Zimei Pass

Today, the 12 lucky souls of us stood before the Sister Pass of Mount Gongga, like darlings chosen by nature. The panoramic view of Gongga was unreservedly unfolding before our eyes: towering snow-capped mountains, the continuous peaks coiled like silver dragons, gleaming with holy light, each texture a legend engraved by time.

In this stunning scene, we took countless photos to make this moment eternal.

Zimei Pass, located slightly south-west of Gongga Peak, sits at an altitude of approximately 4,500 meters and is 5 kilometers from Gongga Snow Mountain. It offers a stunning panoramic view of the entire Daxueshan range. Due to its high altitude and unpredictable weather, the Moxi Valley below the pass is prone to seas of clouds.

Zimei Pass, located in Gongga Township, Kangding City, sits at an altitude of 4,539 meters. It offers the best viewing platform on the southwest slope of Gongga Mountain, less than 20 kilometers from the main peak, making it the closest viewing platform to the peak. Zimei Pass, along with Black Stone City and Niubei Mountain, is recognized as one of the three major photo spots for Gongga Snow Mountain in National Geographic. Therefore, we made Zimei Pass a top priority on our trip, planning to watch the Gongga sunset and starry sky from Zimei Pass. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't favorable, and we spent two hours at the pass in the cold wind, unable to see anything.

During the May Day holiday, you can drive up to Zimei Pass from Gongga Mountain Township. The roadblocks are raised, so you can't go there from Jiagenba Township. It's blocked, so you can only exit. You can drive up to the viewing platform at Yaha Pass for 50 yuan per car. If you have enough time, both passes are worth visiting.

The impact is super good. I heard that they are now charging a capitation fee.

Driving up the Zimei Pass during the Spring Festival in February 2015

Even though I'd spotted the sun peeking out as I approached the viewing platform, I couldn't help but exclaim in amazement when I disembarked and saw the "King of Shu Mountain" right before my eyes. For 5 kilometers straight, I saw a sea of swirling clouds, a rosy glow softening the world. Photos and videos flashed in my mind. What does it mean to be filled with tears? This is what it means to be filled with tears.

This kind of view is the moment countless SLR cameras have eagerly awaited, and that kind of sunset is the moment countless hikers have eagerly awaited. Even though the excitement of reaching Zimei Pass with frozen hands and feet has faded, the feeling of regret remains etched in my heart. How many times in life can I go to such great lengths to reach a place I've never known before? How many times in life can I witness a wonder with such anticipation and without any special planning? The journey was arduous, even if the sun didn't illuminate the golden mountain, even if I didn't clearly see the peak of Mount Gongga, the most precious thing was that it was worth it. From earth to heaven, from heaven back to earth, Zimei Pass was worth it.

Zimei Pass is the best place to view Mount Gongga from west to east. As it is only 5 kilometers away from the main peak of Mount Gongga, you can imagine how shocking it is to appreciate the more than 7,600-meter-high Mount Gongga at such a close distance. That is why people often overlook the scenery around Zimei Pass. In fact, the altitude of Zimei Pass itself is 4,500 meters, and it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks over 5,500 meters. Moreover, the weather at the pass is unpredictable, with dark clouds rolling in one moment and clear skies the next. It is set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, sea of clouds, peaks, and valleys. If you wait until sunset, it is definitely a great place for photography enthusiasts to take pictures.

Tips: There is no accommodation at Zimei Pass, so you need to bring your own camping equipment.

There is no water source on the top of the mountain, so you need to bring your own mineral water.

To reach the camping spot, you need to reload and cross the ridge, so be prepared.

The temperature in the mountains during this season is as low as -10-0°C at night. Students who want to go there to wait for the stars must take warm measures.

