Important: Wikitravel is exploring a license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0, please give your consent or refusal here.

From Wikitravel

Kangding (康定; Kāngdìng; Tibetan: Dardo), is a city in Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China.

[edit] Understand

The city is at an altitude of 2600m (8530 ft). It is a mainly ethnically Han Chinese city with a notable Tibetan presence, particular in its shops, restaurants and the local temple. For centuries it has been the meeting place of many cultures. It serves as kind of last outpost before the wild mountains and passes of the Chengdu-Lhasa highway. The views of the neighboring alpine peaks down the river are spectacular. Outdoor activity opportunities abound with particular focus on hiking.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By bus

Buses travel from Chengdu (7 to 9 hours, ¥105 or ¥117), Luding (4 hours, ¥40), Tagong (4 hours, ¥40), and Litang (9 hours, ¥81).

[edit] Get around

Taxis start at ¥5, while the size of the city makes walking feasible.

[edit][add listing] See

• Anjue Temple (Anjuesi), (Behind the Black Tent Hotel). A small, central temple.  edit

• Jinggang Temple (Jinggangsi), (A short taxi ride or twenty minute uphill walk from the centre). Temple with an adjacent shop that sells prayer flags and other Buddhist goods. At lunch time it is also possible to ask if you may eat in the temple kitchen, for a small fee.  edit

• Namo Temple (Namosi), (A short taxi ride or twenty minute uphill walk from the centre).  edit

• Paoma Mountain (Paomashan), (Cable car from Jinggang Temple or you can walk up in thirty minutes). This is the mountain under which the city lies, famous for being referenced to a popular love song and horse races in the past. Guide books have cautioned about incidents of muggings in the past, so going in groups may be advisable.  edit

• Mosque, (City centre). Entry inside may be limited.  edit

• Church, (City centre). Entry inside may be limited.  edit

• Old Town Spring, (City centre). English signboards that give an interesting background to the history of the spring and horse races on Paoma Shan/Mountain.  edit

• Town Square. From 7PM most evenings. Witness droves of locals dance to traditional music at the town square. They all mimic one leader through the steps, can you spot who she is?  edit

• Yak Bridge, (Near the middle of town). Serves as a marketplace for all things yak. Culturally relevant to the local Tibetans, it is a one of a kind site to see. Warning, not for traveler with a weak stomach!  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Er Dao Qiao, (Located 4 kilometre and ¥10 taxi ride away). A hot spring resort. A private room with a pool may entail a wait of up to a few hours, while a public pool is available immediately. Bring your own towel. A private room with a pool is ¥10 per hour; a public pool is ¥48.  edit

• Mugecuo, (Feasible as a day trip, the entrance is roughly 21 km from Kangding, along the same road as the hot springs). National park containing lakes, forests and grasslands.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

ATM's of major Chinese banks make shopping possible. There are many shops along Xinshi Dian Jie (the street en route from the bus station to the town square/centre) that specialise in Tibetan jewelery, accessories, clothing, artwork, silverware, and religious paraphernalia and clothing.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• A're Tibetan restaurant, Xinshi Dian Jie. Venue for both good food and ambience. The restaurant is decorated in a traditional style, with adjacent private rooms and waitresses in traditional dress. Waitresses and local customers have a habit of dancing to the local music playing in the cafe. The food is varied and delicious. Westerners may appreciate the potato fried in Yak butter. Service is prompt. Prices are not excessive.  edit

• Sonam Tso, (From the Black Tent Hotel cross the river and then turn hard right along the street on the south riverbank, walk about 60 feet). Small cafe serving drinks and - perhaps - western breakfast. Check out the unusual Tibetan handicraft prototypes that adorn the cafe walls.  edit

• Kalakar Hotel, (On the south bank directly facing the river, about 10 minutes walk down from the Black Tent). Restaurant on the second floor that serves up french fries, bobo shakes, and other East-West-blend fast foods.  edit

• Tangsubao, (From the Black Tent hotel doorway turn right and walk to the front steps of the large Kangding Hotel, then turn left to follow the alley; after about 40 feet you will find the restaurant on your left. There is no English sign, but you will see a doorway leading to the kitchen on the right and microscopic dining room on the left). Open for breakfast only. a tiny hole-in-the-wall, serves up the best meat dumpings in Kangding, maybe anywhere. They do take-away, or you can ask them to set up a table in the street.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Black Tent, (Out of the bus station and head to the left, walk about 20 minutes, staying close to the river but not crossing it, when you come to the third bridge, you will see a monastery roof on the other side and the hotel directly in front of or below it). Tibetan owned and run by two very friendly women, this hotel has established itself as the backpacker hangout. The rooms are dormitory style; and there is a hot shower on the premises. The hotel also has a Tibetan cafe where they serve somewhat overpriced drinks and snacks. The rooms are not heated.  edit

• Yongzhu Hotel, (On a small street on the left side of the Kangding Hotel which is behind the Black Tent). A Tibetan owned guesthouse with clean room (three beds) with shared bathroom (hot shower). &yen,30/bed.  edit

• Zhilam Hostel, (up the path from Kangding Hotel), ☎ +86 836 2831100, [1]. Quiet hostel, overlooking Kangding. Run by two Americans, only foreign run guesthouse in town. Internet, coffee, breakfast, dinner and lots of travel info. Dorm rooms and suites. Dorms ¥35.  edit

[edit] Get out

Along Xinshidian Street, it is possible to charter a minibus to Tagong which you can bargain down to ¥45 per person (roughly 3 hours, cuts across to Tagong and does not bypass Xinduqiao). It may entail a wait of a few hours as the driver looks for other passengers to share the cost, but will allow you to stop for pictures along this scenic mountain pass road.

[edit] Public Bus