Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (third batch) |
| Province | Sichuan |
| Location | Dayi County, Chengdu, Sichuan |
| Mountains | Qionglai Mountains |
| Latitude, longitude | 30.7, 103.2 Google Maps |
| Highlights | Snow mountain, forest, wildlife |
| Wildlife | Giant panda, takin, golden snub-nosed monkey, macaque, clouded leopard, golden pheasant |
| Area | 483 km² |
| Highest point | 5,364 m |
| Nearby cities | Chengdu |
| Nearby sites | Giant Panda National Park 26km, Mount Qingcheng 44km, Dujiangyan Irrigation System 55km, Mount Emei 131km, Leshan Giant Buddha 140km Search nearby |
| Themes | Mountain, Snow Mountain, Wildlife, Forest, Small Waterfall, Canyon, Skiing, Flower fields, Hiking & climbing |
About
Xiling Snow Mountain lies in Dayi County, 95 km from Chengdu, Sichuan, 483 km² in a front and a back area; the main peak, Daxuetang, is 5,364 m. The name comes from a line by Du Fu on the snows of the western hills seen through his window.
The natural scenery is mainly in the front area: the Nine Waterfalls and One-Line Sky, the Flying Spring Cave, the Leopard Roar Spring, the buried stone forest and the rhododendron woods; in the gorge at Shuanghe a waterfall drops over 360 m from a cave on Baique Mountain at 1,400 m. In the humid mid-subtropical monsoon zone with a vertical mountain climate, the area has superb ecology: 90% primeval forest cover, over 3,000 plant species including gingko, Emmenopterys and dove tree and 66.6 hectares of wild osmanthus, and rare animals such as the giant panda, takin, golden snub-nosed monkey, macaque, clouded leopard and golden pheasant.
The back area has an alpine ski resort, snow playground, grass skiing and grassland sports.
It is in the third batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 1994.
Travel tips
Getting there: the park is at Xiling town in Dayi County, Chengdu, about 95 km from the city. Tourist coaches run from Chengdu, or go to Dayi town first and change; driving takes about two hours, and chains may be needed on snowy days.
Layout: a front and a back area. The front area has the Riyueping and Yinyangjie viewpoints and forest, reached by cable car; the back area has meadows and the ski area.
Cable car: it rises to Riyueping, from where walkways lead on to Yinyangjie and other viewpoints, saving a long climb.
Winter: snow is possible from December to March, with skiing and snow play; conditions vary from year to year.
Summer: the mountain is cooler than Chengdu; rhododendrons generally bloom from April to June.
Time: a day covers the front-mountain sights; stay a night for skiing or a slower walk.
Where to stay: guesthouses and hotels at Xiling town and the foot of the mountain; book ahead for snowy weekends.
Note: it is much colder than Chengdu and slippery in snow; bring warm clothes and shoes with grip.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Mount Qingcheng 44km, Mount Tiantai (Sichuan) 51km, Dujiangyan Irrigation System 55km, Mount Siguniang and the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries 59km |
| National parks of China | Giant Panda National Park 26km |
| National parks | Qingcheng Shan— Dujiangyan 50km, Mount Longmen 96km, Mount Gongga (Minya Konka) 175km |
| AAAAA attractions | Anren Ancient Town Scenic Area 47km, Bifengxia Scenic Area 71km, Wenchuan Special Tourist Area 97km, Hailuogou Glacier Park 171km |
| AAAA attractions | Dengchigou 28km, Xinchang Ancient Town 31km, Jiezi Ancient Town 40km, Bamboo Art Village 40km |
| Historic cities | Chengdu 86km, Meishan 96km |
| Cities | Chengdu 89km |
| Historical sites | Xinchang Chuanwang Temple 25km |
| Nature reserves | Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve 30km, Wolong National Nature Reserve 37km |
| Historic towns | Xinchang Town 31km, Pingle Town 42km, Yuantong Town 44km, Anren Town 47km |