Trekking at Gongga Mountain in West Sichuan

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11 Days Private Tour Chengdu – Dujiangyan – Wolong – Siguniang Shan Town – Danba – Tagong - Kangding – Trekking at Gongga Mountain (Minya Konka) – Zimei Yakou – Yaha Yakou - Xinduqiao – Kangding – Yaan – Shangli - Dayi - Chengdu

The Gongga Mountain (Minya Konka) is located in Kangding County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Its main peak, with 7556 meters above sea level, is the highest peak of the Hengduan Mountains. In Tibetan, “Gong (Kon)” means snow and “Ga (Ka)” means white, which means white and flawless snow peak. Minya Konka is the easternmost peak among peaks with more than 7000 meters above sea level, and is the highest peak in Sichuan Province, so it is reputed as “The King of Mountains in Sichuan”. It is 29 kilometers of horizontal distance and 6556 meters of the largest relative height difference from the valley of Dadu River at south slope of Minya Konka to the main peak of Minya Konka, which creates the vertical variation and diversity of biology and climate, and forms the rare ecology landscape in the world with complete vegetation zone and clear level.

On this trip, we will departure from Chengdu to west Sichuan, on the way visit World Cultural Heritage Dujiangyan irrigation system and World Natural Heritage Giant Panda Habitat – the Wolong Nature Reserve, and then reach the Four Sisters Mountain that is known as “the Oriental Alps” and “the Queen of Mountains in Sichuan”. And then go to Danba, the Jiarong Tibetan settlement, and Tagong that is “the Buddha's favorite place” and is reputed as “Little Lhasa”. Following Khampa Tibetan, we turn the prayer wheel of Tagong Monastery and listen to their sounds of reading in the Gyergo Nunnery... Now we start Minya Konka trekking at Laoyulin after three-day acclimatization on Western Sichuan Plateau. On the trekking tour, we will enjoy the magnificent and beautiful of Gongga Mountain (Minya Konka) from multiple perspectives, and the landscape of Little Minya Konka, Jiazi Peak, Riwuqie Glacier are also impressive. Climbing over Riwuqie Pass at 4830 meters above sea level, the magnificent landscapes of mountains at the middle and south part of Minya Konka area jump into our sight. Alpine vegetation, flowers and plants, pasture and even birds and beasts along the way, all are the unique natural and ecological landscapes in the mountain area of Minya Konka. Finally, trek to Gongga Monastery hidden in the Minya Konka Mountains, from here overlook the main peak of Minya Konka and magnificent Minya Konka Glacier. Continue trekking to Zimei Pass, worship Minya Konka Mountains at the nearest distance, wait for the sunset of Gongga Mountain and enjoy the fantastic panoramic view of the golden Gongga Mountains. Finally, at Yaha Pass, look back at the Minya Konka Mountains, the amazing Minya Konka trekking tour ends.

Highlights

Trekking at Gongga Mountain in West Sichuan

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Arrive in Chengdu

Enjoy Chengdu leisurely daily life, Kuanzhai Xiangzi, drink tea in People’s Park

In the morning arrival in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, home town of giant panda. Picked up by the local guide at airport and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon stroll in the beautiful old block of Chengdu - Wide Alley and Narrow Alley (Kuan Xiangzi and Zhai Xiangzi), they are the relics of the Manchurian garrison since 1718 and consist of 3 parallel lanes with the old classical houses, which are unique in southern China just like the northern Chinese architectural style presented by Hutong. After a careful renovation in June 2008, the pubs, teahouses, restaurants and guesthouses concentrate here, and in no time at all, it becomes the "lobby of leisure capital Chengdu". A walk here gives you a first impression of the "city of loafers". Then visit the People’s Park in the city center, have a seat in an old teahouse, enjoy your covered-bowl tea in a comfortable environment with bamboo chair and bamboo table, the tea culture of Chengdu is well known throughout China.

Overnight at 4*Xinliang Hotel

Tea House in People’s Park

DAY
2

Chengdu - Dujiangyang - Wolong - Siguniang Shan Town

Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Panda in Wolong, Sunset of Mt. Siguniangshan

