Songpan aka: 松潘

This little town used to be a garrison town to protect locals from invading tribes and to serve as an outpost for the Chinese empire. Now it’s most famous for the horse treks which take you through some stunning scenery to a variety of places, including Ice Mountain, a peak covered in permanent snow.

Emma’s kitchen is the local hangout for good western food, beer, cheap internet and CD burning and the place to meet fellow travellers.

Happy Trails organise the horse treks. The Traffic Hotel is the also the main bus station and has spacious rooms and the beds have electric blankets.