I thought Moon Lake was beautiful enough! Until I visited this place...

🏔️ Wuxuhai (Jiulong County, Garze Prefecture, Sichuan) Travel Guide | Exploring the Hidden Gem Beneath Gongga Snow Mountain 1. Scenic Area Introduction Wuxuhai, located in northern Jiulong County, Garze Prefecture, Sichuan✨, means "brilliant lake" in Tibetan. It's the core area of Gongga Mountain National Scenic Spot! At an altitude of 3,760m, it's surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains, primeval forests, and emerald meadows🌲. The crystal-clear lake mirrors the snowy peaks of Twelve Fairy Maidens Peak❄️, earning it the title "The Last Shangri-La of Western Sichuan" – every snapshot is postcard-worthy! 2. Best Time to Visit - June–August (Summer): Alpine flowers bloom across meadows🌼, the lake shines sapphire-blue, and temperatures are pleasantly cool (15–20°C daytime, 5–10°C nighttime) – perfect for strolls and photography! - September–October (Autumn): Forests blaze with fall colors🍁, creating stunning contrasts with snow-white peaks – a golden season for photographers! - November–May (Winter): The frozen lake offers serene snowscapes⛄, but roads may close due to snow – always check accessibility beforehand! 3. Transportation Guide 【External Transport】 1. Self-drive (Recommended): - From Chengdu: Chengdu → Ya'an → Luding → Kangding → Jiulong County → Wuxuhai (approx. 580km, 10–12hrs)🚗. The Xinduqiao–Jiulong section has winding mountain roads – drive carefully! - Pro tip: The 25km from Jiulong to Wuxuhai takes 40min, but some gravel sections require SUVs. 2. Public Transport: - Take a bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Station to Jiulong County (1 daily, ~12hrs)🚌, then charter a car to Wuxuhai (~¥200/vehicle). 4. Must-See Attractions & Activities 【Core Landscapes】 1. Wuxu Lake: Hike the 3km shoreline🚶. At dawn, mist transforms it into a fairyland! The western meadow offers prime photo ops📸. 2. Twelve Fairy Maidens Peak: Snow-capped summits reflect perfectly in the lake❄️. Autumn brings dramatic color gradients. 3. Riluku Grassland: Alpine meadows threaded with streams🌿. Summer wildflowers, horseback riding (~¥100/hr)🐎, or picnics make it idyllic! 【Deep Experiences】 1. Tibetan Villages: Visit Wuxu/Huaqiu villages🏠, try butter tea and tsampa, join local dances💃 (respect customs!). 2. Trekking: Advanced hikers can tackle the 2–3 day Wuxuhai→Lotus Lake route🚶♂️ through ancient forests (guide required). 3. Lakeside Camping: Stargaze by the mirror-like lake⛺ (bring -10°C sleeping bags; be bear-aware🐻!). 5. Photography Tips - Golden Hours: - Sunrise (6:00–7:30): Capture the peaks' golden glow🌅. - Sunset (18:30–19:30): East-shore meadows glow warmly. - Gear: Wide-angle for landscapes, telephoto for compressed reflections, ND filters for silky water📷. - Drones: Max 120m altitude; side shots create "sky mirror" effects (caution in wind!)🚁. 6. Food & Lodging 【Accommodation】 - In Wuxuhai: - Tibetan homestays (~¥200/night) with lake views🏞️ (shared bathrooms; book early!). - In Jiulong Town: - Xiangyun Hotel (~¥350/night) offers oxygen rooms for altitude relief. - Camping: Designated zones (¥50/tent⛺); no open fires – use gas stoves. 【Food】 - Tibetan hotpot: Yak meat, wild mushrooms, potatoes🍲 (~¥80/person). - Butter-roasted matsutake: Summer delicacy🍄. - Barley wine: Homemade brew aids altitude adjustment🥂. 7. Key Notes 1. Altitude sickness: Avoid showers/alcohol on arrival❌; carry oxygen (sold in town) and glucose. 2. Eco-rules: Preserve this paradise🌍 – no littering, pack out trash, avoid disposables. 3. Road conditions: Some Jiulong–Wuxuhai stretches lack guardrails; 4WD advised🚙. 4. Fees: Entry ¥60/person, shuttle ¥20 (optional), parking ¥10🅿️. 5. Connectivity: No signal📵 – carry cash for payments. 8. Sample Itinerary (3D2N)** - Day1: Chengdu → Kangding (acclimatize)💪. - Day2: Kangding → Jiulong → Wuxuhai (hike, sunset🌄, homestay). - Day3: Sunrise photos → Riluku Grassland → Return (or extend to Lotus Lake trek!)🚶 Wuxuhai is an uncut sapphire on Sichuan’s plateau💎 – whether chasing filming locations from *Legend of Fei* or savoring mountain solitude, its raw beauty whisks you far from crowds. Pack this guide and go! 🏔️🌌📸