November in Songpinggou is breathtaking! Colorful forests reflecting on the clear waters, all for just 130 yuan a day!

Who would understand! The fatigue from the 4-hour drive from Chengdu to Songpinggou disappears the moment you see the colorful forests reflecting on the lake. As a hidden gem in Mao County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, Songpinggou is known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou." With an altitude between 2200-2900 meters, most people won’t experience altitude sickness but can enjoy colorful forests and clear waters comparable to Jiuzhaigou. In November, Songpinggou’s colorful forests reach their peak, yet there are far fewer tourists than during the National Day holiday, making it the golden time for autumn viewing and photography. 01 Itinerary Planning and Transportation Guide Best time to visit: Mid to late October - Early to mid-November The best period to see the colorful forests in Songpinggou is from mid-late October to early-mid November. Currently, in early November, the leaves are at their most vibrant of the year. Staghorn sumac, maple, and birch trees turn red, orange, gold, and green, contrasting sharply with the blue lakes, creating a natural oil painting. Transportation options Self-driving (recommended): Depart from Chengdu via Chengdu-Guanxian Expressway → Du-Wen Expressway → National Highway 213 → Diexi Town, about 230 km and 4 hours drive. Note that some sections of National Highway 213 have many curves; watch for falling rocks during the rainy season and possible ice and snow in winter. Public transport: Take a bus from Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station to Mao County (about 4 hours), then taxi or carpool to Songpinggou (about 1 hour). You can also take a high-speed train from Chengdu East Station to Mao County Station, then carpool or take a local shuttle bus to Songpinggou. 02 Ticket Discounts and Cost Control Ticket information Songpinggou Scenic Area peak season (April-November) ticket price is 80 yuan per person; off-season (December-March) is 60 yuan per person. Round-trip sightseeing bus ticket is 70 yuan per person; one-way is 50 yuan per person. Money-saving tips • Free entry before 6:30 AM from Tuesday to Friday (except public holidays) • For those wanting an in-depth visit, it’s recommended to buy the sightseeing bus ticket since the hiking route is about 8 km and quite physically demanding • In 2025, middle and high school exam candidates can enter free with their exam admission ticket from June 10 to August 31 One-day total cost: 80 yuan for the ticket + 70 yuan for the sightseeing bus = 150 yuan (if bringing your own food). Costs can be even lower if entering during free or discounted periods. 03 Recommended Touring Routes Easy one-day tour route Take the sightseeing bus from the entrance directly to Changhai, then visit Wucaichi, Pearl Waterfall, Mo Lake, and finally Baishihai. This route suits visitors with limited time or average stamina, covering the core attractions without backtracking. Changhai is the largest alpine lake in Songpinggou, a landslide dam lake formed after an earthquake, surrounded by primeval forest. Wucaichi shows blue, green, and yellow colors due to mineral deposits under sunlight. Mo Lake’s water is deep and dark like blue ink, full of mystery. Baishihai is the largest lake in the area, with crystal-clear water reflecting the snow-capped mountains. Hiking deep tour route Suitable for visitors with good stamina, about 5-6 hours total: Entrance → Baishihai → Mo Lake → Wucaichi → Changhai → Pearl Beach → Return. Highly recommended is the Cuizhugou-Pearl Waterfall-Mo Lake hiking section, the essence of Songpinggou, featuring lush green forests, sapphire-blue lakes, and flowing waterfalls. Pearl Beach Waterfall’s water flows like scattered pearls, perfect for photos. Along the hike, you can enjoy different scenic views and experience the magic of nature. 04 Scenic Spot Features and Photography Guide Core attractions introduction Baishihai: The largest lake in Songpinggou, with emerald water reflecting surrounding snow mountains. You can stroll along the lakeside boardwalk or take a boat tour (about 50 yuan per person). The red leaves along the boardwalk are very beautiful and a popular photo spot. Mo Lake: The water color is deep and rich like an oil painting, one of Songpinggou’s most distinctive lakes. When there is no wind, the lake surface is like a mirror, perfectly reflecting the colorful forests on the shore, ideal for reflection photos. Wucaichi: Although smaller than Jiuzhaigou’s Wucaichi, the pool’s water shows a blue-green gradient due to minerals and light reflection, looking very dreamy under sunlight. Changhai: Located at the highest point of the scenic area, a landslide dam lake formed by an earthquake, surrounded by primeval forest, perfect for quietly enjoying the lake and mountain scenery. Photography tips and best times • Mo Lake: Best light from 9-11 AM, ideal for reflection shots • Wucaichi: Water colors are most vivid under direct noon sunlight • Baishihai: Afternoon light is best for lake and surrounding colorful forest photos • Changhai: After 3 PM, slanting sunlight creates beautiful light spots on the lake surface It’s recommended to wear red or white clothes to contrast with the colorful forests for better photos. Walking photos on the boardwalk with colorful forest backgrounds are very atmospheric, and don’t miss the lakeside reflection shots. 05 Practical Tips and Precautions Clothing and gear November in Songpinggou has a large temperature difference; mornings and evenings can drop below 10°C, while midday can reach around 15°C. Layered clothing is recommended: quick-dry underwear + thin fleece + windproof jacket. Non-slip hiking shoes are a must as the boardwalk may be slippery with frost or dew. Must-bring items: sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat, high SPF sunscreen (strong UV at high altitude), lip balm (to prevent dryness), thermos, power bank, trash bags (to protect the environment). Food and accommodation There are limited dining options inside the scenic area, so it’s recommended to bring snacks and water. Mao County town offers more dining choices, including local specialties like Qiang hot pot, butter tea, and barley cakes. For accommodation, you can choose Bailazhai or guesthouses inside the valley for easy early morning visits. Mao County town has better lodging conditions, suitable for self-driving tourists. Other precautions • Signal is weak inside the scenic area; carry some cash • Protect the environment; do not litter • High altitude; avoid strenuous exercise and watch for altitude sickness A perfect autumn trip to Songpinggou isn’t about how much you spend but how much you are moved. When sunlight filters through the colorful forests onto the blue lakes, and Mo Lake’s reflection perfectly mirrors the autumn colors on shore, you’ll feel every effort was worth it.