Itinerary : 8 Days of Chengdu - Kangding - Tagong - Mugetso Lake - Hailuogou -Chengdu

Tagong Monasery

Upon your arrival in this beautiful and fertile land, take a  shuttle bus to downtown. We recommend that you try  the cut-price  Dream Hostel (0086-(0)28-85570315), located opposite to the Wuhou (Martial Marquis) Memorial Temple, which will  cost you only about RMB70-80  per night. You can take the shuttle bus to the  Minshan Hotel terminal and then take a  taxi to the Dream Hostel. The transportation  will cost you about RMB20.00 .  Enjoy  a shower and prepare for the next day's  hiking.

The second day, take the direct coach from Chengdu to Kangding in the Xin'nanmen Bus Station (028-85433609). The ticket for the 7-hour drive will cost about  RMB130.00.. The coaches are available every hour from 08:00 a.m. -14:00 p.m. Along the way,  you will see the Erlang Mountain Tunnel, which made the formerly impassable mountain barrier accessible.  Stop in Luding and take a look at the Luding Bridge, which was taken  over by the great Red Army during the Long March;   that battle is  believed to have been a turning point for the Long March. Upon your arrival in Kangding, you will be able to have a good rest at  a local hostel. . If you want to experience the Tibet Small Pavilion (Xiaojiaolou) Style, we recommend that you  stay at the   Dengba Hostel, which is clean, neat and comfortable and offers  the amenities  of TV, hot water and free  internet . Besides, it is the first Teenager Hostel in  Kangding County and has a  good  room rate ofabout RMB40 per person per bed;  its contact number is 0836--2823009 8295025. It will cost you RMB60.00 per person per night, and the price depends on the facilities in the hostel. If you have enough time, you can stretch your legs on Guoda Mountain, a good warm-up if you plan  to experience serious trekking or climbing later on.

The third day, drive over the mountain pass of Tsedo Mountain (4,298m). After you have lunch in Xinduqiao, take a  coach to the famous Tagong Village ; this   will cost you about 15-yuan from Kangding City. Visit Tagong Monastery, where  you can walk around at the foot of Yala Sacred Mountain and Snow Mountain to appreciate the  natural beauty.

Mugetso Scenic Area

On  the fourth day, enjoy hiking on the Taong Grassland. Today's hiking is not very challenging, since all walking  is on  flat grassland. You can  take the advantage of this special experience to enjoy the amazingly beautiful grassland with colorful wild flowers, yaks and sheep spread out before your eyes like a delicate carpet. Look up , and you will find the clear blue sky, with  white clouds dotted as if  painted onto the sky.  Stretch your eyes, you will find them filled with  natural charming scenery , and you will feel as if  you are entering a beautiful paradise that you will not want  to leave. Move southward to Mugetso Scenic Area, which is located in the Yala Town, Kangding County, and is famous for its 3 S's (Sea, Sand and Sunshine).

Head for the Mugetso Scenic Area on the fifth day, located about  26 kms from Kangding. You can rent a car to go there, which  will cost about  RMB220.00,  or you can share the car with others to save money. The admission fee for entering the mountain is RMB40; the fee for the scenic area is RMB35.00. When you get on the mountain range it might be in the afternoon, and the blue Mugetso Lake appears  suddenly in the green forest. The beautiful lake at  sunset is really an extremely fantastic sight. Mugetso Lake, which is also named  “Small Jiuzhaigou,” is located at an altitude of 3700m with an area of 3.2 square kilometers and a depth of 70 meters, which makes it  the largest lake in northwestern  Sichuan. The different  vegetation at  the various altitudes  forms another type of landscape.  (Tips: First, since there are few  restaurants on the mountain , you might want  to bring  some food.  Second, you can rent a tent if you want to stay overnight there. Third, and  most importantly, because of the  high altitude, you can bring  some medicine and fruits to avoid altitude sickness. ) Return  to Kangding County in the afternoon.

Hailuogou Valley

The sixth day, take the coach to Moxi Town in the  morning through Yu - Mo Road. Moxi Town is famous for its scenic area, Hailuogou Valley, which is 105 km from Kangding County. Hailuogou Valley is known for its incomparable glacier,  the longest glacier (14.7kms) in the Gongga Mountain Range.  It is also said to be the lowest glacier on earth. Change to take the sightseeing  car entering to the third camp in order to  appreciate the beautiful glacier. You can choose to view  the glacier from  the viewing platform. Take the cable car from the fourth camp; it is very easy and  will cost you about  RMB130 for the round trip.   Or you can climb up on your own. It will take you about one-half or one hour (one single course) for you to climb up the viewing platform, but first, you will need to take the sightseeing car from the third camp to the place which sells the cable car tickets, then walk along the sightseeing road to get to the viewing platform. Crossing through the original forest, you will find your walk worthwhile. The  elderly  can take the glide to the viewing platform, which will cost RMB80.00  for the  round trip. Stay there overnight.

The seventh day, you can get up early to appreciate the beautiful sunrise over Minya Konka (7,556m/24,784ft), if weather permits. After your full day sightseeing tour in Hailuogou, transfer to the Moxi Town.

The last day, take the coach back to Chengdu, according your personal schedule. Your hiking tour ends here.