Live Your Best Lives
If I could only recommend one hiking destination in western Sichuan this summer, I would definitely recommend Mount Siguniang! Known as the "Queen of Sichuan Mountains," it's also the closest snow-capped mountain to a major city.
Here you can find the most beautiful hiking routes in China in summer, including snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes, and meadows... Whether you want to challenge yourself by climbing a 5,000-meter-high snow-capped mountain, or hike in a forest canyon to enjoy the beautiful scenery of western Sichuan, Mount Siguniang can satisfy you.
Many people praise this place as the "Alps" of the East, with natural scenery that is no less than that of Northern Europe. It only takes a 4-hour drive from Chengdu to experience the wonderful experience of hiking in Switzerland. The Siguniang Mountain Scenic Area has also added a rafting project this year. While rafting in the clear stream, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of snow-capped mountains and green meadows on both sides. It is definitely an unforgettable and wonderful experience with a very high cost-effectiveness. What are you waiting for?
Where is Mount Siguniang? How can you enjoy it? What are the classic hiking routes? How should you plan your itinerary? What precautions should you take? This 2023 new guide to Mount Siguniang will help you experience the wonders of Mount Siguniang.
Siguniang Mountain, located in Siguniang Mountain Town, Xiaojin County, Aba City, Sichuan Province, consists of four snow-capped mountains: Yaomei Peak (6250m), Sanfeng Peak (5355m), Erfeng Peak (5276m) and Dafeng Peak (5025m). Snow is accumulated here all year round, like a beautiful girl wearing a white veil, standing gracefully above the two Milky Ways of Changping Valley and Haizi Valley. This is how Siguniang Mountain got its name.
Mount Siguniang is perhaps even more renowned in the climbing world than Mount Everest. Western mountaineers and rock climbers fondly call it the "Chinese Alps" and the "Yosemite of the East." Its four peaks represent four different levels of climbing difficulty, making it an ideal location for mountaineering adventures. Furthermore, the Mount Siguniang Scenic Area, a 4A-level scenic spot in my country, boasts beautiful scenery and diverse landscapes, making it suitable for general visitors as well.
I will introduce in detail how to play in Mount Siguniang from three aspects: snow mountain climbing, classic hiking, and leisure play.
Dafeng, as the easiest 5,000-meter snow mountain to climb in China, has a short snow line, a relatively low altitude, and a moderate slope. It is a classic representative of entry-level snow mountains. After hiking 16km from Siguniang Mountain Town to the base camp, you can hike 3km from the base camp to the summit (5,025 meters above sea level) the next day, and return to the town or Chengdu on the same day. The overall intensity is not high.
Hiking in the Great Peak, the scenery you see is as magnificent as that of the Alps. You can take in the spectacular scenery of mountains and ravines, enjoy the unique beauty brought by the extreme peaks, and stand above the clouds, with the snow-capped mountains seeming to be within reach.
Second Peak isn't just an entry-level snow mountain; it's a must-see for your snow mountain climbing adventure. Climbing Second Peak is more challenging than climbing Dafeng, primarily because the final summit push is about 200 meters higher and the slopes are steeper. Like Dafeng, climbing Second Peak begins via Haizigou. After an 18km hike from town to base camp, the next day involves a 7km hike from base camp to the summit (5,276 meters), followed by a return trip back to town. The final day is quite intense.
Unlike the Big Peak and the Second Peak, the Third Peak is a technical climb requiring technical equipment (such as a safety harness, ascender, descender, helmet, etc.). This is suitable for those with some outdoor experience. On the first day, you enter Changping Valley from Siguniang Mountain Town and take a small trail to the Third Peak Base Camp. This day's hike is 11 kilometers. On the second day, you'll hike and climb 3 kilometers to the summit (5,355 meters above sea level), returning to town the same day. Compared to the Big Peak and the Second Peak, the Third Peak has an additional 100-meter rope climb, and caution must be exercised against falling rocks, so professional alpine support is required.
(From highest to lowest, they are Yaomei Peak to Dafeng Peak)
Yaomei Peak is the most beautiful snow-capped mountain in Siguniang Mountain, but it is extremely difficult to climb because you have to climb on nearly vertical rocks and glacier cliffs. As an internationally renowned difficult mountain, few people reach the summit.
The 40-kilometer route from Changpinggou Scenic Area in Siguniang Mountain to Panyang Lake in Bipenggou Scenic Area is one of the most classic hiking routes in China. It is the first choice for beginners of high-altitude hiking.
The first section of the "Long Crossing Bi" walks at the foot of Yaomei Peak, the middle section walks under the snow-capped peaks such as Yangmantai and Luotuofeng, and the latter section crosses Chazigou and enters Bipenggou, where the charm of the western Sichuan scenery can be seen at a glance.
As you walk along, the scenery around you keeps changing: jungle, snow-capped mountains, sea of flowers, meadows, starry sky, sea of clouds. You can enjoy all the beautiful scenery in one hike. It is definitely an adventure full of surprises and joy.
