Danba Travel Guide: Discover China’s Most Beautiful Tibetan Village in Sichuan
Danba is a county in western Sichuan Province, China. It is part of the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The villagers of Danba, the Jiarong Tibetans, have their own distinct culture and language, are a branch of the Tibetan ethnic group. Danba has been named China’s Most Beautiful Village by Chinese National Geography. This Danba travel guide will help you plan the best trip to this surreal destination.
This ancient village has sat amongst the mountains, 1,893 meters (6,211 feet) above sea level, for over 5,000 years. It is about 315 km (196 miles) away from Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, 110 km (68 miles) from Mount Siguniang, 143 km (89 miles) from Kangding City. Travel to Danba to see the green hills dotted with beautiful and traditional Jiarong Tibetan stone villages and ancient watchtowers.
Chinese: 丹巴 dān bā
Location: Western Sichuan Province
Population (urban area): 50,000
Why Travel to Danba?
- Serene Tibetan Mountain Villages: Get away from the city life in Danba Tibetan villages like Jiaju and Zhonglu, some of China’s most stunning rural destinations. Walk about the villages and see their colorful houses, orchards, and terraced fields.
- Mysterious Ancient Watchtowers: Danba is known as the “Country of Thousand Towers.” There are many mysterious ancient watchtowers whose existence puzzled historians and experts for a long time. These amazing stone structures are thought to have served as defensive and communication facilities in the past. Some towers are over 1,000 years old and up to 60 meters (197 feet) tall.
- Traditional Local Tibetan Culture: Experience beautiful culture and lifestyle of Jiarong Tibetans. They have their own spoken and written language, and a rich religious life.
- Gorgeous Natural Scenery: Hidden deep in the mountains, Danba will reward every visitor with stunning natural landscapes including mountains, lakes, forests under a clear sky. Hike in the untouched Dangling Scenic Area, home to numerous peaks over 5,000 meters (16,404 feet).
Top Danba Tourist Attractions
Jiaju Tibetan Village
Jiaju Tibetan Village is named the most beautiful rural town in China and is definitely a highlight of your trip to Danba. In this small village of about 5 square kilometers (1.9 square miles), there are more than 140 Tibetan households. The houses climb up a valley, over the undulating mountain terrain and stretches, across a height of nearly 1,000 meters (3,281 feet).
Zhonglu Tibetan Village
Zhonglu Tibetan Village is larger and less developed than Jiaju. You’ll find stone and wood residential houses, golden temples, and 81 watchtowers under the blue sky, scattered across the mountains and valleys. Temples and totems are sacred sites for local devout followers.
Dangling Scenic Area
About 60 km (37 miles) from Danba, Dangling is a gorgeous scenic area with mountains topped with snow, alpine lakes, forests, and boundless meadows. The view here is certainly worth seeing when you travel to Danba, especially for those who enjoying hiking.
Danba Suopo Towers
There are over 3,000 Diaolou, or Himalayan towers in Danba, and Suopo Village with 84 of them, has the most. Scattered across the hills and valleys, these ancient towers still hold mystery within their thick walls, in terms of how, when, and why they were ever built. Among them, the tallest is 67 meters (220 feet) tall and was said to have been built during Yuan Dynasty.
Danba Weather & Best Time to Visit
Danba has a subtropical highland climate which means distinct seasons and ample sunshine. The best time for your Sichuan tour to Danba is in spring, summer, and autumn, particularly from late March to early May and late September to early November.
The views are simply gorgeous during these seasons, whether you enjoy lush greeneries, flowers in bloom, a sea of fall foliage. Danba weather tends to be delightful, and the villages look like watercolor paintings.
While Danba in winter get quite cold. Frequent snowfall might cause the roads to be slippery. Certain attractions may be temporarily closed. However, you’ll see a very different side of Danba in winter when the watchtowers, mountains, and villages are all covered in snow.
Let us Help You Customize Your Ideal Danba Tour
Danba Transportation: How to Get to & around
How to Get to Danba
From Chengdu to Danba
The most budget-friendly way to reach Danba from Chengdu is by bus. There are three daily buses departing from Chengbei Bus Station and Chadianzi Bus Station for Danba. It costs about CNY 130 per person and takes around 6-7 hours. Taxis tend to be quicker (5-6 hours) but more expensive. It’s a good idea to share one for about CNY 200-300 per person.
From Mount Siguniang to Danba
Many visitors like to include both Mount Siguniang and Danba in their trip. It’s relatively easy to get to Danba from Mount Siguniang by taxi. There are shared taxis at the entrance of Mount Siguniang Scenic Area. The drive is stunning and lasts about 2-3 hours. The cost around 50 yuan per person.
From Kangding City to Danba
There are two buses daily Kangding Bus Station to Danba which cost CNY 38 per person. The ride is around 3 hours. Similarly, you can share a taxi for about CNY 100 per person.
There aren’t many transportation options within Danba County aside from private cars and taxis, as there is no public transportation available for now. The easiest way is to hire a private driver beforehand who knows the area well. It’ll save you a lot of time and trouble. Or you can ask your hotel or other accommodation for help arranging a ride.
Other Popular Travel Destinations in Sichuan
Leshan
Huanglong
