Derong Sun Valley
Derong Sun Valley remains a little-known, mysterious hidden valley, though more and more travellers are venturing out to explore it. Like the gorges of Shangri-La, its scenery is captivating.…
Derong Sun Valley, Garze Prefecture
Key facts
- Address
- Between Shangri-La and Deqen
- Getting there
- Take a bus from Chengdu to Kangding, then catch a bus from Kangding Bus Station to Derong County. One bus departs daily at 7:30.
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 408. Open in Google Maps
About Derong Sun Valley
Derong Sun Valley remains a little-known, mysterious hidden valley, though more and more travellers are venturing out to explore it. Like the gorges of Shangri-La, its scenery is captivating. The villages and Wengjia Temple are natural and full of life, secluded and refreshingly unspoiled, and have yet to be discovered by many. These reasons alone are enough to make the arduous journey worthwhile for pilgrims.
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. Compared with places at the same altitude in Tibet, altitude sickness is less pronounced here, as the lush vegetation of Sun Valley keeps the air humid and rich in oxygen.
- 2. It is best to tour the scenic area on horseback. Horse rental costs ¥80–100 per day, and the local villagers are fairly trustworthy. Cars can reportedly drive up to an elevation of 3,000 metres, and riding a horse from there to the base camp takes about 2 hours. Currently, riding up from Xiayong Village takes over 4 hours, and the descent takes 3 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Derong Sun Valley?
Take a bus from Chengdu to Kangding, then catch a bus from Kangding Bus Station to Derong County. One bus departs daily at 7:30.
Where is Derong Sun Valley?
Derong Sun Valley is in Garze Prefecture, Sichuan Province, in the Southwest of China. Between Shangri-La and Deqen
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