Live Your Best Lives
"Atop the rolling hills, a rolling cloud shone down, shining brightly upon the rolling city of Kangding..." The song "Kangding Love Song" brought Kangding's fame to the nation. Formerly known as "Dajianlu," Kangding lies at the foot of the rolling hills at the northern end of Mount Gongga in western Sichuan. It is the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and a historic plateau city. Surrounded by three mountains and flanked by two rivers, the Zheduo River runs through the city. Ethnic-inspired buildings are scattered along its banks. The melodious sounds of folk songs and graceful dances imbue this place with the rich character of the plateau's ethnic customs.
Kangding, the hometown of love songs, a major center for the tea-horse trade, and the birthplace of Guozhuang culture, offers majestic snow-capped mountains, shimmering lakes, lush forests, verdant fields, and scorching hot springs. The ocean monsoon winds wind their way down the north-south Hengduan Mountains, bringing abundant rainfall and perpetual clouds and fog. The coexistence of glaciers and forests creates Kangding's unique and magnificent landscape. Kangding, not only boasts stunning scenery but also serves as a vital hub for tourism throughout Ganzi Prefecture.
May and June: These two months are the best time to visit Mount Gongga. This is the transition period between the dry season and the rainy season, with extremely high temperatures and not much rainfall. Outdoor enthusiasts can choose to go hiking or mountain climbing.
July and August: This is the best time of the year in Kangding. The sky is blue, the flowers on the Tagong grassland are in full bloom, and the temperature is comfortable.
September and October: Kangding enters autumn at this time, and it is the best time to go to Xinduqiao, the "photographer's paradise", for landscape photography. Many photographers have been intoxicated by the brilliant golden autumn in this small town, and I believe you will be intoxicated too.
Traveling to Kangding from May to August, the plateau's ultraviolet rays are extremely strong, so be sure to take appropriate rain and sun protection measures. The temperature difference between day and night is significant on the alpine grasslands, so warm clothing is essential. From September to October, Kangding enters its coldest period, with occasional snowfall. Bring thicker clothing and non-slip, thick-soled shoes to stay warm. Also, it's recommended to bring a headscarf or mask to protect against exposure to the sun and dust.
Kangding isn't a large city, so overall, costs are relatively low. Chartering a car for a day trip costs under 100 RMB per person; taxi fares within the city start at 5 RMB, and a round-trip fare is around 30-40 RMB. Accommodation is plentiful around the Kangding Bus Station, with standard rooms offering basic lodging for 70-100 RMB per person, and a decent meal for 40-50 RMB per person. Overall, 1,000-1,500 RMB is a comfortable budget for a four- to five-day trip to Kangding.
Get up close and personal with the amazing glacial lakes, ice caves, and ice crevasses
The mountain road is winding, and only after crossing Zheduo Mountain is the real place where the Tibetans live.
A gathering place for photographers, where you can take beautiful pictures of the scenery
The largest alpine lake in northwest Sichuan, the lake scenery changes throughout the day
The closest pure pastoral grassland to Kangding, where you can watch the lively horse racing