How to Get There

Xichang, seat of the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, is less than 400 kilometers of flying distance from Chengdu, capital of Southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

At 460 yuan ($60), one can fly from Chengdu to Xichang in an hour and there are several flights every day. By train, the same trip takes some 10 hours but costs less than 100 yuan ($13).

From Xichang, there are many buses to scenic regions. The 260- kilometer trip to Lugu Lake costs 62 yuan ($8); to Ya’an, 400 kilometers away, 67 yuan ($9) and to Muli, 250 kilometers away, 53 yuan ($7).

One of the most popular routes is from Chengdu to Lugu Lake, where the country’s last matriarchal society can still be seen among the Muoso people, a sub-branch of the Naxi minority.

The route stretches 1,200 kilometers and the roads are well paved except for the part from Shimian to Lugu Lake. Along the way, one can stop by the national Xichang Satellite Launching Center, Daliang Mountain, Shixiang Lake and Bifeng Gorge.

Beware of the spicy food. The Mosuo people are famed for their snacks called zhubiaorou (fat pork), which is specially flavored and not in the least greasy.

China Daily

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