Just west of Four Maidens Mountain Danba County is home to more memorable high elevation scenery. Danba offers excellent scenic contrast between snowy mountaintops and deep, grassy river valleys. Culturally, Danba is most well known for its stone watchtowers, which served as defensive lookouts for centuries. Over 300 pillboxes still dot the mountainsides throughout the county, some dating back more than 1,000 years and standing as high as 60 meters. The area is almost entirely populated by Tibetan hamlets, although the polygonal watchtowers are also an attribute of the nearby Qiang minority. Many hamlets and small monasteries and temples cling peacefully to the steep hillsides, as a modest local architectural style features whitewashed walls and maroon roofs. A few charming hamlets scattered around Danba offer the chance to stay in a quiet Tibetan village. Visiting the area in autumn is highly recommended, as the changing leaves make for excellent photography throughout the region's varying elevations.

Visit Danba on an Overland China journey:
Hike the Hengduans: Sichuan's Endless Peaks