The soul of Shangri-La is not in Yunnan (Part 1)

If you experience altitude sickness in the "world's highest city" of Litang, the best remedy is to head to Batang. Compared to Litang's altitude of over 4,000 meters, Batang is only 2,560 meters above sea level. With its mild climate and oxygen-rich air, most people won't feel any symptoms of oxygen deprivation here. Litang has become so popular in recent years that it has overshadowed nearby Daocheng. However, if you're traveling to the remote southwest of Ganzi, it seems a bit of a waste to only visit Litang (which can be done in a day) after such a long journey. Why not add a few nearby counties to your itinerary? The scenery in Yajiang to the east of Litang is nothing special, and the roads to Xinlong to the north and Daocheng to the south are long and difficult. Batang to the west is the best choice. Like Litang, Batang is a key "node" on the southern Sichuan-Tibet line. Litang is at the crossroads of the route north to northwest Ganzi and south to Diqing in Yunnan, while Batang is located on the Sichuan-Tibet border on National Highway 318. Once you reach Batang, crossing the Jinsha River will take you to Mangkang in Chamdo, Tibet. To the south of Batang are Xiangcheng and Derong, which are also in Ganzi Prefecture, and to the southwest, across the Jinsha River, is Deqin in Yunnan. After the completion of the Eubala Mountain Tunnel, it has become much easier to travel from Batang to Baiyu County in the north. Batang is only 160 km from Litang, a three-hour drive along the Lunye Line. It is about 100 km from Mangkang, a two-hour drive along the Lunye Line. Xiangcheng Town, where Batang County is located, is nestled in the Baqu River Valley, just 10 km west of the Jinsha River. Batang's climate is characterized by dry springs, comfortable summers, rainy autumns, and warm winters. This is due to its complex terrain in the Hengduan Mountains, low altitude, abundant moisture, and the influence of atmospheric circulation. The Genyen Massif, which separates Batang and Litang, is a magnificent sight shared by both counties. This sacred mountain, the third highest peak in Sichuan and the thirteenth highest in Tibet, is revered as one of the eight sacred sites of the Chakrasamvara. Genyen Massif is an unclimbed peak that has yet to be successfully summited. The main peak, at an altitude of 6,204 meters, is covered in snow all year round, flanked by four peaks and surrounded by a series of mountains, creating a spectacular view from afar.