Tibetpedia

Tag: Cycle Worthy

  • Minya Konka (Mount Gongga)

    Minya Konka (Mount Gongga)

    On the eastern edges of the Tibetan plateau, in the Kham region south of Kangding and Xinduqiao, lies Mount Gongga (Minya Konka), the 7,556-meter sentinel of the Mount Gongga mountain range. The mountain is the third largest peak outside of the Himalayas. At one point in the 1930s, its height was miscalculated and thought to be over 30,000 feet, which would have made it the tallest mountain in the world. The myth was short-lived as the National Geographic Society quickly disproved the claim. It does stand head and shoulders above every other peak in the region and its prominence from some of the deep, surrounding gorges make it easy to understand how some might have mis-calculated its height.

     

    Viewing Minya Konka

    Minya Konka lies shrouded in clouds amongst the other peaks of the Gongga Range
    Minya Konka lies shrouded in clouds amongst the other peaks of the Gongga Range

    Catching an unhindered view of Mt. Gongga’s peak is a rare occurence as it typically carries with it its own weather system. Even when the rest of the sky is relatively cloudless, Gongga will still wear a shroud of clouds. The steep valleys surrounding Gongga make it difficult to see even though you may be walking through its own foothills. There are a few common vantage points available for viewing Gongga, though you still need a good dose of luck to see it. The Kangding Airport road provides a clear, though distant view of Gongga and the surrounding mountains. You can also potentially view it from the Riewuqie pass on the Gongga through-trek. There are parts of the 318 Highway between Yajiang and Kangding from where you can also see the mountain. But the best viewing spot for Gongga is at the pass above Zimei village.

     

    A Wonderland of Adventure

    Surrounded by awe inspiring landscapes
    Surrounded by awe inspiring landscapes

    During late spring and early summer, Tibetans comb the valleys and mountains around Gongga for caterpillar fungus. More and more trekkers are finding their way to Mt. Gongga. There is a popular trail hike that begins just to the south of Kangding and ends in Zimei village, which visits one of the most isolated monasteries on the planet. Visitors have the option of even staying the night at the monastery itself, which was build over 700 years ago nestled into a steep valley on the western side of Minya Konka. It typically takes 5 to 8 days to traverse the 70-kilometer journey.

    This 700 year old monastery is one of the most isolated on the planet
    This 700 year old monastery is one of the most isolated on the planet

    There have been many attempts to summit Mt. Gongga. And many fatalities. It has been successfully summitted only a few times, most recently in the summer of 2017 by a group from the Czech Republic. But for the average adventurer, Minya Konka is a veritable alpine playground. Boasting some of the most inspiring and breath-taking landscapes in the region, the Gongga Valley is a trekker’s, and mountain biker’s, dream.  It doesn’t get any better than this.

    Trekking through the Gongga Valley
    Trekking through the Gongga Valley

     

     

  • Tsongon Po (Qinghai Lake)

    Tsongon Po (Qinghai Lake)

    Known as Qinghai Lake in Chinese (meaning Green Lake), Kokonor in Mongolian (meaning Blue Lake) and Tsongon Po (མཚོ་སྔོན་པོ།) in Tibetan (meaning Teal Sea), this largest inland saltwater lake in China is found in the Qinghai Province. Amidst the lofty mountains of Xiangpi, Datong, Riyue, and the South Mountain, Qinghai Lake is spread over an area of 4,500 square kilometers at an elevation of 3,200 meters. The natives believe Qinghai Lake is a miracle bestowed by a deity.

    The vast grasslands surrounding Qinghai Lake are dotted with flocks of sheep and goats, shepherds’ tents, golden rape seed flowers, and wheat fields. The Qinghai Lake is dotted with five unique-shaped islands including the Haixin Hill, Gucha Hill, Bird Island, Haixi Hill, and Sand Island.

    Bird Island (Niaodao)

    To the west of the Qinghai Lake is the Niaodao, which is the ‘Kingdom of Birds’. Bird Island covers an area of 0.11 square kilometers and reaches ten meters above the lake. The island is a natural habitat for more than 100,000 birds of diverse species such as swan, gull, sandpipers, wild goose, crane, and even the rare black-necked crane. During the spring and summer months, thousands of birds from as far as Southeast Asia flock to their kingdom to breed.

