Savoring Chinese micro-towns: Sichuan

Danba is famous for producing beauties. Zhao Jing/Provided by Traveler Magazine

Danba charms with nature's best

The sun rises late in Danba because it has to "cross" the mountaintop that surrounds the micro-town, while the night in Danba is delightful with the tender sound of Jinchuan River providing a lullaby to residents.

Located in the habitat of Jiarong Tibetan ethnic group, villagers are often seen singing Tibetan folk songs and dancing by the riverbank.

For the young, the bars on the main street serve as their fortified points.

With its proximity to Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, most restaurants in Danba offer Sichuan spicy style cuisines.

Danba is also famous for producing beauties. Its Badi township is dubbed the "Beauty Valley of Danba". Different from most Tibetan women, Danba girls have lighter skin and are also blessed with good complexion, for the moist climate and mountainous environment. The steep mountains also keep them in good shape.

If you go

-Spring and autumn are the best travel seasons in Danba. The Mo'erduo Temple Fair from the 10th to 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, Zhuanshan Fair on the 8th day of the fourth month, and the Jiarong Tibetan New Year on the 12th day of the 11th month, are must-visit periods.

-There are three ways to get from Chengdu to Danba. The route via Ya'an and Luding to Danba is the most convenient.

-Danba's taxi charges fixed price, which is only 3 yuan. Renting a taxi to neighboring villages such as Zhonglu, Jiaju and Suopo costs 200 yuan per day per car.

-Remember to buy some handmade headwear and costumes of Jiarong Tibetan ethnic group.

Adapted from an original story which first appeared in Traveler magazine.