Fire Restriction Season of West Sichuan

Fire Restrictions is from 01 November to 30 April. During fire restriction season in Sichuan, many wild hiking and trekking places ban hiking, trekking, camping, climbing and thus won’t be accessible.

What is the Fire Restriction?

Fire Restriction is the banning of entry of any hiker, trekker, climber to the places that a wild fire is possible to reduce the risks of forest fire in west Sichuan (mainly in Garze and Ngawa Prefecture). The restriction is from 01 November to 30 April each year. No outdoor activity is allowed in most of the places that are good for trekking and hiking. Many valleys will have road-checks or road blocks by the entrance during this season. Some places allow day hikers and some places won’t allow day hikers. Overnight trekking is not possible as it involves using fire for cooking. Violators may face trouble with local authority.

What are the Usual Places that will be Shut off during the Restriction?

Almost all the good hiking places listed on our website will have this restriction. Places near Siguniang Park, places near Kangding and Xinduqiao are the most strictly restricted places for hiking, trekking and camping. Although some wild valleys that are not popular for hiking may have very loose checking and normally day hiking is possible.

All tourist parks (the ones that require entrance fees) such as Mugetso Park, Hailuogou Park, Yala Mountain Park, Moshi Park, Yading Park, Cuopugou Park will stay open and hiking in there is no problem.

Planning and Suggestions

If you plan to do day hiking and stay overnight in hotels, it is still possible at some wild places but some may still shut off. This is very unpredictable. It is better you hire a guide or book a tour with companies that know where to do hiking in this season to save time and to avoid trouble.

Multi-day trekking that involves camping in this season will have very limited options. Winter is cold so normally if you are not used to cold conditions then it’s better not to sleep in tent. Although by beginning and ending of the fire season in November and April the weather is still okay for camping and some weeks are actually one of the best time to do multi-day treks especially in November. The usual popular trekking places such as Minya Konka, Mt. Siguniang will ban trekking in this season, but some wild trek places are still possible.