Three Main Valleys

Siguniangshan Scenic Area is not only famous for four girls mountains,but also the three valleys, naming Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley and Haizi Valley successively from west to east. If you are only a normal travelers and do not want to hike or climb four girls mountains, you can choose to trek in the three valleys in Siguniangshan Scenic Area.

Shuangqiao Valley

Shuangqiao Valley is the most beautiful valley among three valleys. With an area of 216.6 square kilometers, it possesses vistas of snowy peaks, pastures, meadows and forests, etc. More characteristics of the valley need your exploring there.

The entrance to the valley is about 7km away from Siguniangshan Town. One needs to take a local car/ bus to get there, and all cars/ buses going to Xiaojin County also pass the entrance. In the valley, it is accessible by scenic bus which is the easiest and fastest way for natural sightseeing. With 34.8km in length, the valley can be divided into three sections.

Shuangqiao Valley of Mt. Siguniangshan

First Section
The first section contains the following unique attractions: Yin-Yang Valley, Willow Bridge, Poplar Woods, Sun-Moon Mirror Mountain (4800m, ) and Five-Colored Mountain (4478m). The Yin-Yang Valley is a 2km long valley. Entering into the valley, the bright sunshine suddenly disappears. If you look up, you can only see a silvery sky. Driving out, the clear blue sky appears. So it is called "Yin-Yang Valley".

Standing on the Willow Bridge, you can overlook the clear streams flowing fastly below and patting the stones and the shrub of the bank. There is another bridge which is built by using the redwood from the ancient cypress forests. So this valley is called "Shuangqiao Valley" (Double-bridge valley).

Sun-Moon Mirror Mountain is a 4800m rock mountain peak covered by the white snow all year around. It is separated by a score break and looks like two bright mirrors hanging over the horizon.

Nearby the mountain is Five-Colored Mountain on which appear five colors of rock: red, yellow, green, blue and white.

The white pagodas and trekking path of Shuangqiao Valley

Middle Section
The middle section is called Nianyuba (撵鱼坝), which is a highland swamps at an altitude of 3500m. In the middle section, there are several attractions, such as Ginsengguo Flatland, Jianzi Mountain Waterfalls, Jianzi Mountain (5472m), Hunter's Peak (5362), and Jiujia Lake.

Ginsenguo Flatland is one of six spots in the Siguniangshan Scenic Area. In spring, colorful flowers bloom here. There is a viewing deck for you to take photos of the snow-capped mountain.

Jianzi Mountain stands adjacent to Hunter's Peak and has a big waterfalls nearby. The Hunter's Peak is a 5360m. In the middle of two peaks, there is a large stone pillar up to tens of meters. Its shape looks like a hunter standing there with a gun in his hug. According to local legend, This stone pillar is changed into by the hunter, so called "Hunter's Peak", which is one of the perfect spots in Shuangqiao Village.

Jiujia Lake is also named as Jiujia Haizi, which is a natural lake group. There are 13 lakes and among them are 4 seasonal lakes and 9 perennial lakes. They are distributed successively along the ridge. The legend says that it was the pool for four girls to take a bath.

Third Section
In the third section of the valley, there are more than ten snow-capped mountains above 4,000 meters, making this valley a favorite for the climbers, like Dumu Peak, Abi Mountain (5,033), Wild Man Peak (5,476m) and Cattle-Heart Mountain (4900m). Cattle Cote, Red Pines Floating in the Air and Changheba are also the main attraction.

Dumu Peak comprises several grotesque granite peaks. Viewing far way, it looks like a Tibetan woman who is giving birth, with two erect peaks, bulged mountainside and tortuous ridge . An old Ama is delivering her baby. Look! The head of the baby has got out.

Ticket:
Apr.1 - Nov.30: admission ticket 80 yuan; scenic bus ticket 80 yuan
Dec.1 - Mar.31: admission ticket 50 yuan; scenic bus ticket 60 yuan

1- day Shuangqiao Valley Itinerary
Shuangqiao Valley is a great trekking place for non-professional trekkers. There are two plank roads built in Shuangqiang Valley. Therefore, it is easy and convenient for you to trek through Shuangqiao Valley. After having breakfast, you can choose to take a scenic sightseeing bus to get to the end of the Shuangqiao Valley. Then, you can start to trek from the end of the Shuangqiao Valley to the beginning of it. The whole distance is more than 30 kilometers.

During the journey, you can enjoy different types of picturesque scenery. At the end of Shuangqiao Valley, there stand grand snow mountains. In the sun, the ice hanging on the trees and houses are crystal clear. The shrubs are still shrouded in frost, which seems mysterious. As you trek along the plank road, the view will be broader and broader and the scenery will be more and more beautiful. At noon, you can eat some food that you prepared before. In the afternoon, if you are tired, you can take sightseeing bus back to Mt.Siguniang. If you still have energy, you can proceed your trekking to the end.

