Top 5 Trekking Routes in Sichuan

There's a reason Sichuan is called the Land of Abundance. Owing to the most natural and cultural World Heritage Sites in China and offering up elevations that span between 1,650 and 24,800 feet, it's a beautiful land that's home to an astonishing mix of geographical diversity. From vast grassland to majestic snow-capped mountains, there are so many gorgeous places to be added in your Sichuan tour, and following its trails by hiking is arguably the most ideal way to do so. Whether you're seeking valleys, alpine lakes, primitive forests, or the highest mountain hike, this land dominates some of the best trails in China. Some are longer than others and some might be better suited for overnight excursions, here are the 5 best treks in Sichuan.

For a moderate but rewarding trek, featuring the world heritage site of both culture and nature, this Mount Emei trek should not be missed. Upheaving from the Sichuan plains at 3,099m, Mount Emei provides a well-marked trekking route that takes you through the old Buddhist temples, unlimited waterfalls, exquisite pools, and thousands of stairs into the ecological monkey area and the Golden Summit. It’s worth spending a night at the Golden Summit because the magnificent sunrise is the prime time on this trail. Although Mount Emei is all about walking up stone steps, the hiking distances and routes can be flexible from 1-3 days based on hikers’ traveling days and physical conditions.

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 62KM
• Time needed: 3 Days
• Location: Huangwan town, Emeishan City, Leshan City, Sichuan Province
• Trekking Route: Baoguo Temple - Xianfeng Temple - Jiuling Hillock - Xixiang Pool - Leidongping - Jieyin Palace - Golden Summit

How to get there:

Most travelers usually take Chengdu as the gateway to get to Mount Emei. From Chengdu to Mount Emei, travelers can take a high-speed train, a coach, or a private car arranged by a local China travel agency. Among all transportation solutions, taking a high-speed train is fastest, which takes only about 1 hour to get to Emeishan Railway Station at the foot of Mount Emei, and the high-speed train is available from Chengdu East/South Railway Station and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. The coach is available from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Terminal to Mount Emei, which takes about 2 hours. For a precious and smooth trekking experience, a private tour package with a travel agency is most recommended, which covers not only a comfortable private transfer but also an experienced guide who will accompany for the hiking. Check out this popular 4 days Mount Emei hiking tour for more details.

Best time for trekking:

Mount Emei is available for hiking throughout the year, with different views to explore. The best time for hiking at Mount Emei is from April to June (except the period from May 1 to May 3, which is a public holiday in China) and September to November (except the period from Oct 1 - Oct 7, which is the public holiday/golden week in China), when there are fewer crowds and the weather is more pleasant. If you time your hike just right during May or October, you’ll be treated to Azaleas blossoms or the red maple leaves.

For an alpine trek, complete with snow-capped peaks, high-elevation lakes, primitive forests, and the occasional horses, head to Mount Siguniang - the Alps of the East. When you reach Maobiliang where you will be rewarded with a panorama of Mount Siguniang, continue about 7km to the Siguniangshan Town and you'll find the entrances to the three valleys of Mount Siguniang. The enchanting and lovely trails at a moderate pace just spread the three valleys: Shuangqiao, Changping, and Haizi. For those who feel like spending the night, there's a small camping area at Muluozi Campsite [3,760m] where you'll wake up to a breathtaking view. For professional trekkers or experienced trekkers, Mount Siguniang also provides the challenging trek to the summit of the mountains (Dafeng, Erfeng, Sanfeng, Yaomeifeng), as well as the trek from Changping Valley to Bipeng Valley which is considered as one of the 10 best hikes in China.

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 48KM
• Time needed: 3 Days
• Location: Siguniangshan Town (called Rilong Town before), Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
• Trekking Route: Lama Temple - Xiaganhaizi - Muluozi Campsite - Xiaganhaizi - Lama Temple (- Sightseeing bus to Changping Valley gate and further to Haizi Valley gate) - Guozhuangping - Dajianbao - Laoniuyuanzi - Dahaizi - Return to Haizi Valley Entrance Gate in the same way

How to get there:

Travelers can reach Mount Siguniang from the provincial city - Chengdu, either by coach or a private car. It is about 206km between Mount Siguniang and Chengdu, which takes about 4-5 hours driving. The coach is available from Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Terminal to Siguniangshan Town where you can walk about 2km to Changping Valley or Haizi Valley. To make your trip hassle-free, it's better to join an organized tour to arrange everything like camping gear, an experienced trekking guide, and porters or animals to carry the luggage. See the related 7 days Sichuan Siguniang Haizi Valley trekking tour for further details.

Best time for trekking:

The best time to visit and do hiking at Mount Siguniang is from May to June, and from September to November. The temperature during these periods is comfortable for hiking and other outdoor activities. In addition, wildflowers blooming in the valleys look wonderful in May and June, while the colorful autumn foliage from September to November is indeed fantastic.

Yading Nature Reserve puts three sacred mountains together, with clean crystal lakes, plunging glacial gorges, and alpine meadows, offering several trails to explore its impressive beauty. It takes at least two days to complete the 29km classic trail. The hike is not long and hard, but it is fairly strenuous to overcome the pressure of long-time hiking in an area over 4,000m, especially in the last 2km hiking to Milk Lake and Five Colors Lake with steep incline ascending from 4,200m to 4,700m. Very athletic hikers can handle this in one day, but travelers won't regret taking two full days to complete this trail so that they can really enjoy the surroundings. Besides, it's an extremely beautiful fall hike when the leaves are turning into yellows, oranges, and reds.

• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Distance: 29KM
• Time needed: 2 Days
• Location: Daocheng County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
• Trekking Route: Zhaguanbeng - Chonggu Temple - Pearl Lake - Luorong Pasture - Milk Lake - Five Colors Lake - Return to Luorong Pasture in the same way - Zhaguanbeng

How to get there:

Travelers can reach Yading Nature Reserve by air, coach, or private car. Direct flights are available from Chengdu (about 1 hour), Chongqing (about 1.5 hours), and Xi’an (about 2 hours) to Yading airport where travelers need to take a private transfer or airport bus for about 128km/2.5 hours driving to the Yading Nature Reserve. Daily coaches are available from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Terminal (about 14 hours) and Shangri-la Bus Terminal (about 12 hours) to Yading Bus Terminal, however, the coach is not recommended due to the long time driving and uncomfortable experience. For those who want the option to see and explore along the way, we would recommend hiring a private car to travel from Chengdu bypassing Ya’an, Luding, Kangding, Xinduqiao, Litang to Daocheng Yading.

Best time for hiking:

The best time for trekking at the Yading Nature Reserve is from May to early June and September to mid-October (except the period from Oct 1 to Oct 7, which is a public holiday in China) with cool weather and gorgeous landscape. Summer is the rainy season for Yading Nature Reserve, which is not really good enough for trekking with muddy and slimy trails, while winter is not recommended either, as the trail will be covered with ice and snow.

The stunningly beautiful Minya Konka, is the highest mountain in Sichuan Province with an elevation of 7,556m, making it immensely popular for camping and trekking. This trek pays off with a unique vantage on Tibetan culture, including Tibetan nomads and Tibetan monasteries. However, the trek is certainly not a leisurely walk in the park. This 64km stretch of high peaks, alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows is not for the faint of heart, it demands rigorous preparation, superior resilience, and perseverance. The trail follows a horse trail frequently used by local nomads, departing from south of Kangding and ending at Zimei Village, ascending through open valleys to the pass where reward your efforts with a magnificent view of Mount Minya Konka.

• Difficulty: Challenging
• Distance: 64KM
• Time needed: 6 Days
• Location: South of Kangding, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
• Trekking Route: Laoyulin - Liangachahe - Upper Riwoche - Upper Moxi Valley - Winter Pasture - Gongga Monastery - Zimei Village

How to get there:

Minya Konka is situated about 300km west of Chengdu, which takes about 7-8 hours by driving. Hiring a private car is a popular option as it offers a varied landscape along the way and enough time for trekkers to acclimatize well. The daily flight is also available from Chengdu, which takes only 1 one hour and arrives at Kangding airport before noon. From Kangding airport to the trekking starting point - Laoyulin, there is another 2.5 hours driving. Please read more details for the trekking route on our 12 days Sichuan Minya Konka trekking tour.

Best time for trekking:

The best time for trekking at Mount Minya Konka is from May to June. During this period, there is less rain with approximate temperature ranging from 9-18˚C, which is good for hiking and camping. However, be sure to keep an eye on the weather, as the temperature at Mount Minya Konka is always shifting quickly in a day especially after midday, with a huge temperature difference in day and night.

As the second-highest mountain in Sichuan, Yala Snow Mountain is a favorite of many trekkers in the district. With the majestic mountain, the azure sky, the glassy alpine lake, and verdant forests, the trek at Yala Snow Mountain meets all novices’ expectations. Trekkers will find plenty of solitude amid the scenery along this seldom traveled trail. The trail departs Zhonggu Village at a tough altitude of around 3,000m but quickly levels off a bit to a steady ascend to Mount Yala’s eastern pass at 4,216m, that’s not too steep and can be completed without too much difficulty. For those not used to such high altitudes, they can also acclimatize the elevation change well.

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 51KM
• Time needed: 3 Days
• Location: near the border of Daofu County, Danba County, and Kangding, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
• Trekking Route: Zhonggu Village - Xindianzi Grassland - Yalayongcuo Lake - Taizhangou Valley

How to get there:

Yala Snow Mountain is 160km away from Kangding and 420km away from Chengdu. To get rid of the inconvenient transportation and troublesome navigation, hiring a private car is the easiest way to reach Zhonggu Village for the trek, and for travelers who wish to combine the visit with Mount Siguniang, this 9 days Yala Snow Mountain and Siguniang Valley trekking is a perfect match. Also, travelers to Kangding can take a direct flight from Chengdu, or take a coach from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Terminal/Chadianzi Bus Terminal. Upon arrival at Kangding, travelers can charter a private car to start the trek from Zhonggu Village.

Best time for trekking:

The best time for trekking at Yala Snow Mountain is from July to early September when the temperature at the mountain is slightly higher than in other periods, and there are fewer possibilities of unpredicted conditions due to the bad weather. While from mid-September to the following mid-April is the restricted period for trekking at Yala Snow Mountain, as the snow will usually block the trails.