{"id":18976,"date":"2021-09-20T09:01:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T01:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/?p=18976"},"modified":"2021-09-20T21:58:38","modified_gmt":"2021-09-20T13:58:38","slug":"most-beautiful-sky-road-in-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/sichuan-travel\/chengdu-travel\/most-beautiful-sky-road-in-china","title":{"rendered":"Yaxi Expressway: Most Beautiful Sky Road in China"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ya’an <\/a>(\u96c5\u5b89) is our transit springboard to\u00a0further explore\u00a0the West Sichuan. Our\u00a0today’s destination is Hailuogou Glacier Park<\/a>(\u00a0\u6d77\u87ba\u6c9f\u51b0\u5ddd\u68ee\u6797\u516c\u56ed). We are supposed to reach Moxi Town<\/a> (\u78e8\u897f\u9547)\u00a0from Ya’an by noon, an approx. 300 km drive and then start up our visit to Hailuogou Glacier on the same day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moxi Old Town<\/a> is the gateway to Hailuogou Glacier<\/a> and Mount Gongga (\u8d21\u560e\u5c71). Moxi is a town in Luding County\u00a0in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ya’an Covered Bridge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before setting off for Moxi Town<\/a>,\u00a0 I stride to a viewing spot protruding a bit into the wide Qingyi River (\u9752\u8863\u6c5f) where I snap a clear picture of the huge covered bridge not far from our ibis downtown hotel Ya’an. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a wide bridge topped by 2-3 storey buildings with typical roof tile eaves of Chinese traditional\u00a0architectural style, a seemingly busy city hub for dining, shopping\u00a0and recreation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ya'an
Ya’an Covered Bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Still intoxicated by the beauty of the bridge and the layers of buildings cascading down the hillsides\u00a0on both sides of\u00a0the river valley, I hear Mr. Chen calling my name urging me to get on and go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yaxi Expressway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Chen takes most of the driving \u00a0on\u00a0our West Sichuan trip. He tells me that today we”ll drive along Yaxi Expressway (\u96c5\u897f\u9ad8\u901f) which is lauded as the most beautiful “Sky Road” in China! Really? Why “Sky Road”?\u00a0Feeling I’m\u00a0still skeptical of the “Sky Road”, he suggests me searching online for Yaxi Expressway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, my God!\u00a0A good amount of information on “China Sky Road” instantly appears before eyes. Yaxi Expressway starts from Ya’an and ends at Xichang (\u897f\u660c),\u00a0 a section of Beijing-Kunming highway, 240km long and a ladderlike road “leading to the sky”.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Ya’an Xichang Expressway ( via Shimian County )<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For more information on the scenic drive in China, check out my another article “The Top 10 Scenic Road Trips in China”.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “leading to the sky” here has two meanings – 1) The 240km expressway is made of 270 viaducts,\u00a0\u00a0an elevated roadway that stretches 240 kilometers, designed to minimize impact on the environment and driving on the numerous viaducts makes people feel like driving in the air; 2) For driving each kilometer,\u00a0we ascends by 7.5 meters along the expressway. There are also 25 spiral tunnels used to reduce the effect on mountains. The construction of Yaxi Expressway took 5 years and opened to\u00a0traffic in April 2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ya’an to Shimian Freeway ( Part of Yaxi Expressway)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The “Sky Road” is really a boon on a seemingly monotonous drive from Ya’an to Moxi Old Town<\/a>.\u00a0 We don’t drive the whole Yaxi Expressway and we will get off\u00a0\u00a0Yaxi\u00a0expressway at Shimian (\u77f3\u68c9\u53bf), then turn to the north along the provincial highway S211 to the direction of Moxi Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Drive from Ya’an to Shimian<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

While still overjoyed at the timely blessing, I’m kindly advised by Mr. Chen to the effect that among the 200km drive, for the first 130km, we have the luck to experience the so-called most beautiful “Sky Road” in China, but for the rest of the 70km (off the expressway), we”ll face the tough challenge driving past narrow mountainous roads sided by risky and steep\u00a0cliffs with the possible\u00a0falling stones and rocks. It looks like both a gift and ordeal from God to test us. So let’s go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ya Xi Expressway Driving Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Overcast, we have a gloomy morning, without white clouds and azure sky, but not too bad, it allows us to have the effect of viewing Chinese paintings in black and white framed on route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"viewing
Viewing Chinese paintings in black and white framed on route.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Driving along the elevated highways high above the valleys and through the tunnels, we are excited and thrilled at the pristine beauty of the scenes flying past. The famous Dadu River (\u5927\u6e21\u6cb3) accompanies us snaking parallel to the highway for most of the drive trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Yaxi
Drive on the elevated highway<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Nearly all Chinese know about Dadu River due to\u00a0the famous heroic legend “Seizing of the Luding Bridge” in the course of\u00a0the Long March in May 1935 and we will talk about it later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dadu River is 1062 km long, the large tributary of Min River (\u5cb7\u6c5f) which is in turn\u00a0the largest tributary of Yangzte River. Within Dadu River basin, there\u00a0are rich tourist resources including the historical site of “Seizing of the Luding Bridge”, Mt. Emei, Hailuogou Glacier and Mount Gongga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dadu
