Things to do in Aba Prefecture

This place is totally worth a visit as the scenery is truly beautiful. However, it may be a little bit crowded during peak season. Bus boarding could be an issue during peak season. It may take more time to travel within the park under such situation

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Five stars out of five! A four-star foundation delivering a five-star experience – a hidden gem in the top tier of Western Sichuan, and this was my second visit! Having explored many famous destinations in Western Sichuan, Bipenggou firmly holds its place among the top tier of scenic spots in my heart. My second visit after many years was even more profound. The view of Panyang Lake is absolutely stunning. The twin peaks of Yangmantai Peak and Camel Peak rise abruptly from the ground, sharp and imposing, like two spears piercing the sky. In autumn, the lakeside forests are ablaze with color, golden fir trees, dark green primeval forests, and pristine white snow-capped peaks all framed together, creating a perfectly balanced and rich landscape. From Longwanghai Lake upwards, lakes, forests, and snow-capped mountains unfold gradually, each step revealing a new vista. The natural scenery itself is already breathtaking. But what truly earns me full marks isn't just the stunning scenery, but also the remarkable management approach taken by the scenic area. As an aerial photography enthusiast, what I value most is this: Bipenggou didn't adopt a blanket no-fly policy. After prior communication and reporting, clear rules were established, limiting flights to 120 meters. As long as visitors consciously stay away from densely populated areas, flights are legal. Risks objectively exist, and managing through rules, real-name registration, and clear responsibilities is far more effective than simply shutting things down. Many scenic spots have decent natural scenery, but poor management has dragged down the overall experience. Bipenggou, through its meticulous and measured management, has steadily elevated its original four-star rating to five-star, making it a model worthy of emulation by other scenic areas. The sightseeing buses and electric vehicles within the scenic area are well-organized, with reasonable route planning and a gentle pace of altitude gain, making it friendly to tourists of different physical abilities. The facilities are clean and tidy, without excessive commercial noise, preserving the original, tranquil snow-capped mountain and forest texture of the Qionglai Mountains to the greatest extent possible. Swallow Rock Nest offers expansive views and a refreshing breeze, perfect for quietly gazing at the distant mountains. The wooden boardwalk around Pan Yang Lake is comfortable to walk on; on calm days, the snow-capped mountains and colorful forests are reflected in the lake, making every snapshot a wallpaper-worthy scene. Having seen many tourist attractions that rely on hype and legends, only to find the reality vastly different, Bipenggou is the opposite. Its scenery is truly impressive, and its management is sound. It doesn't rely on gimmicks to gain popularity; it has earned its reputation through its genuine beauty and effective governance. My second visit was equally captivating, proving its enduring charm. Whether for autumn foliage viewing, hiking, or aerial photography, it's worth a special trip, and I'll definitely come back.

Huanglong Scenic Area is China's only well-preserved plateau wetland, with more than 3,000 colorful pools and uniquely structured, brightly colored travertine landscapes as its main attraction.

I highly recommend Mount Siguniang! It truly lives up to its reputation as the "Queen of Sichuan Mountains, the Alps of the East." This trip to western Sichuan was absolutely breathtaking; all my expectations were met, and it even far exceeded my anticipation! The four snow-capped peaks stand in a row, with the highest, Yaomei Peak, towering and beautiful, perpetually covered in snow, its sharp edges striking awe-inspiring against the clear blue sky of the plateau. Clouds often swirl around the mountainsides like a soft white veil, sometimes obscuring the peaks, sometimes revealing their true beauty. Every frame, amidst the ever-changing clouds, is like a natural oil painting; no filter is needed for any shot.

The first stop, the redwood forest, was beautiful, but the main attractions were Zhugana Lake and Potala Peak. Zhugana Lake is a must-see; it's incredibly beautiful, with photogenic views from every angle. While the scenery afterwards was somewhat repetitive, it was still quite nice. By the time we reached Ginseng Fruit Meadow, we were experiencing some aesthetic fatigue. It's best to allocate your energy wisely.

Panda village, fresh air and feel relax and peaceful after see Panda Fu Bao ❤️✨

A trip well worth the price of admission. The first stop was a field of pale purple flowers; I initially mistook it for lavender, but my phone identified it as catnip. Further on, there was the Red Army Bridge and Red Army Lake – historical sites with beautiful scenery. If your physical condition allows, definitely take the cable car to the top. There's a lovely café at the summit where you can eat Western food, read for free, and take photos for free. Plus, it's air-conditioned and has been specially designed to increase the oxygen content.

