From 12,400 ft. to 8,300 ft. in Lucheng Day 2

It’s easy to find the two places in Kangding where I visited: they are both located in the southern-pointing dips of the main highway through Garze, the G318, which takes you to the current “border” of Tibet.  Come to find out, the first place in which I stayed isn’t even a town, it’s more a stopping point with a “scenic area” that includes the Jiamuzun Hotel, another hotel in the process of being built, and just about nothing else except a collection of houses.  I’d call it a hamlet or village, because, well, there are TWO whole convenient stores that mainly offer booze and cup ramen; the entire contents of these “stores” could fit in my wardrobe, to give you an idea.  This also gives you an idea of why I only stayed one night in the hotel next to the Muya Shengdi Scenic Area, before heading back to the main Kangding city, which I believe is called Lucheng, and 46 km away.  Through the mountains that’s just under an hour-and-a-half drive.  Muya village area is due south of the Kangding airport (second highest elevation airport in the world!), but still, through the mountains it is not a straight trek, but a winding hour-long route of 18km; duration dependent upon snows of course, as I was to find out! 

Kangding is both a county and a city, and understanding the territory and boundaries of each is confusing at first—especially with web info full of contradictions or holes.

Drive from "Nowhereville" to main town center of Kangding.

Arrival at my hotel and wandering around town.