Tour Dates: March 22–24, 2013, and April 5–7 (Qingming Festival)
Duration: 3 days                Total Distance: 1,080 km
[Tour Theme] Spring outing to enjoy flowers and experience unique Tibetan village culture.     [Travel Mode] Self-driving and carpooling
[Tour Highlights] Photography, pear blossoms, hiking, adventure, square Guozhuang dance      [Meeting Point] Gas station at the entrance of Chengwenqiong Expressway (before entering the toll gate)
[Accommodation Standard] We have selected high-standard local hotels           [Food Rating] Local specialty meals, with a per-person meal standard of 35 RMB
Road Condition Rating ★★★★
Road conditions vary. Except for the highways between Chengdu and Ya’an, and Chengdu and Wenchuan, most sections are asphalt roads with two lanes. Most are mountainous roads with many slopes and sharp turns. After entering the Tibetan area, please watch out for tractors and motorcycles, and be aware that cattle and sheep often cross the road. Extra caution is needed when driving these sections.
Vehicle Suitability Rating ★★★
Generally, family cars with an engine displacement of 1.3L or above are suitable, as the road conditions are decent, but an SUV is the best choice.
Fuel Availability Rating ★★★★
There are plenty of gas stations along the way, so fuel is generally not a concern, though not all stations carry 97# gasoline, while other grades are usually available.
Best Travel Season ★★★★
Spring, summer, and autumn are the most beautiful seasons here. In March, the Dadu River Valley is a sea of snow pear blossoms, truly stunning.
[Attraction Introduction]:
Dadu River Pear and Red Leaf Scenic Area: Jinchuan County is located in the southwestern part of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, with an altitude ranging from 1,950 to 5,000 meters. The area has a forest coverage rate of over 80%, abundant sunshine, a mild climate, and is filled with birdsong and floral scents, earning it the reputation of "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall." Jinchuan snow pears come in 81 varieties, divided into three major categories: white pears, sand pears, and autumn pears. Notable varieties include Chicken Leg Pear, Golden Flower Pear, Water Winter Melon Pear, Red Flower Pear, Hemp Seed Pear, and Honey Pear. Among the white pear varieties, Chicken Leg Pear and Golden Flower Pear stand out for their exceptional quality, with tender flesh, sweet and sour juice, and are regarded by international fruit experts as among the best pear varieties in the world. Jinchuan has a long history of pear cultivation, and its pears have been tribute fruits sent to the capital throughout history, earning titles such as "Golden Imperial Fruit" and "Princess Pear." Due to the large diurnal temperature variation, pests are less likely to breed, so chemical fertilization is not used, making them 100% green food. The area also features the grandest ancient battlefield ruins left by Emperor Qianlong during his two military campaigns in Jinchuan over 200 years ago, as well as the first ethnic minority revolutionary government established by the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army in China’s revolutionary history — the Garze Daurga Central People's Government. The scenic area spans 187 square kilometers and includes Zhuosijia Tujiqinbo, Lovers’ Lake, Genzha Jiarong Tibetan Village, Ke’er, Shenxian Bao, Hexi, and the Old Street of Jinchuan.
The Pear and Red Leaf Scenic Area boasts vast pear blossom fields in spring and expansive red leaf landscapes in autumn, with the fragrance of ripe fruits in summer. The scale of Jinchuan’s pear blossom and red leaf scenery is among the largest in Sichuan Province. While scenic spots like Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong remain closed due to freezing weather, Jinchuan’s pear blossoms are already welcoming visitors. In late autumn, when Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong shut down, Jinchuan’s red leaves are at their most vibrant. The traditional cowhide boat is an ancient watercraft passed down from the ancient Dongnu Kingdom period in the Dadu River basin and is known as the “living fossil of water transport,” with a history of over a thousand years. The earliest record of cowhide boats can be found in Volume 197 of the "Old Book of Tang," in the "Dongnu Kingdom" section: “The king’s residence is called Kangyan Chuan, where weak water flows southward, and cowhide boats are used to cross.”
                      *******Our Joyful Journey********
Day 1: Chengdu – Ya’an – Shimian – Luding – Danba     480 KM     (Lunch & Dinner) Overnight: Danba
Meet at 7:30 AM at the gas station at the entrance of Chengwenqiong Expressway in Chengdu (before the toll gate), where we’ll go over important notices, stick on car stickers, distribute walkie-talkies, and form the convoy. Depart promptly at 8:00 AM. After passing through Ya’an, Shimian, and Luding, we’ll arrive in Danba. Free time in the evening — you can explore Danba town together, sample Tibetan cuisine, or shop for local Tibetan accessories.
Day 2: Danba – Jinchuan – Barkam               190 KM    (Breakfast & Dinner)    Overnight: Barkam
After breakfast, head to the concentrated pear blossom viewing areas in Shar Township and Ke’er Township of Jinchuan (7 km from the county town). The Dadu River Pear and Red Leaf Scenic Area lies in the Dadu River Valley. It features the most spectacular pear blossom and red leaf views on the snowy plateau and is a nationally renowned snow pear production area. Known as the “Hometown of Snow Pears,” whether in fertile river valleys or on semi-mountainous slopes, pear trees are planted everywhere. Every mid-spring in March, vast seas of pear blossoms and miles of white petals turn the entire Dadu River Valley into a boundless snowy sea and drifting white clouds. Enjoy the flowers and take photos with a joyful heart. In the afternoon, drive to Barkam, the capital of Aba Prefecture, and check into the hotel.
Day 3: Barkam – Li County – Wenchuan – Chengdu         350 KM (Breakfast & Lunch)            
After breakfast, drive via Barkam, the capital of Aba Prefecture, to visit the famous Zhuokeji Tibetan Village. The official residence is built against the mountain, facing south, and has been praised by international friends as “a pearl in the history of Eastern architecture.” It is a typical example of Jiarong Tibetan architecture. The residence was built in 1918 during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era and was also an important site during the Red Army’s Long March. As such, the Zhuokeji Tusi Official Residence has been officially listed as a national classic red tourism attraction. After the visit, enjoy lunch, then drive through Li County and Wenchuan, taking the Shangwenshan Expressway and Chengdu-Guanxian Expressway back to your warm home. Return the walkie-talkies at the highway exit and conclude this delightful journey.