Siguniangshan Travel Guide 2026 — Four Sisters Mountain, Trekking & Climbing

What's inside this guide Bucket List · Highlights · Q&A · Itineraries · Attractions · Activities · Where to Stay · Food · Getting Around · Shopping · Practical Info · Day Trips · Tips · Background · Plan Your Trip

Siguniangshan Bucket Listthe valleys, the horses and the summit

See the golden sunrise over Yaomei

The 6,250-m sister peaks catch fire at dawn from the Maoniubridge pass — the postcard of the Four Sisters.

Ride Shuangqiao Valley by shuttle

The bus-fed valley of meadows, snow peaks and the Five-Colour Mountain — the easiest great view.

Horse-trek Changping Valley

The 29-km horse trail to the foot of the peaks — past the lamasery ruins and the Dead Tree Beach.

Climb Da Feng (5,025 m)

The 'big peak' — a long but non-technical summit for fit first-timers, with guides and camps at 4,200 m.

Walk Haizi Valley's alpine lakes

The ten-plus high lakes of the third valley — the trekkers' favourite, full of wildflowers in summer.

Drive Balang Mountain pass

The 4,523-m pass above the town — cloud seas, peaks and the barbecue stalls at the top.

Top Highlightswhat the Four Sisters do best

No.1
The golden sunriseThe four peaks alight at dawn — the classic sight from the town and the passes.
No.2
Shuangqiao ValleyMeadows, snow views and the shuttle road — the alpine postcard without the climb.
No.3
The horse trail to the peaksChangping Valley's 29 km to the mountain foot — the classic horse trek.
No.4
The high lakes of HaiziTen alpine lakes below the summits — the trekkers' valley of the range.

Questions & Answerswhat travellers always ask about Siguniangshan

When is the best time to visit Siguniangshan?

May–October is the season — wildflowers in June–July, clear golds in September–October, and the climbs are most stable in autumn. Winter brings snow and cold to the town; the passes close in heavy snow. The town holds flower-viewing festivals in July–August and the Mountain-Worship Festival in the lunar fifth month.

How do the valley tickets work?

Peak (Apr 1–Nov 30): Shuangqiao RMB 70, Changping RMB 60, Haizi RMB 60. Off-peak (Nov 1–Mar 30): RMB 50, 40 and 40. Shuangqiao runs the shuttle; Changping and Haizi are horse or foot. Women enter free March 7–9; some festivals free the valleys.

Is the Da Feng climb for beginners?

Da Feng (5,025 m) is the classic first 5,000-m climb — a long walk, no technical rock, but real altitude. Fit first-timers succeed with a guide, a night at the 4,200-m camp and an early summit start; the full programme takes 2–3 days.

How do I get there from Chengdu?

The Chadianzi station runs the daily 06:20 coach to Xiaojin (028-87506610) — about 4–5 hours to Rilong town. By car the route climbs Balang Mountain; the pass road is the scenic approach. There is no direct rail.

Where should I sleep?

Rilong town at about 3,200 m holds the hotels and guesthouses — from the Tianqing Inn and the Sunshine International Youth Hostel to the new boutique lodges. Sleep in Rilong, not higher, on the first night.

Can I book my Siguniang trip through ToursChinaTravel?

Yes — email [email protected] or message us on WhatsApp. Our team arranges the coaches, hotels, valley passes, horse treks and the Da Feng climb logistics, free of charge and without obligation.

Sample Itinerariesthe three valleys in three days

Siguniangshan Valleys 3-Day Tour

All three valleys — shuttle, horse and foot — with the golden sunrise. View the plan →

Day 1

Morning coach from Chengdu over Balang Mountain; afternoon the Maoniubridge pass for the golden light, then Rilong town at 3,200 m.

Day 2

Full day in Shuangqiao Valley by shuttle — the Five-Colour Mountain, the meadows and the snow views.

Day 3

Morning the horse trail in Changping Valley to the foot of the peaks; afternoon the return coach to Chengdu — or add Haizi Valley.

Siguniang Trekker 2-Day Tour

Haizi Valley's alpine lakes and the Changping horse trail — the walkers' circuit. View the plan →

Day 1

Morning in Haizi Valley — the Guozhuangping meadow, the Flower Sea and the high lakes under the peaks; night in Rilong.

Day 2

The Changping horse trail to the mountain foot — the lamasery ruins and the Dead Tree Beach, then the coach home.

