Hi all,
I am attempting to plan a quick trip from Chengdu--Kangding, then Kangding--Moxi and back to Chengdu at the beginning of May.
I would ideally like to take an overnight bus from Chengdu to Kangding, and then spend one day in the town, and another in the Tagong grasslands (if possible, I would like to make Tagong a day trip...or should I plan on spending a night there?)
Then I would like to head to Moxi/ Hailuo Guo Glacier Park for another two days before heading back to Chengdu.
My fantasy schedule is this:
Night of April 30 into morning May 1-- bus Chengdu--Kangding. (Do they have overnight buses? Or are roads too dangerous to tackle after dark? Is there anywhere I can find a schedule prior to arriving in Chengdu?)
May 1-Kangding
May 2- Tagong Grasslands
May 3- Kangding--Moxi (How long should this take? Is it possible to get a direct ride, or do I have to stop in Luding?)
May 4: Moxi/ Glacier Park
May 5: Moxi-Kangding.
May 5-6 Kangding-Chengdu (another overnight bus, if possible)
Is this totally unrealistic? Are there overnight buses from Chengdu-Kangding? Do I need more time to see either the Grasslands or the Glacier Park?
Is it possible to take a 1-day horse trek through the Grasslands, and/ or a 1-day mini-trek through the Glacier Park?
Finally, I speak very limited Mandarin, let alone regional dialects. Am I going to be able to do anything (i.e., find a place to sleep, eat, etc...)
Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
Jamie
jlf368@nyu.edu
I suppose it's possible -- we've done something similar just last October holiday week. However I think it's too rushed and too tiring to be enjoyable at all. The Hailuogou glacier ("glacier park") was the biggest letdown of all.
Cheers!
We went from Chengdu to Kanding during the day but dont know if they have sleeper buses. The bus leaves from the bus station next to Traffic Hotel and takes 8hrs.
there is no sleeper bus in that area. the roads are to bad to run safe sleeper buses. if i were you i would skip moxi and the glacier and go to Tagong and Litang instead.
Kangding litang, 8 h, Litang to tagong about 4 h. There is not a direct bus from Litang to Tagong you have to take a taxi from the main road. 10 rmb.
In tagong stay at sally's guesthouse, it is just right to temple in the main square. in Litang stay in Yading guesthouse.
Danijel
May 1~7 is the nationwide Labour Day Holiday in China, domestic travelers will definitely crowd in these places. Highly recommend you either pull ahead your schedule one week earlier or postpone it one week later.
There is no sleeper bus from Chengdu to Kangding, as it takes only 7hrs to arrive. You can stay in the famous Traffic Hotel near Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Staion for overnight and catch the early morning bus(7:00am) to Kangding. Hailuogou Glacier park is too commercial and touristy. Suggest you move forward in this way: Chengdu-Rilong(Four Maiden Mt.)-Danba-Tagong-Kangding-Chengdu, or v.v. If you don't have enough time, leave Rilong till next trip.
To all: How cold is it likely to get in Tagong in the first part of May? Will it be too early in the year for wildflowers and such?
It'is not to cold, don't remember the exact temperature but at day time it was enough with sweatshirt and jeans. on the evening it can be could but you will be fine with a jacket. The guesthouse there doesn't have a heater.
I were there last year in the end of may and didn't see so much of wildflower.
akai
Akai pictures of china
trusted partner