I visited Zimei Pass in late October 2018. The scenery is as it appears in the pictures, no Photoshop, straight out of the camera. It's hands-down the best place to view Mount Gongga, bar none. A detailed guide to the road conditions: 1. The road from Gongga Mountain Township to the foot of Zimei Mountain is a rural road currently under construction, but the roadbed is complete and the concrete paving is in place, though the asphalt hasn't been blackened yet. It's accessible by car (less than an hour). 2. The road from the foot of the mountain to the pass is closed due to construction (starting at the base). You can take a local motorcycle up to the pass (they'll pick you up at the closure point), or park your own car at the foot of the mountain for 150-200 yuan per person (round trip, with pickup after sunset). Alternatively, you can hike up the mountain yourself, which is free, and the construction team won't stop you. You can calculate your own effort and time. 3. The road to the pass is expected to be completed in two years, and once it's completed, you'll definitely need a ticket. 4. Nothing is absolute. You can drive your own car up the pass, even a 4WD SUV. The key is to get permission from the construction company. A few cars made it to the pass that day (though most were stopped at the foot of the mountain). It all depends on your ability, you know. 5. There are few places to stay and eat at the foot of the mountain, but the conditions are average. If you don't want to stay there after watching the sunset, you can return to the township or county along the provincial road. I drove back to Jiulong County, which only took me an hour and a half. 6. Don't go to the pass on cloudy days; it's a waste of time and money. 7. If you want to bring your own tent and camp at the pass, there are places to camp, and no one will stop you. You can stay there for a few days. There's no signal at the pass. 8. If you don't want to go through all that trouble, wait two years for the road to be fully repaired and the entrance fee to be collected before you can come back. Mount Gongga won't be moving anyway. 9. After visiting Zimei Pass, you don't need to visit other destinations like Yaha Pass, Black Stone City, and Niubei Mountain. The advantage is its proximity. It's incredibly close to the main peak, separated only by a canyon. It's stunning to see with your eyes, and stunning with your phone. Other places require a telephoto lens to get close, and because they're so far away, they don't look stunning to the naked eye. Even with the 12mm ultra-wide lens, the photo still feels so close.

Look at the closest point to Mount Gongga!

In the dark of night, on the quiet pass, the sky is full of stars and the Milky Way is right above my head. At that moment, no matter how beautiful the language is, it cannot express my surprise and the brilliant brilliance of the starry sky.

I will never forget the night in western Sichuan, the biting wind and the cold sky. I didn’t care about being tired or catching a cold, I just wanted to watch quietly. My obsession and shock couldn’t express my joy, and your vastness and brilliance couldn’t describe your magnificence. I just wanted to record that moment forever.

I finally saw the snow-capped mountains that I had been longing for, and I felt excited and awe-inspiring.

Very nice place, the only pity is that I didn't see the sea of clouds because the weather was too sunny

This is a truly impressive sight. Standing at the summit of Zimei Pass, gazing across at Mount Gongga, it's as if it's greeting you, telling you, "You've finally come to see me, and are you struck by my majesty again?" Honestly, I just wanted to quietly experience and feel it, to calm my heart and savor its grandeur.

The pass is surrounded by majestic mountains on all sides. Sitting quietly at the top of the pass, I feel that I have taken a step closer to nature.

From Zimei Pass, you can see the main peak of Gongga. The pass is located high up, and on clear days, the sea of clouds right below is a wonderful sight (Figure 1). After reaching the pass, the ascent is a steep dirt road. Getting to the summit depends on your vehicle's performance; otherwise, you'll have to walk. The climb is about 7.800 meters, a significant climb at a high altitude, and requires a 5-star energy rating. 😄 Camping recommendation: Walk back about 1.200 meters from the summit to a flat area (Figure 2). It's sheltered from the wind and you'll be able to see the main peak from the moment you step out of your tent in the morning. With luck, you might even see the main peak wearing a white gauze hat... (Figure 3).

I arrived at Zimei Pass the previous evening. The weather was bad, so I waited for nearly an hour. Seeing no hope, I settled down nearby. The accommodations were average, with no mobile network. I was unwilling to give up. The next morning, I climbed Zimei Pass again. After weathering the elements, it's no exaggeration to say that after enduring wind, frost, rain, and snow, the clouds finally parted and the sun rose, allowing me to see the sacred mountain. It was a truly worthwhile trip.

The risk index of the road leading to Zimei Pass should be raised to the highest. Zimei Pass is the best place to view the main peak of Gongga, but the best time of the day is from afternoon to sunset, because the main peak of Gongga is due east of Zimei Pass.

The sunrise over Jinshan Mountain is breathtakingly beautiful. September and October are the best months for photography, with less rain and less cloud cover, allowing Gongga Mountain to reveal its true beauty more often. The only drawback is that it is currently under development, making the road difficult to navigate, and only a powerful four-wheel drive can handle it.