All plans are bookable end-to-end by our team — see the full day-by-day Siguniangshan itineraries hub, or the day-trip pages for single-day options.

Top Attractionstickets, hours, transport & insider tips

The Four Sisters & Yaomei Peak

The four peaks of the range — Yaomei at 6,250 m, the tallest and most beautiful — seen whole from the town and the passes, gold at dawn.

Free (viewpoints) · Dawn & dusk · Mountain · Summit

View details →

Shuangqiao Valley (Shuangqiao Gou)

The shuttle-fed valley of the west — the Five-Colour Mountain, the Sun-Moon Mirror and the meadows of the Shaji forest boardwalk.

RMB 70 peak (shuttle extra) · 08:00–17:00 · Valley · Shuttle

View details →

Changping Valley (Changping Gou)

The 29-km horse trail east to the foot of the peaks — the lamasery ruins, the Dead Tree Beach and the classic trek.

RMB 60 peak · Horses 08:00–15:00 · Valley · Horse Trek

View details →

Haizi Valley (Haizi Gou)

The trekkers' valley of the north — the Guozhuangping meadow, ten-plus alpine lakes and the base of the climbing routes.

RMB 60 peak · All day · Valley · Alpine Lakes

View details →

Da Feng (5,025 m)

The 'big peak' — the classic first 5,000-m climb, a long walk with no technical rock, guided from the 4,200-m camp.

Guide & camp extra · 2–3 days · Climb · Summit

View details →

Balang Mountain pass (4,523 m)

The pass road from Chengdu — cloud seas, the snow peaks and the barbecue stalls at the top, the scenic gateway to the range.

Free · Daylight · Pass · Scenic Drive

View details →

More in the region on the Sichuan attractions page.

Activities & Festivalsfestivals, climbs and the flower meadows

The Flower-Viewing Festival (July–August)

The meadows bloom and the town feasts — the summer festival of the valleys.

The Mountain-Worship Festival

The fifth day of the fifth lunar month — the annual pilgrimage of the mountain, with village games and feasts.

The Da Feng & Er Feng climbs

The two walkable summits of the range — Da Feng 5,025 m and Er Feng 5,276 m, guided climbs from the high camp.

The wild mushroom table

August–September the forest mushrooms season the village kitchens — the gourmet moment of the alpine table.

Where to StayRilong town under the peaks

Every hotel below is bookable by our team; browse the full Sichuan hotels directory.

Rilong town guesthouses

The base town at 3,200 m — from the Tianqing Inn and the Sunshine International Youth Hostel to simple family rooms.

Book: Sichuan hotels · or email [email protected]

Mid-range hotels

The new boutique hotels of Rilong — warm rooms and mountain views, the comfortable middle.

Book: Sichuan hotels · or email [email protected]

Valley camps

The camps of the climbing base — Da Feng camp at 4,200 m and the Haizi Valley tent grounds for the trek.

Book: Sichuan hotels · or email [email protected]

Xiaojin county hotels

The county town below — the practical overflow and the warmest prices.

Book: Sichuan hotels · or email [email protected]

Food & Restaurantsthe plateau table of the valleys

Zha wine & the valley toasts

The local barley wine of the Qiang and Tibetan villages — the toast of the mountain evenings.

Wild mushrooms & mountain greens

The forest mushrooms of the season and the hardy greens of the high fields.

Tsampa & hand-grabbed lamb

The plateau staples of the Tibetan villages — roasted barley and the lamb of the pastures.

Whole roast lamb

The festival table of the valleys — a whole lamb over the coals for the big nights.

Shopping & Souvenirsherbs, crafts and the mountain gifts

Wild mountain herbs

The mushrooms, fritillaria and the medicinal plants of the forest stalls.

Qiang & Tibetan crafts

The embroidered belts, silver and woven goods of the two peoples of the valleys.

Zha wine

The barley wine of the plateau, bottled in the villages — the liquid souvenir.

Altitude herbs & the climbing shops

The red jingtian of the plateau and the climbing gear of the Rilong outfitters.

Full local-product guides live on the Sichuan specialties page.

Getting There & Aroundthe 06:20 coach and the pass road

By coach

By coach from Chengdu

The Chadianzi station runs the daily 06:20 coach to Xiaojin (028-87506610) — 4–5 hours to Rilong, the only direct public route.

