Ruo'ergai Huahu Lake
Name in Chinese: 花湖 Huā Hú [hwa: hu:]
Duration of Tour: Two and a Half Hours
Location: Ruo’ergai County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Group Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
Highlights: Photography and Hiking
Reputations: A National Four-stat Scenic Area, A National Wetland Nature Reserve
Huahu Lake lies on the vast Re’er Pasture. It covers an area of 650 hectares(1,606 acres). Huahu means flower lake in English. In May and June, flowers bloom everywhere on the pasture. The view is gorgeous. Re’er Pasture is a part of Ruo’ergai Grassland. It is the second largest pasture in China mainland. Re’er is a Tibetan word, which means the Tibetan scriptures and troops. There are three lakes on the pasture. The other two are Cuo’ergan Lake and Cuoreha Lake. The former is the biggest and the latter is the smallest.
Ruo’ergai is one of the top six wetlands in China mainland. It is 53,000 square kilometers(20,463 sq.mi) in area. The grassland is the home of yaks and a range of wildlife, such as wolves, foxes, deer, swans and the black-necked cranes(or the Tibetan cranes). Tibetans migrated to the land over 1,350 years ago. Most of them live by herding and raising livestock. The have kept their own lifestyle and folk custom. The Red Army arrived at the southern edge of the grassland on August 21st, 1935. The officers and soldiers marched northwards. They trudged for seven days and finally reached the end of the grassland.
Travel Tips:
How to Get to Ruo’ergai Huahu Lake
Huahu Lake lies in the north part of Sichuan Province. It is 546 km(339 miles) to the north of Chengdu, 277 km(172 miles) to the northwest of Jiuzhaigou Valley, 106 km to the northeast of the No.1 Bend of the Yellow River, and 37 km to the south of Langmu Lamasery. Tourists usually travel to visit Huahu Lake after their tour in Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong National Park.
How to Visit Ruo’ergai Huahu Lake
There are some viewing platforms by the lake. Visitors need to ride sightseeing shuttle buses to the platforms from the entrance. Then, they can walk around the lake along a paved path.
Weather
The temperature in Ruo’ergai ranges from minus 12℃(10.4°F) to 4℃(39.2°F) in spring, 2℃(35.6°F) to 13℃(55.4°F) in summer, 6℃(42.8°F) to 18℃(64.4°F) in autumn and minus 8℃(17.6°F) to 6℃(42.8°F) in winter. The best time to visit Huahu Lake is between May and July.
Because the altitude is high, visitors should prepare warm coat and try to decrease the risk of catching a cold, even in the summer.
It is highly suggested to bring a sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses.
How to Avoid Altitude Sickness
The altitude of Tangke 3,468 meters(11,378 feet) above sea level. Visitor should try to avoid the AMS. Please read more about AMS.
Photography Tips:
It is highly suggested to get to the lake in the early morning or in the late afternoon. The magic hour creates magical photos. A tripod, a filter, telephoto lenses and wide angle lenses are needed.
Opening Hours:
7:00 A.M. --- 7:00 P.M.
Recommended Tour:
Fifteen-day Sichuan Photography Tour
Related Articles:
Jiuzhaigou Valley
The No.1 Bend of the Yellow River
Altitude Sickness
Author: Tina Luo
Update:
