How to Visit Danba & Jiaju Tibetan Village from Chengdu Without a Car—A 3-Day Public Transport Guide for Foreign Travelers
- DolphinUnion
- Oct 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 29
You’ve probably never heard of Jiaju Tibetan Village (Jiǎjū Zàngzhài, 甲居藏寨).
But trust me—it’s one of China’s most beautiful hidden gems.
Imagine stone houses with red-white stripes, perched on green hills at 2,000 meters.Apricot trees in spring. Fresh apples in autumn. Locals in traditional dress offering you fruit.
And zero crowds—unlike Lijiang or Shangri-La.
Many say: “You need a car to reach Danba.”
Wrong.
I’ve sent dozens of foreign travelers there using only buses, trains, and shared taxis.
A Canadian friend stayed two nights in Jiaju. She told me:“I drank butter tea with a grandma who taught me ‘Tashi Delek!’
It felt real—not a show for tourists.”
This guide gives you a simple, step-by-step 3-day plan to reach Danba County (Dānbā Xiàn, 丹巴县) and Jiaju Tibetan Village—no car, no tour, no stress.You’ll experience authentic Gyalrong Tibetan culture, eat farm-fresh food, and save money.
Why Jiaju Tibetan Village Is Worth the Trip
Jiaju isn’t just pretty—it’s alive.
It’s a 4A scenic area in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Gānzī Zàngzú Zìzhìzhōu, 甘孜藏族自治州).
Altitude: 1,800–2,300 meters—no altitude sickness for most travelers.
Locals are Gyalrong Tibetans (Jiāróng Zàngzú, 嘉绒藏族)—they speak fluent Mandarin and greet strangers with smiles.
（How to visit Danba and Jiaju Tibetan Village from Chengdu without car for foreign travelers）
A Brazilian traveler wrote:“I thought Tibet meant Lhasa. But Jiaju felt more genuine—kids playing, elders weaving, chickens running through courtyards.”
Skip the staged ‘ethnic performances.’
Here, culture is lived, not performed.
Day 1: Chengdu → Ya’an → Kangding → Danba
Morning: Train to Ya’anTake the C6605 train from Chengdu West Station (Chéngdū Xī Zhàn, 成都西站) to Ya’an Station (Yǎ’ān Zhàn, 雅安站).
Departure: 8:30 a.m.
Arrival: 9:49 a.m.
Price: ¥54
Tip: Book on Trip.com with your passport.
Late Morning: Bus to KangdingWalk 5 minutes to Ya’an Bus Station (Yǎ’ān Qìchēzhàn, 雅安汽车站).Take the direct bus to Kangding (Kāngdìng, 康定).
Departure: ~10:30 a.m. (confirm the day before)
Duration: ~2 hours
Price: ¥74
Scenery: Emerald rivers, misty peaks, Tibetan prayer flags
Afternoon: Bus to DanbaAt Kangding Bus Station (Kāngdìng Qìchēzhàn, 康定汽车站), board the bus to Danba Bus Station (Dānbā Qìchēzhàn, 丹巴汽车站).
Departure: Usually 1–2 p.m.
Duration: ~2h 20m
Price: ¥55
Arrive by 5 p.m.
Evening in Danba Town
Danba is the world’s narrowest county—squeezed between cliffs!
Taxi fare: ¥5 flat (yes, even for 4 people!)
Stay: Danba Snow Lotus Hotel (near bus station, clean, hot water)
Dinner: Try Tibetan-style hotpot with yak meat and wild mushrooms
Alternative:
Take the direct bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station (Xīnnánmén Qìchēzhàn, 新南门汽车站) at 7:30 a.m.
Duration: ~6 hours
Price: ¥160
Day 2: Danba → Jiaju Tibetan Village (Live Like a Local)
Morning: Taxi to JiajuFrom Danba Bus Station, take a taxi to Jiaju Visitor Center (Jiǎjū Yóukè Zhōngxīn, 甲居游客中心).
Distance: 6 km
Time: 14 minutes
Price: ¥20 (negotiate—some ask for ¥25)
Buy Tickets & Take Shuttle
Entrance fee:
Without stay: ¥50
With stay: ¥30 (your guesthouse must register you!)
Shuttle bus: ¥35 (required if you didn’t drive)
Ride: 15 minutes uphill to the village core
Check Into a Tibetan GuesthousePanghu Fusheng Guesthouse (Pànghú Fúshēng Kèzhàn, 胖狐浮生客栈) is a top pick:
100-year-old stone house featured in a CCTV documentary
Rooftop view = best photo spot (same as “Ding Zhen” style!)
Price: ¥280/night (private room with mountain view)
Bonus: They’ll pick you up at the shuttle stop if you message ahead
Afternoon: Explore on Foot
Walk narrow stone paths past apple, walnut, and pear trees
Chat with “Amas” (grandmothers) in traditional Gyalrong dress
They’ll often offer you fresh fruit—say “Xièxie!” (thank you)
Dinner at Your Guesthouse
Price: ¥68/person
Menu: 3 dishes + soup (e.g., stir-fried greens, yak stew, dumplings)
Must-try: Wild mushroom chicken soup (in autumn)—delicious and warming
Don’t miss:
Sunset from the “Best Viewpoint” (ask your host)
Stargazing—zero light pollution, Milky Way visible
Day 3: Sunrise in Jiaju → Return to Chengdu
Early Morning: Sunrise Walk
Wake at 7 a.m.
Watch mist rise over valleys and stone towers—pure magic.
Visit a local family’s courtyard—many welcome photos and tea.
Check Out & Return to Danba
Take the shuttle down (¥35)
Taxi to Danba Bus Station (¥20)
Option 1: Direct Bus to Chengdu
Departure: 1:00 p.m.
Arrival: ~7:00 p.m.
Price: ¥160
Option 2: Via Kangding (more scenic)
Danba → Kangding (¥55, 2h 20m)
Kangding → Chengdu (¥120, 4h)
Total cost (3 days): ~¥550(includes transport, food, lodging, entry)
Real Stories from Foreign Travelers
“I stayed at Panghu Guesthouse. The owner cooked with veggies from her garden. Felt like family.”— Laura, Scotland
“I worried about language. But everyone spoke Mandarin—and smiled so much!”— James, Wales
“No high altitude, no crowds, real culture. Better than Lijiang.”— Anna, Czech Republic
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