    Haixin Hill (Hill of the Sea Heart)

    25 kilometers from the Bird Island is Haixin Hill, also known as ‘Immortal Hill’. It lies to the south of the central Qinghai Lake. Haixin Hill is covered with granite rocks, sandy soil, and vegetation. Achnatherum splendens, Kobresia, Thermopsis lancaolata, wheatgrass, and Oxytropis falcate Bunge are the common plants species found on the island. The Hill of the Sea Heart also has temples and clear springs.

    Marine Life in Qinghai Lake

    The Qinghai Lake is abundant in fish, especially the Huang fish reputed for being the King of the Lake by locals, and the lone alpine saltwater fish in China. In northwest China, the Qinghai Lake is the largest natural fish habitat. During the breeding season in April and May, schools of Huang fish swim to the nearby rivers to lay eggs.

    The ‘Tour of Qinghai Lake’ Cycle Race

    The international ‘Tour of Qinghai Lake’ Cycle Race takes place around Qinghai Lake during July and August every year. Since 2002, this event is among Asia’s top cycling events, and is known for having the highest altitude, averaging over 3,000 meters, of all the international cycling races. With twenty teams, and more than a hundred cyclists from all over the world, the race covers a distance of 1,300 kilometers and takes nine days to complete.

     

  • Dartsendo (Kangding)

    Dartsendo (Kangding)

    Dartsendo (དར་རྩེ་མདོ། ) or Dardo (དར་མདོ། ) is a major gateway city on the eastern side of the Tibetan Plateau. Also known as Kangding (康定) in Chinese, it rises 2,600 meters above sea level and is the first Tibetan city you come to when traveling west from Chengdu. Kangding teeters on the Eastern edge of Tibet and, historically, has been a trading post between Tibetan and Han Chinese cultures. Bricks of tea came by horse over the mountains from Ya’an – the center of westward tea distribution in ancient China – while Tibetans bartered their nomad wares and yak milk products with the Chinese tea merchants.

    Kangding is also the seat of political power for the majority of Kham Tibet.  It is the county seat and prefectural capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan known as Garnze (甘孜 “Ganzi” in Chinese). Unlike most other towns further west and higher on the Tibetan plateau, Kangding is a turbid mixture of Tibetan and Han cultures with an approximately 50/50 split population of 100,000 people, with a small population of other ethinic minorities.

     

    kangding_river_night
    Fed by nearby Gongga Mt and Zheduo Mt, the river cuts Kangding in half and fills the streets with a constant roar

    A small, but rapidly moving river divides the narrow valley city into Northwest and Southeast halves. The noise from the rushing waters echoes throughout the city streets. Summertime is accompanied by higher volumes of rainwater and thus higher volumes of river noise. Wind rips through the valley bringing with it a significant wind chill. Thus, even many Tibetans consider Kangding a colder place to spend the winter months than in their high plateau hometowns. Towering over the Southeast part of the town is the famous Paoma (“Running Horse”) Mountain. Residents and visitors regularly climb to the top of the hill for a view of the city, or for festivals or cultural events that the city hosts.

    While in Kangding there are several places that travelers may wish to explore. With multiple monasteries, the Nanwu Monastery to the west side of town is the most active in the area, but the Ngachu Monastery might be one you wish to visit as it is conveniently located in town and has less traffic. The Lhamo Tse Monastery is about 2 kms from downtown, and Dentok Monastery lies at the top of Mt. Paoma, with travelers either taking the cable car or hiking to the top. Those wandering People’s Square in the morning are likely to find Tai Chi, but at night the square is filled with Tibetan or Western-style dancing. Most travelers enjoy joining in on the community fun.

