Mount Gongga Photography Tour Experience

Mount Gongga is called as the ‘King of Mountains in Sichuan’ not only because it is the highest mountain in Sichuan but also because of its majestic, silvery, snow-topped, dizzying presence. This mighty mountain has a spectral and desolate beauty that is worth every second and every click you take and every penny you spend. Mount Gongga offers something not only for the adventure seekers and climbers. It also offers something for those who seek to find and see the ultimate beauty nature has to offer. The view of this high and snow-covered beauty can be fierce and breath-taking at the same time.

Mount Gongga

Also known as Minya Konka, this mountain is located in between two rivers – Yalong and Dadu – with a beautiful deep vertical gorge nearby. Mount Gongga was scaled, measures, and explored by four Americans in the 1930’s with a conception that it would be higher than Mount Everest. But it turned out to be much smaller than the Everest but much harder to climb than the Everest. The scenic areas of Mount Gongga was formally established and opened in the year 1996 and it got the national reserve status in the year 1997.

7 Days Mt. Gongga Trekking Tour - Classic Minya Konka Trekking Tour

Price From: USD 1115

Mount Gongga is not the only place from where you can take pictures of the mighty mountain there are various other spots from where you can take pictures of Mount Gongga. Here is a list of spots:

Best Place to Take Photos of Mount Gongga

Mount Jiaoding

Mount Jiaoding is located in Ya’an, Hanyuan County of Sichuan. It is 3,507m above the sea level and is surrounded by cliffs all around. It is located in the eastern side of Mount Gongga. It is one of the best places to see the full view of Mount Gongga because of its elevation and also because the top of Mount Jiaoding is flat, wide, and shaped like the top of a car. The best time to take photo from Mount Jiaoding would be autumn and winter. It is not advisable to go during rainy season because you simple won’t be able to get the full view. The peak hides behind the clouds sometimes.

Mount Jiaoding

Hailuogou Valley

Located in the east side foot of Mount Gongga, Hailuogou is known for its low altitude glaciers and hot springs. The elevation at the entrance is about 2, 500m and keeps getting higher with each basecamp. There four basecamps in this scenic area with comfortable spa resorts in a couple of basecamps. The best view of Mount Gongga can be obtained from the third and fourth basecamp. The main peak of Mount Gongga can be seen clearly on a sunny day. Autumn and winter are best months to get a clear view of the mountain. Even though most of the times the clouds cover the peak of the mountain, Hailuogou is the only spot from where you can see the full view of ice waterfall.

Hailuogou Valley

Kangding Airport

Kangding airport is the fourth highest commercial airport in the world with an elevation of 4, 280m. The view of Mount Gongga from the airport is almost always clear. Kangding is the capital city of Garze and many tourists use Kangding as a pit stop before going to Mount Gongga.

Kangding Airport

The Viewing Platform in Xingduqiao

This is probably the most popular spot for taking a picture of Mount Gongga. Xingduqiaoplatform is located in national Highway 318 with an average elevation of 3,000m. You can get a clear shot of full view of Mount Gongga with the surrounding villages. This is the best spot to take the sunset and sunrise in Mount Gongga. It is advisable to be at least 30mins before sunset/sunrise to not only get good pictures but also to see the mountain getting slowly painted in a golden yellow glow. Xingduqiao is a small town that is known as a haven for nature photographers.

The Viewing Platform in Xingduqiao

Heishicheng in Gaoersi Mountain

Located in Zhusang Village to the west of Mount Gongga, Heishicheng is located 4,300m above sea level. This spot gives another perspective of Mount Gongga where you can see the mountain from west to east. The best time to photograph in this spot would be during sunset.

Heishicheng in Gaoersi Mountain

Yaha Pass

Located in the west side of Mount Gongga, Yaha Pass is at an altitude of 4,558m. From here you can get the full view of Mount Gongga high and wide. The pictures are the best when there is a little sun out. Sun set is beautiful from this spot. If you are trekking Mount Gongga, you can choose a route that goes via Yaha Pass.

Yaha Pass

Zimei Pass

Located in Gongga Village, Zimei Pass is at elevation of 4,500m and is located to the west side of Mount Gongga. This spot is closer to Mount Gongga than other spots. There also bikes that can be hired in Zimei pass. You can also stay overnight in the Zimei Pass, so you will have plenty opportunities to take pictures of the Mount Gongga donning different shades throughout the day.

Zimei Pass

Mount Gongga Photography Travel Route

The Mount Gongga photography trip might involve going to high altitudes but it is definitely worth doing. With a few medical precautions you can avoid altitude sickness. If you want to explore more than Mount Gongga, you can make a comprehensive itinerary that includes another thing of beauty Mount Siguniang with four mountains and its three beautiful valleys. Here is a sample itinerary that you could follow:

Day 1: Chengdu – Ya’an – Hanyuan – Mount Jiaoding

Chengdu is the starting point for most of the tourists as it has lot of international flight connects. From Chengdu you drive throughout the day, the total hours for travelling would be around 5 hours. Mount Jiaoding will be you first stop for photographing Mount Gongga. Of course you are always welcome to stop wherever you want in between take pictures.

Day 2: Mount Jiaoding – Hanyuan – Shimian – Moxi Ancient Town (visit Hailuogou Valley)

Moxi town is a small ancient town which is closest to the Hailuogou Scenic Area. You can not only take pictures of Mount Gongga and the ice waterfalls. But also enjoy hot springs and see the rare low altitude glaciers.

Day 3: Moxi – Yajiageng (red-stone valley) - Kangding – Kangding Airport – Xinduqiao – Heishicheng – Xinduqiao

The highlight of this day would be Yajiageng, i.e. red stone valley that is en route between Moxi and Kangding. After getting some amazing shots of Mount Gongga from the airport you will rest for the day in the picturesque small town Xinduqiao.

Day 4: Xinduqiao – Yaha Pass – Quanhuatan – Zimei Pass – Shangmuju village

After covering both the photo spots (Yaha and Zimei Pass) at high altitudes you will be retiring for the day at Shangmuju village where you can also visit the famous Konka Monastery. This is at a relatively lower altitude compared to the passes.

Day 5: Shangmuju – Xinduqiao – Tagong – Bamei – Danba – Jiaju Tibetan Village

You will be going through a lot of villages today which are known for their culture and scenic beauty. Especially Bamei Village is known to be a hidden valley gem. It is surrounded by hills with lots of greenery and bamboo and with a small but active stream flowing by the village.

Day 6: Jiaju Tibetan Village – Danba – Mount Siguniang (visiting Shangqiao Valley) – Rilong Town

Today you will get to look at the famous Mount Siguniang Mountain. It is called as the four sister’s mountain as it is made up of four mountains. You will not climbing the mountain but hiking one of the three valleys in its foothill. Shangqiao Valley is least explored but it is the most picturesque.

Day 7: Rilong – Wolong – Dujiangyan – Chengdu

After resting the night at Rilong, the closest town to Mount Siguniang, you will be heading back to Chengdu. En route you can stop at Wolong Nature Reserve to see some cute cuddly pandas and at Dujiangyan to see one of the world’s oldest water irrigation systems that is functional till date.

You can also contact us to customize your own Mount Gongga tour depending on your requirements. Photography trips are not about talking postcard perfect pictures of nature but also capturing the essence, feeling, and experience at the moment.