Reputed as “the Alps of the East”, the well-known Mount Siguniang in Western Sichuan is the ideal paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. This whole Mount Siguniang National Park is composed of Four Girls Mountains (with altitudes at 5355 meters, 5454 meters, 5664 meters, and 6250 meters) and three valleys - Shuangqiao Valley (双桥沟), Changping Valley (长坪沟) and Haizi Valley (海子沟).
Shuangqiao Valley, with a full length of 34.8 kilometers, is located in the left side of the three valleys, with Changping Valley and Haizi Valley to the east. The name “Shuang Qiao” means two bridges for this scenic area has two bridges - one is made by willow tree and the other is made by redwood. Hence the name formed. Among the three valleys, Shuangqiao Valley has the maturest facilities inside that the sightseeing buses provide the service between the entrance to the end of the valley. Besides, Shuangqiao Valley has the most beautiful scenery with breathtakingly diverse landscape. It is about 7 kilometers from Siguniangshan Town and it is a little far away to catch the beauty of Mount Siguniang. Shuangqiao Valley is the easiest valley to explore and it is a good idea to arrange it on the first day after arrival. Follow our attraction guide to seek for the real charm of Shuangqiao Valley!
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With an area of 217 square meters, Shuangqiao Valley is much larger than Changping Valley and Haizi Valley. Along this 34.8-kilometer long valley, it offers so many tourist spots to explore, providing gorgeous scenery including birch grove, cypress trees, maple woods, picea asperata, fir, redwood, sea-buckthorn, shrub, larch and so on. This scenic area is divided into three parts - the first part is from Yangliu Bridge to Fiver-color Mountain, the second part is from Sea Buckthorn Forest - Fishing Bay and the third part is from Fishing Bay to Larch Forest. It will be a fantastic way to hop on and off the sightseeing bus to see the scenery and hike some parts to explore more.
Yin Yang Valley (阴阳谷): This gorge is with a length of 2500 meters and a width of 20 to 50 meters. The gorge is very steep, with clear rivers and strange stones and dense forests. The sun shines the left side of the gorge in the morning and shines the right side in the afternoon. This place is just like the fairyland with charming view that can help you forget all the troubles.
Ten-mile Polar Trees (十里白杨林): There are three forest belts of Shuangqiao Valley. After getting into the valley, you’ll see the ten-mile polar trees featured in broad-leaved forest and mixed forest. The polar trees are more than 10 meters tall, growing by the mountains and rivers.
Sanguozhuang (三锅庄, altitude: 4050 meters): A legend goes that Sanguozhuang was the three stones used by four sisters for cooking and when the four girls changed into four peaks and stones also turned into the peak. Now, the peak is a little bit dark with three oval pillars, and it just looks like the Tibetan’s tripod stove. Many rare birds are flying over the peak happily, just like dancing Guozhuang.
Sapodilla Plateau (人参果坪, altitude: 3300 meters): Potentilla anserina grows abundantly under this vast meadow and the local Rgyalrong Tibetan calls it “Sapodilla”. When spring comes, different wild flowers are going to blossom and this meadow is like a basket of flowers which is embodiment of how harmony between human and nature. It is a must-stop site to see the beautiful views.
Bonsai Beach (盆景滩): This beach stretches about 3 kilometers long and formed by two streams and one Pearl Beach in the middle. Thousands of sea-buckthorn trees are standing inside the beach with different gestures.
Five-color Mountain (五色山, altitude: 5430 meters): Five Color Mountain is a typical fold mountain, looks like crescent moon in far distance. The whole mountain is composed of rocks of different colors. These rocks are rich in silicon, iron, zinc, tin and other minerals. Under certain sunshine conditions, they show red, yellow, green, blue, White, forming five colored bands. Fiver-color Mountain just look like the beautiful skirt of Mount Siguniang. It’s very beautiful in fine weather.
Fishing Bay (撵鱼坝): Hundreds of hectares meadows stretch into the valley and there is one Tibetan-style wooden trestle for use. Green grass, blooming wild flowers, fresh air and quiet environment will bring you peace and joy.
