Little Switzerland of Western Sichuan? Mugucao is truly amazing!

In autumn, I went to Mugucao near Kangding with friends and was really amazed by its beauty! It’s just a 4-hour drive from Chengdu to this secret place starting at an altitude of 2600 meters. The treasure scenic spot at the foot of Gongga Mountain is truly well-deserved of its reputation~

Sharing my three must-experiences:
❶ Three consecutive views of alpine lakes
· Mugucao (Wildman Lake) is incredibly photogenic! We took many stunning shots of the turquoise lake and snowy mountains on the golden sands of Love Beach.
· The Seven-Color Lake changes colors! In the early morning, the lake surface reflects the snowy mountains like a mirror, and in the afternoon sunlight, golden ripples appear.
· At the medicinal hot spring, I boiled a soft-boiled egg in 90°C hot spring water, only 3 yuan each. After soaking my feet in the hot spring, I instantly felt full of energy.

❷ Different feelings in each season
Summer averages only 14°C, autumn has beautiful colorful forests, in winter the lake surface can be used for ice skating, and in spring the hills are covered with rhododendrons. I’ve already planned when to come back next time.

💡Helpful tips
Tickets + shuttle bus cost about 200 yuan
It’s recommended to stay one night in Kangding to acclimate to the altitude
Don’t forget sunscreen! Windproof jacket! Sunglasses! All are essential
If you’re prone to altitude sickness, remember to bring an oxygen bottle
Must try the hot spring eggs; soaking your feet then eating the eggs is so healing

This place has both romantic legends and health-preserving hot springs. Don’t miss it when traveling the Western Sichuan loop~

Post by PRINCE MCGEE | Nov 4, 2025