The Southern Gonga Route: The Hottest Scenic Spot in Western Sichuan This Summer! So Beautiful

The Southern Gonga Route is a stunning self-driving route in western Sichuan, known as the "Top Off-Road Route in Western Sichuan." Along the way, you can enjoy diverse landscapes such as snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, grasslands, and Tibetan culture. Here is a detailed travel guide: I. Route Overview** - **Starting and Ending Points**: Litang → Batang (forward) or Batang → Litang (reverse), with a total distance of approximately 230–255 km. - **Best Seasons**: June–September (summer flower sea), late September–mid-October (autumn scenery). - **Featured Landscapes**: Mount Gonga (6,204m), Gonga's Eye, Lengu Monastery, Rehti River Valley, Zhawala Pass, etc. II. Itinerary Suggestions** Classic 3–4 Day Itinerary** - **D1**: Litang → Tiejingshan → Xiazetong Village (accommodation) - Visit Tiejingshan and Gonga's Eye (excellent for sunsets). - **D2**: Xiazetong Village → Lengu Monastery → Hangda Camp (accommodation) - Visit the old and new Lengu Monasteries (three treasures of the monastery), hike or ride a horse to the Heart of Gonga. - **D3**: Hangda Camp → Zhawala Pass → Batang - Traverse the Rehti River Valley and enjoy the scenery of the western slope of Gonga. **In-Depth Tour Recommendations** - Add a hike to Xiaozha Lake and stargazing camping on the Maoya Grassland. - Connect to Cuopu Gou (azure lake + hot springs), which requires an additional 1–2 days. III. Road Conditions and Vehicle Selection** - **Main Road Conditions**: - Litang → Gonga's Eye: Asphalt road + some dirt roads, sedans can barely pass. - Gonga's Eye → Hangda Camp: Potholes and gravel roads, requires an off-road vehicle. - Zhawala Pass section: Many falling rocks, be cautious during the rainy season. - **Recommended Vehicles**: Hardcore off-road vehicles (such as Prado), urban SUVs need to be careful with the chassis. IV. Accommodation Recommendations** - **Xiazetong Village**: Tibetan-style B&Bs (such as "Gonga Renjia," CNY 150–300/night). - **Hangda Camp**: Tent rentals (approx. CNY 200/tent), suitable for photographing the Milky Way. High-End Option**: Litang Yunduan Fanshe B&B (starry sky room, oxygen generator + floor heating, near Gonga's Eye). V. Precautions** 1. **Altitude Sickness Prevention**: Litang (4,014m) is not suitable for the first night's accommodation. It is recommended to stay in Xinduqiao (3,300m) first to acclimatize. 2. **Signal and Navigation**: There is no signal in most areas along the route. Download offline maps in advance. 3. **Fuel and Supplies**: Fill up with fuel in Litang or Batang, as there are no gas stations along the way. 4. **Environmental Protection**: The ecology of Gonga's Eye is fragile, and vehicles are prohibited from driving over it. VI. Niche Travel Ideas** - **Photography Spots**: Laozhe Longba Pass (sea of clouds + Gonga peaks), Xiaozha Lake (emerald glacial lake). - **Hot Spring Experience**: Natural hot spring foot bath in Xiazetong Village. VII. Food Recommendations** - Litang: Cangyangge Tibetan Restaurant (yak meat buns), Xianhe Square BBQ. - Batang: Zhaxidele Tibetan Restaurant (matsutake stewed chicken). The Southern Gonga Route is suitable for travelers who seek original scenery and off-road challenges. It is recommended to travel in a group and prepare emergency tools. For more detailed road conditions or accommodation information, please refer to relevant travel notes and guides.