The Great Shangri-La Loop Route
The Great Shangri-La Loop Route
Route: Chengdu → Dujiangyan → Xiaojin County → Danba County → Xinduqiao Town → Litang County → Daocheng County → Xiangcheng County → Shangri-La County → Lijiang City → Lugu Lake Town → Yan Yuan County → Xichang City → Ya’an City → Chengdu (Total distance: over 1,500 km)
A Gathering of Natural Wonders. This route showcases the highlights of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces: the low-altitude Hailuogou Glacier, Kangding—the hometown of love songs, Xinduqiao—the paradise for photographers, Danba—the most beautiful ancient village on the plateau, Daocheng Yading—the last pure land on Earth, Lugu Lake—whose beauty is beyond words, Tiger Leaping Gorge—majestic and grand, Lijiang Old Town—simple yet charming... In addition, this route takes you through numerous ethnic minority areas, offering a vibrant taste of rich local cultures.
Route Features: This route is known for its breathtaking natural scenery. The journey is long, with roads mostly winding up mountains and featuring rugged terrain. Some sections consist of dirt, gravel, or sandy surfaces.
Best Time to Ride: September to October, when temperatures are pleasant and scenery at its finest. From September to April of the following year is the snow season. Scenery is especially beautiful in May, and from late October to mid-November, but the middle months may be affected by the rainy season.
Recommended Duration: 20–30 days
Riding Preparation: On long-distance cycling trips (especially those involving climbs), speed depends not on your stamina or fitness, but on how much weight you’re carrying. There are many uphill sections on this route, so pack as lightly as possible. Ultraviolet rays are intense at high altitudes, so take sun protection seriously.