A top-notch place to see snow—Sichuan Bipenggou｜A Southern Chinese’s ecstatic snow-watching guide

Who understands! As a southerner, every winter I’m “waiting for a proper snowfall,” and only after rushing to Bipenggou did I realize what “a snowy fairy tale come to life” really means! The snow here is so clean you could nibble on it (don’t actually nibble), the scenery is so abundant your camera will overheat, and I personally confirm it’s the ultimate spot for watching, playing, and photographing snow! 📍Location Bipenggou Scenic Area, Lixian County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Just navigate directly to “Bipenggou Scenic Area Visitor Center.” Clear signs appear near the area, just follow them and you won’t get lost. 🚗Transportation - Best by car: About 3.5 hours from Chengdu, take Rongchang Expressway then switch to National Highway 317. The last stretch is a mountain road; some parts may have ice and snow in winter, so it’s recommended to install snow chains. Beginners should go with an experienced driver! Parking costs 5 RMB/hour, plenty of spaces, and arriving early lets you grab a closer spot. - Public transport: There are direct buses from Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station to Lixian, then transfer to the scenic area shuttle to Bipenggou. The whole trip takes about 5 hours. The downside is limited schedules, so plan your return carefully. For more flexibility, driving yourself is better. 💰Tickets Adult tickets cost about 120 RMB, sightseeing bus 60 RMB (a must-buy! The area is so big walking will wear you out), children under 1.2 meters are free, and seniors over 60 get half-price tickets. It’s recommended to buy tickets one day in advance through official channels to skip lines and enter by scanning your ID. 🌿About the place Bipenggou locks in “winter romance”! Right at the entrance, you’ll see forests covered in rime, branches wrapped in thick snow like sprinkled with sugar; further in is the frozen Longwang Lake, where you can see tree reflections on the ice. Walking on the snow makes a “crunch crunch” sound, creating an amazing atmosphere. At the highest point, Swallow Rock Nest, the snowy mountains are so close it feels like you can reach out and touch them. Blue sky and white snow make every shot look like a Windows desktop wallpaper. The snow activities are also very complete: you can rent skis and “fall on your butt” on beginner slopes, or slide down snow hills with snow tubes. Even if you don’t do anything, just squatting in the snow to build a funny snowman can keep you happy for hours. ✨Photo tips [One] Outfit colors: Wear bright colors like red or yellow to stand out against the white snow. Take full-body shots under the rime trees, turn your head and smile slightly—no filter needed for great photos. If wearing a white down jacket, add a bright scarf to avoid blending into the snow. [Two] Props add points: Bring a transparent umbrella or a white fluffy hat. Stand on a snowy slope holding the umbrella, let the wind blow your hair, and capture dynamic shots. Hold a snowball above your head and make a funny face at the camera for lively photos. [Three] Timing: The best light is from 10 AM to 12 PM, no backlight when shooting snowy mountains. In the evening, shoot the snow under sunset; golden sunlight on the snow creates a warm and gentle tone that’s perfect for social media likes! 🍜Food recommendations - Inside the scenic area: The visitor center has a Qiang ethnic specialty restaurant. The “yak meat hotpot” is a must-order; the beef is tender and flavorful with chili powder. The “sour cabbage noodle chunks” are sour and spicy, perfect to warm you up after wandering in the cold. - Outside the scenic area (Lixian town): “Roasted Tibetan fragrant pork” has crispy skin and firm meat, paired with local dipping sauce it’s amazing. “Potato glutinous cakes” dipped in honey are sweet and chewy, loved by both elders and kids. Don’t miss “butter tea”; if you can’t handle the salty kind, try the sweet version—it warms you up and helps with altitude sickness. 🏡Accommodation recommendations 1. Inside the scenic area: “Bipenggou Nam Lake Hot Spring Hotel” is right by the snowfield. You can soak in hot springs at night while watching the snowy view—pure happiness, though it’s a bit pricey (about 1200 RMB/night). 2. Best value: Outside the scenic area, “Lixian Bipenggou Hot Spring Homestay” costs about 300 RMB per person. Rooms are clean with private hot spring pools. The owner can help arrange the scenic area shuttle, very convenient. 3. Comfortable in town: “Lixian Impression Hotel” in Lixian town is close to the food street, easy for eating and shopping. Rooms are spacious, about 200 RMB per person, suitable for budget travelers. ⚠️Tips to note - Don’t skimp on warmth! Bring down jackets, snow boots, scarves, gloves, and earmuffs. Snow reflects strongly, remember sunglasses or your eyes will hurt (don’t ask how I know). - Safety first! Wear fleece-lined anti-slip snow boots. Some parts of the scenic area have ice; don’t jump around, or you might end up as a “snowman.” - Bring altitude sickness medicine! Bipenggou is about 3000 meters high; some people get dizzy. Take some Rhodiola in advance, don’t rush or jump, walk slowly. - Bring a thermos! Hot water is scarce inside the scenic area. Having hot water on hand warms your hands and stomach, and you can brew ginger tea to fight the cold. - Avoid stepping on thick snow areas! Some snow covers ice or pits underneath. Don’t step on thick snow without footprints to avoid falling in. Trust me, if you want to see snow in winter but don’t want to squeeze into Northeast China, just go to Bipenggou! The snow here is beautiful and photogenic, two days won’t be enough. Southerners, save this now and make your “snow country dream” come true this winter!