Highland Lake Reflection Sanctuary

Bipenggou: A Symphony of the Gods Amid Snowy Mountains and Colorful Forests When the snow line of the main peak of the Min Mountains kisses the 3,600-meter-high Emerald Lake, and the Quaternary glaciers carve a blood-red love letter on the Red Stone Beach, the wildest autumn in western Sichuan explodes here—this is not Switzerland, but it understands the "luxury of mountain gods" better than Switzerland. Veils of clouds sweep over the silver crown of Queen Peak, fir forests wrapped in golden armor crash into the blue waves, Qiang shepherd songs startle the rock sheep leaping over the waterfalls... Bipenggou announces the return of the king of the Hengduan Mountains with a visual avalanche. 🍁 Four Seasons Illusion: Decoding Nature’s Timetable | Season | Exclusive Wonders | Top Experiences | | Spring | Alpine rhododendrons dye the ten-mile valley red | Dig fresh snow tea under the snowy mountains (best in May) | | Summer | Dragon King Lake’s reflection swallows the entire starry sky | Trek through the primeval forest to find glaciers (water temperature 8°C) | | Autumn | Maple, birch, and rowan trees splash colorful waterfalls | Hike Red Stone Beach to touch the "Martian surface" | | Winter | Nam Lake freezes into a blue ice stage | Ski beginner slopes smoothly (120 RMB/2h) | 🚶‍♂️ One-Day Essential Hiking Route (Ticket + Shuttle Bus 130 RMB) Morning: Glacier Symphony - 7:30 Take the shuttle bus directly to Shanghaizi (3,600m), then switch to an electric cart to rush to Panyang Lake (additional 30 RMB), watch the snow peak reflections shatter into a diamond matrix on the glassy water surface. - 9:00 Walk along the wooden plank road through the primeval forest, lean down at Red Stone Beach to touch the orange algae (⚠️ Do not take away), the blood-red rocks and avalanche traces form an alien battlefield. Afternoon: Waterfall Concerto - 12:00 Return to Nam Lake Hot Spring Hotel for lunch, try Tibetan-style earthen hot pot (68 RMB/person), outside the window the flying dragon waterfall falls into a deep pool like a white ribbon. - 14:00 Hike the Zhuoma Beach loop (2 km flat trail), step over the travertine flats, take photos with the snowy mountains at the Queen Peak viewing platform (rent Qiang ethnic cloaks for 20 RMB/set). - 16:00 Descend to Dragon King Lake, circle the lake to capture the golden shadows of fir forests falling into the deep blue magical reflections. 👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips 1. Zero Altitude Sickness Strategy: - Head straight to the highest point first (Panyang Lake), then play downhill for easier experience - Rent portable oxygen bottles at Shanghaizi service station (25 RMB, 50 RMB deposit) 2. Fun for Kids: - Moss science park at Red Stone Beach (free), use microscopes to observe the "blood code" - Feed the plateau naked carp at Nam Lake (fish food 5 RMB/bag), fish leap out of the water like a rainbow rain 3. Elderly Care: - Full electric cart shuttle (4 segments total 60 RMB), only need to walk gentle flat plank roads - Lunch recommended at Green Wild Restaurant inside the scenic area, serving yak bone soup to warm the stomach (28 RMB/bowl) 📸 Photo Guide: Capture National Geographic with Your Phone | Scene | Time | Tips | | Panyang Lake Mirror | 9:00-10:00 | Squat low, cover 2/3 of the frame with lake reflection | | Red Stone Beach Rapids | Noon strong light | Slow shutter (iPhone Live Photo to long exposure), water looks like silk | | Dragon King Lake Pier | 1 hour before sunset | Person standing in the middle of the bridge, wide angle to include snowy mountains + colorful forest + lake golden triangle | | Zhuoma Beach Prayer Flags | Any time | Shoot upward with prayer flags and Queen Peak in the frame, fill sky gaps with wind horses | 💰 Budget Guide: Play Fully for About 300 RMB per Person | Expense | Details | Money-Saving Tips | | Tickets & Transport | Ticket 80 RMB + shuttle bus 60 RMB | Buy combo ticket online 1 day in advance to save 15 RMB | | In-Park Transport | Electric cart tickets bought by segment (20 RMB one way) | Only take key segment Shanghaizi → Panyang Lake | | Food & Drink | Bring own lunch + dine in Lixian County for dinner (40 RMB/person) | Prepare self-heating rice, free hot water in the park | | Equipment Rental | Oxygen bottle 25 RMB + windbreaker 50 RMB | Rent clothes in Chengdu for 10 RMB/day, 5 times cheaper than park | | Total | ≈295 RMB | Student ID 30% off tickets! | ⚠️ Pitfall Reminder - Transport Trap: Bus from Chengdu Chadianzi to Lixian County (65 RMB), avoid illegal cars claiming "direct to scenic area" (actually only to the valley entrance) - Accommodation Tips: - Budget travelers stay in Lixian County town (hostel 80 RMB), take shuttle bus at 7 am into the valley (10 RMB) - For deep experience choose Nam Lake Hotel (600 RMB including breakfast), private snow mountain hot springs - Climate Tips: - Anti-slip shoe spikes essential in autumn and winter (rent for 15 RMB at valley entrance) - Fog often rises in the afternoon after October, prioritize morning for snow mountain photos > ❄️ "The cruelty and gentleness of Bipenggou: after an avalanche, spring raises the first green wormwood in the ice crevasse." > — When colorful forests fade into ink in the snowstorm, when red stones bleed under moonlight, you realize: all ultimate brilliance is nature’s challenge to time. **Best Seasons**: - Colorful Forest Peak: **Mid-October to Early November** - Ice and Snow Wonderland: **December to March** (ski resort open) - Summer Cool Escape: **July to August** (daily average 18°C) --- **Note**: Scenic area open 8:00-17:30, no entry after 15:00; pets prohibited in core area.