Mount Gongga Climate & Weather

Mount Gongga, known by the locals as the ‘King of Sichuan Mountains’, towers up to a gigantic height of 7,556m above the sea level making it the highest mountain in Sichuan. It is located in the eastern edge of Tibetan plateau between two rivers- Yalong and Dadu and is a part of the Hengduan Mountain Range.In the Tibetan language ‘Gong’ means everlasting snow cover and ‘Go’ means the colour white. So Gongga, when literally translated, means everlasting white snow cover. True to its name Mount Gongga is covered by snow all around the year. Mount Gongga has also been one of the hardest mountains to climb since its discovery in the 1900’s due to changeable climate and moist conditions.

Weather and Climate in Mount Gongga

Features of Mount Gongga Climate

For any place in altitude it is a popular notion that it experiences four seasons at the same day. It is sometimes the case for Mount Gongga too. The climate in this area falls under temperate plateau climate meaning that the weather shifts are not too extreme. The climate cycle in Mount Gongga ranges of mountains can be put as late spring, short summer, short autumn, and cold winter. As the altitude increases rainfall also increases in this region. Different sides of the mountain experience different temperatures at the same time. Even the climate in east slope and west slope of the mountains are noticeably different. The eastern slope is influenced by southeast monsoon and experiences a wet, moisty, and rainy weather. The western slope is influenced by the southwest monsoon and enjoys stronger sunshine compare to the eastern slope.

Features of Mount Gongga Climate

From the foot to the peak Mount Gongga experiences seven different climatic zones such as subtropical zone, warm temperate zone, cold temperate zone, sub Frigid Zone, Frigid Zone, cold zone, snow and ice zone. The annual rainfall in this mountain area is 800-900mm and it rains mostly during the months of July, August, and September. The dry season is from September to the following May. The temperature is mild during the dry season. The hottest days of the mountain usually occur during the months of April and May. Many people prefer climbing this mountain in the transitioning period between the dry and wet season. Owing to the varied climatic conditions is the varied flora and fauna. A lot of rare plants and animal species are said to living in this mountain.

Mount Gongga Monthly Temperature

Mount Gongga Monthly Temperature

The above mentioned temperatures are the average mean of the highest and lowest temperatures of all the days of each month. Since the terrain is complex the temperatures may differ at the different points of the mountain.

What to Wear while Trekking Mount Gongga in Different Seasons

Irrespective of the month and season you go to visit Mount Gongga there are certain necessities you should take with you. Trekking hat, trekking boots, sleeping bags, windbreaker jackets, thermal base wear, mountain coolers to protect your eyes, gloves, socks, fleece, waterproof jackets, sunblock, insect repellent etc. the weather here is unpredictable after a certain altitude. So it is best to dress in layers while climbing with a thermal base layer as it will be easier to remove or add on depending on the temperature. If you are trekking in dry season ensure that you wear sunblock as the UV rays might be pretty harsh in higher altitudes. Even if the weather is mild and windy during the day, it gets very cold during the nights. It is best not to avoid clothing that ensures keeping the warmth. During rainy season it is important to have everything waterproof. The nights might be warmer than usual if it rains during the day, but it is better to have warm clothing no matter when you trek.

Dress in layers while climbing with a thermal base layer.

Best Time to Take Photos of Mount Gongga

There are many magnificent photo spots you will come across on the course of trekking. Some of the photo worthy and culturally enriching stuffs you will come across are deeps gorges, amazing views of snow-capped mountains, Tibetan monasteries, and sometimes even Tibetan nomads. After a certain altitude the mountain breaks into the clouds high above the land and it will look like you are literally standing in a sea of clouds. The picture perfect sea of clouds is best taken around the noon and it is one of the climbers’ favourites. Sometimes of you are lucky you can catch the sea of clouds flowing like water across the Gongga monastery.

Best Time to Take Photos of Mount Gongga

Another perfect time to photograph would be during sunset or sunrise. To get the shot it is necessary to be ready before the sunrise/sunset starts. The golden glow being slowly painted across the range of silver snow mountain ranges is one of the most beautiful views in this trek. It is necessary to be ready at least 30mins before the sunrise/sunset to get a post card perfect picture.

Best Time to Visit Mount Gongga

Most of the mountaineers climb this mountain after the monsoon season (June-November.) Mount Gongga is hardest to climb during the rainy season and the dry season. So many climbers climb during the transition period between the rainy and dry season i.e. during the months of late April to early June and October to mid-November, and the months in between. The weather might be unstable even during these months as the mountain raises high above the surrounding area and creates its own weather above 5000m. The weather in fall is usually said to be more promising than spring for climbing. When you are trekking Mount Gongga you will usually experience a temperature shift around the noon and in the pass it is usually very windy.

Mount Gongga

Best Time to Visit Hailuogou

Hailuogou, located in the eastern side of Mount Gongga, is a glacier park known for its beautiful ice glaciers, mesmerising ice waterfalls, hot springs, and forests. The best time to visit Hailuogou depends on what kind of experience you are looking at. If you want to experience the hot springs the best time would be from November to following February. With mild snow fall and warm hot springs it would be a total romantic experience. In October and November the flowers are full of colours and the whole mountain looks colourful. May is also a month when the scenery is amazing and the flora is fresh but it rains a lot in May. There is rain all around the year but during the months of July and August it rains a lot and it is not advisable to go there.

Hailuogou

Best Time to visit Yanzigou Scenic Area

Yanzigou or Yanzi Valley is the sister valley of Hailuogou which lies in the north of Hailuogou. The whole scenic area rises from 1,800m to 4,000m. It is best known for harbouring largest Redstone area in the world. Red rock beach is most visited attraction in this scenic area. It is known to house 4000 kinds of plants and 300 types of animals. It is advisable to not visit this scenic area during spring and summer because of rockslides and mudslides. April to November is the tourist season and the prices for accommodation and transport is said to be the highest during the month of October.

Yanzigou Scenic Area

Best Time to Tour Tagong Grassland

It is located in Tagong town at an elevation of 3,730m. Backed by the Haizi Shan Mountains in the background and the beautiful green grasslands in the foreground is wallpaper worthy view. Some of the main attractions are Tagong temple, Muya Gold tower, Yala Snow Mountain, and many more. The best seasons to travel are summer and autumn when the sky bluer, grass is greener and the grassland filled golden wildflowers.

Tagong Grassland

Best Time to Visit Mugecuo Lake

Mugecuo Lake is one of the five alpine lakes in Mugecuo Scenic Area which is located in the Kangding County. This lake is known for its crystal clear colours that reflect the surroundings which change colour according to the season. The best time to visit is actually any season as every season offers different kind of beauty in the scenic area. From January to March the scenic area is topped by fresh snow, from April to June the azaleas flowers are fully bloomed and add beauty to the lakes, in the month of August the trees have a shade of golden glow with the leaves turning gold. The best time to visit though, might be June to September because if the ideal climate.

Mugecuo Lake