1. Haba Snow Mountain Overview
Haba Snow Mountain has the highest peaks in Shangri-La, Yunnan province, with an altitude of 5,396 meters. It faces the famous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain across Tiger Leaping Gorge from a distance. Among the surrounding mountains, it is undoubtedly the most eye-catching mountain. What's more, it has always been the preferred entry-level mountain for mountaineering enthusiasts. Once you travel in Yunnan, a journey of exploration to ascend the summit of Haba Snow Mountain is basically a must.
2. Why Visit Haba Snow Mountain & Tangible Benefits To Tourists
Haba Snow Mountain features a unique plateau snowscape, the snow on its peak lasts throughout the year and glaciers are densely distributed, it just like a glittering and translucent pagoda, presenting itself to travel enthusiasts from all over the world. Meanwhile, Haba Snow Mountain is rich in flora and fauna resources, thus being hailed as the "Mother of the World's Gardens" and "Natural Zoo" by biologists. There are many beautiful sceneries within its territory as the main peak of Haba Snow Mountain, virgin forests, snow-capped meadows, moraine lakes, sea of azalea flowers, and snow-capped waterfall groups. And such extensive and magnificent views are exclusive in Haba Snow Mountain.
Given the conditions to the abundant guide resources on Haba Snow Mountain, the good accommodation conditions in Haba Village, as well as the good rent services of horses, equipment and guides. Thus, if travelers want to experience the wonderful moments of life on Haba Snow Mountain and create more unforgettable memories for themselves, the travel guide will be of great help to their trip.
3. Hightlights Of Haba Snow Mountain
3.1 Geographical Location & Natural Resources
Haba Snow Mountain is sited in Haba Village, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The word "Haba" comes from the Naxi language, namely "flowers like gold". Its main peak is 5,396 meters rising above sea level, facing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain across Tiger Leaping Gorge for some distance, it is also an integral part of "Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas". In the ancient Naxi legends, Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are twin brothers.
In addition, the area around Haba Snow Mountain is sufficient in flora and fauna resources, since dozens of rare animals live in the dense forests, such as the endangered Yunnan golden monkey, the precious Himalayan marmot, and the vulnerable red panda. Therefore, it is called the "Mother of the World's Gardens" and "Natural Zoo" by biologists.
3.2 Culture &History
Haba Snow Mountain is situated in the southeastern part of Shangri-La County, about 120 kilometres away from the urban area, while Haba Village lies at the western foot of Haba Snow Mountain, it is a village mainly populated by the Naxi ethnic group, which closely connects mountaineers with Haba Snow Mountain and is like a "Chamonix" where mountaineers gather together.
Haba Village is an ancient ethnic minority village with the Naxi ethnic group as the main body, it is surrounded by mountains and water rivers, and the forests are lush and green, just like a paradise away from the hustle and bustle of the world. As the first stop of the hiking route to the summit of Haba Snow Mountain and the distribution center for tourists, Haba Village is renowned for the "Oriental Chamonix Town" and "The First Village of Haba Snow Mountain".
3.3 Climatic Feature
The climate of Haba Snow Mountain belongs to the plateau climate, which means it has a steep terrain and a large amount of precipitation. The climatic characteristics here are that it is cold in winter, relatively cool in summer, and the annual precipitation is pretty large. Due to the significant climate differences, explorers need to pay attention to keeping warm and taking sun protection measures when visiting.
3.4 Suggested Itinerary
The Haba Base Camp is a large camp within the territory of Haba Snow Mountain, with an altitude of more than 4,100 meters. As an important starting point and rear base for the hiking route to the summit of Haba Snow Mountain, it has relatively complete living facilities and basic medical support. There are tents, color steel houses, slate houses, etc. for mountaineers and tourists to check in.
If tourists set out from Lijiang, they need to take a vehicle from Lijiang to Shangri-La at first. After having lunch in Shangri-La, they will go directly from Shangri-La to Haba Village at the foot of Haba Snow Mountain. If they depart from Lijiang at around 10:00 in the morning, they usually won't arrive at Haba Village until around 4:00 in the afternoon. It is recommended to charter a vehicle, which is more convenient and the itinerary is more flexible. Especially for explorers who like taking pictures, they can get off the vehicle to take pictures and have a rest when they spot beautiful scenery along the way before continuing their journey. If they fly directly to Shangri-La, they can also charter a car directly from Shangri-La to Haba Village, which generally takes about 3 hours.
4. Haba Snow Mountain Attractions
4.1 Haba Village 哈巴村
It is the first stop of the hiking route to the summit of Haba Snow Mountain and the distribution center for tourists. It is hailed as the "Oriental Chamonix Town" and "The First Village of Haba Snow Mountain". With the Naxi ethnic group as the main minority, it is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the forests are lush and green, just like a paradise, which is worth visiting for exploration.
