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Permit Required
Foreign visitors must register with local authorities and obtain a trekking permit. We handle all paperwork (typically 5-7 business days). A local guide is mandatory for certain routes — we provide English-speaking guides. Passport required.
About This Trail
Siguniang Mountain (Four Sisters Mountain) consists of four sacred peaks ranging from 5,025m to 6,250m in western Sichuan. Often called the 'Oriental Alps,' it offers everything from gentle valley walks to serious mountaineering. The main trekking route follows the Shuangqiao Gorge into alpine meadows with views of the four peaks, passing through Tibetan villages and pristine forests. The mountain is sacred in Tibetan culture — the four peaks represent four sisters who sacrificed themselves to protect the land from evil.
Trail Highlights
- Four sacred peaks (5,025m - 6,250m)
- Pristine alpine meadows with wildflowers
- Tibetan culture and villages
- Mountaineering opportunities (for experienced climbers)
- Crystal-clear alpine lakes
- Diverse wildlife (golden monkeys, snow leopards)
Difficulty
The standard trekking route is challenging due to altitude (base at 3,200m, passes up to 4,500m). Acclimatization days are essential. The terrain ranges from well-maintained trails to rough mountain paths. Summit attempts require mountaineering experience and equipment.
Recommended Itineraries
The classic 'first 5,000m peak' experience — no technical climbing, pure trekking to 5,025m.
Day 1
Day 1: Chengdu → Siguniangshan Town (四姑娘山镇, 3,200m). Drive ~4 hours via Wolong, Balang Mountain, and Maobiliang Viewpoint (猫鼻梁观景台 — the classic panoramic view of all four peaks). Arrive by late afternoon. Equipment check, pre-trip briefing with guide. Early bedtime — no shower, no alcohol, prevent altitude sickness.
Day 2
Day 2: Hike from Siguniangshan Town through Haizi Valley (海子沟) to Dafeng Base Camp (大峰大本营, 4,300m). Distance ~15km, elevation gain 1,100m, 6-8 hours. Pass through alpine meadows and shrubland. Stop at Dajianbao (打尖包, 3,750m) for lunch and acclimatization. The upper section steepens significantly — horses available for this section (~¥600 if needed). Arrive at base camp (stone hut or tent), early dinner, sleep by 20:00.
Day 3
Day 3: Summit attempt. Wake at 02:30, depart at 03:00. Summit push: 3.5km, 700m elevation gain, 3-4 hours over scree slopes (20-30° gradient). No ice axe or crampons needed in summer/autumn. Summit at 5,025m around sunrise (~06:30-07:00). Enjoy the panoramic view — face to face with Yaomei Peak (幺妹峰, 6,250m). MUST descend before 10:00 (safety cutoff). Return to base camp, then descend to town. Transfer back to Chengdu in the evening.
For those who've completed Dafeng and want a bigger challenge — 5,276m with technical sections.
Day 1
Day 1: Same as Dafeng — Chengdu to Siguniangshan Town, acclimatize.
Day 2
Day 2: Hike through Haizi Valley to Erfeng Base Camp (二峰大本营, 4,300m). ~17km, 6-7 hours.
Day 3
Day 3: Acclimatization day at base camp. Optional short hike to 4,800m for altitude adaptation. Learn basic snow/ice techniques with your guide. Check equipment. Early sleep.
Day 4
Day 4: Summit attempt. Wake at 02:00, depart at 02:30. Summit push: ~5km, 1,000m gain, 4-5 hours. The last 200m involves a 30-40° scree/snow slope requiring basic ice axe technique (May-Sep: scree; Oct-Apr: snow/ice with crampons). Summit at 5,276m. Descend via same route. Return to town and transfer to Chengdu.
The ultimate Siguniang experience — summit both peaks in one expedition.
Day 1
Day 1: Chengdu → Siguniangshan Town (acclimatize).
Day 2
Day 2: Hike to base camp via Haizi Valley (4,300m). 6-8 hours.
Day 3
Day 3: Summit Dafeng (5,025m) at dawn. Return to base camp for rest.
Day 4
Day 4: Rest/acclimatization day. Short hike, gear preparation.
Day 5
Day 5: Summit Erfeng (5,276m) at dawn. Descend to town, return to Chengdu.
One of China's Top 10 Classic Trekking Routes — traverse from Changping Valley to Bipeng Valley.
Day 1
Day 1: Changping Valley trailhead → Muluoz (木骡子, 3,800m). ~14km, 5-6 hours. Camping.
Day 2
Day 2: Muluoz → Chazigou Tail (叉子沟尾, 4,200m). ~10km, 5-6 hours. Camping. Afternoon acclimatization hike.
Day 3
Day 3: Pre-dawn start. Cross the 4,668m pass (the crux of the route) before noon. Descend into Bipeng Valley (毕棚沟). ~12km, 6-8 hours. Transfer back to Chengdu.