    There are plenty of options for day hikes around Kangding. A good source for information on nearby activities is Zhilam Hostel which is located on the west side of the valley on the hillside above Kangding Hotel. Outside of Kangding there is plenty to do as well. For active travellers there is the option of arranging a trek in the incomparable alpine wonderland of Mt. Gongga (Minya Konka in Tibetan) south of the city. The area around Gongga Mountain can accommodate any length of trek from one day to multi-day, and even extended backcountry treks for up to two weeks or more. For those who prefer a less active adventure, 40min by car west of the city sits a gorgeous alpine lake known locally as Mugecuo. Though the lake area has become commercialized with tourism in recent years, it still remains a good option for a scenic day trip.

     

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    Camping within one day’s trek of Kangding, near Gongga Mt. (Minya Konka)

     

    Mugecuo_near_kangding
    Mugecuo is a local alpine lake about 40min drive from Kangding

     

    There are multiple transportation options in and out of Kangding. The bus station sits at the northeast entrance to town just before the road drops toward Chengdu. There are multiple daily departures from Kangding to Chengdu and most major travel nodes in Eastern Tibet (Litang, Ganzi, Dege, etc.). Private vehicles are also for hire around the bus station. Travelers are now also able to fly into and out of Kangding via the recently built airport on the plateau, a 45min drive from the city. Leaving Kangding it is a 30km drive of nonstop climbing to the top of Zheduo Pass to reach the third highest airport in the world at 4,280m. On a clear day the airport has breathtaking views of the nearby Gongga and Yala mountain ranges.

     

    Zheduo_pass_kangding
    Zheduo pass (4200m) between Kangding and the airport

     

  • Mt. Yala

    Mt. Yala

    Geography

    Located near the border of Daofu County, Danba County, and Kangding County, of Ganzi Autonomous Prefecture, Yala Mountain (བཞག་བྲ།)is one of the most popular mountain treks in the Sichuan region. With snow covered peaks year round, Mt. Yala has an elevation of 5,820 meters and offers several trek options for mountain enthusiasts. The area around the border of Kangding that includes the mountain range is also a nature preserve.

    History

    Aside from being a large attraction for visitors to the area, it is also one of four holy mountains worshiped by the local Tibetans. It is mentioned in the Epic of King Gesar in this way and held highly by the locals in this regard. In ancient Tibetan texts, the mountain is referred to as “Shambhala the Second” and also “Oriental White Yak” and contains many religious and prayer flags hung all around the mountain. Its name in Chinese is Yala Xueshan. Tibetans have been coming to Mt. Yala for centuries to hang their prayer flags in honor of the mountain spirits.

    Yala mountain and grasslands
    Beautiful contrast with the grasslands and snow capped foothills. (As seen from Tagong)

    Scenery

    Surrounding Yala Mountain to the north and northwest are the Tagong (Lhagong) Grasslands, creating a stunning contrast between the snowy mountain side and the grasslands below.  Nearby villages can also be reached, including Danba, one of the most beautiful valleys in the region. It is popular to begin a few days trek to the mountain starting at Kangding or an even closer point around Zhonglu village, to have the best experience.

    Yala Mt Trek
    Trekking route on the East (Back) side of Yala Mt

    Trekking around or across Mt. Yala can take days and properly preparing should be a priority. Zhonggu sits at an altitude of around 3,000 meters and is a great location to ascend Mt. Yale’s eastern pass, which roughly sits around 4,216 meters. The trek is not steep and can be climbed with not too much difficulty. This can also make the change in elevation easier for those not used to such high altitudes. As Sichuan’s second highest mountain range, on a clear day you can see for miles, making this scenic trek very worthwhile indeed. Off in the distance, you may even be able to spot the peaks of Minya Konka, covered in snow.

    Yala Mt Trek
    Yala Mt offers both great trekking and backcountry cycling options

    Planning a Trip to Mt. Yala

    If you plan on making the long trek and camping out in the area, there are a few things you should prepare for. The temperatures can drop well below 0 degrees at night, so a good four season tent is recommended, as well as sleeping bags that can handle these sub-zero temperatures. Plenty of layers of clothing to adapt to the changing temperatures throughout the day is also critical. Talk to Zhilam Hostel in Kangding if you’re looking to hire a local guide on location in Kangding, or contact Extravagant Yak for a quote on an all inclusive package tour from Chengdu.