Zimei Pass is a viewing platform for Mount Gongga. Besides Zimei Pass, Mount Gongga can also be viewed from Niubei Mountain, Yaha Pass, and Hailuogou to the east. However, Zimei Pass offers the best views of Mount Gongga's main peak. Standing at the edge of the pass, Mount Gongga looms large across the way, seemingly within reach. I wonder if Zimei Pass was born for Mount Gongga. Unlike Niubei Mountain, Niubei Mountain offers not only panoramic views of numerous other renowned peaks, such as Gongga, Emei Mountain, and Siguniang Mountain, but is also renowned for its sea of clouds, sunrises, and Buddha's light. Zimei, however, remains forever tucked away in the shadows of Mount Gongga's western flank, gazing up at the majestic beauty of the King of Sichuan Mountains, watching each sunrise and sunset from the summit, captivated by the magnificent golden glow of the setting sun. In Zimei's eyes, Mount Gongga is so perfect and dazzling that it illuminates her entire being.

The road to Zimei Pass is quite difficult to drive, but after a long country road and rugged mountain road, when Gongga Snow Mountain stands in front of you unexpectedly, you will definitely be shocked.

One of the most famous viewing platforms for Mount Gongga

Zimei Pass on Mount Gongga is one of China's most beautiful stargazing spots. Every year, countless photographers travel thousands of miles to capture the stunning beauty of the stars casting a blanket over the Gongga Snow Peak. Beyond the starry sky, sunrises and sunsets are also breathtakingly beautiful. As the sun hangs low in the sky, at certain moments, its rays perfectly illuminate the snow-capped peaks, creating a sacred golden summit.

Zimei Pass is one of the many viewing platforms on Mount Gongga. There are two routes to reach it: one is to charter a car from Xinduqiao via Jiagenba and Shangmuju to Zimei Pass, which takes about five hours. The other is to hike from Caoke Township to Zimei Pass, which is more challenging.

The plateau is so magical that it will give you different surprises every time. Even if you come to the same place once, twice, three times, or even more times, it will still have many things to attract you.

Experienced climbers know that at high altitudes, 2 p.m. is the critical hour. If you don't descend by then, you're being irresponsible. This is because the air pressure on the plateau fluctuates in the afternoon, creating a pressure differential that can bring strong winds and even rain and snow.

We arrived just after 2:00 PM, and a gusty wind had begun to blow at the pass, reaching levels of over 10 at a moment's notice, with absolutely no regularity. I set up my tripod in a depression, intending to capture a time-lapse, when a strong gust of wind nearly blew me off the mountain, leaving me in a cold sweat.

At that moment, I suddenly remembered the car. I told my friend to get in quickly. He was still confused, thinking we were heading down the mountain. Once I pulled over to a suitable spot, he immediately understood my intention. Indeed, on this unobstructed platform, the car was our best refuge. Ultimately, I managed to capture a time-lapse video from the car. Sadly, the main peak remained unrevealed until we left.

The moment the car reached the pass was a breathtaking sight. The night's sea of clouds swirled on the mountainside, like pilgrims embracing Mount Gongga, their thousands of miles of pilgrimage finally marking their passage. Zimei Pass, located in Gongga Township, Kangding City, Ganzi Prefecture, sits at an altitude of nearly 5,000 meters, making it a prime spot for viewing Mount Gongga. Honestly, the bumpy ride was a bit nerve-wracking, wondering if the journey was worth it after all the time and effort.

But for many things in life, as long as you want to do them and do them, then everything is worth it.

Looking up at the sky, there are stars all over the sky and the Milky Way in the sky. The temperature is more than ten degrees below zero, and the altitude is so high that it makes people breathless after walking a few steps. However, it cannot stop our excited hearts. The charm of the starry sky is something that you may never be able to experience without being there in person.

After sunrise, I didn’t see the golden mountain in the sun as I had imagined, but I have to say: the sea of clouds is still very spectacular. Many people come here several times and may not be able to see the sea of clouds.

The arduous journey is worth it for the momentary shock. The magnificence that cannot be described in words makes all your efforts worthwhile.

The environmental protection fee collected by villagers is 20

Zimei Pass is the best place to photograph Mount Gongga, bar none. The straight-line distance is 5km, and the altitude difference is 3km. The huge snow-capped mountain suddenly appears before your eyes.

