Morning at Bipenggou Scenic Area (毕棚沟风景区)
Day 2 began with an early check-out from Bipenggou Hotel around 8:30am. I had purchased Bipenggou Ticket, online which included both the shuttle bus ride and the battery cart ride. After exchanging the e-ticket for a physical one at the tourist center near the entrance, I was ready to explore.
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First Impressions
Mid-October is a magical time to visit Bipenggou. The valley is painted in autumn hues—golden larches, fiery red maples, and snow-dusted peaks in the distance. The crisp air and serene atmosphere make it a photographer’s dream.
How to Explore
Tickets: Buy the shuttle bus + battery cart combo ticket for convenience. The shuttle bus takes you deep into the scenic area, while the battery cart helps shorten walking distances.
Shuttle Bus Ride: The ride itself is scenic, winding through forests and valleys. However, boarding requires climbing a long staircase, which can be tiring if you’re not prepared.
Battery Cart: A must-buy! It saves energy and time, especially since Bipenggou is vast.
Stops: Not every stop is necessary. Focus on the main viewpoints such as lakes, waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains.
Time Needed: Half a day (4 to 5 hours) is sufficient if you pace yourself and prioritize key spots.
Tickets: Buy the shuttle bus + battery cart combo ticket for convenience. The shuttle bus takes you deep into the scenic area, while the battery cart helps shorten walking distances.
Shuttle Bus Ride: The ride itself is scenic, winding through forests and valleys. However, boarding requires climbing a long staircase, which can be tiring if you’re not prepared.
Battery Cart: A must-buy! It saves energy and time, especially since Bipenggou is vast.
Stops: Not every stop is necessary. Focus on the main viewpoints such as lakes, waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains.
Time Needed: Half a day (4 to 5 hours) is sufficient if you pace yourself and prioritize key spots.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
Bipenggou offers a blend of alpine scenery, colorful forests, and tranquil lakes. It’s less crowded compared to Jiuzhaigou, yet equally stunning. For those who love nature but prefer a more relaxed pace, this is ideal.
By 3pm, I returned to the entrance, exhausted but satisfied. While waiting for my driver, I bought a basket of small plums from a local vendor for 10 Yuan. Sweet, juicy, and refreshing and perfect after a long walk.
Journey to Heishui
The drive from Bipenggou to Heishui took about 4 hours. Along the way, I passed countless apple farms and it was clearly apple season, with farmers selling fresh harvests by the roadside. The scenery alternated between rugged mountains and fertile valleys.
Roadside Realities
The journey was long, and toilet breaks were unavoidable. Unfortunately, the facilities were basic which is dirty, smelly, and old-fashioned. It felt like stepping back in time. My advice.... hold on as long as you can!
Evening at Shaka Amage Hotel (沙卡阿玛格酒店)
I arrived at the Tibetan-style homestay around 7pm. The cozy rooms, decorated with traditional touches, offered mountain views. A Tibetan grandma and her daughter greeted me warmly. She worried about my walking aid since the rooms required climbing steep stairs.
A Memorable Arrival
Coincidentally, the homestay experienced a blackout upon my arrival. The electricity only returned around 8:30pm, so the first hour was spent in complete darkness. Despite this, exhaustion took over and I slept soundly.
Breakfast with the Family
The next morning, the grandma offered homemade noodles with yak soup and salty yak milk. Due to my restricted diet, I opted for boiled eggs and the yak milk. It was a simple yet authentic Tibetan breakfast.
Next Stop
After breakfast, I checked out from the homestay in the Tibetan village and continued my journey toward Dagu Glacier, eager for the next adventure.