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Gongga Mountains

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In Tibetan language, "Gong" refers to "snow" and "Ga" means "white or white snow peaks". Gongga Mountains has the highest peak in transaction mountain ranges in China and one of the highest peaks well known in the world. The highest peak of Gongga Mountains is 7556 meters. Together with other peaks nearby, it is covered with white snow all through the year. When it is fine, Gongga Mountains twinkles with silver rays in the sunlight; when it is cloudy, they will be surrounded by mist and clouds of various shapes. Te wonderful scenery on the mountains is really spectacular. Gongga Mountains are located in one of the glacier areas which are retained completely from ancient times. The movement of glaciers gives birth to the rare landform and landscape of glacier. In the scenic area there are five glaciers, namely, Hailuo Dyke Glacier, Yanzi Dyke Glacier, Mozi Dyke Glacier, Gongba Glacier, and Bawang Glacier. Among them, the Hailuo Dyke Glacier is 2850 meters above the sea. Its ice waterfall is 1080 meters high and 1100 meters wide, widely known as the largest ice waterfall all over China. The level distance and the fall between Dadu Rive Valley and the tip of the highest peak are respectively 29 kilometers and 6556 kilometers. Such a geographical landform is therefore characterized by the diversified distribution of biological resources and climatic features, and the scenic spot thus boasts of the rare biological sight with clear perpendicular differences world widely.

Gongga Mountains are famous for the scenery of glaciers. There are 159 strips of modern glacier, accounting over 390 square kilometers. They are the most developed and well retained oceanic glaciers in the world. Among them, the most famous ones include No. 1 Glacier, Gongba Glacier, Bawang Glacier, Yanzi Glacier, and Mizi Dyke Glacier. The average thickness of ice layers can reach 150 to 300 meters, very spectacular and rare to see in other places. Due to the erosion of glacier, the precipitous mountain peaks are reduced into a pyramid shape, towering the clear and blue sky.

Gongga Mountains are also characterized by diversified hypsography. From the upper to the lower spreads seven climatic zones, namely, sub-tropical zone, warm-temperate zone, frigid-temperate zone, sub-frigid zone, cold snap zone, frigid zone, and ice-snow zone. Unique geographical location and climatic features give birth to the particular scenery of vegetation and animal belt. The peaks which are over 5000 meters in Gongga Mountains are covered with white snow all over the year; the desolate slopes at the foot of the mountains are at a low altitude and covered with lush trees. The environment here features that of primeval zoology. The forest in the mountains is affected little by human beings. It has a complete collection of vegetation involving almost all plant species of sub-tropical zone and cold snap zone in high mountains. There are over 4880 rare plants, as well as ancient animal and plant breeds reputed as "live fossils" in the east of the mountains. By now there are about 28 rare animals under protection and over 400 wild animals in Gongga Mountains. Therefore the mountains are reputed as the spectacular garden of wild animals and plants in the world.   

There are many ice-mountain lakes and over ten plateau-lakes in the scenic area. Famous lakes include Mugecuo Lake, Wuxu Lake, Renzhong Lake, and Bawang Lake. Some lie at the foot of ice mountains and others are cuddled by forest. The lake water is crystal like clear and transparent, displaying the primeval and elegant landscape. It can even compete with that in the Yaochi Fairyland in Chinese legendary. The scenic area has clear vertical distribution of vegetation belts with rich plant varieties and primeval natural environment. There are rich families and genus of plants, 4880 of which have been identified and over 20 have been identified as the first, second, and third rank of rare animals under protection. Moreover, there are ten hot springs, the water temperature of which varies from 40℃ to 80 ℃. Sometimes it can reach as high as 90℃. Famous hot springs in the scenic area include Kangding Erdao Bridge Hot Spring and Hailuo Dyke Hot Spring Swimming Pool.

Gongga Mountains collect glacier, precipitous peaks, clear lakes, lush forest, huge prairie, and rich varieties of animal and plants. The grotesque and unique landscapes in the scenic area have attracted many scientists, explorers, mountain climbers, and tourists at home and abroad. Average tourists are suggested not to reach the precipitous peaks or slide mountain roads.  

Location:

Ticket Price:

Opening Time:

How to get there:

(1) There are special sight-seeing cars from Kangding to Gongga Mountains. Tourists can take spend 160 yuan on a cable car at the foot of the mountains and it will send you to your destination. (160 yuan is only for reference and it may vary in different tourist seasons).

(2) Tourists can start from Chengdu, take Chuanzang Highway, and travel across Ya'an and Kangding to Liuba. The whole trip is 474 kilometers long.

(3) Take a bus from Liuba to Shangmuju and Zimei Village, pass by Gongga Temple to the south of Gongga, and arrive at the camp for mountain climbing. (4) Tourists can travel southwards from Luding to Moxi, pass Hailuo Dyke and Yanchen Dyke, and reach the southeast and northeast of Gongga Mountain.

(5) Distances of the following lines are respectively as follows: from Shangnuju Village to Zimei Mountain Mouth to Zimei Village; from Shangmuju Village to Zimei Mountain Mouth is about 20 kilometers; from Zimei Mountain Mouth to Shangzimei Village is about 15 kilometers; from Shangzimei Village to Xiazimei Village is about four kilometers; from Shangzimei Village to Gongga Temple is about ten kilometers; form Xiazimei Village to Gongga Temple is 12 kilometers.

Tips:

(1) Gongga Mountains have complicated landforms and varied temperature. Tourists should take care of themselves and pay attention to weather conditions.

(2) Gongga Mountains—Hailuo Dyke Scenic Area has three major encampments. No. 1 Encampment is located at the mouth of Daganyan Dyke, eleven kilometers away form Moxi; No. 2 Encampment lies nearby Hot-water Dyke Waterfall. It is six kilometers off No. 1 Encampment. No. 2 Encampment has many scenic spots, where tourists can appreciate the exuberant forest and experience hot springs; No. 3 Encampment is located about two kilometers off the sight-seeing platform of glacier scenery. It has flat horse race paths with low degree of danger. However, due to its high altitude, it is a little hard to walk on. Tourists can arrive at Zimei Village within one day.

(3) Tourists can hire horses in Shangmuju Village; the cost is 50 yuan for each horse and another 50 yuan for wheeler. Considering security, tourists are suggested to require the wheeler to drive three horses at most. Tourists should remember to negotiate with the wheeler on the price; otherwise he may ask for the backhaul fee. It is also a good choice to connect with Zimei Village for horses or dial 0835-8875716, the number of Secretariat of Zimei Village, to prepare horses for you before hand.

(4) Zimei Mountain mouth is a fantastic site for appreciating Gongga Mountains. When it is fine, tourists can encamp here by preparing firewood and water themselves before hand. With an altitude of 47 meters, the mountain mouth receives strong wind; tourists are suggested to equip themselves well by taking full consideration of weather conditions.

(5) Taking accommodation in the Tibetan’s in Zimei Village is a good idea. It is very more convenient in terms of food and transportation. Especially the Secretariat of Zimei Village and his family members are warm-hearted persons. You can connect with him directly and his telephone number is 0835-8875716. The price for accommodation here is ten to 15 yuan per person for each night.

(6)Tourists, if in good condition, may reach Gongga Temple and spend night there. It is a four-hour distance from Gongga Temple.

(7)The best time for visiting Gongga Mountain is from May to June covering both the dry season and the rainy season. These two months feature relatively high temperature but appropriate rainfall, and are therefore good for sight-seeing.