Four Girls Mountain Core Overview

Location: Xiaojin County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan, eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, about 200 km from Chengdu Core Components: "Three Valleys and One Mountain" (Shuangqiao Valley + Changping Valley + Haizi Valley + Four Girls Snow Mountain Group) Highlights: • "Eastern Alps": Over 50 snow peaks above 5,000 meters including the year-round snow-capped Yaomei Peak (6,250 meters) and Four Girls Mountain • World Natural Heritage: Part of the Sichuan Giant Panda Habitat • Scenic All Year Round: Spring flower sea (April-May), summer cool retreat (average 15°C), autumn colorful forests (September-October), winter ice climbing ------ 🎫 Tickets and Opening Hours (Latest for 2025) Valley Ticket + Shuttle Bus Opening Hours Features Shuangqiao Valley Peak season ¥80+¥70 Sightseeing bus 8:00-15:00 Entry Lazy-friendly · Full route by bus · Rafting and ice climbing Changping Valley Peak season ¥70+¥20 Sightseeing bus 8:00-14:30 Entry Hiking paradise · Face-to-face with Yaomei Peak · Camping Haizi Valley Peak season ¥60 (no sightseeing bus) 8:00-14:30 Entry Hardcore trekking · Mountaineering start point · Horse riding exploration ✅ Key Tips: • Off-season (December-March): Ticket prices reduced, sightseeing bus prices unchanged • Residents of 7 cities in Zhejiang: Enjoy gratitude free tickets (choose any one of the three valleys for free entry) • Must bring documents: Original ID card (entry by scanning ID) + student card/senior card or other discount certificates ------ 🌟 Shuangqiao Valley Detailed Play Guide 🚌 Sightseeing Bus Route Visitor Center → Redwood Forest (end point) → Stop at each station going down → Renshengguoping → Return trip Sit on the right side window going uphill for better views; last bus downhill at 17:30 (peak season) 📍 Must-Stop Spots and Activities 1. Redwood Forest (Altitude 3,840m) ◦ Activity: 15-minute walk on the loop plank road, explore glacier relics and ancient redwood forest ◦ Tip: Oxygen supply station here, portable oxygen bottles available for altitude sickness sufferers 2. Budala Peak ◦ Photo spots: ▪ S-shaped road curve (best light in the morning) ▪ Hidden gem: Walk 1 km in reverse to Zhugana Lake, a stunning snow mountain reflection lake 3. Sigunaco Lake ◦ Lakeside route: Walk counterclockwise on the lakeside plank road (20-25 minutes), dead trees + clear water + snow mountains in one frame 4. Nianyu Dam ◦ Choose one experience: ▪ Rafting (¥90/person): 4.5 km gentle rafting, accompanied by snow mountain meadows (ends before 15:00) ▪ Wooden plank road walk: 30 minutes through wetlands and sea buckthorn forest 5. Renshengguoping ◦ Leisure suggestion: Encounter yak herds by the meadow stream, have a cup of Tibetan butter tea at Alai’s book house ------ ⚠️ Key Tips for Plateau Travel 1. Altitude Sickness Prevention ◦ 7 days before trip: Take Rhodiola capsules orally ◦ Upon arrival: Avoid bathing/strenuous exercise, prepare glucose oral solution + ibuprofen for emergencies ◦ Emergency points: Shuangqiao Valley Redwood Forest station, Changping Valley Lama Temple 2. Weather and Gear ◦ Day-night temperature difference: Summer 5-20°C, bring a windbreaker + light down jacket; winter -10 to 5°C ◦ Must-have sun protection: SPF50+ sunscreen + sunglasses + sun hat (UV index extremely high) ◦ Footwear: Non-slip hiking shoes (plank roads are wet and slippery) ------ 🚗 Transportation and Accommodation Recommendations 🚙 Mountain Access Options Method Duration Cost/Person Suitable For Self-driving 3.5-4h Fuel ¥200 + toll ¥100 Experienced drivers / carrying equipment Direct scenic shuttle 4h Round trip ¥150 Lazy travelers / solo tourists Passenger bus 4.5h One way ¥90 (departing from Chadianzi) Budget travelers 💡 Self-driving Tips: • Navigate to "Four Girls Mountain Visitor Center," pass Maobiliang Viewing Platform for free panoramic shots of the four peaks • Prepare snow chains after October, follow Traffic Police for road conditions 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations • Core scenic area: ◦ Kongshan Guesthouse (¥300+): Facing Yaomei Peak, starry sky rooms + floor heating ◦ Wangshan Xili (¥200-500): Designer boutique stay, balcony with mountain views • Cost-effective choice: Rilong Town (15 km from Shuangqiao Valley), standard rooms ¥100-200 ------ 📅 Essential 4-Day Western Sichuan Itinerary (can be followed directly) D1: Chengdu → Honghaizi → Yuzixi (sunset on golden mountain) → Stay in Xinduqiao D2: Xinduqiao → Lenggaco (Gongga Snow Mountain reflection) → Stay in Xinduqiao D3: Xinduqiao → Moxi Park (exotic planet) → Tagong Grassland → Zhonglu Tibetan Village → Stay in Four Girls Mountain Town D4: Four Girls Mountain Shuangqiao Valley → Maobiliang Viewing Platform → Balang Mountain Sea of Clouds → Return to Chengdu ✅ Itinerary Advantages: • Covers three major popular spots: Shuangqiao Valley + Yuzixi + Lenggaco • All accommodations below 3,300m altitude to reduce altitude sickness risk • Counterclockwise loop to avoid traffic jams, average daily driving 4 hours, comfortable and reasonable ------ 💎 Summary and Hidden Gems 1. Shuangqiao Valley Hidden Photo Spots: ◦ Budala Peak: Shoot snow mountain road scenes from 9-11 am ◦ Longzhucao Plank Road: Use telephoto lens to capture dead trees + snow mountain reflections, avoid crowds 2. Deep Traveler Easter Eggs: ◦ Long-distance trek: Changping Valley → Bipeng Valley 3-day crossing (requires registration + professional guide) ◦ Skula Night: Tibetan village bonfire party + Guozhuang dance experience (inquire at guesthouses to sign up) 3. Must-try Food: ◦ Tibetan-style earthen hotpot (Lin Meimei Hotpot Restaurant) ◦ Matsutake mushroom stewed yak meat (buy fresh matsutake at town farmers market for cooking)