West Sichuan Frigid Grassland [Ganzi]

"One of Top Six Most Beautiful Grasslands in China"
Ranked by China National Geoegraphy Magazin

Western Sichuan Frigid Grassland (Litang Bumyak Grassland) in Litang County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province: The Beauty of changes

The Bumyak Grassland, with an altitude of 3,800-4,500 meters, is the largest in the central Shaluli Range in the Hengduan Mountains. The Sichuan-Tibet highway extends 100 kilometers along the north of the grassland. Winding through the grassland is the Litang River, with marshes and meadows scattered on the sides. From June to September, this land is dotted with flourishing flowers, the best season of the year. The flocks and herds add beauty and harmony to the huge scroll-like scene.

The Tsophu Grassland is 3,800 meters above sea level. It offers a feast of beautiful scenery: blue sky, white clouds, towering peaks, temples and a lake among the woods, murmuring streams, grazing cattle, fluttering Buddhist sutra streamers and vapor curling from a hot spring. The best of the Tsophu Grassland is the lake hidden among high grass and primitive forests. The erratic boulders scattered near the lake are relics of three ice ages. In the distance stands an old temple. An aged monk comes to feed the fish in the lake every day: an idyllic scene indeed!

While not as extensive as those in Inner Mongolia, the grasslands in western Sichuan have unique scenery featuring frigid meadows. Early summer is the golden season here. With rich plant resources, the grasslands offer ideal pasture for cattle. In late summer and early autumn, horse races and carnivals are held on the grassland at Litang, during which there is a spectacular display of tents erected by herdsmen from far and near.

Best time to go
From June to September
The rain is from July to September. The annual mean temperature is 37.4F; in July, annual mean temperature is 50.36F and the hottest is 75.92; in January, annual mean temperature is 42.98F and the coldest is -23F.

Ticket
No ticket

Around Landscape
Mountain Gongga, Hailuogou Glaciers, Moxi Town, Er’daoqiao Hot spring, Jinggang Temple, Nanwu Temple, Ganzi Temple, Cuopu Scenic Area, Yading Scenic Area, etc.

Local Snacks and Specialties
There are many wild fungivorous and medicinal materials.

Travel Tips
Bring warm clothes with you because weather is change to cold at night in grassland.
Please take sunbonnet, sunglass, and suntan oil, raincoat, in summer.
Avoid getting AMS.
Be sure to respect local customs and traditions.

Distance
Beijing (2042 km) Chengdu City (654 km) Litang County (25 km)Western Sichuan Frigid Grassland