3 Hours from Chengdu! Gongga Snow Mountain Nanny-Level Guide｜Includes Pitfall Avoidance + Photo Tips

Who understands! Watching the moment of the golden sunlight on Gongga Snow Mountain at its foot feels like the soul is purified! As an "old player" who has been to Gongga three times, I have compiled this super comprehensive guide for beginners to copy directly!

📍Must-visit check-in spots (with best viewing times)

• Zimei Pass: Gongga’s "Number One Viewing Platform," accessible by car! The best time is one hour before sunrise, with sea of clouds + snow mountain in the same frame, even a phone can take great shots (remember to bring a tripod for time-lapse).

• Lenggaco: "The Eye of Gongga," where you can capture the snow mountain’s reflection! You need to ride a horse (50 RMB/person one way) or hike 1.5 hours. It’s recommended to arrive before 3 PM to avoid backlight.

• Yuzixi: A must-go for starry sky lovers! You can see the Milky Way with the naked eye at night, and during the day you can see both Gongga and Yala snow mountains. It’s recommended to stay overnight to shoot the stars.

• Xinduqiao: "Photographer’s paradise," in autumn (October-November) the poplar trees turn golden, and the scenery along the way is beautiful, you can stop anywhere by the roadside for great shots.

🚗Transportation options (3 choices, pick as needed)

1. Self-driving: From Chengdu take the Ya-Ye Expressway, passing Kangding and Xinduqiao to Zimei Pass, total over 300 km, about 5 hours driving (many mountain roads, recommended for experienced drivers).

2. Carpool/Charter: There are many 3-5 day local loop carpools, costing 800-1200 RMB per person, including accommodation and tickets, suitable for those who don’t want to plan.

3. Public transport: Take a bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Station to Kangding (about 3 hours), then transfer to a shuttle to Xinduqiao, then taxi or carpool to each scenic spot (relatively troublesome, not recommended).

🏨Accommodation recommendations (for different needs)

• Cost-effective choice: Homestays in Xinduqiao town, 100-200 RMB per person, fully equipped, convenient for meals (recommend "Xinduqiao So-and-so Homestay," the owner helps arrange carpools).

• Scenic rooms: Tent inns near Zimei Pass, 200-300 RMB per person, you can see the golden sunlight on the mountain as soon as you open the tent in the morning (basic conditions, no private bathroom, choose carefully if concerned).

• Comfortable type: Tibetan family inns near Lenggaco, 300-400 RMB per person, experience Tibetan style and enjoy authentic yak meat hotpot.

📸Photo tips (get tons of likes on social media)

1. Outfit: Wear bright colors like white, red, blue to contrast with snow mountains and grasslands (avoid black and gray, which blend into the background).

2. Angles: When shooting Lenggaco reflections, crouch low to make the snow mountain and reflection symmetrical; when shooting Zimei Pass, use foreground elements (like prayer flags, stones) to add layers.

3. Timing: Besides sunrise and sunset, before 10 AM and after 4 PM the light is soft, good for portraits without backlight, making skin look more translucent.

⚠️Pitfall warnings (learned the hard way)

• Don’t trust locals on the roadside offering shortcuts; many take longer routes and charge extra.

• When riding horses at Lenggaco, agree on the price in advance, whether one way or round trip, to avoid being scammed.

• The plateau has big temperature differences; even in summer bring jackets and scarves, it’s cold at night; UV is strong, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are must-haves!

• Don’t enter undeveloped areas casually, it’s unsafe and may damage the ecological environment.

🍜Food recommendations

• Yak meat hotpot: A must-eat! Tender meat, delicious with chili powder, many shops in Xinduqiao town offer it.

• Tibetan yogurt: Rich and slightly sour, can add sugar, refreshing and appetite-enhancing.

• Butter tea: Might be an acquired taste at first, but helps relieve altitude sickness, recommended to try.

Gongga Snow Mountain is really worth visiting; the shock is something photos can’t convey! Remember to check the weather in advance and avoid the rainy season (June-August is rainy, making it hard to see the snow mountain). Wishing everyone to capture their favorite photos~