Zhaga Waterfall
Name in Chinese: 牟尼沟 Móu Ní Gōu [məu ni: gəu]
Duration of Tour: Four Hours
Location: Songpan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Group Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
Highlights: Photography and Hiking
Must-see Sightseeing Spots: Zhaga Waterfall and Erdaohai Lake
Reputations: A National Four-star Scenic Area, One of the Top Ten Attractions in Aba Prefecture.
Mouni Valley attracts visitors with its awe-inspiring natural beauty. Its wonders include magnificent waterfalls, mirror-like lakes, hot springs and virgin forest. The scenic area lies in the south of Songpan County. It comprises two parts, namely Zhaga Waterfall and Erdaohai Lake. The valley covers area of 160 square kilometers(62 sq.mi). It is inhabited by Tibetans. The inhabitants believe in Gelug Lamaism which was established by Master Tsongkhapa. Both the First Dalai Lama and the First Panchen Lama were two of his foremost disciples.
Zhaga Waterfall
Zhaga is a Tibetan word which means raging torrent on the white cliff in English. The waterfall is a 94-meter(308-foot) drop. It is 35 meters(115 feet) in width. Its altitude ranges from 3,176 meters(10,420 feet) to 3,270 meters(10,728 feet) above sea level.
Erdaohai Lake
There are about 1,000 pools in the virgin forest. Erdaoha Lake is the largest one. It covers an area of 6,800 square meters(1.68 acres). The lake looks like a sapphire inlaid in the verdant forest.
Travel Tips:
How to Get to Mouni Valley
Muni Valley lies in the south of Songpan County. It is located 30 km(19 miles) to the south of Songpan Ancient Town, 50 km(31 miles) to the south west of Huanglong National Park and 340 km(211 miles) to the north of Chengdu. It takes about one hour to get to Mouni Valley from Huanglong by a car.
How to Avoid Altitude Sickness
The altitude of Mouni Valley ranges from 2,800 meters(9,186 feet) to 4,070 meters(13,353 feet) above sea level. Visitor should try to avoid the AMS. Please read more about AMS.
Weather
The temperature in Mouni Valley ranges from minus 1℃(30.2°F) to 13℃(55.4°F) in spring, 14℃(57.2°F) to 28℃(82.4°F) in summer, 11℃(51.8°F) to 23℃(73.4°F) in autumn and minus 7℃(19.4°F) to 5℃(41°F) in winter. The best time to visit Mouni Valley is between September and October. Visitors should try to avoid going to Mouni Valley 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.
Photography Tips:
Both Zhaga Waterfall and Erdaohai Lake are the most ideal places for photographing. A tripod, a filter, telephoto lenses and wide angle lenses are needed.
Related Articles:
Jiuzhaigou National Park
Huanglong National Park
Songpan Ancient Town
Chengdu Travel Guide
Author: Tina Luo
Update:
