Gongga Mountain
Gongga Mountain Scenic Area consists of Hailuogou Valley, Yanzigou Vally, Mugecuo Lake, Tagong Grassland, Wuxuhai Lake, Gongga Southwestern Mountainside and other scenic spots. With an area of over 10,000 square kilometers (2.5 million acres), it is the largest and most fruitful scenic spot in China.
Gongga Mountain is the highest peak of Hengduan Mountain Range, with an altitude of 7,556 meters (24,790 feet) at the highest. It is also the highest mountain within Sichuan Province, hence the name 'King of Sichuan Mountains'. The mountain is said to be an avatar of a goddess, and the sister peak of Mt. Everest. For years it has been well-trodden for pilgrims, mountaineers and common travelers.
Gongga Mountain Scenic Area is blessed with miscellaneous and splendid natural sights. The best scene of the area is the complete modern glaciers. There are a total of 71 modern glaciers, including Hailuogou Glacier, Yanzigou Glacier, Gongba Glacier and others. Alpine lakes are also not rare here. There are over 10 lakes, the most famous of which includes Mugecuo Lake and Wuxuhai Lake. Besides, there are also over 10 hot springs within the area. The temperature of the water is usually 40 - 80 °C (104 - 176 °F), or even over 90 °C (194 °F). The famous ones are Kangding Erdaoqiao Hot Springs and Hailuogou Hot Springs. On the mountainside can also be found varieties of flora and fauna.
Within the scenic area, it still can also be seen Paoma Mountain, Gongga and Tagong temples of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as customs of Tibetan, Yi and other ethnic groups.
Hailuogou
Hailuogou is a well-known valley with a beautiful landscape in Garze. It lies on the eastern mountainside of Gongga Mountain within Moxi Town of Luding County, about 53 kilometers (33 miles) away from the county and 76 kilometers (47 miles) away from Kangding County.
Hailuogou is famous for its large and low modern glaciers. It is the longest one within the Gongga Mountain Scenic Area. With a lowest altitude of 2,850 meters (9,350 feet), the glacier is easily accessible to visitors. The glaciers there are formed in various vivid shapes, such as arches, caves, stairs, gates, lakes and hills. Blended with the primitive forests, hot springs, waterfalls and flora and fauna, the glaciers seems more spectacular. The glacier waterfalls there are the largest of its kind in China - more than 10 times larger than the famous Huangguoshu Waterfall.
Enjoying the hot springs in Hailuogou is another exciting experience. Here visitors will find a swimming pool with a water temperature of 40 to 60 degrees Centigrade (104 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit), where they can bathe or swim in the hot springs. The water temperature of the hot springs in No.2 Encampment reaches 80 degrees Centigrade (176 degrees Fahrenheit), which is one of the few hot spring waterfalls in the world.
In addition, Hailuogou is also an important pass leading to the peak of Gongga Mountain on the eastern side. Many mountaineer teams often stay in the Lodgepole pine forests of Hailuogou as the base camp.
Transportation
Travelers in Chengdu can first travel by the Chengdu-Kunming railway to Wusihe Station and then easily catch a bus to Moxi Town, which is the entrance of Hailuogou. Also, there are direct buses to Hailuogou at Chengdu Xinnanmen Coach Station. The bus departs at 07:30, with a fare of CNY 113.
More Tourist Attraction in Garze: Savage Sea
