Mount Gongga Shan In-depth Hiking – 9 Days
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Minya Konka Camping Trek – 5 Days
from $666
Mount Gongga Photo Tour – 5 Days
from $642
Mount Gongga Lodge-based Hiking - 7 Days
from $895
Gadeji Lake is often read as Guandejie in Chinese. It is a cluster of total 3 lakes located by the west of Minya Konka near the village of Tayao and all 3 lakes have mirror views of Minya Konka mountains. It is a less known place to take photos and mirrored photos of Minya Konka Mountains from the west side. Gadeji Lake is at the elevation of 4500m. Among the 3 lakes there is a big one that presents good color of the water during good weather day. And below the lowest lake there is also a waterfall.
Minya Konka Mountain from Gadeji
Gadeji (Guandejie) Lake is located 90km south to Xinduqiao and by driving it takes around 2.5h to get to. The last 10km is unpaved and will require 4X4 car to get to. There are usually not many visitors to this place. It is a little far out from anywhere, making it a less-visited place.
Gadeji (Guandejie) Lake is open to visitors from May to October each year. From 01 November to the next 30 April this whole place will be shut off to minimize risks of forest fire. October is a good season to come to take photos here because it’s the driest season. In other seasons the chance of clear weather days is 50% and if you are traveling during July and August there is also chance the road goes in here may be affected by possible landslide. Although summer (June to August) is the green time of the mountains and one of the most beautiful seasons to come.
Car Park by the Lake
Waterfall
Gadeji Lakes
Gadeji (Guandejie) Lake is far from Xinduqiao or Kangding. One needs to plan for longer days if you wish to come to this location for photos of Minya Konka. Direct distance from the lake to the mountains is around 35km. Phone cameras can get decent good photos of the mountains. Flying drone is allowed by Guandejie. Sunset time is between 7-8pm.
There is no lodge available by the lakes but camping seems okay no one will stop you if you do camping by the lakes. There are basic lodges in the villages by the base that one can stay but the rooms are not comfortable.
Per person CNY150 to get in to Gadeji. No other costs from the place except the entrance ticket.
Route: Chengdu - Mt. Gongga - Chengdu
Route: Chengdu - Gongga - Chengdu
Route: Chengdu - Minya Konka - Chengdu