In the morning drive to Dujiangyan to visit the Irrigation System, which was built around 250 BC by Li Bin, a governor of Shu Prefecture in Qin State. The great project still works well today after more than two thousand year’s function, which not only puts an end of the water disaster to the local people but also makes Chengdu Plain “the land of abundance”. While visiting the water conservation work, you may find that the methods of harnessing the river the ancient people used are so simple but useful. In 2000, Dujiangyan became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that drive to Wolong National Nature Reserve. 52 km long from east to west and 62 km wide from south to north, the whole area is 200,000 hm². It is one of the China earliest natural reverses, which is rated the preservation zones network of “mankind and living beings” by the Organization of Education, Science and Culture of United Nations (UNESCO). The virgin forest, second bush forest and bamboo groves are very green. There are over 4,000 kinds of high-level plants, 24 kinds of them are valuable plants, such as Gongtong (Chinese dove tree), red China fir, Lianxiang and so on. There are more than 450 kinds of vertebras, 45 kinds of them are rated national focal preserved animals, such as giant panda, golden monkeys, antelopes, white-mouth deer etc. The natural beautiful scene is quiet and secluded. Visit Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong, about 50 pandas live here, it is the largest breeding center for giant pandas, integrating scientific research, feeding, breeding, reproduction, wildness training, etc. Then drive to Siguniang Shan Town (former Rilong) through the Balang Tunnel, if the weather is good, enjoy the beautiful landscape of sunset of Siguniang Shan Mountain at the Maobiliang.

221 km
4 hours 10 minutes
Overnight at Yunshang Hotel

Breakfast

Pandas in Wolong

DAY
3

Siguniang Shan Town – Danba

Sunrise of Mt. Siguniang, Shuangqiao Valley, Wori Tusi Manor, Tibetan village Jiaju

If the weather is good, you’ll get early to enjoy the great panoramic view of Mt. Siguniang Shan at Maobiliang at sunrise. The Siguniang Shan Mountain (also Four Sisters Mountain, Four Girls Mountain, Four Maidens Mountain) has four over 5000 m peaks, legend has it that each peak represents a girl of the 4 sisters. The highest peak, Yaomei Feng, the youngest girl and at 6250 m, is also known as the “queen of Sichuan's peaks”. Soft hiking in the Shuangqiao Valley (Double-bridge Valley) of the Siguniang Shan Mountain, the scenery is concentrated and charming. Afterwards drive to visit Wori Tusi Manor, the former official residence of the local Tusi, a kind of imperial kingship leader. After that drive to visit Tibetan village Jiaju, the most beautiful village of China. In Danba, the local people are called Jiarong (Gyarong) Tibetans. Walking and visit in the Jiaju village. There are more than one hundred buildings with the same architectural style, a complete and unique character of Jiarong Tibetan residences. Under the blue sky, the Tibetan residences decorated in red, white and black are strewed at random but also in school from the bottom to the middle slope of the valley.

110 km
2 hours 26 minutes
Overnight at Mantuoluo Hotel

Breakfast

Mt. Siguniang

DAY
4

Danba - Bamei – Tagong

Block towers in Suopo, Huiyuan Temple, Lhagang Monastery, Gyergo Nunnery and the grand mani wall of Hepingfahui, sunset of Yala Mountain

Danba has long been acclaimed as the Kingdom of Thousands of Ancient Blockhouses. In the morning visit the ancient block towers in Suopo. They were made of clay and block and look fine from outside with solid thick walls. Then drive along the Yak valley to Bamei, on the way visit the Huiyuan Temple and the beautiful villages. Upon arrival at Tagong, visit the Lhagang Monastery (Tagong Si) of Sayka Sect that is surrounded by three hills symbolizing three Budhisattvas. It is said that the blessing of a reserved Jowo Shakyamuni image left by Wencheng Princess in this monastery to the pilgrims, which resembles that of seeing the Lhasa Jowo Shakyamuni image itself. And then visit the impressive Gyergo Nunnery and the grand mani wall of Hepingfahui. From the hillside next to the Muya Golden Pagoda, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Zhara Lhatse (5.820 m, also Jara or Yala), when the weather is good, the scenery at sunset is especially spectacular.

117 km
2 hours 43 minutes
Overnight at Duwang Hotel

Breakfast

Tibetan Village of Danba

DAY
5

Tagong – Laoyulin village – Power Station – Gexi Grassland (3400m) – Liangchahe (3780m)

Sunrise of Yala Mountain. Trekking starts

If the weather is nice, you can get up early to take photos of the Yala Mountain at sunrise from the hillside on the edge of Muya Golden Tower. After breakfast drive 102 km in about 2.5 hours to Kangding (2970m) where we buy stuff for trekking. Afterwards transfer to Power Station by way of Laoyulin village (3250m), and meet the horsemen, packhorses, and chefs. Start trekking on the mountain. About 2 hours walk to the Gexi grassland (3400m), then continue to walk about 4 kilometers to the Red Stone Bay, and then walk about 4 kilometers to the two rivers (3780m). To the right of the two rivers, it leads to the Panpan Pass, and the left side goes to Riwuqie Pass.

Trekking about 13 km, about 5-6 hours, uphill 530m
Camping

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Nunnery of Hepingfahui in Tagong

DAY
6

Liangchahe - Xiariwuqie - Shangriwuqie (4350 m)

View of Tianhaizi Snow Mountain (6070 m), Xiaogongga Mountain (6027 m)

After breakfast, proceeding from the Two Rivers. Walking about 5 kilometers for about 3 hours to Xiariwuqie. Then continue walk for about 1.5 hours to Shangriwuqie (4350 m). Along the way, you can see the beautiful landscapes of Tianhaizi Snow Mountain at an altitude of 6070 meters, and the Xiaogongga Mountain (6027 m). Camping at Shangriwuqie.