Detailed Gear List
- Layered clothing system: moisture-wicking base + insulating fleece/mid-layer + hardshell windproof/waterproof outer
- High-altitude down jacket (150g+ fill) — temperatures at base camp drop below -5°C even in summer
- Waterproof hiking boots compatible with crampons (for Erfeng in winter)
- Gaiters — scree and snow enter boots easily
- Trekking poles (pair) — essential for steep descent
- Headlamp with extra batteries — summit starts in complete darkness
- Sleeping bag rated to -10°C (if camping) or sleeping bag liner (for base camp huts)
- UV-rated sunglasses / glacier goggles — intense UV at 4,000m+
- Sunscreen SPF50+ and lip balm with SPF — sunburn is rapid at altitude
- Insulated water bottle (thermos) — water freezes at altitude in cold months
- Altitude medication: 红景天 (Rhodiola, start 1 week before), 布洛芬 (ibuprofen for headaches), 葡萄糖 (glucose supplements)
- Warm hat, thermal gloves, neck gaiter/buff
- Small daypack (30L) for summit push — main bag transported by mule
Best Season
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Best: May-November. May-June: alpine flowers bloom, moderate temperatures. July-August: warmest but afternoon thunderstorms are common. September-October: THE optimal window — stable weather, clear skies, best visibility for summit attempts, comfortable temperatures. November: first snows add beauty but increase difficulty. December-April: deep snow, extreme cold (-20°C at summit), only for experienced winter mountaineers. Dafeng summit success rate: 60-70% in good weather; Erfeng: 40-50%.
Safety Notes
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Altitude sickness is the primary danger — never skip acclimatization, descend immediately if symptoms worsen (severe headache, vomiting, confusion)
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All 5,000m+ climbs MUST be done with a licensed guide and registered with the mountain authority
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Summit cutoff time is strictly enforced (10:00 for Dafeng) — turn around regardless of progress
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Mule support is available for gear transport — use it to save energy for the summit push
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Commercial team cost: Dafeng 3-day ¥1,800-2,500/person; Erfeng 4-day ¥2,500-3,500/person (includes transport, meals, guides, mules, base camp, insurance)
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Guide ratio should be 1:2 or 1:1 — never join a group with 1:3+ ratio
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Do not attempt Siguniang without prior high-altitude experience — test yourself at 3,500m first (e.g., Yubeng)
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Three Peaks (5,355m) and Yaomei Peak (6,250m) require advanced technical skills — not for beginners
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Foreigners need Foreigners' Travel Permit for Aba Prefecture — contact us and we'll arrange everything for you
🌎 Foreigner's Guide
Everything you need to know as an international traveler planning this route in China.
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Visa & Entry
Same China visa requirements. CRITICAL: Siguniang Mountain is in Aba Tibetan-Qiang Prefecture (阿坝藏族羌族自治州), western Sichuan. Foreigners MUST obtain a Foreigners' Travel Permit (外国人旅行证) for Aba Prefecture. Contact us to arrange this permit — we handle the entire process (5-7 business days advance notice required). You cannot enter without it.
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Permits & Tickets
REQUIRED: Foreigners' Travel Permit for Aba Prefecture (arranged by us). Additional: trekking registration at the mountain management office. Summit attempts require a licensed local guide (mandatory by law). Guide cost: ¥800-1500/day. Entrance to Shuangqiao Valley: ¥150 including shuttle bus. Haizi Valley: ¥150.
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Booking
All summit attempts and guided treks must be booked through licensed agencies. We handle the complete process: permits, guides, mules, base camp arrangements. Dafeng summit: 3-day package ¥1,800-2,500/person. Erfeng: 4-day package ¥2,500-3,500/person. Book at least 2 weeks ahead. Independent trekking without a guide is NOT permitted for foreigners in this area.
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Payment
In Siguniangshan Town: Alipay and WeChat Pay accepted at most shops and restaurants. Cash needed for mule hire (¥600/day), guide tips, and small shops along the trail. No ATMs on the mountain. Bring ¥500+ in cash. In Chengdu: full banking and payment infrastructure.
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Getting There
Fly to Chengdu (major international hub). From Chengdu: drive to Siguniangshan Town (四姑娘山镇/日隆镇, 3,200m) — 4 hours via Wolong, over Balang Mountain Pass (4,487m). Private car: ¥800-1200. Shared minibus: ¥150-200 from Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station (茶店子客运站). The drive is spectacular but winding — altitude medication recommended. No train access.
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Accommodation
Siguniangshan Town (日隆镇): many hotels and guesthouses, ¥100-600/night. Comfortable options: Siguniangshan International Hotel (¥300-600), various Tibetan guesthouses (¥100-250). At base camp: tent or stone hut accommodation (included in summit package). Town has restaurants, shops, and a medical clinic.
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Language
Tibetan and Mandarin spoken in town. Very limited English outside of guided agencies. Your guide will translate. Useful phrases: 大本营在哪 (dà běn yíng zài nǎ) = where is base camp?; 我需要帮助 (wǒ xū yào bāng zhù) = I need help; 高反 (gāo fǎn) = altitude sickness; 骑马上山 (qí mǎ shàng shān) = ride horse up the mountain
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Connectivity
Mobile signal is available in Siguniangshan Town (China Mobile best). Signal is intermittent on the trail above 3,500m. No signal at base camp (4,300m). Download all offline maps. Satellite phones are available through guide services for emergencies.
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Emergency
Siguniangshan Town Medical Clinic (四姑娘山镇卫生院): basic care. Serious cases: transfer to Chengdu (4 hours). Sichuan Province Emergency: 120. Mountain rescue through your guide agency. Altitude sickness above 4,000m is serious — your guide will carry oxygen cylinders and medications. Diamox (acetazolamide) is available at local pharmacies.
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Insider Tip: Spend a full acclimatization day in Siguniangshan Town (3,200m) before attempting any hike — drink water, avoid alcohol, and take it easy. The drive over Balang Pass is worth a stop for photos of the four peaks from Maobiliang viewpoint.
Traveler Reviews
★★★★★
Like being in the Swiss Alps but with Tibetan culture. The alpine meadows in July were covered in wildflowers. The altitude is real — take acclimatization seriously.
★★★★☆
Stunning scenery and authentic Tibetan encounters. Our guide was excellent. The permit process was handled smoothly by the team.
Last verified: August 1, 2026