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Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China
A paradise for photographers, the best place to admire at Gongga Mountain
Xinduqiao is a small peaceful Tibetan town in the Western Sichuan, 78 kilometers west of Kangding City. It stands on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway(318 National Highway), close to Tagong Town and Danba Town to the north, Gongga Mountain to the south and Shangri-La to the west.
Xinduqiao is located between Kangding and Tagong Grassland, and located near the National Highway 318. Xinduqiao is a picturesque town. Located about 78 kilometers from Kangding, Xinduqiao is about 2 hours’ drive from Kangding. It is called the paradise of the photography lovers. And many photographers and painters come here to catch the impressive light and shadow.
The average elevation of Xianduqiao Town is around 3500 meters. It is of plateau climate, the weather is changeable, and the temperature varies widely from day to night. So travelers are suggested to prepare with suitable clothes and shoes. The places around Xinduqiao are picturesque and also ideal for hiking. Just keep in mind that you are in the high altitude region, you might have altitude sickness. So keep warm, have more water, have enough rest and bring with some medicine.
Xinduqiao has been long famed as a photographer’s paradise in China, not only because of the town itself, but also because of the beautiful surroundings, especially the Ten-mile Gallery. Enthusiasts of photography will be marveled at the fabulous natural lights and shadows, and the idyllic landscape of vast grassland where flocks of sheep and cattle are scattered, soft clear brooks, golden poplars in autumn, snow-capped mountains afar...
The local Tibetan dwellings are distinctive, with spacious courtyard, white walls and red-painted wooden door. Most of the houses are made of stone, with good ventilation and excellent lighting. The three windows on each wall are painted in red, black and white separately and dotted with patterns of sun, moon or triangles, symbolizing a large family and a prosperous year.
The Ten-Mile Galley is a photography corridor near the Xinduqiao. This 10-kilometer corridor is thought to be the best place to photograph the scenery of Xinduqiao. You can see the blue sky, white clouds, grasslands, flocks and herds, snow mountain and stream, which are really amazing in summer and autumn. In summer, you can get the lush and green grasslands and forests. In autumn, you can see the golden grassland and colorful forests.
Walking along the Ten-Mile Gallery, you will see the Jiagengba. At the Jiagengba, you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of bridge, stream, grassland, forests, flocks and herds. It is beautiful in summer and autumn.
The town of Xinduqiao is now a popular destination with a great number of hotels. But most of them are basic guesthouse of Tibetan architecture. In recent years, some boutique hotels in Xinduqiao are built and equipped with modern, convenient facilities.
Gunong Village
Gunong Village(姑弄村) is just an hour’s drive from Xinduqiao. It is a popular camping destination in Western Sichuan. At the Gunong Village, you can see the stream, grassland and Yala Snow Mountain. At noon, you can sit by the stream of Gunong Village and enjoy the warm sunshine to silently enjoy the picturesque view. And if you have time, you can camp at the grassland near the stream of Gunong Village. At night, you may have chance to enjoy the starry sky at Gunong Village.
The best time to visit Xinduqiao is summer and autumn. In summer, the grasslands and forests are lush and green. And the flowers bloom at the grasslands. During this time, you can enjoy the picturesque view and experience the Tibetan culture. In autumn, the grasslands are golden and the forests are colorful at Xinduqiao. Together with the blue sky, white clouds and snow mountain, autumn is the best time to catch the light and shadow for photographers and painters in Xinduqiao.
A Day Trip in Xinduqiao
To spend a day in Xinduqiao, you can visit the Ten-Mile Gallery to enjoy the picturesque scenery alongside the long corridor and get wonderful photos. After visiting the Ten-Mile Galley, you can pay a visit to the Jiagengba, a peaceful place with grassland, stream and forests.
Two Days Trip in Xinduqiao
Day 1 Chengdu-Tagong Grassland
On the first day, you will get to Tagong Grassland from Chengdu and Kangding. On your way to Tagong Grassland from Kangding, you will see the Honghaizi Lake.
Day 2 Tagong Grassland-Xinduqiao-Chengdu
On Day 2, you will get to Xinduqiao and Gunong Village from Tagong Grassland. After visiting the Xinduqiao and Gunong Village, you will get back to Chengdu.
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