Dadu River (\u5927\u6e21\u6cb3) accompanies us snaking parallel to the highway<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The 25 tunnels on Yaxi Expressway have greatly shortned the drive distance in the mountainous areas. The tunnels are deep and long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, Nibashan tunnel has a depth of 1,650 meters and a length of 9,962 meters on the left line and 10,007 on the right line, lit brightly and driving safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Yaxi
The 25 tunnels on Yaxi Expressway have greatly shortned the drive distance<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The relaxing and leisure 2-hour drive ends at Shimian Service Area (\u77f3\u68c9\u670d\u52a1\u533a).\u00a0 We take a short break in the service stop, relaxed and recharged, ready for\u00a0next leg of the mountainous trip – Driving along S211 and getting to our destination today – Moxi Old Town<\/a> ( Hailuogou Glacier ). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So we get off Yaxi Expressway at Shimian and enter S211 ( a provincial road ) leading to Moxi Old Town<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Shimian
Shimian Service Area<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shimian to Moxi S211 ( a provincial highway) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The provincial highway from Shimian off the Yaxi Expressway to Moxi Town is tough, a zigzag mountain road with the risk of falling stones on one higher side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
a zigzag mountain road with the risk of falling stones <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Shimian to Moxi Town road trip turns out one of the most tiring and dangerous on our West Sichuan self-drive tour. But anyhow, we made it and got to Moxi Old Town<\/a> safe and sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Moxi Old Town<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Add-On<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Drive from Hanzhong to Ya\u2019an<\/a>
Ya\u2019an Night View<\/a>
Most Beautiful Sky Road in China<\/a>
Night View of Moxi Old Town<\/a>
Camp No.03 at Hailuogou Glacier<\/a>
Camp No.04 at Hailuogou Glacier<\/a>
Night View of Kangding<\/a>
Drive from Kangding to Xinduqiao<\/a>
Drive from Xinduqiao to Danba<\/a>
Jiarong Tibetan Blockhouses<\/a>
Jiarong Tibetan Ancient Watchtowers<\/a>
Drive from Xinduqiao to Yajiang<\/a>
Drive from Yajiang to Litang<\/a>
Drive from Litang to Daocheng<\/a>
Drive from Litang to Batang<\/a>
Drive from Batang to Mangkang<\/a>
Drive from Shangri-la to Daocheng<\/a>
Drive from Daocheng to Yading<\/a>
Yading Brings You Inner Peace<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hassle-free Chengdu & Sichuan Guided Tours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Chengdu and Sichuan guided tours:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chengdu tour<\/a>
Chengdu Car Rental with Driver<\/a>
Create My Chengdu Trip<\/a>
Jiuzhaigou Tour<\/a>
Sichuan Tour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Readings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Attractions in Chengdu<\/a>
Best Time to Visit Chengdu<\/a>
Chengdu Airport<\/a>
Railway stations in Chengdu<\/a>
Chengdu Taxi<\/a>
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Tips, Photos <\/a>& Map)<\/a>
How to visit Wuhou Shrine<\/a>
How to visit Du Fu Thatched Cottage<\/a>
How to visit Jinsha Site Museum<\/a>
How to visit the tomb of Wang Jian in Chengdu<\/a>
How to Visit Wangjiang Pavilion Park in Chengdu<\/a>
How to visit Qingyang Palace in Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
How to Visit Jinli Street<\/a>
How to visit Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley<\/a>
Qintai Road, Qintai Gujing Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
Shaoling Road Bar Street Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
<\/a>Jiuyanqiao Bar Street in Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
The Old Teahouse in Pengzhen Town, Chengdu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bipenggou is a fairyland in Autumn<\/a>
When is the best time to visit Jiuzhaigou?<\/a>
Best Places to Visit Autumn Leaves in Sichuan<\/a>
Top 10 Places to Visit in Sichuan<\/a>
Ruoergai Grassland, my first trip to Ruoergai Grassland<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any questions, just drop a line.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ya’an (\u96c5\u5b89) is our transit springboard to\u00a0further explore\u00a0the West Sichuan. Our\u00a0today’s destination is Hailuogou Glacier Park(\u00a0\u6d77\u87ba\u6c9f\u51b0\u5ddd\u68ee\u6797\u516c\u56ed). We are supposed to reach Moxi Town (\u78e8\u897f\u9547)\u00a0from Ya’an by noon, an approx. 300 km drive and then start up our visit to Hailuogou Glacier on the same day. Moxi Old Town is the gateway to Hailuogou Glacier and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[155,3164,1916,3163,3151],"tags":[3165,3166,3167,3957],"class_list":["post-18976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chengdu-travel","category-shimian","category-sichuan-travel","category-xichang","category-yaan","tag-the-most-beautiful-expressway-in-china","tag-the-most-beautiful-freeway-in-china","tag-the-most-beautiful-highway-in-china","tag-yaan-to-moxi-road-trip"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18976"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18976"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18976\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27663,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18976\/revisions\/27663"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18976"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18976"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18976"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}