4.2 The Base Camp 大本营
It is the only way to reach the summit of Haba Snow Mountain, tourists hiking from Haba Village to the base camp can choose to combine horseback riding and hiking together so as to optimize their travel experience. For example, they can ride horses to relish the magnificent virgin forests and alpine meadows along the way, and also have the opportunity to see animals such as mules and yaks when hiking in the mountain.
4.3 Wanhai Lake 湾海
It is the most stunning moraine lake within the territory of Haba Snow Mountain. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, its lake water is crystal clear, the blue sky, white clouds and snow-capped mountains are reflected in the lake to represent a picturesque scenery. There are large areas of azalea flower seas and fir forests by the lake. As a consequence of this, it has the reputations of "The Pearl of Haba" and "The Heavenly Lake of Shangri-La".
4.4 Heihai Lake 黑海
It is the most mysterious moraine lake of Haba Snow Mountain. As the lake water is unfathomably deep, and it is said that people can witness the peculiar spectacle of "summoning wind and rain" within this area. Therefore, it is also known as the "Rain-Calling Pool". According to legend, as long as one stands by the lake and shouts several times, light rain or even heavy downpour will fall on the lakeside, which also arouse many explorers' curiosity and there are ever-growing numbers of travelers to come here for experiencing the wonder.
4.5 Glaciers And Snow Slopes 冰川和雪坡
They are one of the most distinctive landscapes of Haba Snow Mountain. Once travel enthusiasts successfully reach the summit, they can admire the extremely breath-taking glacier landscapes and the surrounding continuous mountains. The Haba Glacier is the southernmost maritime glacier in China and is also honored as "the glacier closest to Shangri-La", which is highly suitable for scientific research and tourism.
4.6 The Alpine Meadow 高山草甸
It is one of the important supply stations along the hiking route, due to the fact that there are countless clear and emerald green lakes and waterfalls here. Most importantly, azaleas have been in full bloom all over the mountains and fields since April, presenting a very enchanting atmosphere, which makes it a good place for tourists to climb the mountain, take stunning photos along the way.
4.7 The Main Peak Of Haba Snow Mountain 哈巴雪山主峰
It is with an altitude of 5,396 meters, one can witness the stunning glacier landscapes and the continuous mountains after reaching the summit. The 5,396-meter monument on the peak is a famous landmark of Haba Snow Mountain and also a symbol of ascending to the top of this snow mountain. It stands at the highest point of the main peak. Although it is rather simple, every mountaineer and tourist who successfully reaches the summit will take photos to mark the occasion, so it is worthwhile for each traveler to leave a deep impression here.
5. How To Get To Haba Snow Mountain
The admission fee of Haba Snow mountain is 30 yuan at present, you can go to this beautiful place by following ways.
Departing from Lijiang: Go to Lijiang Passenger Transport Station (No. 25 Kangzhong Road, Gucheng District, Lijiang City), and buy a bus ticket from Lijiang to Haba Village. It's about 40 yuan per person. The bus departs at 9:00 in the morning and the journey takes approximately 5 hours. You can also charter a vehicle to go there, which costs about 1,000 yuan per day.
Departing from Shangri-La: Head to Shangri-La Bus Passenger Transport Station (No. 195 Gongren Xincun, Shangri-La City), and take the direct bus from Shangri-La to Haba Village. The ticket price is 30 yuan per person, and the bus departs at 13:50 every afternoon.
From Haba Village to the Base Camp: Generally, it's the hiking, but the journey is rather tough. You can choose to go there on horseback and the rental cost of a horse is generally 100 yuan per day.
Travel Tips:
It is recommended to depart from Lijiang and charter a vehicle, which is more convenient and allows for a flexible itinerary without having to transfer between different vehicles. Finally, Shangri-La is at a high altitude with many winding mountain roads, and there are quite a few icy sections in winter, so it is advisable to find a professional and experienced driver when chartering a vehicle in order to ensure travel safety.
In addition, explorers need to find a local guide after arriving at Haba Village on the first day. Don't go up Haba Snow Mountain by yourself in case any accidents occur. Generally speaking, when you find a guide, you will receive one-on-one collaborative service and then it will enhance the possibilities to reach the summit under the conditions of good weather and normal physical condition.
Furthermore, if you are worried about not having enough strength for the summit-climbing activity on the third day and want to "preserve" your strength, you can find a horse from the local grooms when hiking from Haba Village to the mountaineering base camp on the second day, and you can ride the horse up the mountain by paying a certain fee.
