| an County, which is located in the northwest of | | | | food. |
| Sichuan Province, is the gateway to the Jiuzhai Valley | | | | Among the nearby sightseeing hotspots, Mounigou |
| fairyland, and also a part of the Aba autonomous | | | | and Xuebaoding are our top recommendations for |
| region. | | | | horse trekking. |
| Nestling at the foot of the Minshan Mountain, and | | | | Mounigou is 15 kilometers away from the Songpan |
| having the Minjiang River flowing past its gates,the | | | | County and consists of two big scenic spots: the |
| Songpan County was built during Tang Dynasty | | | | Zhaga Waterfall and the Erdaohai Lake. |
| (618-907), when Prince Wencheng was married to a | | | | From the downtown area, it takes about half an hour |
| Tibetan King. The county, which was extended to its | | | | by riding a horse to go to thetop of a nearby |
| largest area during the Ming Emperor Jiajing's reign | | | | mountain. Looking at the Tibetan village inlayed |
| nearly 500 years ago, is still a bridge between the | | | | among the mountains,it looks like a natural musical |
| long lasting friendship between the Han and Tibetan | | | | chapter, the beauty of which is the benediction of |
| peoples. | | | | God. |
| The minute you approach the county, you will be | | | | Going through a small river and riding along the road |
| fascinated by the grand gates. Decorated by well | | | | for two more hours, you will then see a vast |
| written names and various pictures, the grand gates, | | | | primitive forest with waterfalls running and roaring. |
| from four directions,were once the best place to put | | | | Now you are getting close to the famous "little |
| weapons in order to keep outsiders from invading | | | | Jiuzhai Valley", and the Eerdaohai Lake. |
| the county. Now still the largest of their kind in | | | | Coming into Erdaohai Lake, you will be astonished to |
| existence in China, these gates have become the | | | | see the tranquil and serene mountain lakes, the |
| witness of history. Like the faded pictures carved on | | | | blooming flowers, and the steaming hot springs and |
| the stone wall,they are still telling the stories of past | | | | chirping birds. |
| centuries even today. | | | | Slowly and quietly walking on this celestial land, you |
| Go to the downtown area, the rising three-star | | | | may also have the fortune to see how small squirrels |
| hotels and horse riding Tibetan people will give you | | | | are enjoying their days. |
| mixed feelings of their place in history. You may feel | | | | During summertime, you may like to have a swim or |
| confused by what you see: A county that is going | | | | even bathe in the natural hot spring pools in Erdaohai |
| through the inevitable urbanization process, or a quiet | | | | Lake. The bubbles that pop up from the bottom of |
| and peaceful primitive Tibetan village. | | | | the pool will assure you that the water is always |
| Recommended as the world's best place to ride a | | | | fresh and clean. |
| horse, Songpan County has become an increasingly | | | | Xuebaoding, with a sea altitude of 5,588 meters, is |
| popular tourist attraction, especially among | | | | the main peak of Minshan Maotain Chain, located in |
| backpackers. | | | | Songpan County. Because it is covered by snow all |
| The county now has two professional horse treks | | | | year round, it looks like a white giant - and this is |
| that offer both designated and customized horse | | | | how it got the name of Xuebaoding. As the highest |
| trekking services. The horse trekking services, which | | | | peak in Songpan, it is also the ultimate goal for |
| offer each tourist a local tour guide, and a horse,will | | | | backpackers to view the wild natural landscape. |
| bring you a fresh experience of camping and cooking | | | | |