The Stunning "Sky Mirror" of Western Sichuan

Here is a travel guide to Mount Huajian: Location Mount Huajian is located in Heigou Village, Lengqi Town, Luding County, Ganzi, Sichuan Province, on the southeast side of Mount Gongga, near Mount Erlang, at an altitude of about 3,450 meters. Transportation • Self-driving: Starting from Chengdu, the total length is about 260 km, passing through Jingkun Expressway - Yakang Expressway - Yongshi Road - National Highway 318 - County Road 002 - Provincial Road 211 - finally reaching the top of Mount Huajian. • By bus: Take a bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station to Lengqi Town, then choose to charter a car or hike up the mountain. Itinerary • Two-day itinerary: • Day 1: Chengdu - Ya'an - Hanyuan - Shimian County - Lengqi Town for accommodation, then Lengqi Town - Mount Huajian for accommodation. • Day 2: Mount Huajian Viewing Platform - Shimian County - Ya'an - Chengdu. Hiking Tips • Hiking starting point: You can choose to take a local car to the halfway point, or drive yourself to the halfway point, and then start hiking. • Cost: The round trip from Lengqi Town to the halfway hiking starting point is about CNY 100 per person. Reasons to Visit • Free: Mount Huajian does not require tickets, and it is not crowded. • Close-up view of Mount Gongga: Closer to Mount Gongga than Mount Niubei, shorter distance, easier to climb, 4 hours of hiking to the top, high safety factor. • Stunning scenery: Mount Huajian faces east and west, offering views of natural landscapes such as sea of clouds, cloud waterfalls, golden mountains at sunrise, and starry skies. • Rarely visited: Few people know about it so far, and the winter snow scenery is very beautiful. Equipment Recommendations • Clothing: It is recommended to bring a windbreaker, down jacket, thermal underwear, hiking shoes, and trekking poles. • Shoes and socks: It is recommended to use high-top waterproof hiking shoes, and bring at least 2 pairs of socks. • Hat: A hat with a brim is best, or a headscarf. Precautions • Weather: The weather on Mount Huajian is cold in the morning and evening, and it is necessary to bring a down jacket and warm clothes when climbing in winter. A raincoat is also essential. • Altitude sickness: Due to the high altitude, pay attention to altitude sickness. It is recommended to bring a scarf, hat, and windbreaker. • Accommodation: There are inns and campsites on the top of the mountain, but the conditions are difficult, mostly large shared beds, with electric blankets, very cold, and accommodation on the top of the mountain includes breakfast and dinner. This guide can help you plan a pleasant trip to Mount Huajian!