Trekking about 9 km, about 4-5 hours, uphill 570m
Camping

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Trekking at Gongga Mountain

DAY
7

Shangriwuqie – Riwuqie Pass (4830 m) – Moxigou Basecamp

Climb over Riwuqie Pass, camp near Moxigou

Climbing over the Riwuqie Pass (4830 m), enjoy the view of high mountains and glaciers. It is only 6km, but it requires physical strength. If needed you can rent horses (only in summer and autumn are available). Then walk down to the foot of Gongga Mountains - Moxigou (12km), and continue to trek to the end of the valley and camp by the river where we will cross the next day.

Trekking about 20 km, 7-8 hours, uphill 480m and downhill 730m
Camping

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Trekking at Gongga Mountain

DAY
8

Moxigou – Gongga Monastery (3700m)

Moxigou, Gongga Monastery

After breakfast, departure along the Moxigou via the Winter Cattle Farm to the Gongga Monastery (3750m), the whole day trip is relatively flat. Gonggao Temple is 3,750 meters above sea level, which is located at the foot of the main peak of Gongga Mountain. It was built in the 13th century AD and was built by the first generation of Gongga Living Buddha. The temple provides an idea place for Gongga Living Buddha to meditate. Gongga Monasteryis one of the three holy places of the Kagyupa school (Baijiao) of the Tibetan Buddhism Karmaupa school. It is the Dojo of Shengle Vajras, one of the five great Vajras in Tibet. It is not only a famous religious destination, but also one of the best locations for taking photos of the main peak of Gongga. From here, you can face directly at the main peak of Gongga and go to the depths of Gongga Glacier.

Trekking about 22 km, 8 hours, downhill 350m
Overnight at Gongga Guesthouse or camping

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Trekking at Gongga Mountain

DAY
9

Gongga Monastery - Gongga Glacier - Gongga Monastery - Zimei village - Zimei Pass (4550 m) - Shangmuju (3700 m)

Gongga Glacier, Zimei Pass, sunset of Gongga peak

In the morning, watching around Gongga Monastery, and then leave for Gongga Glacier. Go downhill firstly and then start climbing. Come to Shangzimei Village (3400m) that will take about 3 hours. After arriving, take a short break, pack up your luggage and have lunch. Then take a bus to Zimei Pass (4550 m), which is a great platform to see Gongga Peak. The linear distance from Zimei Yakou to the main peak of Gongga Mountain is only about 5km! When the weather is good, wait for the sunset and enjoy the panoramic view of the golden Gongga Peak. After enjoying it, take a bus downhill to Shangmuju.

Trekking about 5 km, 2-3 hours, downhill 350m
Overnight at Shangmuju Guesthouse

Breakfast Lunch

Sunset of Gongga Mountain

DAY
10

Shangmuju – Yaha Yakou – Xinduqiao - Kangding - Yaan

Yulongxi Quanhua Pool, Yaha Pass

In the morning, take a bus to visit Yulongxi Quanhua Pool, then go to Yaha Pass (4568 m). It is also an excellent viewing platform for Gongga Mountain. The linear distance from Yaha Yakou to the main peak of Gongga Mountain is about 25km. After that, continue to pass by Xinduqiao and drive over the Zheduo Shan Pass via Kangding to Yaan, the famous rainy city.

321 km
7 hours 50 minutes
Overnight at Holiday Inn Express Yaan City Center

Breakfast

View of Holy Mt. Gongga from Yaha Pass

DAY
11

Yaan – Shangli - Dayi - Chengdu

Shangli Ancient Town. Travel to next destination

In the morning visit the Shangli Ancient Town. Old Town Shangli is called an “Ink and Wash Landscape” painting. Situated in the Western Sichuan Basin, the town was once the important post on the Silk Road of the South and the Ancient Tea-Horse Trail in history. In the afternoon drive via Dayi back to Chengdu, transfer to airport or railway station, leave Chengdu.

178 km
2 hours 59 minutes

Breakfast

Shangli Ancient Town

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With individual China Tibet travel, you can decide when, where and how you go on tour by yourself. What's more, you can choose the length of travel and whom you go with.

Information

Hotel, program and itinerary are subjected to change with prior notice.
We must point out that you counter a basic tourism infrastructure in this region. You stay overnight mostly at simple hotel/guesthouse and tent. Long journeys on bad roads and trekking on high altitude and delays require good physical fitness, resilience and flexibility of the participants. Program and route changes due to unforeseen events are expressly reserved. If you desire the unknown and have an understanding of contingency, this is the right trip for you.
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