TRAVEL | CHINA | GLOBETROTTERS
Explore the Enchanting Sichuan Province for an Unforgettable Adventure
Sichuan Province in southwestern China is a mountainous, culturally rich region and home to some of the most stunning landscapes and attractions in all of China.
Chengdu — is the capital city of Sichuan province in China. Chengdu is a very modern city. I’ve seen futuristic cars running on the street as we arrived. The latest fashions of clothing and modern styles of architectural buildings are seen.
As we got into our booked hotel, there were guests mingling with each other. It was Halloween. Followed by the free food “Hot Pot” offered by the host of the hotel. Very accommodating right?
We gather around the table with other guests we did not know.
One of the coolest experiences in travel is getting to know people from around the world
The hot pot (a deep wok with broth in the middle of the table while people will drop some varieties of vegetables and other dishes) was served.
The following day, we started our tour. We rented a 4x4 with a driver. In China, as a foreigner, you are not allowed to drive a vehicle. If you rent a car, it has to come with a driver. Our driver has very little English. Thankfully, our friend Steven from Singapore joined us on this adventure.
We visited Panda park. The park is where they breed pandas as well. There were many other animals in the park-like Peacock and many more.
The Giant Buddha in Leshan
From Panda National Park, we drove about 1.5 to 2 hours heading to Leshan to see Giant Buddha. On the Giant Buddha tour, we met a couple from Switzerland.
Giant Buddha is really huge from the river up to the top where you see Chinese Temples and other huge carvings and Chinese text on the stone wall. It was fun to see so many encryptions along the way until the very top point of the Temple.
View from the top of Giant Buddha, you’ll see the river city of Chengdu. This Giant Buddha is made of Sandstones. The river you see below image is the Minjiang River. The main source of the river is from the mountain of Qifeng Peak flowing to Qingyi and Dadu river that makes Minjianng river. (Source from Driver as a tour guide).
The following day, we packed our luggage from the Chengdu hotel and drove direction Songpan.
LUDING
On our way, we stopped in an interesting town called “Luding.”
This hanging bridge in Luding I could not cross. It shakes like a tumble dryer or a washing machine. “I can’t do it to cross to the other side”. Darn! I have a fear of crossing rivers like this one. I had to crawl while someone has to watch me. It was embarrassing but I manage to cross and return.
Luding is a very traditional town with its original Chinese Culture. I remember the women there sat together and sang traditional songs only they could understand.
Moxi Town
From Luding, we arrived in Moxi town. Moxi town has interesting houses made of pure wood. The path that we walked around felt like solid stones. We arrived early evening and you see colorful lights.
There were many local restaurants around. It seemed like the town is famous for local tourists as well.
Caihaizu Moraine Lake
In Caihaizu Moraine Lake, the area is very misty and full of trees that according to Steven as he reads the information signboard, some trees around the lake have aged thousands of years though it does not grow much taller.
After a long walk at Caihaizu Moraine Lake, we had some Bun. We called it pao in Asia, Bun in English. Pao is like a rice cake, inserted with vegetables or meat and steamingly cook.
Honestly, it is a healthier option to eat if you trust the cook of the pao. Because some stores can be bad as they put dog, cat, or rat meat inside the bun. No one knows who put what? Right? Pao has many flavors. You can request red bean paste, chicken, or pork.
Kangding Town
We are now going deeper into a more Tibetian village. It is getting so cold in Kangding town.
Kangding is like a big city that has many factories. I have seen so many teas factories here as well as coffee.
The city of Kangding has a mix of new and old buildings. The above image on the right is called a Prayer Wheel. The bell rings loud while people walk around it as they say their prayers.
Xiandaoxen
Prior to arriving at the village of Xiandaoxen, we stopped by the temple after we left off Kangding town. The image below are steps to go up to the temple Tibetian to Pray.
We arrived in Xindaoxen and were greeted by the owner of the Hotel that we booked ahead of time. The people were really nice and offer us loads of home cook food. The owner of this hotel is a traveler. He knows exactly what travelers needs.