The best time to take photos is in the morning (with few clouds) and in the afternoon at sunset (when the sun shines on the golden mountain).

The Xinduqiao-Shade-Gonggashan Township road is now fully asphalt, and the Gonggashan Township-Zimei Pass road is currently under construction. The crater road takes 2 hours.

Xinduqiao-Quanhuatan-Yaha Pass-Zimei Pass are almost all bad roads.

The pass closest to the King of Shu Mountain is not easy to navigate due to the winding mountain road. The hike to the accommodation at Shangmuju takes several hours. The accommodation is quite basic. It's an undeveloped scenic spot. There are no facilities at the top, but there's no entrance fee. The scenery is magnificent. Wearing a down jacket at the top in mid-September was too much. However, it's definitely worth a visit. The sunrise at Golden Mountain depends on luck; we were so disappointed that we didn't see it due to the thick clouds when we visited.

The road to Quanhua Beach is under construction now. I heard it is easier to walk on.

Seeing Mount Gongga from the closest distance is truly breathtaking if the weather is favorable, but it might be a bit difficult to reach by ordinary car.

Virgin sunrise photography dedicated to the King of Shushan Haha

If you want to see the golden mountain in the sun, you really need luck. This time is not enough.

I'm too lazy to edit the pictures yet.

There were 10 of us in two cars. We took the wrong route and ended up at Yaha Pass, then Zimei. I never thought a full 1.3-meter minivan could actually make it up. The journey was incredibly difficult, but getting up at 5 a.m. to see the view was worth it. The clouds were too low, so we couldn't see the main peak! We'll go again at the end of August!

Zimei Pass is largely undeveloped! There are no public facilities, and the camping conditions are extremely poor, so be prepared!

I can only say that it is breathtakingly beautiful. I never imagined that I would see such a beautiful scenery!

After a long journey of several hours on a bad road, we finally arrived at Zimei Pass. We were lucky enough to see Mount Gongga sitting in front of us like an iceberg as soon as we got to the top of the mountain.

Being the closest place to Mount Kailash, it feels really great to look up at it.

By the time we arrived at Zimei, the sea of clouds had already reached the summit of the snow-capped mountains, obscuring most of the peaks. All we could see was the tiny peak at the top. We couldn't quite grasp the grandeur and majesty of Mount Gongga! Had the sky been clearer and the clouds lower, it would have been even more breathtaking.

A must-go for landscape photography groups. There are not many people, the natural conditions are bad but the scenery is good. The weather at the pass is changeable. Only four-wheel drive or 2.0 or above SUVs or Wuling Hongguang with all-terrain control can go to the pass. I went up and waited for a long time but could not take pictures due to weather conditions.

There is also a Lishuo Pass nearby where you can see the reflection of Mount Gongga.

It was my first time as a hiker and I felt great. The difficulty was not too great, but there was a section of the road that looked quite dangerous.

The magnificence is incomparable. Watching the King of Shu Mountain floating in the sea of clouds is a unique and awe-inspiring experience.

Zimei Pass, at an altitude of 4,500 meters, is an excellent place to get a close-up view of Mount Gongga, the king of Sichuan's mountains. The driver said the viewing platform is often packed with cars during holidays, so we were the only ones enjoying the view. The weather was so clear that we had a clear view of the main peak of Gongga.

I've been there, it was amazing, unforgettable. I'll go again if I have the chance.

We arrived at Zimei Pass around 2:00 PM after a bumpy ride. Located in Gongga Township, Ganzi Prefecture, Zimei Pass, at an altitude of approximately 4,500 meters, is renowned for its close-up views of Mount Gongga's main peak. The wind was strong and the fog was heavy that day. We weren't able to see the mystical sacred Mount Gongga. It was a shame and a bit disappointing. Some say seeing snow-capped mountains depends on luck and character, while others say it's easy to see them in winter, but the roads are heavily snowed in, making driving more dangerous.

The road to the pass is winding and can be quite harsh on altitude sickness. Even before reaching the summit, I was already fascinated and reluctant to leave. It was a very difficult experience. I cherish this place.

Zimei Pass is one of the best places to view Gongga Snow Mountain. The only drawback is that the road is too bad. I have been there so many times, and the road is really bad. It is so bad that you must not go up there if you drive by yourself. It hurts your car.

