Minya Gompa Adventure

Itinerary : 13 Days of Chengdu - Kangding - Gongga - Hailuogou - Lotus Sea - Luding Bridge - Horse - Racing Mt. - Well - Chengdu

The first day, upon your arrival in this abundant land, take a shuttle bus to the hotel and stay there overnight (For the recommended accommodations, please refer to Kangding 07 for details).

The second day, take the coach to Kangding, enjoy the surroundings during your route. Upon your arrival, trek around Kangding and stay overnight there (Refer to Kangding 07 for more details concerning the trekking in Kangding).

The third day, take the minibus head for the trail head at the village of Lao Yulin. After that, continue to hike till you arrive at the Dacaoba. (Refer to Kangding 07 for useful info.) From Dacaoba, trek another three more hours to Shuangchahe, the conjunction of two streams. At Shuangchahe, enjoy the beautiful sunset over the mountains if weather permits. Stay overnight in the camp.

The fourth day's hiking is about 5-6 hours. Firstly, hike up about 3 hours to Chijituo, a fat field on the mountain. After having lunch, head up to Panpanshan Mountain Pass. The mountain pass is about 4,500 meters/14,310 feet high and it is the lowest mountain pass leading to Minya Gompa from Kangding. After the mountain pass, get down to the valley near Panpan shan. Camp on the Panpan Shan pass and stay overnight.

The fifth day, start the trekking from the campsite at the foot of the Panpan Shan Mountain, then walk along the valley down to Yulongxi(The Tibetan name of the valley, is a very fertile grassland in the huge mountains). Continue hike to Yulongxi and camp there. The whole day's hiking is about 5 or 6 hours and you can adjust your time according to your fitness.

The sixth day, continue to hike to the south along the valley. Enjoy the beautiful scene during your route. The lined snow-capped mountains, the blue sky or sometimes with the thick clouds will be presented before your eyes. Gradually, head towards the primeval forest and cross the forest, you will get to Minya Gompa, in which you can admire the amazing Minya Konka face to face. Stay overnight in the camp in the Reqiekou and make preparation for heading to Minya Gompa next day.

The seventh day, hike along the Bu Chu (Bu River in Tibetan). Hike about 3 to 5 hours, you will find the path begins to rise steadily, with some short and dangerous steeper parts. Reach to Minya Gompa in the afternoon. Minya Gompa,which has a history of more than 500 hundred years is considered to be a holy place by the Minya Tibetans who live in that area. Stay overnight in the camp.

Relax and appreciate the snow mountains and its surrounding sites on your own in the morning on the eighth day. Trek about 4 hours towards Bawang Lake in the afternoon. Enjoy Gongga Glacier and Mt. Gongga. Stay overnight in the camp.

The ninth day, leave Bawang Lake and hike toward Caoke Village. You can hike to the Mere Stone(Jiebeishi in Chinese) first. It is about 26 kilometers with the flat road from Bawang Lake to the Mere Stone, you can finish it easily about 5 or 6 hours. Upon your arrival in the Mere Stone, you can take the six-seat minibus to Caoke Village with the cost of RMB10.00 net per person for the 23 kilometers. Take the chance to see the guesthouse in Caoke village and get coordinated. You can take a Hot Springs to relax.(Tips: the road from Zimei Village to Bawang Lake are open from December to next April, you had better consider your time to make trekking properly or check the road conditions before you go). Stay overnight in the guesthouse.

The tenth day, take the minibus from Caoke to Shimian with the cost about RMB 16.00 net within 2 or 3 hour's drive. It is about 80 kilometers from Caoke to Shimian. Upon your arrival, you can walk around in this beautiful city. Stay overnight in Shimian County since it deserve your time spending there.

The eleventh day, after your breakfast, take the coach from Hanyuan Station to Wusihe Train Station(which located 110.00 kilometers from Hanyuan Station) with the expense of RMB20.00 net per person for about 2 hours drive. Upon your arrival, take the train in Wusihe railway Station to Chengdu. The train is available every several hours, and your are suggested to check the train schedule in advance to adjust your activity. After about 5 hours train journey, reach Chengdu with the cost about RMB30.00 net. Upon your arrival in Chengdu, stay overnight there.

The thirteenth day, depart from Chengdu. Your hiking trip ends