Top Things to Do & See in Mount Gongga

Mount Gongga has enjoyed great fame as the “King of the Mountains in Sichuan Province” among travelers all over the world due to its highest altitude and the breath-taking natural scenery like spectacular glaciers, crystal highland lakes and snow-capped mountains. Here are some information and pictures of the attractions in and around Mount Gongga, let’s check out what you will be impressed when you tour here.

Mount Gongga Attractions Map

Konka Monastery

Built in 1285, Konka Monastery has a history of more than 600 years and all the living Buddhas in Konka had practiced here. It is located at an altitude of 3,941 meters, the west side of the Mount Gongga, just like a patron saint sitting there to guard the sacred mountain and people living there. It sits within a narrow valley, surrounded by snow-capped mountains on three sides.

Konka Temple

5 Days Mt.Gongga Trekking Tour

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Yaha Pass

Yaha Pass is at the altitude of 4558m. The straight distance from Yaha Pass to the highest peak of Mt.Gongga is 30km. Stand on Yaha Pass and you will have the best view to see Mount Gongga- the “King of the Mountains in Sichuan Province”. The spectacular view at Yaha Pass will give you a surprise. If it is a sunny day, you have the chance to see sunshine lighting on the white peaks. If you hiking around Mount Gongga, you are recommended to choose Yaha Pass as one part of your hiking route.

Beautiful View at Yaha Pass

Attractions Around

There are a lot of famous attractions around Mt. Gongga, such as Hailuogou Glaciers Park, Yanzi Valley, Mugetso Lake, Moxi Ancient Town, Wuxu Lake Scenic Area, Tianwan River Scenic Area etc. The followings are brief introductions about these attractions around Mt. Gongga.

Hailuogou Glacier Park

Located on the eastern side of Gongga Mountain in Luding, south of Kangding, next to Moxi Town, Hailuogou National Glaciers Park is the biggest park in China, well-known for its low altitude modern glaciers, grand ice falls, virgin forests and highland hot springs. There are four campsites in the park with distinctive and unique natural sceneries. No.3 campsite is an ideal location offering a spectacular view of the Mount Gongga.

The admission fee for Hailuogou is 92 yuan per person, the price for sightseeing bus is 70 yuan per person, the price for cableway is 150 yuan per person. Tourists can take bus at Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station to Moxi Town or take bus to Luding and then take chartered car to get to Hailuogou Scenic Park.

Hailuogou Glaciers Park

Moxi Ancient Town

Moxi means precious land in Qiang people. Located at the east slope of Mount Gongga, Moxi Ancient Town is the gateway to Hailuogou Glaciers Park. The best-preserved street was built in the late Ming Dynasty with the Catholic church as the most distinctive building which can date back to 1920.

Moxi Ancient Town

Yanzi Valley

As the sister valley north of Hailuogou, Yanzi Valley is located in the east slope of Mount Gongga with a total length of 40 km. The whole area rises from Moxi Terrace with an elevation of about 1,800 meters to the Main Peak Sightseeing Stage with an elevation of 4,000 meters, featuring unique and charming natural scenery. The low-altitude glaciers, the virgin forest, the mountain peaks, the precious plants and animals together make the Yanzigou Scenic Area a picturesque wonderland. The most attractive sight in Yanzigou is the Red Rock Beach. The rocks here are covered with some of red microorganism which makes the rocks red.

The admission fee is 100 yuan per person in peak season from April to November, 90 yuan per person in low season from December to next March. The Price for sightseeing bus is 70 yuan per person.

Red Rock Beach

Mugetso Lake

Mugetso Lake, also known as the Yeren Lake, is the largest alpine lake in northwestern Sichuan Province. Located in the middle section of Mount Gongga, it is formed by six parts, including Azalea Valley, Horse Racing Lawn, Seven-color Sea, Medicine Pool Hot Spring, Nugetso and Red Sea Grassland. The fantastic hot springs, crystal highland lakes, primeval forest, precipitous peaks and grotesque rocks in the scenic area together make Mugetso Lake a hot tourist destination.

The admission fee is 120 yuan per person and the price for sightseeing bus is 100 yuan per person.

Mugetso Lake

Wuxu Lake Scenic Area

Located in Jiulong County, Wuxu Lake is an important part of Gongga Mount Scenic Area. It consists of mountain peaks, primeval forest, streams, meadows, alpine lakes, old trees and rare animals and plants. There are about 40 spots being developed in Wuxu Lake Scenic Area. The main spots are Wuxu Valley, Wuxu Lake, Twelve Fairy Peak and Riluku.

Wuxu Lake is regarded as “a dressing mirror of the fairy” by the locals. The lake is crystal clear, surrounded by primeval forest and wide meadows. In summer, the meadow is dotted with thousands of wildflowers. In autumn, the trees and grasses turn red and golden. It makes you feel you are in a peaceful and picturesque paradise.

Wuxu Lake

Tianwan River Scenic Area

Tianwan River is derived from the south slope of Mount Gongga. Tianwan River Scenic Area extends along the river. There are 10 winding peaks beyond the altitude of 5000m being covered with snow all the year. It is extremely spectacular when the sunset shines on the peaks.

Lotus Mount is like a lotus with 7 petals. Standing on the top of the mountain, you can see sunrise and sea of clouds. There are 5 grand glaciers which can be developed. At the food of the glaciers, Renzhonghaiwei and Bawang Lake are like sapphires embedded in the valley.

Tianwan River, with a turbulent flow, is the biggest river in Mount Gongga. There are also dozens of spectacular waterfalls here. Tianwan River Scenic Area is also abundant in geothermal resource. You can enjoy different kinds of hot springs whose water temperature is from 30- 70℃. These springs are full of trace elements which are good for your health.

Tianwan River

Tagong Prairie

Tagong Prairie is located in Kangding Country, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, about 113km away from Kangding down town. It covers 712.37 square meters, at the altitude of 3730m. The extensive prairie is full of lush grasses, dotted with flocks of cattle and sheep. In later spring and early summer, various kinds of wildflowers bloom on the green grassland.

Tagong Monastery and Yala Snow Mountain stand near the Tagong Prairie. Yala Snow Mountain is at the back of Tagong Monastery whose history is more than 1000 years. Against the background of the golden monastery, the white snow mountain and the blue sky, Tagong Prairie looks more special and marvelous.

Tagong Temple