Underrated Crossing Route in Western Sichuan｜Gnie South Line

This is not Xinjiang; this is the most beautiful and worthwhile place to visit in Western Sichuan during summer. Welcome to the Gnie South Line in Western Sichuan. This crossing route, less than 200KM, is so stunning that it doesn’t even feel like Western Sichuan. 🏔️ Majestic snow-capped mountains, 🌳 vast meadows, 🌹 colorful flower fields, 🐮 yaks grazing under the snow mountains, crystal-clear rivers, 🌃 starry night skies, and ♨️ natural hot springs. 🔥 Why the Gnie South Line is a summer hit: ✅ Fewer crowds and breathtaking scenery. The pristine environment offers a fraction of the visitors compared to Daocheng Yading, allowing you to fully immerse in the beauty. ✅ In just one day, you can traverse snow mountains, valleys, and ancient temples, each scene leaving you in awe. 【5-Day Crossing Itinerary📖】 🗺️ Day 1: Chengdu → Honghaizi → Yuzixi/Gedilamu → Xinduqiao Traveling from plains to highlands, passing through mountains, valleys, and Honghaizi. By 6 PM, arrive at Yuzixi/Gedilamu to witness the snow mountains bathed in the golden hues of sunset. The romantic charm of snow mountains is truly unique. 🗺️ Day 2: Xinduqiao → Litang → Letong Ancient Town → Gnie Town Accompanied by stunning landscapes, you’ll finally see the pyramid-shaped Gnie Sacred Mountain. Be sure to capture the breathtaking “Eye of Heaven” reflected below the mountain with a drone. A 256GB phone memory might not be enough to store all the beauty. 🗺️ Day 3: Gnie Town → Xinleng Ancient Temple → Lone Tree → Reti Valley → Batang A solitary tree stands guard over the sacred mountain, as if blessing the world with peace and beauty. Lightly trek through Reti Valley, surrounded by high mountains, forests, grasslands, and flower fields. You might even mistake it for Xinjiang. 🗺️ Day 4: Batang → Cuopu Valley → Sister Lakes → Maoya Grassland → Yajiang/Xinduqiao As the weather warms, the highland’s “little elves,” marmots, come out to bask in the sun. Bring some biscuits to feed these fluffy cuties, but beware—they might suddenly stand up and squeak at you! 🗺️ Day 5: Yajiang/Xinduqiao → Tagong Grassland → Muya Monastery → Rainbow Road → Chengdu Take a set of Tibetan-style photos at Tagong Grassland, explore Western Sichuan’s “Little Seda,” and bid farewell to the Yala Snow Mountain. Reluctantly, you’ll return to Chengdu via the colorful Rainbow Road. ⚠️【Travel Tips】 ✔️ Gnie’s altitude exceeds 4000 meters, so it’s not recommended for the elderly, children, or those with severe altitude sickness. ✔️ Accommodation in Gnie is less comfortable compared to the county towns. Be mentally prepared and book in advance as options are limited. ✔️ Some local areas lack signal coverage and may experience power outages, which can also affect signal availability. ✔️ Certain sections of the route are unpaved. Novice drivers should avoid these areas and consider joining an organized group or traveling with an experienced guide. ✔️ Not suitable for sedans.