Larch Forest (红杉林, altitude: 3850 meters): This is the ending point of the sightseeing bus. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks in three sides, this Larch Forest is shrouded with mists. When autumn falls, the Larch Forest turns into golden, blending with blue sky, white snow mountains, Tibetan towers...How amazing it is.
Shuangqiao Valley is the longest valley with 34.8 meters in length. For the long distance, this valley is well developed and equipped with mature facilities that travelers can take sightseeing bus from the entrance to the end of the valley (Larch Forest) and get back by the sightseeing bus. Many travelers have suggested to take the sightseeing bus directly up to the end of the valley and then you can make stops to see the must-visit spots listed above on the way back. There are five stops along the way. You can have a deep exploration about Larch Forest, Fishing Bay, Bonsai Beach, Niupengzi and more. The sightseeing bus for one way without stopping lasts about 1 hour. Usually, the whole visiting length in Shuangqiao Valley is about 5 hours. If you want to spend more time inside and hiking, it may take 1 full day.
The suitable period to come to Mount Siguniang and Shuangqiao Valley is from late May to July (June is the best), and from September to November (September to October is the best).
In May and June, Mount Siguniang is going to wake up from the cold, long winter. Wild flowers are going to blossom into the valleys at different altitudes. It looks very fantastic during this time. The temperature is around 10 ℃-20 ℃ which is very comfortable to hike along Shuangqiao Valley. From September to November, the leaves and grasses are going to change their colors - red, golden, green, white, gray adding radiance and beauty to each other. The scenery is indeed charming. The temperature during this time is around 5℃-15 ℃. It is very suitable for hiking, photography and other activities. Since Shuangqiao Valley opens all year round and the sightseeing buses run service everyday, you can plan your trip to Shuangqiao Valley at any time of the year.
● Tickets: The entrance ticket for Shuangqiao Valley is 80 Yuan/person in peak seasons (Apr. 1-Nov. 30) and 50 Yuan/person in low seasons (Dec.1 - next Mar. 31). The sightseeing bus costs another 70 Yuan/person which serves travelers along the whole valley.
● Opening Hours: Shuangqiao Valley opens all year round.
(1) From Apr. 1 to Nov. 30, it opens during 07:30-17:00 ; the ticket selling time is during 07:00-16:00 (travelers are not allowed to get into the valley after 16:00). The sightseeing buses run during 07:30-17:30.
(2) From Dec.1 to next Mar. 31, it opens during 08:00-17:00, and the ticket selling time is during 08:00-15:00 (travelers are not allowed to get into the valley after 15:00). The sightseeing buses run during 08:00-17:00.
The distance between Chengdu (the capital city of Sichuan Province with convenient transportation) and Shuangqiao Valley of Mount Siguniang is about 211 kilometers. The most popular way to get from Chengdu to Mount Siguniang is by private car, taking about 4-5 hours’ driving. If you travel independently, you can take coach or long distance bus at Chadianzi Bus Station (茶店子车站) with 3 coaches (depart in the morning) running from Chengdu to Xiaojin County that you can stop at Siguniangshan Town (previously called Rilong Town). After arriving at Siguniangshan Town, you only need to transfer another 7 kilometers from the town to the entrance of Shuangqiao Valley. You can either by car or walking. The whole transfer needs about 5.5 hours in total.
● About Sightseeing Bus
It is a must to buy the sightseeing bus ticket. It is very easy to take the sightseeing bus and you can find them at the entrance of the valley. It is suggested to go directly up to Larch Forest and on the way back, you can make a stop to see the gorgeous scenery along the way. It is energy saving.
● Packing List for Shuangqiao Valley Visiting
Comfortable walking boots, small-sized backpack, outdoor jacket, sun glasses, umbrella, bataclave, sun-blocking cream, enough snacks and food, some cash, vacuum cup, warm water, camera, backup battery, cellphone, power bank, anti high altitude drugs, etc.