Changping Valley in spring

Changping Valley

Changping Valley is  the most typical valley among three valleys. It is about 30km in length and covers over 100 square kilometers. The entrance to the valley is in the Changping Vallay.

In the valley, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities hiking, camping and horse riding. There are several attractions, such as Guozhuangping, Lama Monastery, dry lakes and waterfalls, etc. Besides, Changping Valley is also known as an important base for climbing Sanfeng and Yaomeifeng, and the road which the hikers explore through is from Siguniangshan Area to Bipeng Valley in Lixian County.

5 Days Mt. Siguniang Changping Valley to Bipeng Valley Hiking Tour

Exploring Changping requires a whole day and there is no restaurant inside, so you need to bring enough food and water for yourself. The scenic bus can reach the Lama Monastery, and then you can choose to hike or ride a horse.

Changping Village
Changping Village is the largest Tibetan village which retains the unique architectural style, traditions and customs. If you are a lucky guy and meet with a local wedding celebration, you will experience the unique folk customs which differ from other nationalities in China. Clink to read Jiarong Tibetan Wedding Celebration.

Dafeng View from the Lama Temple

Lama Monastery
The Lama Monastery is in ruins now. It was destroyed by fire during the Cultural Revolution. Visitors can recognize where the hall , the rooms, the housing market and the hall of Sakyamuni are. It covers an area of 21,000 square meters and is a stone and wood structure. Here is the place where local Tibetans worshiped their ancient chieftains, and is also one of best scenic spots in Siguniangshan Scenic Area.

Guozhuangping
Guozhuangping is also called Guozhuang Flatland which is the located junction of Changping Valley and Haizi Valley. It is the place where Jiarong Tibetans worship the gods of Siguniangshan Mountains in May each year. Clink to read Mount Siguniangshan Worshipping Festival.

Ticket:
Apr.1 - Nov.30: admission ticket 70 yuan; scenic bus ticket 30 yuan
Dec.1 - Mar.31: admission ticket 50 yuan; scenic bus ticket 20 yuan

Changping Valley in autumn

Haizi Valley

Haizi Valley is named after the tens of alpine lakes, including Flower Lake, White Lake, Blue Lake, Yellow Lake, etc. The water is clear enough to see the bottom. The inverted reflection in water of snow-capped peaks and blue sky with clouds can make it hard for people to leave here. Moreover, it is also known as the only road to climb Dafeng of the four girl's mountains.

The entire length of Haizi Valley is 19.2km and it covers 126.5 square meters. There is no scenic bus available in the valley. Visitors can only hike by foot or rent a horse at the entrance of the Valley. It is highly recommended to rent a horse for carrying your sleeping bag, tent and other necessaries if you want to have one night camping in the Valley.

Flower Lake
Flower Lake, also named Huahaizi, was formed by glacial seepage during the 4th century. You can see the reflections of the beautiful surrounding mountains on clear lake surface. The boulders scattering along the bank of lake look like swan eggs at a long distance, which will arouse you particular interest and you may want to take some away. Visiting this valleys makes you experience the joy of mountaineering and exploring.

Although the lakes is so beautiful, most of them are at over 4,200m above sea level. Therefore, only a few tourists have visited there. If you are a true lover of wilderness, Haizi Valley is definitely worth your visit.

Ticket:
Apr.1 - Nov.30: admission ticket 60 yuan
Dec.1 - Mar.31: admission ticket 40 yuan

2-Days Haizi Valley Itinerary

Day 1 (Siguniangshan Town - Dahaizi)
At 7am, you get up and have breakfast. Then, you set off at about 8 o’clock in the morning. By trekking about 7 km, you arrive at Guozhuangping which is the best place to view the majestic Mt.Siguniang. In summer, there are millions flowers scattering over Guozhuangping. You can take beautiful pictures and eat something here. Then, walk for about 4 hours along the valley and you will arrive at Dahaizi. Dahaizi is at the altitude of about 3600 kilometers, covering 20 hectares. The water is so clear and blue that you can see fish here and there. You can fish or take pictures here. Later, you have pitch your tent at Dahaizi. At night, you can have a picnic and campfire party. If the sky is clear, you can enjoy a starry sky.

Day 2 (Dahaizi - Huahaizi - Siguniangshan Town)
After breakfast, start to move for Huahaizi. Huahaizi is about 10 hectares. It is shallow. For most of the time, it is a swamp. Here, you can choose to go further to explore more beautiful places or just stay here to view Mt.Siguniangshan. At noon, you have return to the campsite and have lunch. Then, you can pack up and go back to Siguniangshan Town.

The Flower Lake of Haizi Valley