The May Day trip back to Northwest Sichuan slowed down the trip to Xinjiang

The prairie in northwest Sichuan is most beautiful from mid-June to August, and the lotus leaves are also the most beautiful during this time. Thinking that this area was relatively unpopular during the May Day holiday, I quickly planned a small loop route through northwestern Sichuan. It didn't disappoint me, as northwestern Sichuan was also very beautiful during the May Day holiday. The weather on May Day is a transition between spring and summer, and you can experience all four seasons in just one day. Coming out of Yangronghad and heading towards Hongyuan, the colors of the colorful forests along the way change from "green-yellow-orange", and slowly entering Elsa's ice and snow world. Due to the rich vegetation, the snow scene here is very different from that on the Dagu Glacier and is very shocking. It snowed in Ruoergai that night, and when I woke up the next day, the surrounding scenery had changed. From Ruoergai to Manzetang, there are snow-capped mountains, grasslands (yellow and green), cattle and sheep... words cannot describe its beauty, and cameras cannot capture the scenery that your eyes see. If you have the chance, you must go and see it for yourself. The original plan was for a 5-day trip, but on the fourth day we made a temporary change and returned directly from Aba County to Chengdu in one day. I originally planned to go to Xinjiang during the summer vacation, but after traveling all the way to northwest Sichuan, I felt that Xinjiang was a good place to relax. 🗓Itinerary: D1: Chengdu - Heishui - Dagu Glacier - Yangronghad D2: Yangronghade - Hongyuan Grassland - Nine Bends of the Yellow River - First Bend of the Yellow River - Ruoergai D3: Ruoergai-Manzetang Wetland-Aba County-Gemo Temple D4: Aba County - Lianbaoyezhe - Chengdu 👍Most Recommended: Dagu Glacier: Challenging the 4,860 meters, the sightseeing bus goes all the way up from the bottom of the mountain, stopping at each scenic spot for everyone to take photos and have fun. As the altitude gradually increases, it slowly starts to snow. Later we turned into a cable car. The higher we went, the less vegetation there was, and it was all covered with snow. Due to the weather, it was snowing heavily and we were unable to see the Dagu Glacier under the blue sky. However, it did allow the people of Chengdu who had never seen heavy snow to experience a different kind of scenery. The First Bend of the Nine-bend Yellow River: Take the elevator directly to the top with the elderly and children, and then walk down. We were lucky and the weather cleared up in the afternoon, so we saw the first bend of the Yellow River with yellow and green colors. It was very beautiful and spectacular. Standing on the top of the mountain, you can see the panoramic view without flying a drone. After going down the mountain, you can walk along the plank road to the Yellow River and slowly enjoy this close contact. There are many cute little marmots on the hillside and at the foot of the mountain, and the children love them very much. Gemo Temple: A grand temple building built on a prairie dam, with its back against high mountains and facing snow-capped mountains. It can be seen from afar and has a high status in Tibetan Buddhism. I don’t understand anything else, I can only say that its location is very beautiful, and the temple and its interior are very spectacular (you can search for relevant information on Baidu). Be careful not to miss the exhibition area on the 8th floor, which contains very precious cultural relics. Lotus leaf: Also known as Stone Mountain, it is a famous sacred mountain in Tibet, covered with snow all year round. We went in after 8 o'clock in the morning and there was basically no queue. As it snowed the night before, we had to wait for a while for the scenic area to clear the snow. As you enter the scenic area from the entrance, you will be more and more shocked by the changes of the mountains. You will feel like you have entered an exotic world in Middle-earth. It might be more stunning if it weren't covered with snow. 📝Note tips: 1. The altitude in northwest Sichuan is relatively high. It is not recommended to stay in places like Ruoergai or Aba County, which are about 3,500 meters above sea level, on the first day. We chose to adapt to the weather for one night in Heishui, which is about 2,500 meters above sea level. 2. In the summer when vegetation is abundant in high altitude areas, the oxygen content is higher and it is not so easy to get altitude sickness during the day. It is more likely to get altitude sickness in winter (experienced many times), so it is recommended not to bring the elderly and children in winter. 3. There are scenic spots all along the way in northwest Sichuan. You only need to plan a few major attractions. Don't be too tight on your schedule. Reserve some time for maneuvering so that you can stop and play at any time along the way. 4. If you want to fully experience Northwest Sichuan, it is recommended that you drive yourself and go slowly. 🛏Hotel recommendation: Ruoergai: Ruoergai Zunyue Ruitian Hotel is considered to be the best hotel in Ruoergai County, and the service attitude is very good in all aspects. Aba County: VIP Hotel (Aba Gelug Temple Branch), one of the better hotels in Aba County, convenient for dining nearby and easy access to Lianbaoyezhe.