Xiling Snow Mountain, one of the most popular tourist destinations near Chengdu, offers a fantastic experience for outdoor enthusiasts, snow lovers, and nature seekers alike. With stunning alpine views, diverse activities, and an easily accessible location, it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a day. Whether we’re interested in skiing, snowboarding, hiking, or simply soaking in the breathtaking scenery, this guide will help us navigate a perfect one-day trip to Xiling Snow Mountain.
Getting to Xiling Snow Mountain
Our journey began with a train ride from Chengdu. We took the high-speed train from Chengdu South Railway Station (火车南站) to Dayi High-Speed Railway Station (大邑高铁站), which took about 1.5 hours and cost approximately 20 RMB per person. It’s a good idea to take an earlier train, especially during peak seasons or holidays, as the direct shuttle buses to the mountain from the station can fill up quickly. We almost missed our bus due to the crowd and ended up standing for the entire journey!
After arriving at Dayi Station around 9:10 AM, we took the scenic shuttle bus from the station to the entrance of Xiling Snow Mountain. The bus ride took about 1 hour, and the ticket cost 18 RMB per person. We reached the base of the mountain by around 10:30 AM.
Exploring the Mountain: A Step-by-Step Itinerary
1. Entrance and First Cable Car Ride to Yuanyang Pool (鸳鸯池)
Upon arrival at the Xiling Snow Mountain entrance around 10:40 AM, we boarded the first cable car to Yuanyang Pool, which took about 20 minutes. After reaching Yuanyang Pool, we hopped on the free shuttle bus that took us to Yingxue Square (映雪广场), located at the halfway point of the mountain. We arrived at Yingxue Square around 11:10 AM.
2. Enjoying Yingxue Square: Activities and Relaxation
Yingxue Square is a lively hub with plenty of activities, restaurants, and snow-based adventures. We enjoyed snow activities such as snow drifting, snowmobiles, and even skiing. We spent some time here, snapping photos and enjoying the winter wonderland. There were plenty of food stalls offering local snacks, so we grabbed a quick bite. We spent about an hour here before moving on.
3. Taking the Second Cable Car to Riyueping (日月坪)
Around 12:10 PM, we boarded the cable car from Yingxue Square to Riyueping, the mountain’s highest point. The cable car ride took about 20 minutes, and we arrived at Riyueping around 12:30 PM.
4. Hike to Yin-Yang Border (阴阳界)
After reaching Riyueping, we embarked on the adventurous hike to Yin-Yang Border. This section required about 2 hours of walking, including stops for photos. The hike was rewarding as we experienced stunning cloud seas, sunset views, and sometimes the dramatic contrast between sunny mountaintops and the foggy valleys below. The weather was unpredictable, with sunny skies at the top and mist or fog at lower altitudes.
5. Return to Riyueping and Enjoy More Time at Yingxue Square
By 2:30 PM, we took the cable car back down to Yingxue Square and spent another hour relaxing or engaging in more activities. We were feeling a bit tired by this point, so we chose to rest, but for those who wanted more adventure, there was plenty to do.
6. Departure and Returning to Chengdu
At 3:45 PM, we boarded the shuttle bus back to the entrance of the Xiling Snow Mountain Scenic Area. The cable cars stop running by 6:00 PM, so we made sure to plan our return accordingly. After reaching the entrance, we took the 4:20 PM bus back to Dayi High-Speed Railway Station, where we caught the 7:42 PM train back to Chengdu. We highly recommend booking the return train ticket in advance to avoid any last-minute issues.