● Restaurant & Eating
It is highly recommended to bring enough high-energy food and warm water. There is no restaurant in the valley and only limited snack stands providing water, hot dogs and other simple food. At the entrance of Shuangqiao Valley, there are some restaurants for dining. Markets and shops can be seen here that you can buy some snacks. If you just finish your trip within half day, you can take less food.
● Keep Warm & Have a Good Sleep
The altitudes range from 3200 meters to 3850 meters. Keeping warm is the first thing when do the hiking along Changping Valley. Another important thing is that travelers should have good sleep the night before hiking. In this way, you will fight against high altitude sickness.
● Don’t Do Hiking in the Following Conditions:
Travelers who are lack of energy, have hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart disease, are not suggested to visit Mount Siguniang and Shuangqiao Valley. It is recommended to do light activities in Chengdu downtown and around.
Since there are three valleys with different features, it’s time to figure out which valley to choose based on your time, cost, interests and energy.
Valley | Location | Length | Style | Scenery | Suggested Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shuangqiao Valley | left one | 34.8 km | sightseeing bus; easy to explore the whole valley | most beautiful landscape with three forest belts. Can not see Mount Siguniang peaks directly | Half day or 1 day |
Changping Valley | middle one | 29 km | hiking, horse riding; paradise for regular hikers; finish two-thirds of the valley | can catch Mount Siguniang view clearly; typical highland scenery | 1 day |
Haizi Valley | right one | 19.2 km | horse riding; tough hiking experience | offers the best location to shoot Mount Siguniang scenery | 1 day |
Spending 2 to 3 days touring Mount Siguniang is the common choice. Most travelers will come from Chengdu to Siguniangshan by car with us, taking about 4-5 hours. Then the following two days is the exploration about two of the three valleys. You can choose among Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley and Haizi Valley and then combine two into the itinerary.
Itinerary A: Mount Siguniang Admiration Plus Relaxing Sightseeing
You can first explore Changping Valley either by hiking or horse riding. And on the next day, visit Shuangqiao Valley by sightseeing bus.
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Itinerary B: Mount Siguniang Admiration Plus Tough Hiking Experience
Combining Changping Valley and Haizi Valley into one trip will be tough for some hikers. Both Changping Valley and Haizi Valley need hike by yourselves. Instead, you can hire a horse to save energy.
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Itinerary C: Mount Siguniang Admiration Plus Gorgeous Alpine Scenery
Choosing Shuangqiao Valley and Haizi Valley is another way to experience both the most beautiful highland scenery in a leisure pace and challenge yourselves to hike the tough horse trail in Haizi Valley. It brings you huge contrast and the best Mount Siguniang scenery.
Itinerary D: Three Valleys Plus Mount Siguniang Admiration
If you plan 3 days to explore all of the three valleys, yes, you can do this. Visit Shuangqiao Valley first, then Changping Valley and the last Haizi Valley. From the easy one to the tough one, you can finish the hiking trip in 3 days.
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China Discovery is the local travel agency headquartered in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. We have been specialized in offering Chengdu tours, Panda tours, Jiuzhai Valley tours, Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei tours, Mount Siguniang tours, Danba tours, Daocheng Yading tours and other interesting tours.
No matter you want to travel Mount Siguniang from Chengdu simply, or cover Mount Siguniang with Danba Tibetan Villages, Kangding, Xinduqiao, Hailuogou Glacier in Western Sichuan or other destinations in China, China Discovery can provide you best tour guides and experienced friendly drivers with comfortable private cars. Our English-speaking tour guide will accompany you all the way, showing you the best traveling route and telling beautiful stories of the mysterious Sichuan.
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Top 3 Mount Siguniang tours chosen by most customers to explore Mount Siguniang in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
Chengdu / Dujiangyan / Mount Siguniang / Danba / Tagong / Xinduqiao / Hailuogou / Chengdu
Chengdu / Mount Siguniang / Danba / Tagong / Xinduqiao / Leshan / Emei / Chengdu
Chengdu / Wolong / Mount Siguniang / Danba / Tagong / Xinduqiao / Kangding / Chengdu
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