Mt. Wawu (Mountain of Tiled Roof) Travel Guide

Mt. Wawu(Roof Mountain) is a nature and tourist park located in Hongya near Yaan city. It is famous for its flat top and rich trees and plant species. Wawu is renowned as "Pearl in the Green World". Wawu is home to over 400 wild animals and 3000 different plants. Flat-top mountain, ever running streams and long waterfalls, lush forests and seasonal different views make up the wonders of Mt. Wawu. The highlights include Yanv Lake, Zhengjue Temple, Yuanyang Pond, Xiangeryan, Guanputing, etc.

Mt. Wawu has its unique geological formation: the flat part of its top is what we call "Table Mountain" in China. On four sides of the mountain are steep vertical drop. Wawu means tiled roof, from the way local houses are built, hence Mountain of Tiled Roof (Mt. Wawu). From any side of the mountain you will see the unique formation of the flat top mountain. The top is 3km*3km by size with an average altitude at 2830m. It is the biggest "table mountain" in China. It was once called "heaven platform" and "Flat Mountain of Forest". What's more amazing are the waterfalls that come down the top of the mountains, the longest drop of water is the 1040-m Lanxi Waterfall, although it's thin and in some seasons not visible due to less water. The other big waterfalls include Yuanxi and Yuanyang waterfalls.

How to Get to Mt. Wawu

Mt. Wawu is located 150km southwest to Chengdu and 65km to Yaan City. By driving it takes around 3 hours to get to Mt. Wawu from Chengdu and from Yaan city around 1.5 hours by driving. There is no direct bus from Yaan to Mt. Wawu the best way is to hire a private car.

Travel Season & Planning

In spring(Apr-May-Jun), all kinds of rhododendrons bloom, and Chinese pigeon flowers show their branches; in summer, you can relax in the cool forest here and feel the fragrance of flowers; in autumn, the leaves change color; in winter, the waterfalls become icefalls.

Birds are most active in May and June. Other seasons all possible to see the forest birds in Mt. Wawu. Red Pandas are easier to see in June when the cherries ripe.

Highlights

Bird Watching in Mt. Wawu

Mt. Wawu is one of the best places to watch birds in Sichuan. Mt. Wawu has rich vegetation and they are, due to hard access and humid weather, well-protected, hence becoming one of the perfect places in China for birds especially parrotbills. Mt. Wawu and its surrounding area is the most densely-populated place for parrotbills. From lower elevation forest to higher elevation mountains here we may see parrotbills including vinous-throated parrotbill, ashy-throated parrotbill, grey-headed parrotbill, great parrotbill, golden parrotbill, grey-hooded parrotbill, three-toed parrotbill, brown parrotbill, fulvous parrotbill, many of which are unique in China including grey-hooded parrotbill and three-toed parrotbill. If you wish to watch parrotbills then Mt. Wawu could be one of your first choices.

Wildlife (Red Pandas)

Mt. Wawu is a great place to watch red pandas in un-captive conditions. Although you want to avoid busy travel seasons to have quiet time for the birds and wildlife.According to the locals, the best seasons to watch red pandas in Mt. Wawu is in June when the wild cherry are ripe.

Yanv Lake

Yanv Lake is the biggest lake in Mt. Wawu and not inside the park of Wawu Natural Forest Park. It is an artificial reservoir that is 19km long and 13km wide at an elevation of 1000m. Yanv Lake has become a popular camping place for many and also a weekend place from Chengdu. It has 4 villages by the lake and many peninsulas. From the lake one can see Mt. Wawu at close range.

Zhengjue Temple

Zhengjue Temple is located inside the park of Wawu at the elevation of 2678m. From the temple one can see the other big and famous mountain including Mt. Emei and Mt. Gongga. In lucky days one can also see sea of cloud by the temple.

Yuanyang Pond and Yuanxi Waterfall

Yuanyang Pond is a small part of water that has a legend related to the Taoist gods. It is located by 2700m in Mt. Wawu. The stream that comes out from the pond is called Yuanxi, a 1800-m long stream that forms a 400-m drop of waterfall. The water fall is called Yuanxi Waterfall. From Yuanxi one can see the full view of the waterfall.

Yuxian Waterfall

Another waterfall in Wawu that is beautiful. Yuxian Water is 15 meter high and 5-m wide. It is at the lower part of Wawu by 1400m.

Mt. Wawu is a lush and damp place due to its climate. Dense forests and rich water have created perfect home for many plants and animals. Rhodedandra is one of the amazing seasonal view especially in May when they bloom.

Tickets Information

Entrance Ticket: CNY100 per person;

Tourist Bus:CNY60 per person

Cable Car: CNY80+80 per person

Business Hour:08:30-17:00

Tourist Line: 028-36598888, 028-37536368

Staying inside Mt. Wawu

Staying inside the park is recommended if you wish to watch the animals/birds. There are 2 hotels available inside the park of Mt. Wawu: Gongtong Hotel by middle mountain and Xiang’er hotel by top of the mountain. Although these hotels are very expensive. These hotels can take foreigners. If you don’t stay inside the park then the earliest you can get into the park is by around 8am.

Travel Tips:

1, Early morning and late afternoon are good timing for animal/bird watching, you are recommended to stay night/nights inside the park. There are 2 hotels to choose inside the park.

2, You may also do the hiking up the mountain (or from middle mountain to the top) if you are active travelers.

3, The cable car to the top usually starts by around 8am although in different seasons the time may differ.