This is the best place to watch the King of Shu Mountains Gongga Snow Mountain (sunrise, sunset, golden mountain in the sun), the sea of clouds

I went to Zimei Pass in mid-July last year. After driving for three hours, there was no sign of snow-capped mountains. At the last bend, a huge iceberg was right in front of me. After the exclamation, there was only silence!

It was a few days before the Chinese New Year when I rode my 150 motorcycle up the mountain. The road up the mountain was very bumpy and full of gravel, and the slope was steep. It took me nearly 3 hours to ride from the bottom of the mountain to the top. I was the only one on the mountain that day. I reached the top of the mountain at 5 pm. Because of altitude sickness, I got down the mountain in the dark at 10 pm. But I also saw the golden mountain of Gongga Snow Mountain in the sun and the Milky Way at night. It was really a challenging journey.

Needless to say, Zimei Pass is an excellent viewing platform on the west side of Gongga Mountain, and its straight-line distance from the main peak is estimated to be only a few kilometers.

Because it is on the west side, the main thing is to watch the sunset, the sun shining on Jinshan is very beautiful. If you bring your own tent, you can also watch the stars and the Milky Way.

Zimei Pass is located in Gongga Township, Ganzi Prefecture, at an altitude of 4,500 meters. It is an excellent place to view the Gongga Snow Mountain, the king of Sichuan Mountains, up close.

The best place to see Mount Gongga. The road is relatively poor, but the golden mountain in the sun is spectacular.

The scenery is super good, it is a great place to view Gongga Snow Mountain, but it is difficult to reach

Zimei Pass is only 5 kilometers from Mount Gongga, making it incredibly close. While reaching the pass can be challenging in winter due to the strong winds, it's a fantastic spot for viewing Mount Gongga. Accessible from Jiagenba, the route passes Asia's largest calcified beach. From Yaha Pass, you can see Mount Gongga, then pass Quanhua Beach and ascend Zimei Pass from Xiamuju. Alternatively, you can take the S215 highway toward Jiulong to reach Zimei Pass. The sea of clouds and the sun-lit golden mountain are breathtaking.

The road condition from Shangmuju to Zimei Pass is not very good. It is a dirt road and a winding mountain road.

We arrived at Zimei Pass just as the sun was rising. We were lucky enough to see Mount Gongga. The moment we got off the car and saw the rows of snow-capped mountains, we were quite shocked. It was truly spectacular.

Apple phones basically cannot be turned on here. They freeze and shut down because it is too cold. I have met many people who have experienced this. Fortunately, my Xiaomi is still working well.

Following Baidu Maps, I entered from Shade and reached Gongga Township, then walked about 20 to 30 kilometers of gravel road. At an intersection, two lamas collected 20 yuan each, refusing to let me in. The next 15 kilometers of winding mountain road weren't very good, so an off-road vehicle is recommended. It was truly a stroke of luck! I saw the most beautiful sunrise, the Golden Mountain, and the once-in-a-millennium Buddha's light. Later, I saw other guides suggesting a direct route into the area from the Jiagenba dirt road, but I couldn't find that road. I'm not sure how long it takes to get there; it took me about four hours.

This was the first time I drove my Little Lion to such a high mountaintop. On the way there, I met a friend who said that the terrain was too low and we couldn't drive up there. I almost wanted to go home. Then I thought, since I was already here, I should at least go and see it. So I continued on my way. I asked the local villagers along the way and they said that I could still get up there if I drove slower. As a result... I actually made it up there and I was quite impressed with myself. The scenery up there was pretty good, but I was a little too much when I was setting up the tent and I got a bit of altitude sickness... I really don't know what to write about this.

The sun shines on the golden mountain of Kanggongga at Zimei Pass! It's very windy, but with luck, there's even a sea of clouds! The climb up the mountain is quite demanding!

The location is excellent, the view is wide, and there are several convenient routes.

The accommodation is not good, but the scenery is first-class and the people are simple. I like it here very much.

Ordinary cars can't go up there, and finally there are four-wheel drive ones. I have a diesel two-wheel drive, 2.5T, and I can barely get up there.

A good place to see Mount Gongga. Whether you can see it depends on luck.

