Included
- Private vehicle and experienced highland driver
- English-speaking guide throughout
- All monastery and scenic area entrance fees
- Overnight accommodation as per your chosen itinerary
- Oxygen supply and a basic first-aid kit in the vehicle
- Bottled water throughout the journey
- Domestic travel-accident insurance, including highland rescue
Not included
- Meals not listed in the itinerary (budget roughly 60–120 CNY per day)
- Horse riding, boat trips and other optional activities
- Gratuities (optional)
Common questions
Which itinerary length should I choose?
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Three days covers Kangding, Xinduqiao and Zheduo Pass — good if your time is short. Four to five days adds Tagong and Danba, which is what most guests choose. Seven days includes Siguniang Mountain and gives you a full day in Zhonglu village without rushing.
How high do we go, and is altitude a problem?
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The highest point is Zheduo Pass at 4,298 m, which we cross by vehicle rather than sleeping at. Overnight stops sit between 2,560 m and 3,700 m. We climb gradually, and your vehicle carries oxygen.
What is the road like?
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Main roads are paved and generally in good condition. Provincial Road 434 and some village sections are narrower with more bends but are perfectly manageable in a private vehicle. Landslides after heavy rain can close sections briefly; we monitor conditions and reroute if needed.
Can this route be customised?
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Yes — all our highland routes are built to order. Tell us your dates, how many days you have and what you most want to see, and we will put together an itinerary around it.
When is the best time to travel?
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Late May to early October for reliable roads and green grasslands. Mid-October onwards brings the autumn colour but colder nights. Winter travel is possible, though some high passes may close after snow.
This experience is just the beginning — many of our travelers continue into the mountains of Western Sichuan.