Against the backdrop of deepening integration of culture and tourism and the rural revitalization strategy, the Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has launched the 'Gudan(Guzan–Danba) Road' premium rural self-drive slow-tourism route. This upgraded offering builds upon the traditional western Sichuan mini-loop itinerary and emphasizes an off-the-beaten-path, high-quality self-driving experience.

The 'Gudan Line' map

Following the launch of a content creator scouting program, the route attracted enthusiastic applications from travel creators and self-drive enthusiasts both domestically and overseas, thanks to its distinctive itinerary design and immersive travel experiences. After a rigorous selection process, eight self-drive influencers were chosen. Additionally, team leaders from self-drive clubs, boutique homestay operators, and local travel agency executives were specially invited to participate throughout the journey, aiming to unlock the cultural and tourism value of the route through dual approaches: content dissemination and on-the-ground operations.

The online premium homestay Gudan

The initiative adheres to the 'slow travel' philosophy, integrating natural sightseeing, cultural exploration, and authentic rural life experiences. The itinerary features the majestic alpine landscapes of Mugecuo Scenic Area; the pastoral scenery and seasonal fruit-and-vegetable picking in Ruoji Village; the well-preserved traditional Tibetan hamlet and hillside dwellings of Selong Village; the ancient stone watchtowers of Suopo, showcasing ancestral architectural ingenuity; Jiaju Tibetan Village, nestled amid terraced fields and valleys to form a richly layered tapestry of Tibetan rural life; and Zhonglu Tibetan Village, offering serene tranquility ideal for deep immersion in pristine local culture.

Complementing the route are distinctive homestays that elevate lodging into a cultural immersion experience: Listening to the Forest Hot Spring Homestay in Kangding blends modern minimalism with Tibetan aesthetics and offers private forest hot springs; Selong Yinqi Tang Cliffside Retreat features floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows overlooking sea of clouds, canyons, and sunsets; while Yinqi Tang Ancient Village Homestay authentically recreates traditional Tibetan courtyard architecture, with farmland unfolding right beyond the doorstep. Villages along the route also provide diverse offerings—including fruit picking, folk cultural activities, and local cuisine—creating an integrated 'eat-stay-play-shop' ecosystem that caters to self-drive travelers seeking slow travel, extended stays, and in-depth cultural engagement.

The online premium homestay Gudan

Leveraging the traffic advantage of National Highway 318—famously branded as 'Drive G318 Once in Your Lifetime'—and the global recognition of Danba County's Jikayi Village as a UNWTO 'Best Tourism Village', the initiative consolidates previously fragmented local resources to establish 'Gudan Road' as a benchmark integrated rural slow-tourism product. Moving forward, Ganzi will use this route as a starting point, incorporate insights gathered from the scouting activities, and continuously refine travel itineraries and services to further unlock the region's cultural and tourism potential.

【本文部分内容由AI辅助生成，特此声明。The author(s) generated part of the content in this work with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), which is hereby declared.】