I captured 📸 the essence of the Sunlit Golden Mountain in Western Sichuan with five remarkable photographs, all taken at the breathtaking but not-so-well-known destination of Lenggacuo Lake. Even if you argue till the cows come home, Lenggacuo is the crown of the Western Sichuan Tibetan region.

Lenggacuo offers a stunning view of the Gongga Mountain Range, and you don’t need a long lens to capture the grandeur of the main peak. Make sure to wait for the ‘Sunlit Golden Mountain’ – the reflection of the snow-capped peaks in the lake is simply divine!

Here’s a travel guide for your journey. There are two routes to reach Lenggacuo, route A and route B.

Route A (Recommended if you’re also visiting Zimei Pass):

  • Directions: Head towards Bangmu Jide from Xinduqiao; the drive takes about 3 hours.
  • Road Conditions: Accessible by car.
  • Entrance Fee: 20 CNY per person for a cleaning fee.
  • Horseback Riding Option: One way is 200 CNY per person.

Once at the parking area, you can either hike or ride a horse to the lake. Horseback riding takes about 50 minutes, while a hike takes around 3 hours for an ordinary human being. The descent was relatively easy; it took us about 1 hour and 20 minutes to walk down.

Route B

  • Directions: Drive to Shangchixi Village from Xinduqiao, about a 1.5-hour drive.
  • Cleaning Fee: 20 CNY per person.
  • Motorcycle Service: 200 CNY per person for a round trip.

From the village, you can take a motorcycle to the pass and then hike down to Lenggacuo in about 30 minutes.

For accommodation, consider staying in local homestays, where amenities are basic, or return to Xinduqiao for more comfortable lodging. I recommend the following 5-day tour itinerary:

  • D1: Chengdu – Kangding – Yuzixi/Gedilaram – Xinduqiao
  • D2: Xinduqiao – Quanhua Tan – Lenggacuo – Shangmuju
  • D3: Shangmuju – Zimei Pass – Jiagenba – Xinduqiao
  • D4: Xinduqiao – Tagong Grassland – Muya Temple – Xinduqiao
  • D5: Xinduqiao – Sting Lake – Honghaizi – Chengdu

In summary, Route B is the time-efficient option, avoiding excessive rough road driving. Once at the mountain base, switch to a motorcycle to reach a point 200 meters from the pass. The round-trip hike to the pass and lake is about 400 meters or 1.2 kilometers, respectively. Remember, whether you’re heading to the pass or the lake, you’ll be trekking uphill on a high-altitude plateau, which can be exhausting and may cause altitude sickness.

Therefore, if you’re content with views of the King of Sichuan Mountains – Gongga Snow Mountain, also known as Minya Konka, and don’t wish to visit the lake, Route B to Lenggacuo is advisable as it saves on driving time and rough road travel. However, for those who aim to capture the lake’s reflection, Route A is the better choice despite the longer journey since it allows direct access to the lake without hiking.

Precautions

  • Route B is only accessible by motorcycle, costing 200 CNY for a round trip.
  • Route A offers the option of a horseback or motorcycle ride to the lake, with one-way costing 200 CNY and a round trip 400 CNY. But note that motorcycles are only available after 16:30.
  • It’s not recommended to camp at Lenggacuo on your first visit due to the high altitude and inconvenient transportation.
  • The high altitude of Lenggacuo means low temperatures, so make sure to keep warm.
  • Prepare according to your needs: bring chargers, power banks, a small amount of cash, and some basic toiletries and personal care items.

Photography Tips

  • The golden sunlight on the mountains typically occurs around 7 PM; you can check the daily sunset time on your phone in advance.
  • The low temperatures can drain phone batteries quickly, so it’s advisable to carry a high-capacity power bank, as charging facilities are scarce in the area.
  • For shooting Mount Gongga, it is recommended to use a telephoto lens for more impactful images.
  • When capturing the sunlit mountains, consider lowering the brightness and sensitivity to enhance the contrast in the photos.