National park · China
Siguniangshan National Park四姑娘山国家公园
Enter Siguniangshan National Park for a day: take the 4‑km boardwalk in Changping Valley (≈2 h walk) in spring‑fall, or do the full 32‑km Shuangqiao trek in summer with a guide; buy tickets at Changping Village.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
591 km² (228 sq mi)228 sq mi (591 km²)
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 591 km² (228 sq mi)228 sq mi (591 km²)
- Approximate area of the national park; official boundaries are not published in square kilometres (check).
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Siguniangshan National Park, in the Qionglai Mountains of western Sichuan, protects three valleys—Changping, Haizi and Shuangqiao—each with boardwalks and mountain views. The park is part of the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary World Heritage site. The nearest town is Rilong, where tickets are bought and guides arranged.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2006Part of Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary.
Size and age
591 km² (228 sq mi)228 sq mi (591 km²) · national park since 1994
Approximate area of the national park; official boundaries are not published in square kilometres (check).
Why go
- Three distinct valleys with boardwalks and mountain scenery.
- High‑altitude wildlife such as golden monkeys and snow leopards.
- Cultural Tibetan villages near Rilong.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanVery cold, possible snow.
- FebCold, still snow.
- MarMilder, snow melt.
- AprClear, moderate temps.
- MayWarm, low rain.
- JunWarm, occasional thunderstorms.
- JulHeat, rain, possible road closures.
- AugHeat, rain, landslides.
- SepCool, dry.
- OctCool, clear.
- NovCold, dry.
- DecVery cold, snow.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sichuan golden monkeyApr–Oct · Best chance in forest valleys. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Snow leopard (rare sightings)Oct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Chinese monal pheasantMar–Jun | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Chengdu
Bus to Rilong (≈4 h, ¥150) then local van or taxi to park gate.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Ya'an
Bus to Ya'an (2 h), then taxi/van to Rilong (¥500 (≈ US$70)‑600).
5–6 h
From Xiaojin
Long‑distance bus to Xiaojin, then ¥20 (≈ US$3) van to Rilong.
≈14 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Changping Valley | Boardwalk, forest trails, entry point near Rilong. | Ticket required; walk or horseback. |
| Haizi Valley | Short boardwalk, accessible on foot. | Ticket at Rilong; walk. |
| Shuangqiao Valley | Longest boardwalk (32 km (20 mi)) to valley end.Longest boardwalk (20 mi (32 km)) to valley end. | Private car/taxi or bus; ticket at gate. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates derived from official park website and map data; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Changping Valley) | CNY 80–120 (≈ US$12–17) | person | 2026 estimate; official price not published. |
| Shuangqiao Valley boardwalk ticket | CNY 150–200 (≈ US$25–30) | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Valley entry ticket permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥80–120≈ US$12–17
- CN¥150–200≈ US$25–30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for Shuangqiao full trek.
- Camping
- Not allowed in protected zones; only designated campgrounds outside park.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited.
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed in valleys.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
Near the park
Rilong guesthouses
Family‑run inns, rooms from ¥50/night (2026 estimate).
Near the park
Shuangqiao valley huts
Basic lodging for trekkers, book via local operators.
Safety
Altitude sickness medium
Sudden storms high
Road closures medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Rilong town centre is walkable; boardwalks are flat but uneven.
- Shuangqiao long trek involves steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Buy local products (sea buckthorn, yak butter) from Rilong shops.
- Use registered guides; avoid unofficial tours that disturb wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Siguniangshan National Park?
Entry tickets range from ¥80‑120 for the Changping Valley boardwalk and ¥150‑200 for the Shuangqiao Valley boardwalk (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Siguniangshan National Park?
The easy 4‑km boardwalk in Changping Valley (≈2 h) and the moderate 32‑km Shuangqiao Valley trek (6‑8 h one‑way) are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Siguniangshan National Park?
April‑May and September‑October offer clear weather and moderate temperatures; summer can be hot and rainy, winter very cold.
Do I need a guide for any trails?
A guide is mandatory for the full Shuangqiao Valley trek; shorter boardwalks can be done independently.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not allowed in protected zones; stay in Rilong guesthouses or designated campsites outside the park.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Siguniangshan National Park
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