Qise Multi-colored Lake
Name in Chinese: 木格措 Mù Gé Cuò [mu ge tsɔ:]
Duration of Tour: Five Hours
Location: Kangding, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
Highlights: Photography, Hiking and Tibetan Culture Exploring
Must-see Sightseeing Spots: Mugecuo Lake, the Azalea Gorge and Qise Multi-colored Lake
Reputations: A National Four-star Scenic Area, the Largest High Mountain Lake in Northwest Sichuan
Mugecuo Lake Scenic Area lies in the northeast of Kangding, 17 km(10.6 miles) away from the city proper. It covers an area of 350 square kilometers(86,487 acres). The altitude of the scenic area ranges from 2,600 meters(8,530 feet) to 3,780 meters(12,402 feet) above sea level. Its wonders include picturesque lakes, virgin forests, beautiful azalea flowers, snow-capped mountains, rushing streams and waterfalls.
Mugecuo is a Tibetan word. It means savages’ lake. A folk tale goes that long time ago, a young man and a beautiful woman fell in love with each other. They both were slaves, living in Tagong Town. The young man was called Zashi and the women Zhuoma. But the chieftain wanted to possess the woman. The chieftain had a daughter. His daughter was in the same age as Zhuoma. They were closest friends. One day, she occasionally heard his father’s plan, when his father was talking to some people. She immediately went to find Zhuoma, and told what her father talked. Then, Zashi and Zhuoma decided to run away. Day in, day out, they did not know how far they were from their home. When they arrived at the lake, both of them were enchanted by the beauty of the lake. The azalea flowers were in full bloom; the snow-capped mountains, the verdant forest, the blue sky and white clouds were reflected on the water. They were determined to reside near the lake. Year in, year out, Zashi and Zhuoma lived together with their children. Zashi went hunting and Zhuoma made fur coats. They were occasionally witnessed by some hunters. The hunters thought that they were savages. Then the lake was named as the Savages’ Lake. Mugecuo Lake is also known as the Lovers’ Lake.
The must-see sightseeing spots are Mugecuo Lake, the Azalea Gorge, Yaowang Hot Spring and Qise Multi-colored Lake.
Mugecuo Lake
The lake lies on the top of the valley, surrounded by mountains. It is 3,780 meters(12,402 feet) above sea level, covering an area of 4 square kilometers(988 acres). Mugecuo Lake is 70 meters(230 feet) at its deepest part.
The Azalea Gorge
The gorge is 8 km(5 miles) in total length. It is quite pleasant and relaxing to step down the path along the stream. Visitors would be enchanted by hearing stream murmuring and birds singing, viewing the colorful azalea flowers and rushing waterfalls.
Qise Multi-colored Lake
Qise Multi-colored Lake is the most beautiful place in the whole scenic area. It is 3,260 meters(10,696 feet) above sea level, covering an area of 20 hectares(49.4 acres). The lake is 20 meter(65.6 feet) at its deepest part, surrounded by verdant trees. The algae and bryophyte thrive under the water. When surrounding maples and smoke trees turns red in the autumn, the reflection of the trees sets off the lake in multi-colors.
How to Get to Mugecuo Lake
Mugecuo Lake is located in the northeast of Kangding, 17 km(10.6 miles) away from the city proper. It takes about half an hour to get to the lake by a car or a coach. Kangding is the capital city of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It is 266 km(165 miles) away from Chengdu, taking about 4 hours to get to from Chengdu by a car along the expressway. There is an airport in Kangding. Kangding Airport is 53 km(33 miles) away from the city proper. It takes about one hour to get to the city from the airport by a car. The altitude of the airport is 4,280 meters(14,042 feet) above sea level, and the city 2,560 meters(8,399 feet). Visitors usually drive to visit Kangding City and the scenic areas nearby.
Travel Tips
How to Visit Mugecuo Lake
Visitors usually take sightseeing buses from the bottom to the top of the valley. Mugecuo Lake lies on the top. They can walk around the lake taking photos or take a boat cruise to the Red-sea Pasture. Then ride the buses to the Azalea Gorge, walk down to Yaochi Hot Spring along a paved path. They can do foot-soak at the hot spring or directly take the bus to Qise Multi-colored Lake, and walk around the lake. Qise Multi-colored Lake is the highlight of the scenic area. Afterwards, take the sightseeing bus back to the exit of scenic area, and drive back to Kangding City.
How to Avoid Altitude Sickness
The altitude of Mugecuo Lake Scenic Area ranges from 2,600 meters(8,530 feet) to 3,780 meters(12,402 feet) above sea level. The highest sightseeing spot visitors can reach is 3,780 meters(12,402 feet) above sea level. Visitor should try to avoid the AMS. Please read more about AMS.
Weather
The temperature in Mugecuo Lake Scenic Area ranges from minus 4℃(24.8°F) to 8℃(46.4°F) in spring, 7℃(44.6°F) to 18℃(64.4°F) in summer, 12℃(53.6°F) to 20℃(68°F) in autumn and minus 1℃(30.2°F) to 11℃(51.8°F) in winter. The best time to visit Mugecuo Lake is between September and October. Visitors should try to avoid going to Mugecuo Lake in the rainy season. The rainy season in Sichuan lasts from July to August.
Because the altitude is high, visitors should prepare warm coat and try to decrease the risk of catching a cold, even in the summer.
Lunch
There is a restaurant near Qise Multi-colored Lake, offering visitors local meals. The scenic area is not that far from the city, so the lunch is easy to be arranged.
Photography Tips
A tripod, a filter, telephoto lenses and wide angle lenses are needed.
The scenic area opens from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., photographers should try to get to Mugecuo Lake before 9:00 A.M., so that there is no ripples on the surface of the water. The best place to shoot reflections on the water is Qise Multi-colored Lake. The azalea blooms in may and the trees turns red in late October.
Recommended Tour:
Twelve-day West Sichuan Pure Land and Tibetan Culture Exploring Tour
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Author: Tina Luo
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