Gongga｜Above the snow-capped mountains, under the blue sky!

A trip to Gongga Snow Mountain fulfilled all my fantasies about snow mountains [Yeah] If you can only visit one snow-capped mountain in your lifetime, I highly recommend Gongga! As the main peak of the Daxue Mountain in the Hengduan Mountains, with an altitude of 7,508.9 meters, it is the 7,000-meter-class peak closest to the east of my country. It was also rated as the top two of "China's Most Beautiful Mountains" by "National Geographic China", and the title of "King of Shu Mountains" is well deserved. Standing on the observation deck, overlooking the endless snow-capped mountains, the white mountains shine with holy light in the sun. When that beam of light illuminates the top of the mountain, the shock of the golden mountain in the sun strikes the soul directly, making people unable to hold back tears. Best time to travel[100][100][100] The best tourist season in Gonggar is from May to November. May to August is the season when mountain flowers are in full bloom. Wild flowers bloom all over the mountains, adding a touch of gentle color to the snow-capped mountains. However, there is more rain during this period and the weather is unpredictable. Please remember to check the weather forecast in advance and prepare rain gear when traveling. I prefer the autumn season from September to November, when the weather is clear and stable, and the chance of seeing the golden mountain in the sun is greatly increased. The temperature is not too low, so it is very comfortable. At the same time, you can avoid the peak summer season, so there are relatively fewer people, and you can enjoy more favorable travel expenses, and air ticket prices will be more cost-effective. Hiking route selection[100][100][100] There are many hiking routes in Gongga, each with its own difficulty and scenery. You can choose according to your own situation: - Gongga Southwest Slope: Very suitable for beginners, it is a classic entry route for outdoor activities in western Sichuan. The whole journey is about 40 kilometers, a 6-day journey (3 days of hiking), with an altitude of 2000-4600 meters. Along the way, you can check in at popular attractions such as Yuzixi, Lenggacuo, Quanhuatan, Zimei Pass, etc. There is no need to camp, and the equipment and physical requirements are relatively low. You can easily enjoy the beautiful scenery and experience the fun of high-altitude hiking. - Gongga Five Lakes: If you want to experience the charm of high mountain lakes and viewing platforms at the same time, this route is very suitable. The whole journey is about 43 kilometers, 7 days (4 days of hiking), and the altitude is 3000-4400 meters. During the hike, you can enjoy the stunning scenery of five high mountain lakes, camp at Lisuo Lake, and encounter the dreamy snow-capped mountains and the Milky Way. You can chase the golden mountain in the sunshine at Lengga Co and Zimei Pass, and photograph the reflections of snow-capped mountains at Sanenso and Zuoruo Lake. The hike is of moderate difficulty and suitable for friends who have a certain hiking foundation. - Gongga Grand Loop: A classic hiking route, about 45 kilometers in total, 7 days (5 days of hiking), 3700-5000 meters above sea level, advanced difficulty, requires camping for 3 nights. You can roam around the Ledomanin Glacier and view the Gongga Peaks at the Ridaman Pass and Lenggacuo. It is suitable for hikers with high-altitude hiking experience and good physical strength, and can deeply experience the magnificence and mystery of Gongga. Equipment preparation - Clothing: Follow the three-layer dressing method. For the windproof and rainproof layer, you can choose professional hardshell jackets and pants; for the middle warm layer, prepare fleece jackets and pants or thick sweaters; for the next-to-skin sweat-wicking layer, choose quick-drying jackets and pants. Also, bring a light down jacket so you can keep warm when it gets cold. Under normal circumstances, the temperature in Gongga Mountain is about 0℃-25℃ in summer (June-September), about -10℃-20℃ in spring and autumn (May and October), and -20-10℃ in winter (November-April). The perceived temperature will be lower in rainy, snowy or windy weather. You should prepare clothes according to the season and weather. - Hiking equipment: mid-to-high waterproof hiking shoes to protect the ankles, paired with sweat-wicking sports socks; trekking poles can save energy and protect the knees, it is recommended to carry two; snow gaiters to prevent snow and mud from entering the shoes; outdoor backpacks are used to carry items, you can prepare a large bag and a small carry-on bag. - Other items: A thermos bottle to be filled with hot water at any time; a headlamp or camp lamp for night lighting; sun protection products such as sunscreen (50 times or more), a sun hat, outdoor glasses, and a magic headscarf are essential; personal commonly used medicines such as cold medicine, fever medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, motion sickness medicine, and altitude sickness medicine (such as acetazolamide, Tibetan medicine Rhodiola rosea, etc.) should also be prepared. Precautions - Altitude sickness: Everyone may experience altitude sickness when they first arrive at a high altitude area. Rapid breathing and heartbeat, insomnia, indigestion, headache, etc. are all normal physiological reactions and will generally gradually ease in about 48 hours. If you experience severe symptoms of pulmonary edema or cerebral edema, such as projectile vomiting, moist rales in the lungs, and confusion, you must descend immediately. To prevent altitude sickness, exercise in advance to keep your body in good condition; reserve time to gradually adapt to the altitude, such as staying in a low altitude area for a while; pay attention to keeping warm, try not to wash your hair or take a bath two days before entering high altitude to prevent colds; drink plenty of hot water, in small amounts and multiple times, to ensure that the urine is colorless and transparent; eat a reasonable diet, carry high-calorie foods, quit smoking and drinking, and avoid overeating; use abdominal breathing when hiking, slow down your movement speed, and reduce the weight; keep the room or tent ventilated, and the time to go to bed can be appropriately delayed by about 1 hour. - Itinerary: Plan your trip in advance and book transportation and accommodation. The signal is poor in some areas of Gonggar, so download offline maps and related guides in advance. If you join a tour group, choose a formal, qualified travel agency and an experienced tour leader. - Environmental protection: The beautiful scenery of Gongga needs our joint protection. Please carry the garbage generated during the hike with you and bring it back to a place with disposal capabilities. Do not discard it at will. Protect this pure land so that more people can appreciate its original beauty. Gongga Snow Mountain is not only a visual feast, but also a spiritual baptism.