Standing at the pass at an altitude of 4,650 meters, a vast expanse of snow-capped mountains looms in front of you, towering mountain peaks are looming in the sea of clouds, the mountain breeze blows on your face, and there is a large open canyon under your feet. This is definitely the pinnacle experience of hiking.
In addition to being a killer attraction for outdoor enthusiasts, Mount Siguniang's stunning scenery is also a must-see for ordinary tourists. The Mount Siguniang Scenic Area consists of three scenic areas: Shuangqiaogou, Changpinggou, and Haizigou, each requiring a separate ticket.
Shuangqiaogou is the most well-developed scenic spot in Siguniang Mountain and is also the most suitable scenic spot for ordinary tourists to visit. There are scenic area buses available for you to take throughout the entire journey. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery in the scenic area without having to hike for a long time.
There are more than 50 famous snow-capped mountains with a height of over 5,000 meters in Shuangqiaogou Scenic Area, which is known as China's Snow Mountain Museum.
While you can't see the main peak of Siguniang Mountain from here, you can see its "bath pool." It's like the valley is surrounded by mountains on both sides, each one distinct. From afar, the peaks appear majestic, with withered trees and twisted branches entwined. Up close, the flowing water appears gentle, sometimes ripples, sometimes swift, like a waterfall, sometimes flowing through gravel and sometimes emerging from the weeds.
If Balan Mountain is famous for its plant scenery, Haizigou is famous for its beautiful water, and Changpinggou is famous for its folk customs, then Shuangqiaogou combines the best of each.
Shuangqiaogou has also added rafting, available for 90 yuan per person via the scenic area's sightseeing bus to Nianyuba Station. The water flows slowly, making it suitable for both healthy elderly and children. Dubbed "health-preserving rafting" and "Buddha-style rafting," drifting on the water while gazing at the snow-capped mountains, forests, meadows, and seas of flowers on both sides is truly a magical experience!
Tips:
Ticket price: 80 yuan
Sightseeing bus: 70 yuan
Recommended attractions: Redwood Forest, Potala Peak, Sigunacuo, Catfish Dam, Longzhucuo, and Rensheng Fruit Field
You can take the bus for the whole journey and get off at each stop to enjoy the scenery, saving time and effort
Depart from Chengdu丨5 days and 4 nights
5-Day Western Sichuan Snow Mountain Pilgrimage | Visit three iconic snow-capped mountains in one pilgrimage!
￥3180 Starting from 6356 people have registered Register nowChangpinggou Scenic Area is currently in a semi-developed state, with the front half consisting of a plank road and the back half a primitive trail, offering both hiking and horseback riding options. In his poem, "From the side, a mountain becomes a peak; from the front, a peak; from far and near, heights vary," Su Shi described the changing forms of Mount Lushan from different angles. Similarly, a light hike in Changpinggou reveals the varied views of Yaomei Peak, leading some to call it the "Pilgrimage Road" of Mount Siguniang, a paradise for hikers.
The scenic area has a Lama Temple, Tangbai Ancient Road, Ganhaizi, waterfalls and springs tens of meters high, as well as strange rock scenery. In spring and summer, the mountain flowers are in full bloom and the green lake is affectionate. In autumn, red birch and red maple compete for beauty. The valley not only has beautiful natural scenery but also unique Jiarong Tibetan ethnic customs.
Tips:
Ticket price: 70 yuan
Sightseeing bus: 20 yuan
Take a sightseeing bus from the main gate to the Lama Temple, then hike or ride a horse
Hiking distance is about 29km
Haizigou Scenic Area is located at the easternmost part of Rilong Town. It is in an undeveloped state and is the most primitive ditch. It requires hiking or riding horses throughout the entire journey. Camping is allowed in the ditch. Climbing the Big Peak and the Second Peak of Siguniang Mountain will pass through Haizigou.
"Haizi" refers to a plateau lake. As the name suggests, Haizigou boasts numerous lakes, including Dahaizi, Huahaizi, Fuhai, Baihai, Lanhai, and Huanghai, among more than 10 alpine lakes. At Chaoshanping in Haizigou, an annual traditional pilgrimage is held. Thousands of Tibetans, dressed in festive attire and holding khatas, perform traditional and solemn rituals accompanied by joyful folk songs and dances as they circumambulate the sacred Sigula Mountain, praying for peace and prosperity for the country and good weather.
Tips:
Ticket price: 60 yuan
There are base camps for climbing the Big Peak, the Second Peak and the Third Peak in Haizigou.
Siguniang Mountain is one of the must-see scenic spots when you come to western Sichuan. With clusters of snow-capped mountains, forests, canyons and streams, and lush green meadows, it satisfies all your fantasies of western Sichuan. This summer, take a few days off and spend a 20℃ summer in Siguniang Mountain.