6. Recommend Visiting Routes
6.1 The Recommended Tourist Routes Of Haba Snow Mountain
Lijiang → Haba Village → Base Camp → Summit → Haba Village → Lijiang:
Day 1: Set off from Lijiang and head to Haba Village. Check into a characteristic homestay and experience Tibetan culture.
Day 2: Go from Haba Village to the Base Camp at an altitude of 4,100 meters. The hiking distance is about 8 kilometers, which takes about 5 hours.
Day 3: Set off from the Base Camp to reach the summit at an altitude of 5,396 meters. The climbing distance to the summit is about 4 kilometers, and the descent distance is about 12 kilometers.
Day 4: Return to Haba Village and take a bus back to Lijiang.
Lijiang → Haba Village → Base Camp → Summit → Haba Village → Lijiang:
Day 1: Set off from Lijiang, pass through Tiger Leaping Gorge and arrive at Haba Village, then check in the hotels at night afterwards.
Day 2: Go from Haba Village to the Base Camp, you can choose to hike or ride a horse. The hiking distance is about 8 kilometers, which takes about 4 hours.
Day 3: Set off at 3 a.m. to reach the summit, it may take 3 - 4 hours if fast, or 7 - 8 hours if slow. After that mountaineers can return to the Base Camp.
6.2 What Equipments Does It Require?
Technical Equipment: Professional crampons, helmets, ice axes, safety harnesses, fixed ropes, trekking poles, dynamic ropes.
Camping Equipment: Public tents (for camping), high-altitude stoves, cooking utensils, etc.
Communication and Orientation Equipment: interphone, BC solar charging devices.
Other Equipment: Blood oxygen monitoring devices, portable oxygen cylinders.
Self-Prepared Personal Equipment: A set of windproof, waterproof, breathable, wear-resistant shell jackets and pants. Fleece jackets (windproof and warm), moisture-wicking underwear (sweat-absorbing and quick-drying).
Quick-drying pants (not essential, but it's better if the pant legs and sleeves can be detached, which is ideal for the journey to the base camp).
Down jackets and pants (for backup during the summit climb and to keep warm at the base camp at night).
One pair of gaiters (you can bring your own or rent them).
One pair of snow goggles (you can bring your own or rent them. If you are nearsighted, please wear framed glasses).
One pair of gloves (you can bring your own or rent them, with good warmth and waterproof performance).
One headlamp with batteries (you can bring your own or it can be provided for rent).
High-top mountaineering shoes, lightweight commuting shoes.
Sleeping bags (for camping routes, a temperature rating of -10°C is sufficient. For regular summit climbers, it's not necessary to bring one, but those who are particular about cleanliness or are afraid of the cold when sleeping can bring one).
Backpacks (one large backpack or duffel bag).
Thermos cup with 1L volume (plus 1 can of Red Bull + 1 bottle of mineral water).
Three packed lunches and dry food for one breakfast (raisins and beef jerky are preferred).
6.3 What's The Budget To Haba Snow Mountain
The package tour cost of ascending to the summit of Haba Snow Mountain generally ranges from more than 1,000 yuan to over 3,600 yuan. A more common and cost-effective quotation is about 2,500 yuan, which includes all the expenses for four days and three nights.
The specific expenses are as follows:
Mountaineering guide fee: 1,000 yuan (for 2 days throughout the journey).
Hiking guide fee: 350 yuan (for 1 day).
Summit climbing tip: 200 yuan.
Base camp bed fee: 150 yuan per person.
Crampon and ice axe rental fee: 50 yuan per item.
Base camp accommodation and meal fee: 200 yuan per person.
Haba Village accommodation and meal fee: 300 yuan (for 1 day).
In addition, transportation, accommodation and meal expenses depend on individual circumstances.
Generally speaking, the package includes accommodation and meals for three days. Except for the day when you just arrive in Lijiang and the day when you leave, basically no extra charge is needed. If you plan to arrange an extra one or two days travel after the climbing to the summit, the corresponding expenses in this part may increase as well.
7. Best Time To Go
The best seasons for climbing to the summit are from April to June and from September to November each year.
April - June: The weather during these months is relatively stable with the temperature around minus 10 degrees Celsius, which is suitable for climbing. The azaleas are in full bloom, presenting a beautiful scenery. Thus it is friendly to beginners and the success rate of reaching the summit is also very high.
September - November: It is also a good season for climbers, since it usually snows from mid-October to December, provided that the weather is good, the success rate of reaching the summit is rather high.
Tourists who like to travel in summer can plan their trip to Haba Snow Mountain from April to June with less snow on the mountain, the scenery along the way is very pleasant and charming. Especially starting from April, azaleas are budding all over the mountains and fields and there are also numerous clear and emerald green lakes, waterfalls and alpine meadows.
