Paomashan Mountian

     Paomashan Mountain translated literally means Horserace Mountain. Paomashan Mountain gets its name from the annual horse races that made the mountain famous back in the early 20th century. Located just south of Kangding city, Paomashan Mountain currently is a giant public park, which hosts a range of minority festivals throughout the year and has quite a few noteworthy sites to see. Paomashan Mountain has the Wuse Lake, the Yongxue Tower, the Jixing Temple, as well as a few scattered pavilions.

     Wuse Lake was created by a glacier and is near the top of the mountain, 4100 meters above sea level. The lake is surrounded on three sides by mountains and has a waterfall on the eastern cliff face. To get to the lake it is about a 6 hour hike from the base of Paomashan Mountain. The hike is beautiful no matter what time of year. For those who do not wish to go on such a long hike or do not have the time, there is also a cable car that can take you to the top of the mountain.

     The yongxue Tower is located on the southern side and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding scenery. While the Jixing Temple is surrounded by a luscious green forest and inside sits a statue of the Gautama Buddha.

 

Megecuo Lake

 

Megecuo Lake is a national reserve 26km north of Kangding and makes a great day trip. It is the largest highland lake in Sichuan, covering 32000 square meters. Mugecuo Lake also has forests, hot springs, trickling streams, and hiking trails galore. There is also a group of waterfalls that span about 8 km long. Mugecao Lake is a great way to get in touch with nature and see the natural splendor that Sichuan has to offer.

 

 

 

 

 

Balang Mountain

On the road between Chengdu and the Wolong Nature Reserve stands the Balang Mountain and the Balang Pass that cuts through the mountain. This famous mountain and stretch of road is famous throughout Sichuan and China, similar to how Route 66 is famous in the United States. The Balang Mountain is approximately 5000 meters high and like Route 66 offers amazing landscapes while driving through. Although the road has been constantly under construction for years, driving along the road you can see herds of cattle and sheep, fields of wild flowers, and once you cross the peak there is a breathtaking view of the snowcapped Siguniang Mountains. However while traveling through the Balang Mountains travelers must be careful of altitude sickness.

 

 

Siguniangshan National Park

Siguniangshan National Park is comprised of Siguniang Mountain and the three adjacent valleys: Changqing Valley, Shuangqiao Valley, and the Haizi Valley. Siguniangshan National Park’s main attraction are its ancient cypress forests, snow covered peaks, alpine meadows, and the beautiful waterfalls. The Siguniang Mountain is famous for its four jagged snowcapped peaks; that according to Tibetan legends are the reincarnations of four beautiful girls. Famed for its steep and imposing ridges, Siguniang Mountain provides a fantastic opportunity for mountain climbers and hikers.

    The Shuangqiao Valley is the most visited out of the three valleys in Siguniangshan National Park and covers about 84 square miles. Most of this valley can be visited by tour bus and is the only one of the three valleys with paved roads. Shuangqiao Valley has a mixture of grasslands, forests, and gorgeous views of the snowy peaks.

     The Long Peace Valley is favored by many visitors who enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking or camping. This valley is full of cypress trees, has many secluded waterfalls, a Lama Temple, and the Kushu Shoal. If you are more interested in the beauty than the hiking, there is a tour on horseback through the valley. It is suggested that you bring your own food and water, because there are no restaurants or stores in this valley.

     The last is the Haizi Valley is at the highest altitude and the least developed of the three valleys; thusly receives the least number of visitors per year. Haizi Valley gets its name from the numerous alpine lakes that scatter the valley. If is advised that you have some experience in mountaineering and exploration before you head to this valley. Haizi Valley is known for its breathtaking beauty and is for those who truly love the wilderness.