Jiuding Mountain: Sichuan's "Snowy Mountain Secret" Awaits Your Discovery!

🌟 The Ultimate Jiuding Mountain Travel Guide to Unlock Sichuan's "Snowy Mountain Secret"! 🏔️

📍Location
Jiuding Mountain is located in Nanxin Town, Mao County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, approximately 170 kilometers from Chengdu.

🚗Transportation
- **Self-drive**: From Chengdu, take the Duwen Expressway to Mao County, then turn right at Tongzhong Tunnel along National Highway 213. The journey takes about 3.5 hours.
- **Public transport**: Take a bus from Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station to Mao County, then transfer to a local vehicle to the scenic area.
- **Chartered car**: The trip from Chengdu to Jiuding Mountain takes about 4 hours, costing around 800-1000 RMB per vehicle.

🎫Tickets
- **Adult ticket**: 70 RMB/person.
- **Free admission**: Children (under 1.2m), seniors over 70, active military personnel, and Anxiang Village residents.
- **Half-price**: Seniors aged 60-69, students, etc.

⏰Opening Hours
- **Year-round**: 09:00-17:00.
- **Weekends & holidays**: Extended to 18:00.

🌳Attractions
- **Bailong Pool**: At 3,200m altitude, lush vegetation and clear waters, ideal for camping and photography.
- **Heilong Pool**: At 3,800m, the water is clear with a dark hue, frozen in winter; requires hiking experience.
- **Shuizhu Jinsha**: A mountain-side pool at 2,400m with warm winter and cool summer waters, where sand churns in the water.
- **Zhuaping**: Alpine meadows with vibrant wildflowers and winding streams.
- **Erdaoping**: A harmonious blend of forests and grasslands, with trees resembling bonsai.
- **Lilip Climb**: A hiking route with open views, perfect for trekking challenges.
- **Shimenkan**: A meadow surrounded by mountains, with rock formations resembling a threshold.

📝Travel Tips
- **Day trip**:
- Visitor Center → Couple Trees (shuttle start) → Lilip Climb → Heilong Pool → Bailong Pool → Return.
- Highlights: ~6-hour hike with panoramic views of sea of clouds and flower fields; suitable for the physically fit.
- **Two-day trip**:
- **D1**: Chengdu → Jiuding Mountain → Overnight at Heilong Pool Camp (stargazing, wild mushroom picking).
- **D2**: Sunrise at Heilong Pool → Bailong Pool Meadows → Shimen Waterfall → Return.
- Highlights: Deep immersion in alpine meadows, sea of clouds, and starry skies; ideal for photography enthusiasts.
- **Challenging hike**:
- Visitor Center → Couple Trees → Lilip Climb → Heilong Pool → Jigong Mountain (3,988m) → Return.
- Highlights: ~8-hour round trip; summit Jigong Mountain for a panoramic view of Nanxin Township.

🍲Food Recommendations
- **Qiang-style cured pork**: Smoked with pinewood, rich but not greasy.
- **Pickled vegetable noodles**: Handmade dough, spicy and tangy.
- **Roast whole lamb**: Book in advance for camping trips; tender and flavorful.
- **Wild mushroom soup**: Freshly picked with a guide; incredibly delicious.

🏨Accommodation
- **Mountain-top camps**:
- **Heilong Pool Camp**: Tents, sleeping bags, dinner, and breakfast provided; great for stargazing and sunrise views.
- **Bailong Pool Ranch**: Experience nomadic life in summer—horseback riding and milking cows.
- **Mountain lodgings**:
- **Jiuding Mountain Lodge**: Qiang-style homestay with floor heating and Tibetan tea.
- **Yunqi Inn**: Scenic terrace overlooking the Min River; family-friendly.

📸Photography Tips
- **Summer**: Capture alpine flower fields, sea of clouds, and starry skies.
- **Winter**: Shoot snowy peaks, frozen waterfalls, and winter landscapes.
- Wear bright outdoor clothing to contrast with snowy mountains and meadows.

📢Important Notes
- **Altitude sickness**: Jiuding Mountain is high-altitude; avoid strenuous activity upon arrival; consider taking Rhodiola in advance.
- **Weather changes**: Alpine weather is unpredictable; carry rain gear and warm clothing.
- **Eco-friendly travel**: No littering; protect the natural environment.
- **Safety first**: Hike with companions; avoid cliffs and deep pools.

🌟 Jiuding Mountain offers breathtaking scenery year-round—whether hiking, camping, or skiing, you’ll experience nature’s grandeur and tranquility! Start your Jiuding adventure now! 🌈