Siguniangshan in Summer

Shuangqiaogou, Siguniangshan Over the past two or three years, Siguniangshan has been a top destination on many people's bucket lists. Aside from its grandeur and stunning scenery, it's also relatively inexpensive, offering views reminiscent of a European getaway, earning it the nickname "Switzerland of the Dragon." Shuangqiaogou is accessible year-round, with each season offering its own unique beauty. This time, we visited in early July, right before summer. While Chengdu's weather is quite hot, similar to Thailand's, Siguniangshan is pleasantly cool, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. The valley is lush with lush greenery, beautiful flowers in bloom, and the summit is sparsely covered in snow. This is another great time for photography. (Note: Cloudy skies and rain are possible, so be sure to check the weather forecast before traveling.) On this trip, we'll take you to the Shuangqiao Valley trail, the most popular of the park's three main trails, as it's easily accessible and suitable for all ages. The route is filled with beautiful photo spots. The highlight of this valley is the views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, pine forests, lakes, and rolling grasslands. On a clear day, the Four Girls Peaks are clearly visible. This route has 6-7 main stops (two of which we visited in this review). You must take a shuttle bus from the entrance to the top of the mountain, then return back down, stopping at various points. You can get off at any stop and continue on to the next stop until you reach your destination. Tips: - We recommend purchasing tickets in advance through Trip.com. These can be booked approximately two weeks in advance. The ticket costs 150 yuan. - Upon arrival, exchange your paper ticket at the ticket office (only your passport is required for this exchange). - Show your paper ticket and passport to the staff before queuing for the bus. - When boarding the bus, we recommend sitting on the right side of the bus. When descending, we recommend sitting on the left side. The view is stunning. - Highlights: - First stop (highest point): You can see the peaks of all four mountains and it is the highest point (3,840 meters) on this route. This is a popular food spot. If you're hungry, stop here for a bite. - Second Point: There's a large white pagoda, a popular photo spot (people often stop to take photos in the middle of the road, with the pagoda, a field of yellow flowers and herds of yaks, and a wooden walkway along the stream). Photography enthusiasts should allow plenty of time for this spot. - Third Point: There's a crystal-clear blue stream surrounded by a pine forest. - Fourth Point: From May to early November, you can go rafting here for 90 yuan per person. - Fifth Point: The transfer point for the descent. There's a coffee shop, restaurant, and restrooms. - Sixth Point: The last point before the exit, offering views of the grasslands and mountains. - This route takes at least 4-5 hours (but if you love photography and want to visit every stop, it might take longer). For the Si Daruni trip, there were 8 of us and we rented a car with a driver for a 2-day, 1-night trip. It cost about 200 baht per person. It was convenient and comfortable, with pick-up and drop-off at the hotel. On the way there, the driver took us to a viewpoint, bought snacks, and took a break along the way to allow our bodies to adjust to the altitude and use the restroom. Be sure to stock up on oxygen cans. This is another recommended option for traveling to the Four Girls. **This review is for travel on July 12, 2025.** #GetDiscountsWithoutLuck