Chengdu: Tea-Horse Road & Lingshan Temple Private Day Trip

Follow the footsteps of ancient caravans on this relaxed, fully private day trip from Chengdu into the storied Daxiangling mountains, where the historic Tea-Horse Road once carried tea and goods between the Sichuan basin and the lands to the west. Your private English-speaking guide and driver pick you up early from your Chengdu hotel for the scenic journey toward Hanyuan, with a comfortable rest stop along the way where your guide introduces the rich history of the route.

Arriving at Jiuxiang town, you wind up the mountain road and begin your unhurried exploration of the old Tea-Horse Road. This reframed version trades hard hiking for a gentle, well-paced walk: you stroll the atmospheric historic path toward the Caoxieping pass, where the scenery opens into rolling ridgelines clothed in arrow bamboo. Your guide sets a comfortable rhythm with plenty of stops for photos, rest, and stories of the merchants and porters who once crossed these passes.

Along the ridge you seek out the tranquil Lingshan Temple, tucked away among the sacred peaks, a peaceful and atmospheric spot far from any crowds. The route then descends gently past Hanyuan's vast pepper plantations and a scenic windmill road, a striking, photogenic landscape of turbines, bamboo, and open mountain views, before returning to your starting point at Yangjuanmen.

With its blend of living history, sacred sites, and sweeping highland scenery, all at an easy and enjoyable pace, this is an authentic and memorable day in the mountains of western Sichuan, ideal for curious travelers and culture lovers. In the late afternoon your private vehicle returns you comfortably to Chengdu.

A scenic private day from Chengdu along the ancient Tea-Horse Road over Daxiangling. Walk historic mountain paths, visit hidden Lingshan Temple and enjoy windmill ridges, with car and English guide.