Online ticketing is very convenient for the attractions along the Sichuan-Gannan Grand Loop! After taking the escalator up to the mountaintop for the view, I recommend walking down the wooden boardwalk for the rest of the journey. However, the parking lot for the escalator is quite far from the entrance! There's no shuttle bus either! Ultimately, we had to split up: one person went down the stairs to get the car, and the other walked down the boardwalk. The experience was just so-so!

The scenery is truly beautiful. The weather was great the day I went, so the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. The lake, the flower-filled lake, and the ecological environment are simply amazing. There's a commercial street right outside with all sorts of food options, which is very convenient.

Welcome to Lianbaoyeze in Aba Prefecture! In Tibetan, it means "Dignified Jade Peak," and it's commonly known as "Stone Mountain." While other parts of western Sichuan take a gentler approach, it's rugged, majestic, and magical, like stepping onto the set of *The Lord of the Rings*. The core of the experience: Experience the stone world from a different perspective—effortlessly witness its breathtaking beauty, explore hidden gems, and make sure your stomach and camera are never empty. 🏔️ Stone Mountain with a "Magical Filter": Millions of years of glacial erosion and frost weathering have sculpted a granite peak forest, with an average altitude of over 4000 meters and a maximum of 5141 meters. Strange peaks and rocks stand in rows, some resembling meditating Buddhas, others like high-altitude guardians—a natural stone sanctuary. Glacial lakes bring the stone world to life: The star attraction, Zhagar Tso, the largest glacial lake in the scenic area, sits at an altitude of approximately 4200 meters. Its waters are an incredibly blue, surrounded by stone peaks on three sides. On a windless morning, the reflections are absolutely stunning, enough to make any camera applaud. There's also the legendary Zhumu Tso, said to be the dressing lake of King Gesar's queen, and Baixiang Hai, named for the fragrance of high-altitude cypress trees. 📜 Sacred Mountains with Stories Lianbaoye is one of the ten sacred mountains in the Tibetan region, said to be the site of King Gesar's ancient battlefields. You might encounter pilgrims circumambulating the mountain along the boardwalk; the Tibetan Year of the Monkey is the mountain god's "birth year," a cycle of twelve years. Mani stones, prayer flags, and "goat horn flowers" on the rock walls add warmth to the austere landscape. 🥾 How to Experience: First, take a bird's-eye view, then stroll slowly along the lake. The Zhagar Tso loop is easy to navigate, with a gentle wooden boardwalk and gravel path, taking about 40 minutes to 1 hour for a complete loop. If you have extra energy, head to the viewing platform on the east side of the lake for a panoramic view, then take the path on the west side to find unnamed lakes and mani stones—fewer people and calmer. For a bird's-eye view, head to the 4520-meter viewing platform: Take the shuttle bus from the Heyuan Service Station or Panyangping (approximately 15 RMB per person) for a 360° panoramic view of thousands of peaks and lakes, and the winding road, with the "stone castle" stretching to the horizon. Efficient combination: ascend to the 4520-meter platform for the entire panorama, then descend to Zhagar Tso for a level view. 📸 Best Photo Spots · Prayer flags on the west side of Zhagar Tso Lake: Low-angle shot, capturing the stone pillars, prayer flags, and lake surface in the same frame. · Before 9 AM: Soft light, the lake water is at its most vibrant blue-green. · Luoxia Lake: Sunset spot, with the sunset reflection and the white pagoda and grassy area as a foreground. · S-curve of the mountain road: Great for highway shots. · Small stream to the right rear of the Panyangping parking lot: Less crowded, easier, family-friendly. • Outfit: Dark earth tones like black, khaki, and deep red create a striking contrast with the gray-black stone peaks; a bright-colored windbreaker with a 4520 jacket adds a touch of wasteland style. 🍲 Food: Feed yourself in the county town before heading into the mountains. Restaurants are limited in the scenic area, so Aba County town serves as a culinary buffer. Eat well before setting off and bring your own food. Inside the scenic area, there's the Meet Zhumu Restaurant (next to Lanzhuocuo): yak hand-pulled meat with Tibetan chili sauce, Tibetan yogurt to cut the richness, and barley cakes for a satisfying lunch; the coffee shop next to the viewing platform offers yak yogurt coffee while gazing at the snow-capped mountains. In the county town, Tibetan cuisine is the main attraction: yak hot pot costs approximately 80-150 yuan per person; hand-pulled mutton is slowly boiled in water with only salt and pepper, dipped in chive blossom sauce or salt and pepper; yak butter tea is salty and warming, try sweet tea if you don't like it; tsampa is a high-altitude energy source. For black barley, try "Qulawojia" milk tea and barley crisps as souvenirs; Tibetan blood sausage and bracken pork are mostly found in Tibetan-style restaurants; and the "Monk's Buns" on the street, with their thin-skinned beef filling, are incredibly comforting for just over ten yuan per person.