Written by Veronica |
Located between Litang and Daocheng County in Sichuan Province, Haizi ShanĀ is the largest and most typical glacial relicĀ in the world. On the mountain with an average altitude of 4,500 meters, 1,145 Haizi of different sizes are like a large handful of shining diamonds cast by God.Ā Haizi Mountain is home to LHAASO, the most sensitive cosmic ray observatory in the world, which studies the origin of cosmic rays.
Stone river, stone sea, and Haizi (ice erosion rock basin) of different forms are composed of granite gravel, which forms the unique landscape of Haizi Mountain Scenic Area. There are hardly any trees or rivers you can see, and even the weeds are only a few spots.
Haizi MountainĀ Facts
- Location: North of Daocheng County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
- Ticket Price: Free of charge
- Opening Time: All day
- Recommended Visiting Time: 3-4 hours
- Suited to: Outdoor adventure and mountain climbing lovers
What to See and Do in Haizi Mountain Scenic Area
1. Xingyicuo Lake
Xingyicuo Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in Haizi Mountain and is also regarded as a holy lake by Tibetans. The lake is surrounded by flat terrain and lush grass. It is not only the habitat for deer and other wild animals, but also a grazing site for Sangdui town herdsmen.
Xingyicuo Lake is a niche scenic spot on Haizi Mountain that has not been fully developed, so the road to it is bumpy and has a lot of gravel. If you travel to Daocheng Yading in Sichuan by self-driving, it is recommended that you choose a vehicle with a higher chassis and drive slowly into this area. Or you can walk to Xingyicuo Lake, but the distance will be longer.
2. Rubuchaka Hot Spring
The water of Rubuchaka hot spring on Haizi Mountain is colorless, odorless, and can be drunk directly. It is said that this hot spring water also has the function of activating blood circulation and regulating the human endocrine system. Therefore most Tibetans living near the hot springs live long lives. At present, all the water in Daocheng County comes from Rubuchaka hot springs.
The hot spring facilities here are simple. Each room is about 4 square meters, and the roof is shielded by a wooden board. The floor is lined with a small square-tiled pool that can accommodate two people at a time.
Notes on bathing:
- Remember to remove any accessories you wear. Because the hot spring water contains sulfur, it may stain your metal jewelry black. Rinse your whole body with clean water after bathing to prevent skin allergies.
- The time spent in the hot spring should not be too long, and the interval between the hot spring and the meal time should be at least 1 hour. Soaking in the water for a long time will cause chest tightness, thirst, dizziness, etc.
How to Get to Haizi Mountain
By air: You can take a direct flight from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to Daocheng Yading Airport. And then take a taxi to Haizi Mountain.
By self-driving: You can drive along the 318 National Highway from Chengdu city, with the journey about 12 hours. You will pass Kangding, Xinduqiao, Litang, and other places on the way.
By bus: There is a direct bus to Daocheng County at 10 am at Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station every day. But it will take about two days to get to Daocheng. After that, you can go to Haizi Mountain by chartered bus.
Attractions nearby Haizi MountainĀ Scenic Area
Yading Nature Reserve: One of the most completely preserved natural ecosystems in China, it is known as “the last piece of pure land on the planet”. The nature reserve is also a tourist resort integrating alpine ecological tourism, and religious and cultural tourism.
Shangri-la town: It is at a lower altitude, so many tourists choose to take a break here before continuing the journey. Here you can taste a lot of authentic Tibetan food, such as Tibetan hot pot, Shangri-la yak cheese, highland barley cake with Tibetan mushroom soup pot, butter tea, etc.
