Western Sichuan Photo Journey, May 2020

On the afternoon of May 15, 2020, our group of seven set off from Zhuzhou by car, driving through the night, and arrived in Chengdu early on the 16th, marking the start of our Western Sichuan photo journey.

First stop: Chengdu

In Chengdu, we naturally had to visit Wuhou Shrine and Jinli. Since it was evening and Wuhou Shrine was already closed, we just strolled around Jinli.

Second stop: Lianbaoyeze

Early on the 17th, led by Teacher Xiaoyuepo, we drove to Lianbaoyeze in Aba Prefecture, arriving just before sunset. We then stayed at the scenic area for two days, embarking on a 'day-and-night' photo frenzy...

As many of you know, Nianbaoyuze, known as the 'Back Garden of the Gods,' has been permanently closed since April 10, 2018. Next to it lies Lianbaoyeze, its 'twin brother,' both part of the southern branch of the Bayankala Mountains. Lianbaoyeze means 'peak of majestic jade' in Chinese, and locals call it the Stone Castle or Stone Mountain. The landscape is awe-inspiring, rugged, and full of masculine energy; the mountains stretch vast and unbroken; lakes dot the terrain, and silver waterfalls cascade down.

We photographed from sunset until dark, rushed back to the visitor center for dinner, then traveled over 30 kilometers back and forth to a spot halfway up the mountain, shooting from midnight until dawn...

The next morning, after capturing the sunrise, we actually encountered a sun halo on our way down!

With rain setting in, there was no reason to stay an extra day as planned, so we headed for Mount Siguniang.

Third stop: Mount Siguniang (Four Girls Mountain)

Still in Aba Prefecture, Mount Siguniang was over 450 kilometers from Lianbaoyeze. Due to roadworks on Panda Avenue, we detoured via Wenchuan. On the way, we hoped to see Mount Gongga from Balang Mountain, but heavy clouds and fog forced us to turn back.

The key spots at Mount Siguniang are Shuangqiaogou, Changpinggou, and Haizigou. Before dawn the next day, Teacher Xiaoyuepo once again used his connections (he had gotten us unrestricted access at Lianbaoyeze) to have the scenic area send a car to take us straight to a photo spot inside Shuangqiaogou.

We shot from the early morning until nine or ten o'clock, a busy half-day. In the afternoon, with rain again and no sign of clearing, we had no choice but to leave. Taking advantage of a break in road construction, we drove off under steady drizzle, heading toward Tagong via Danba.

Panda Avenue

Huiyuan Temple in Daofu County

Moshi Wonders in Daofu County

Fourth stop: Tagong

With nonstop rain in Tagong, we had to abandon our photo plans there and continue on to the Yaha area, passing through Xinduqiao and staying at Jiageba.

Fifth stop: Jiageba

Our main goal was to photograph Mount Gongga from Yaha Pass, and also to have a look at the calcified beach at Yalonggou Quanhua. After reaching Jiageba, we went to Quanhua Beach and braved snow and rain to snap a few pictures. With poor weather, we returned to the guesthouse, planning to head up the mountain early the next morning. But as luck would have it, the scenic area was closed and no one was allowed up. Left with no choice, we switched our target to Zimei Pass!

Sixth stop: Zimei Pass

After a long, bumpy drive, we made it to Shangmuju Village and stayed at Qimilamu's home.

As evening approached, we drove up to the Zimei Pass viewing platform, hoping to glimpse Mount Gongga's majestic presence. It felt like the heavens were teasing us—thick clouds wrapped the snowy peak tightly, leaving only a world of white.

Cloud cascade at Zimei Pass

The next morning, we opened the window to find even the village covered in snow. Zimei Pass was out of the question, so we decided to head to Wuxuhai Lake in Jiulong County.

Seventh stop: Jiulong County

Wuxuhai Lake in Jiulong combines primeval forest, year-round snowy peaks, alpine meadows, and plateau lakes—a perfect summer retreat. Perhaps we came at the wrong time; all we got was rain and thick mist. Since driving was forbidden inside the scenic area, the weather wasn't cooperating, and our bags were too heavy, we collectively decided to skip the spot and just shoot around the vicinity.

The next day in Jiulong, the weather worsened to rain and snow. We backtracked and decided to try our luck in Xinduqiao. On the way back, it was both thrilling and nerve-wracking: thrilling to see a summer landscape transformed into a snowy dream, but nerve-wracking with frequent hazards—slippery roads and rockfalls blocking the way.

Leaving Jiulong and entering Kangding, the villages along the road turned gorgeous again. We stopped and started, snapping photos along the way, and finally reached Xinduqiao before dark.

Eighth stop: Xinduqiao

Waking up in Xinduqiao to overcast skies yet again, we decided to head back to Tagong and try our luck there. At least we'd be taking pictures along the way.

Ninth stop: Tagong

This time in Tagong, it wasn't raining but snowing heavily. Led by our guesthouse landlady, we visited Muyag Monastery and Tagong Monastery.

Juemu Temple at Muyag Monastery

Tenth stop: Shangmuju (Zimei Pass)

Seeing a break in the weather forecast for Zimei Pass, we rushed back to Shangmuju, hoping to capture Mount Gongga's true face. To our dismay, the road to Zimei Pass was now blocked, with no vehicles allowed up. Running out of time, we sped to a second location, only to be told the same thing. We quickly turned around and tried a third spot. Although the vantage point wasn't ideal, we finally made it up the mountain and caught a glimpse of Mount Gongga just before dark. Later, we learned that Kangding City had announced the closure of all viewing points for Mount Gongga—including Zimei Pass and Yaha Pass—for two years and four months. We must have been in the last group of visitors!

Eleventh stop: Zheduo Mountain

With no more mountain access, we pushed through our fatigue and drove back to Xinduqiao that same night. Then we headed straight up Zheduo Mountain. Huddled against the cold wind, we stayed until five in the morning, capturing light trails of cars and the sunrise on Zheduo Mountain.

Twelfth stop: Aizhai

Coming down from Zheduo Mountain, we decided to make the most of our remaining time by heading to Lengqi Town in Luding County, where you can view Mount Gongga from a distance and see the sea of clouds. After arriving, one of our group fell ill, so after much thought we gave up the climb and rushed back to Chengdu, starting our journey home. Back in Chengdu, the sick member improved, so we decided to make an overnight stop in Aizhai to photograph the Aizhai Bridge.

National Highway 209 at Aizhai

Haha, hardworking Brother Weiwei!