Jiulong & Wuxu Lake

An off-the-beaten-path gem on the southwestern flank of Mount Gongga: alpine Wuxu Lake mirrors snow peaks and forests, with Lieta Lake, Jiri Monastery and Tanggu Hot Springs nearby — it has been dubbed a 'Little Jiuzhaigou'.

Jiulong County lies in the southeastern corner of Sichuan's Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, on the southwestern side of Mount Gongga. The county seat, Ga'er Town, sits at about 2,900 m. Bordered by Kangding to the north, Shimian to the east and Mianning to the south, it is where the Tibetan and Yi peoples of Garze meet. Tourism developed late here; the draws are alpine lakes, virgin forests and snow mountains, and visitors are far fewer than at Hailuogou or Daocheng Yading — ideal for those who love hidden places.

Where to go: ① The Tanggu area in the north — Wuxu Lake (4A-rated, about 3,760 m), Lieta Lake (including Pearl Falls and the Zimu River), Jiri Monastery and Tanggu Hot Springs form the core of Jiulong, with Tanggu Town and the county town as bases; ② the northeast — Hongba Nature Reserve on the southern slopes of Mount Gongga, suited to experienced hikers; ③ the county town — Tibetan and Yi culture, supplies and accommodation.

Seasons: Jun–Oct is best, with autumn colors at Wuxu and Lieta lakes peaking from late September to mid-October; Jul–Aug brings frequent rain and landslides on mountain roads; winters are cold and some scenic areas close. Getting there: there's no railway or airport. From Chengdu it's about 570–600 km, either via Ya'an–Luding–Kangding–Jiulong or via Shimian–Mianning–Jiulong, a 10–12-hour drive; alternatively, it's about 4–5 hours from Xichang Qingshan Airport. Allow 2–3 days. Tips: Wuxu Lake is at high altitude, so take precautions against altitude sickness; roads, tickets (A-rated scenic areas in Garze Prefecture have at times waived entry fees) and opening hours change often, so check official announcements before you go; mobile signal is poor in the mountains, so if driving, fill up on fuel.

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