By car

The route climbs Balang Mountain from Chengdu — the 4,523-m pass road is the scenic approach, about 5 hours; check snow closures in winter.

By train

No direct rail

The nearest rail is at Chengdu; the coach and the road are the two ways into the range.

Day Trips From Siguniangshanthe pass, the forest park and the red valley

Balang Mountain & Maoniubridge (1 day)

The 4,523-m pass and the classic golden-light viewpoint — the gateway spectacle.

Bipeng Valley (2 days)

The red-leaved valley of autumn across the pass — the sister scenic area of the range.

Jiajin Mountain & the Red Army trail (1 day)

The 4,114-m mountain of the Long March — the historic pass and the forest park.

Travel Tipsthings to remember

1 · Sleep at 3,200 m first

Rilong town, not higher, on the first night — the valleys climb quickly and altitude needs a day to settle.

2 · Horses book by the gate

The valley horses sell out by mid-morning in season — arrive at the gates by 08:00 or book through our team.

3 · The summit needs three days

Da Feng is not a day-trip — the camp at 4,200 m and the dawn summit start need a proper programme.

4 · Red jingtian from day one

The altitude herb is taken ten days before the climb — start it before you leave Chengdu.

5 · The pass road closes in snow

Balang Mountain's winter closures are real — check the road and the forecast before travelling November–March.

Background & Historythe Alps of the east

Geography & climate

The Four Sisters rise from the Xiaojin county of the Aba prefecture, 220 km from Chengdu — four granite peaks of 5,600–6,250 m above the three trekking valleys, on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

A brief history

The peaks were long sacred to the local Qiang and Tibetan villagers — the 'sisters' of the name. The valleys opened to trekkers in the 1980s and the first summit routes followed; the range is now the classic training ground for China's high-altitude climbers.

The culture of the valleys

The Qiang and Tibetan villages hold their festivals — the Mountain-Worship Festival, the flower-viewing weeks and the zha-wine toasts — and the horse culture of the plateau still moves through the valley trails.

Plan Your Siguniangshan Tripattractions, hotels, flights and specialties — all in one place

Everything on ToursChinaTravel is bookable through our team by email or WhatsApp. Here's where each part of your Siguniangshan trip lives on the site.

Siguniangshan Travel Guide — the Four Sisters of the eastern Himalayas

Siguniangshan Bucket Listthe valleys, the horses and the summit

See the golden sunrise over Yaomei

Ride Shuangqiao Valley by shuttle

Horse-trek Changping Valley

Climb Da Feng (5,025 m)

Walk Haizi Valley's alpine lakes

Drive Balang Mountain pass

Top Highlightswhat the Four Sisters do best

The golden sunrise

Shuangqiao Valley

The horse trail to the peaks

The high lakes of Haizi

Questions & Answerswhat travellers always ask about Siguniangshan

When is the best time to visit Siguniangshan?

How do the valley tickets work?

Is the Da Feng climb for beginners?

How do I get there from Chengdu?

Where should I sleep?

Can I book my Siguniang trip through ToursChinaTravel?

Sample Itinerariesthe three valleys in three days

Top Attractionstickets, hours, transport & insider tips

Activities & Festivalsfestivals, climbs and the flower meadows

The Flower-Viewing Festival (July–August)

The Mountain-Worship Festival

The Da Feng & Er Feng climbs

The wild mushroom table

Where to StayRilong town under the peaks

Rilong town guesthouses

Mid-range hotels

Valley camps

Xiaojin county hotels

Food & Restaurantsthe plateau table of the valleys

Zha wine & the valley toasts

Wild mushrooms & mountain greens

Tsampa & hand-grabbed lamb

Whole roast lamb

Shopping & Souvenirsherbs, crafts and the mountain gifts

Wild mountain herbs

Qiang & Tibetan crafts

Zha wine

Altitude herbs & the climbing shops

Getting There & Aroundthe 06:20 coach and the pass road

By coach from Chengdu

By car

No direct rail

Day Trips From Siguniangshanthe pass, the forest park and the red valley

Travel Tipsthings to remember

1 · Sleep at 3,200 m first

2 · Horses book by the gate

3 · The summit needs three days

4 · Red jingtian from day one

5 · The pass road closes in snow

Background & Historythe Alps of the east

Geography & climate

A brief history

The culture of the valleys

Plan Your Siguniangshan Tripattractions, hotels, flights and specialties — all in one place