Steven is in the middle while the man next to him is the owner of the small hotel we stayed in Xindaoxen town.
In China, hotel or motel rooms, has always a water boiler, decent electric plugs, and a sucket for charging your electronic devices.
From Xindaoxen, we headed to Winxuan. As we drove along the valley called ABA, we’ve seen many encryptions along the valley to almost every stone on the ground floor.
According to Steven, it’s encryption and notes written as “the mountain is Holy” and those encryptions are prayers and wishes written by the people.
Tagong
We stopped by the Temple. More Tibetian villages we have seen while praying in the temple.
Danba
It was raining so we seek for food in the village as we are getting hungry from a long drive. We met the people here who offer home-cooked food for us.
In Danba, it is very much countryside. The people are so nice. It is supposed to be scenic here. But the weather did not cooperate with us on this day.
As a foreigner you’re not allowed to book a much cheaper and low budget hotel in China.
From Danba village, we drove heading to Winxuan. Along the way, there was a scenic view of the mountain. Though the weather seems nicer the following day after Danba, it was super cold.
Wenchuan Town
Another interesting town in Sichuan province is Winxuan town as we arrived late evening, we saw people dancing in the open spaces.
The locals said it is what they do every evening as part of congregating and exercising as a community. So I join the party as it was needed after a long drive.
Wenchuan town seems very lively. The whole city was lighted with different shapes of lanterns everywhere.
Heading to Songpan
Before arriving in Songpan. We did many stops. One of the stops we had was an unforgettable one for me, riding the hairy white cow in my thoughts. That is actually called Yak. There are a few yaks for tourists to hop on in Mo Xian town, a town you passed by when heading to Songpan from Winxuan.
Songpan and the Surroundings
We stayed in Songpan outside the city center as we find the cost is very much higher in the center of Songpan.
As we were preparing for our early start, Steven and I enjoyed a cup of local coffee prepared by the hotel staff. We stayed 2 nights here in Songpan. We make some trips which are very interesting. Here they are below.
Erdaohai- Jade Lake Songpan
I felt very different in this area. The air I breathed was very different. It was a very calming and nice feeling on my face.
It was so beautiful here. Though it was snowy at this time of visit. It could have been more beautiful if the color of the trees were like in Autumn. The colorful season has ended, yet the beauty of this nature touches my heart.
Huanglong River
We took a cable car and walked up about 3,500 meters above sea level to get to Huanglong.
I have no words to say other than the beautiful scenery of Huanglong. A huge park and amazing formation and color of the water. Feels like magic.
Mounigou Waterfalls
Another impressive beauty of the waterfall here is Mounigou. The beauty of this waterfall with rivers is amazingly long all the way down. I have not been to Canada to see Niagara falls so I cannot compare. But this fall is long and scenic. The path to walk is not a problem. It was just when our time of visit, was icy on the pathway as it was in November of 2018.
You would be mesmerized by the beauty of this waterfall too as we walk down back to the entrance, the trees that grow into the water with the sunlight through create an amazing effect in a picture.
After a super long day full of adventure with Edaohai, Mounigou, and Huanglong river we head back to our hotel in Songpan. I was very happy that I could eat my salad and chicken. For many days, we had all the time pork meat and stir-fried oily vegetable.
Only the next day, I got notice of the name of the hotel where we were at. You can see on the building name Sarah Yang. Sara runs a hotel with a much more affordable cost compared to the one we looked at inside the Songpan town itself.
Our bed with a private bathroom cost 150 Rmb (China currency at the time). Sarah speaks English and serves western food.
Wrapping Up
Songpan is a very dramatic town. Of all the towns we visited, Songpan is my favorite. Songpan looks very much an old Chinese architecture. They seem to keep the tradition here which I love very much.
Do remember when traveling to Sichuan province of China, The temperature gets colder, travel some warm clothing with you like a winter jacket is a must if you heading to Sichuan province. I believed that the best time to go to these villages I have mentioned above is in the summertime. The end of October toward February can be very cold.
For a much more overview of the entire trip, here is a video for you.
©ElvieLins2022
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