Taiyang Valley (Sun Valley) is located in Derong County, South Sichuan, at the junction of Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibetan provinces. With a unique vertical natural landscape, Taiyang Valley has an ample supply of sunshine which is why it is called Sun Valley. Taiyan valley covers almost 3000 square kilometers. It includes Xiayong Village, Damurizha Holy Monutain, Cirencuo, Cuolancuo, Yanglongcuo, Yongniecuo, and Langlong Valley. These splendid sites are all at high altitude, Yongniecuo as high as 4200 meters. Although they are at such high altitude, you will encounter less altitude stress compared with the same altitude in Tibet. Because the Taiyang Valley has the luxuriant vegetation and forests and the air is very humid and contains more oxygen. This area has been discovered by travelers only recently. Thus, hiking, camping and bicycling there will be a new experience. Late autumn and early winter are the most beautiful seasons in Taiyang Valley.

Hiking in Chengdu

Take a bus from Chengdu or Daocheng to Derong county. Chengdu is about 1100 kilometers far from Derong county. Stay at the Derong Hotel and get prepared for the following hike.

On the second day, take a bus from Derong and get off at Laodong Bridge. Hike about three kilometers, you may get to Xiayong Village. Stay with a local Tibetan family. Enjoy some free time to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude. 

The next day, hire a horse up to the mountain. It costs CNY50 to CNY70 per horse. It may take more than four hours to get to the camp on horseback. Visit the scenic spot of Buruogakong Snow Mountain and cross Damurizha Mountain. En route, pass through the valleys and the virgin forest and visit a grand waterfall. Arrive at Xin'an Tun Grassland and stay overnight at the camp. The Xin'an Tun Grassland Camp has the most distinctive forest huts. They are log cabins, simple but warm, and full of the pine resin scent, which promotes you sleep.

On the fourth day, after passing through the grassland, you get to one of the Tibet's holy lakes – Cirencuo, which is the biggest of seven lakes. Then hike to Xueyi. En route, visit lakes, a beautiful snow mountain and a ranch along the way. Stay overnight at the camp.

Sichuan Hiking Tour

Contiue hiking through the virgin forest to Cuolancuo - a black lake. Following the upward path to the left of Cuolancuo, hike for about one hour to get to Yanglongcuo Lake. Stay overnight at the camp. The two lakes have different styles. The black Cuolancuo is a round lake with unpredictable depth, while Yanggongcuo is like a twisted giant dragon twists on the snowy mountain.

Hike for about two hours from Cuolancuo to Yangniecuo Lake. Explore around the lake, which is the most spirited alp lake in the Tibetan area. There are numerous fishes in the lake and many widgeons and white eagles havor above the lake.

Hike downward from Yangniecuo to Langlong Valley. Enjoy the wonderful scenery of the virgin forest. Continue to hike for about three hours to visit the Senazha dissolved cavern. Then return to Derong County.

On the last day return to Chengdu by bus.