During this period, the temperature in Ganzi Prefecture gradually rises. The grasslands start to turn green and flowers are in full bloom, making the scenery along the way picturesque. For example, magnolias and primroses in Kangding are blooming, and the grasslands in places like Xinduqiao present a vibrant scene.
Autumn (September November)
The weather is clear and the climate is cool, which is a good time to enjoy the magnificent autumn scenery in Ganzi Prefecture. The leaves of poplars and birches in Xinduqiao turn golden and fiery red, contrasting beautifully with the distant snow-capped mountains and the blue sky, forming a stunning picture. In Yading, Daocheng, the snow-capped mountains like Yangmaiyong and Xiannairi are even more distinct and magnificent under the clear autumn sky, and the vegetation on the mountains also shows a colorful appearance.
Popular Attractions
Yading, Daocheng
Introduction: Located in Yading Village, Shangri-La Town, Daocheng County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, it mainly consists of three sacred mountains, “Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong, and Xialuoduoji,” along with surrounding rivers, lakes, alpine meadows, etc. It is known as “the last pure land on the blue planet.”
Travel Strategy: Tourists can take the scenic sightseeing bus from Shangri-La Town into the scenic area. After arriving at Zhaguanbeng, they can hike or take an electric car to attractions like Chonggu Meadow and Luorong Cattle Farm. Tourists with good physical strength can continue to hike or ride a horse to Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake to appreciate the grandeur of the sacred mountains up close.
Kangding Love Song (Mugecuo) Scenic Area
Introduction: Located in the middle section of the Gongga Mountain Range, about 17 kilometers away from the urban area of Kangding, it is composed of attractions such as Rhododendron Gorge, Fangcao Lawn, Seven-Color Lake, Medicinal Pool Boiling Spring, Mugecuo (Wild Man Sea), and Red Sea, Black Sea, etc.
Travel Strategy: You can take a tourist bus in the urban area of Kangding to the scenic area. After entering the scenic area, first visit the Seven-Color Lake, where the color of the lake water changes with the sunlight and weather. Then stroll along the plank road in Rhododendron Gorge to enjoy various rhododendrons. Finally, arrive at Mugecuo, where you can take a walk by the lake, take a boat tour on the lake, etc.
Xinduqiao
Introduction: Located in the western area of Kangding City, there is no prominent landmark landscape, but about 10 kilometers along the line is known as “the world of light and shadow” and “a paradise for photographers.” The boundless grasslands, winding brooks, golden poplars, rolling hills, and scattered Tibetan villages form a picturesque beauty.
Travel Strategy: You can travel by self-driving or chartering a car in Xinduqiao and stop at any time along the way to take photos and enjoy the grassland scenery and Tibetan architecture. You can also experience Tibetan life in the local Tibetan people’s homes and taste butter tea, highland barley wine, etc.
Tagong Grassland
Introduction: Located about 35 kilometers northwest of Xinduqiao Town, it has a gentle undulating terrain, abundant water and grass, and herds of cattle and sheep. There is the famous Tagong Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism on the grassland, and in the distance is the majestic Yala Snow Mountain. The snow-capped mountain, grassland, and monastery complement each other, forming a unique beautiful scenery.
Travel Strategy: You can charter a car from Xinduqiao to Tagong Grassland. On the grassland, you can ride a horse, visit Tagong Monastery to experience the cultural atmosphere of Tibetan Buddhism, take photos with Yala Snow Mountain as the background, and enjoy the grassland sunset.
Litang
Introduction: Known as the “High City of the World” with an altitude of over 4,000 meters, it has attractions such as the vast Maoya Grassland and the mysterious Genie Snow Mountain. At the same time, Litang is the birthplace of the Seventh Dalai Lama and the Tenth Dalai Lama, with a profound cultural heritage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Travel Strategy: First visit Changqingchun Ke’er Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist Gelugpa monastery in Litang. You can visit the monastery buildings, Buddha statues, Thangkas, etc. Then go to Maoya Grassland. In summer, wildflowers are in full bloom on the grassland, and you can camp and have a picnic here. If possible, you can explore the hiking routes around Genie Snow Mountain in depth.
Food Guide
Specialty Foods
Yak Meat
Diverse Ways of Eating: There is yak meat jerky, which has a firm texture, delicious taste, and is convenient to carry, making it a favorite snack among tourists. There is also boiled yak meat. The yak meat is cut into large pieces and boiled, retaining its original flavor. It tastes very mellow when paired with the locally made chili sauce. In addition, the yak meat hot pot should not be missed. The broth is generally made by boiling yak bones, with a delicious and fresh soup base. Various slices of yak meat, offal, and vegetables and other ingredients can be cooked in it.
Highland Barley Products
Highland Barley Cake: Made from highland barley flour, it is round, with a golden and crispy exterior and a soft interior, carrying a unique aroma of highland barley.
Highland Barley Wine: Brewed from highland barley, it usually has a relatively low alcohol content, a refreshing and mellow taste, slightly sweet, and has certain health benefits.
Butter Tea
Production Ingredients and Method: Boil the brick tea into a thick tea juice, pour it into a special butter churn, add butter and an appropriate amount of salt, and stir until the butter and tea juice are fully integrated.
Unique Flavor: It has a rich flavor, can quench thirst and satisfy hunger, and can also help resist the cold in the high-altitude area.
Tibetan Yogurt
Features: This yogurt is fermented from yak milk, with a thick texture, a sweet and sour taste, and usually has a layer of yellow milk skin on the surface. It is rich in nutrients. It is usually eaten with white sugar or honey to neutralize its sourness.
Tsampa
Production Process: Roast the highland barley and grind it into flour. When eating, put some butter, cheese residue, and white sugar in a bowl, pour in a small amount of tea or highland barley wine, and stir evenly with your hands and knead it into small balls.
Way of Eating: Tsampa is convenient to carry and is one of the traditional staple foods of Tibetan herdsmen. It has a high calorie content and is suitable for replenishing physical strength in high-altitude areas.
Recommended Food Streets/Stores
Kangding
Shuijingzi Food Street: It gathers many specialty food stores in Ganzi Prefecture. For example, “Malaya Tibetan Restaurant,” where you can taste authentic Tibetan cuisine. The Tibetan-style hot pot here has rich ingredients, including various meats, mushrooms, vegetables, etc., and the soup base is rich. There is also “Are Tibetan Restaurant,” whose special hand-grabbed yak meat is tender and tastes unique when paired with a special dipping sauce.
Yading, Daocheng
Yading Village: There are some small restaurants run by Tibetan people. The highland barley cake in “Yading Renjia” restaurant is very authentic, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The butter tea sold freshly made in his restaurant has a rich and fragrant taste. In Shangri-La Town, the “Taste of Yading” restaurant allows you to taste dishes that combine improved Sichuan cuisine and Tibetan cuisine, such as yak meat rice, green pepper fried Tibetan fragrant pig, etc., with flavors more suitable for the general public of tourists.
