Haizi Valley Ultimate Nanny-Level Guide｜Routes, Photo Spots, Road Conditions, Equipment

Haizi Valley is the least developed, most challenging, and most scenic of the three valleys in Siguniang Mountain. There are three ways to explore: horseback riding (P14 prices), a 28 km hike, or a 7 km short scenic route.

Complete Route Guide:
1. Visitor Center—Mountain Gate: About 10 minutes, wooden plank trail with stairs. Horseback riding costs between 30-60 RMB; these horses are privately owned, so be sure to bargain.
2. Mountain Gate—Zhaijiaoping—Chaoshanping: 3.5 km, 2-5 hours depending on personal fitness. Wooden plank trail with stairs. Round-trip horseback riding costs 260 RMB to the White Pagoda; you can negotiate with the horse owner to wait up to 40 minutes.
Chaoshanping (P3-5): After the White Pagoda, follow the wooden plank trail to the grassland at the end, which is the best photo spot for Yaomei Peak (P4-5).
*At Chaoshanping, you can wear any clothes you like for photos. If you don’t have the time or energy to reach Dahaizi, please turn back decisively here. Beyond this, the route to Shibane Re (about 4 km round trip) barely counts as alpine meadow scenery (P12) but is very dusty and exposed to the sun. The route to Dahaizi is over 10 km round trip with no roadside scenery! The road is rough (P13-14) with mud mixed with cow and horse excrement.
3. Chaoshanping—Shibane Re: About 2 km, dry and flat horse trail, no elevation gain but very dusty and sunny. Shibane Re has restrooms.
4. Shibane Re—Xiaoping—Dajianbao: About 2.5 km, through forested sections, rough roads start to appear frequently. Xiaoping has restrooms. Dajianbao has the last restroom before reaching Dahaizi. Avoid climbing at Dajianbao; keep to the right side. If you haven’t reached Dajianbao by 11 a.m., it’s not recommended to continue. Horseback riding to Dajianbao costs 300 RMB (mainly serving those climbing Mount Da).
5. Dajianbao—Shishao Tai—Lao Niu Yuanzi—Dahaizi: About 4 km, with more ups and downs and some elevation gain. Lao Niu Yuanzi has a campsite. Round-trip horseback riding to Dahaizi costs 600 RMB.
Dahaizi (P6-7): Very large area, mid-mountain location with water views.
*If you arrive at Dahaizi after 1 p.m., it’s not recommended to go to Huahaizi. The scenery is similar; the difference is Huahaizi allows you to descend to the valley bottom meadow. The round trip to Huahaizi adds over 4 km and includes elevation gain on the return.
6. Dahaizi—Huahaizi: About 2 km, scenery includes wetlands and water (P8). Mainly downhill going, with significant elevation gain on the return. Return from Huahaizi no later than 2 p.m. Round-trip horseback riding costs 720 RMB.
Huahaizi (P9-11): Valley bottom, water and alpine wetlands. There is a simple log bridge.

Equipment List:
Sun hat + sunglasses
Close-fitting quick-dry clothing (main pack XB Energy Boost)
Light hard shell (recommended 3L, main pack Arc'teryx Beta)
*Mid-layer fleece (check Win in the morning; bring if weather is unstable)
Outdoor long pants
Compression long socks (main pack XB Marathon socks)
Comfortable hiking shoes (do not wear new shoes)
Trekking poles
35-45L hiking backpack
Supply recommendations: 1.5L water, 500 ml electrolyte solution, sip slowly to control consumption pace. High-calorie lightweight foods such as quail eggs, chocolate, dried sweet potatoes, etc. For biscuits and jerky, watch sodium content; high sodium increases water consumption.