‣ Why Begin Haba Snow Mountain Climbing Tour

Haba Snow Mountain was sharply raised by the Himalayan orogeny and the subsequent Quaternary tectonic movement. The upper part of the mountain is gentle but the lower part is filled with cliffs, which makes Haba Snow Mountain precipitous, magnificent and mysterious. Haba means 'the golden flower' in the Naxi language. In local folklore, Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are considered to be brothers. The Jinsha River, the upper reach of the Yangtze River, runs between the two high mountains, forming the Tiger Leaping Gorge which is the most spectacular site in this area. Haba Snow Mountain Climbing Tour is not only an activity for building fitness but also a good opportunity to appreciate beautiful natural landscape.

‣ Basic Information of Haba Snow Mountain

• Chinese Name: 哈巴雪山 • Keywords: Mountaineering, Mountain Climbing Tour • Location: Southeast of Shangri-La, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture • Climate: Alpine vertical climate • Highest Altitude: 5396 meters • Lowest Altitude: 1550 meters • Opening Time: All Day Long • Recommended Visit Time: 2-4 days

‣ Geography of Haba Snow Mountain

Haba Snow Mountain is located in 120 kilometers southeast of Shangri-La City. Haba Snow Mountain has a total area of 21908 hectares. The highest altitude arrives at 5396 meters while the lowest altitude is just 1550 meters.

‣ Climate of Haba Snow Mountain

Above 4000 meters in Haba Snow Mountain are precipitous snow peaks and rugged glaciers. Below 4000 meters, the terrain slopes gently where subtropical zone, temperate zone, cold temperate zone and frigid zone are distributed. The temperature difference can reach 22.8℃ between the foot and top of Haba Snow Mountain.

‣ Legend about Haba Snow Mountain

The upper section of the Yangzi River in northern Yunnan province is called Jinsha River. She runs between her sisters - the Salween and Mekong Rivers. Jinsha River wanted to marry the eastern sea. Therefore, she made a sudden turn east to meet the sea, but her jealous brothers, Haba and Jade Dragon Snow Mountains, blocked her way. They guarded her passage day and night, until one night Haba fell asleep on duty, allowing Jinsha to slip past leaving the deep Tiger Leaping Gorge behind her speedy escape. When Jade Dragon awoke to find her gone, he was so angry with his brother that he beat one side of his brother’s face. So, Haba’s head fell on the western side, leaving his peak little shorter and flatter today. 

‣ What to Visit in Haba Snow Mountain

• Snow Peak

On the top of the main peak of the mountain snow persists throughout the year. The upstanding main peak, together with four little peaks around it, seems to be a shining crown on a fine day in the distance. Sometimes, they are partly hidden in clouds and mist and the crown becomes dimly visible; sometimes, they are totally lost.

• Magnificent Glaciers

At about 4,700 meters above sea level, there are hanging glaciers resembling frozen waterfalls that flow down steep slopes. Those hanging glaciers are classified as maritime temperate glaciers in the southern latitude limit in China.

• Black Sea

The Black Sea there is not the same as the Black Sea in south-eastern Europe. Actually, it is a lake that gets its name from the color of its water which is as black as ink. An abundance of Chinese giant salamanders will swim together forming a ring in the shallows of the Black Sea with an appropriate temperature is reached, which makes it more attractive.

• Wonderful Waterfalls

There are also hanging springs and waterfalls in Haba Snow Mountain. Jianshan Waterfall is about 40 meters high. The sufficient water flow makes it spectacular. From April to September, when the snow and ice melt, the water rushes down the steep slopes from the clouds and mist, forming the great Dadiaoshui Waterfall, which makes the waterfall look like a mighty river flowing down from heaven.

• Beautiful Azaleas

From April to June, when the azaleas are in full blossom and you visit Haba Snow Mountain, you will be surprised to find that there are so many varieties of azaleas. More than 200 hundred kinds of azaleas are distributed from the bottom to the top of the mountain, accounting for 70% of those in Yunnan.

‣ Climbing Tips & Route of Haba Snow Mountain

• Start Point of Haba Snow Mountain: Tiger Leaping Gorge • Mountaineering level: Entry level Recommend you start with a warm-up trekking from Tiger Leaping Gorge to Haba village first instead of arriving Haba town by bus. Then you can start your Haba Snow Mountain Climbing Tour from Haba Village. From Haba Village to the base-camp, it takes an average walk of 5-6 hours. The base-camp is 4,100 meters in elevation. From here, hike up to 4,900 meters in 3 hours, and another 2 hours to the top. If there is no snow up to the 4,900m point, you can easily get there in 2hours, and another 1.5 hours to the top (5,406 meters). • Haba Snow Mountain Climbing Tips In a fine day, ordinary tourists may reach the summit successfully if they follow the professional climbers. However there are some accidents happened, some of famous travelers died here, so everything needs to be paid full attention and taken care of. Yunnan Adventure Travel has rich experiences in working out Haba Snow Mountain Climbing Tour and provides professional English-speaking guide that make your individual climbling tour more convenient and safer. If you are interested, please contact our staff to consult more details. • Essential Items for Clinbing Climbing gear: snow cover, tent, ice pick, crampon ,health food, sleeping bag, warm glove, headlight, sunglasses, garbage bag, assault pants , feather fine hair clothes, waterproof backpack, warm water bottle 2-3 liters, waterproof mountaineering boots, warm socks, headgear.

‣ Transportation of Haba Snow Mountain

Tourists can take a bus from Lijiang or Shangri-La to Haba Village and it will take about five hours. Or you can hike from Tiger Leaping Gorge to Haba Village, which will be more adventurous and strenuous.

‣ Recommended Lodging in Haba Snow Mountain

Accommodation is basic and similar throughout most of the Haba Village. The most popular guesthouse in town is the Haba Jokul International Youth Hostel （previously "Haba Snow Mountain Inn").

‣ Haba Snow Mountain Travel Tips

• Beat Time to Visit

March to July and September to December is the best time to begin your Haba Snow Mountain Climbing Tour because the other times are mostly rainy season or windy season. From April to June, the blossoming azaleas add more glamour to mysterious Haba Snow Mountain. From November to December, the light wind make tourists more easily to climb up to the top.