The sea of azalea flowers on Haba Snow Mountain is the largest flower sea in Shangri-La. There are more than 200 kinds of azaleas of various colors distributed in this area, accounting for about 70% of the total azalea species in Yunnan. When it comes to the flowering period, the azaleas break through the snow and bloom very well, with white snow and red flowers contrasting beautifully with each other. It is praised as the "Mother of the World's Gardens" by biologists at home and abroad.
In addition, months that need to be carefully considered are January and February. As the wind on Haba Snow Mountain is too strong and sometimes it even reaches above level 8, which is not suitable for climbing, and climbers have to go down the mountain when they reach the halfway point at this time period. Choosing the wrong time is also one of the reasons why many hikers have failed to reach the summit successfully even after coming here many times. Therefore, it is essential to choose the right time when climbing Haba Snow Mountain.
8. Attractions Nearby
The tourist attractions around Haba Snow Mountain include Tiger Leaping Gorge, Potatso National Park, and White-Water Terraces.
8.1 Tiger Leaping Gorge 虎跳峡
It is located between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. As a world-famous grand canyon, it is also renowned for its "strangeness, danger, magnificence and grandeur". It is divided into upper, middle and lower sections, with a total length of about 20 kilometers. The upper Tiger Leaping Gorge is famous for the "Tiger Leaping Stone", the middle one is perilous for the "Sky in a Line", and the lower one is beautiful for the "High Gorge with a Calm Lake". Besides the magnificent natural scenery, Tiger Leaping Gorge is also a world-renowned hiking destination.
8.2 Potatso National Park 普达措国家公园
Situated in Jiantang Town, Shangri-La City, it is the first national park on the Chinese mainland. There are mirror-like alpine lakes, pastures with beautiful waters and lush grass, wetlands with blooming flowers and virgin forests. The park consists of attractions such as Bita Lake Nature Reserve, Shudu Lake, Luorong Ethnic Culture Village and Militang Subalpine Pasture. Meanwhile, Potatso National Park is also an important part of the World Natural Heritage "Three Parallel Rivers". Consequently, it is a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
8.3 White-Water Terraces 白水台
It is located at the foot of Haba Snow Mountain, approximately 101 kilometers away from the county of Shangri-La, with an altitude of 2,380 meters. As a natural wonder formed by the dissolution of calcium carbonate in spring water, it is shaped like terraced fields layer by layer with 3 square kilometers and is called "the fields left by immortals". So far, it is the largest travertine terrace in China.
9. Food & Accommodation
Cuisine: You can taste authentic Tibetan cuisines near Haba Snow Mountain, such as butter tea, highland barley wine, and tsampa. In addition, there are also Yunnan's characteristic dishes like Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles and Sour Soup Fish, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery while experiencing the food culture of Yunnan.
Specialties: Around Haba Snow Mountain, you can purchase local products, such as Tibetan handicrafts, plateau honey, and matsutake mushrooms. These specialties not only possess unique ethnic cultural connotations but also are of excellent quality, making them an excellent choice for souvenirs and gifts for relatives and friends.
Accommodation in Haba Village: There are many inns in Haba Village, with prices ranging from 100 to 300 yuan.
Accommodation in Haba Base Camp: The accommodation in the base camp is about 70 yuan per person.
10. Travel Tips
Although ascending to the summit of Haba Snow Mountain is an outdoor activity that ordinary people can attempt, it is still a rather challenging extreme activity after all. Therefore, tourists who have plans to go there should better ensure that they have sufficient strength and endurance. It is recommended to do appropriate exercises for two months in advance to improve the physical fitness condition. The following are some precautions for ascending to the summit of Haba Snow Mountain.
The hiking and mountaineering activity on Haba Snow Mountain is a plateau mountaineering route, climbers should correctly assess their physical condition to decide whether they are suitable to participate.
Also, the climate on the plateau is changeable and the temperature difference between day and night is huge, there may even be snowfall in summer. Be sure to bring warm clothes and choose a sleeping bag with a temperature rating of -15°C. The ultraviolet rays on the plateau are relatively strong. Please prepare sun protection products. In addition, there is almost no mobile phone signal throughout the daily mountaineering activity.
You should be noticed that heat dissipates quickly in the plateau area. Since you will be trekking for a long distance (those with insufficient physical strength can ride horses), please bring high-calorie foods by yourself to replenish your strength. Chocolate, compressed biscuits, vitamins, etc. can be appropriately prepared. In order to prevent altitude sickness, travelers should pay attention to windproof and keeping warm as well as prepare enough oxygen
Due to the changeable climate and the dangerous terrain. When hiking and climbing, mountaineers need to closely follow the local guide and never run around randomly.