The car can be driven directly to the pass. When the weather is good, you can see the golden mountain in the sun, the sea of clouds and the starry sky.

It is only 5,000 meters away from the King of Shu Mountains and is the perfect place to see the main peak of Mount Gongga and the sea of clouds.

Zimei Pass is undeveloped, so the road... well... it's better to drive off-road. It's too strenuous. Once you reach the top, you'll realize the hard work is truly worth it. Everyone at the summit couldn't help but exclaim in awe of the stunning spectacle. It's about 300 kilometers from Xinduqiao. It was already evening when we got back. When we got back to the inn, the owner was so impressed, he wondered how I'd managed to get up there. I said, "Looking back at the road when I got down, I was also amazed. I was so impressed by my own skills; I had no idea how I'd managed to get up there." Off-roaders are different; they fly effortlessly. We watched the sunset, and many people staying at the inns here watched it that day and then returned early the next morning to watch the sunrise. Life is truly beautiful, to have both sunset and sunrise. I've seen the sun setting over the Meili Snow Mountain, but that was far away. The sunset here is so much closer.

You really need a burst of character to see the true face of the Gongga Goddess~

Zimei Pass is located in Gongga Township, Ganzi Prefecture, at an altitude of 4,500 meters. It is an excellent place to view the Gongga Snow Mountain, the king of Sichuan Mountains, up close.

The path leading to Shangzimei is quite torturous. It winds down the mountain for several miles in one breath, and then winds up the mountain for several miles. There is no platform to rest in between, so you can only walk in one go. I really walked until I was exhausted.

The weather was clear and we were all so excited to see the bright and clear peak of Gongga Mountain across from us. We jumped up and down!

Zimei Pass is the best viewing point for viewing Mount Gongga. It is really shocking. That kind of shock is what you want to go out and find. In a certain situation, you suddenly get to know yourself again. At that moment, you will understand a lot and let go of a lot.

Although it does not have the majestic momentum of the Sun Shining over the Golden Mountain, it is still shocking.

As we reached Zimei Pass, snowflakes began to fall, plunging the world into a blanket of white. However, the weather on the plateau is ever-changing. Soon, the snow stopped and the sun rose, revealing a clear, blue sky. The scenery was breathtaking. By this time, most of the team had decided to camp. We packed our bags, climbed the hillside, and set up camp. The three team leaders began cooking. However, the 4,500-meter altitude wasn't exactly a comfortable experience, and many began to experience altitude sickness. As evening approached, the weather grew increasingly cold. The anticipated sunrise over the Golden Mountain didn't appear due to the thickening cloud cover, but the brief sea of clouds did provide a welcome relief.

As the altitude increases, the bare rocks begin to be covered with snow. After a 180-degree bend, a blanket of snow appears before us, a world of ice and snow.

Snow-capped mountains are everywhere I look. I can relate to Lin Xi's description of "the world surrounds me"! Walking on the road to Zimei Pass feels completely different from walking on Niubei Mountain. The sun is warm on Niubei Mountain, but the wind is biting in the snow-capped mountains. The altitude is also much higher than Niubei Mountain.

Looking back at the road we came from, every step of the footprints is clearly left in the snow. Seeing these footprints, I feel inexplicably encouraged.

I remember I was preparing my tripod when a cloud of mist dispersed. I looked up inadvertently and Mount Gongga suddenly appeared. Even though I didn't see its peak, it seemed to be right in front of me. Its grandeur and height really exceeded the imagination of any tourist who came here for the first time. The feeling at that time was like the moment when the captain of the Titanic suddenly discovered the iceberg. I was shocked and stunned, and even my heart beat faster.

Zimei Pass is an excellent location for viewing the main peak of Mount Gongga, but it is greatly affected by the weather.

When you come to Zimei Pass, the main purpose is to see the main peak of Gongga Snow Mountain. Whether you can see it depends on luck. If you are lucky, you can watch the sunset in the evening and see the golden mountain in the sun.

The endless expanse of snow-capped mountains at Zimei Pass makes me feel like I've stepped into a world not my own, like the princess in "Frozen" suddenly liberated and bursting into "Let It Go." Just let it go, be free! The wind at the pass transports me to a perfect country, seemingly only found in Western Europe.

We drove up the mountain in the early morning. The car was broken, the road was dangerous, it was dark and cold. But it was worth it.