Nestled among the Gongga mountain ranges in western Sichuan, within the valley north of Kangding, lies Mugecuo, known in Tibetan as Wild Man Lake, the birthplace of the Ballad of Kangding. As a key component of the Gongga Mountain National Scenic Area, this highland sanctuary embraces sacred lakes, snow-capped summits, primeval forests, alpine meadows, and hot springs, forming an alpine poem not to be missed on the Sichuan-Tibet Route 318.
Mugecuo Main Lake, the largest alpine lake in northwestern Sichuan, sits at an altitude of 3,780 metres. Its crystal-clear azure water rests quietly at the foot of snow mountains. The lake shimmers with changing light; in early morning, it acts as a mirror reflecting cloud shadows and snowy peaks. When wind rises in the afternoon, blue waves surge and lap gently at the shore.
The Golden Coast by the lake is a unique golden sand beach on the plateau. Rocks are carved with the inscription “Till death do us part”, embodying the distinctive romance of the highlands. Board a cruise to cross the lake and reach the Red Sea Grassland. Vast meadows stretch towards snow-capped mountains. From spring to summer, edelweiss carpet the land, prayer flags flutter in the breeze, and yaks graze leisurely, with the towering Gongga peaks rising in the distance.
Travel down the valley to find the eight-kilometer Azalea Gorge, where mountain streams rush and waterfalls cascade. Every April to June, alpine azaleas bloom one after another. Pink, white, and crimson blossoms adorn the woods. Streams carry floral fragrance through dense forests. Ancient fir trees are draped in pine moss, and the air is crisp and pure. Scattered within the deep gorge lies the Red Rock Beach, where red algae cling to boulders, painting a magical bright hue against green woods and snow-capped peaks.
Seven-Colour Lake is a vivid gem tucked in the valley. Fed by living hot spring water, it shifts through shades of blue, green, and amber with changing sunlight and mist. At dawn, thin fog drifts over the lake, and the Lotus Snow Mountain mirrors on the water, blending reality and illusion into a dreamscape. The Medicinal Spring Hot Spring is a warm gift from the plateau. Geothermal springs bubble direct. Rich in minerals, the water allows visitors to boil soft-boiled hot-spring eggs by hand. Soak in warm springs after hiking to ease the weariness of travel.
Mugecuo boasts unique charm in every season. In spring, ice melts and azaleas bloom across mountains. Summer brings pleasant temperatures, with forests and meadows covered in lush greenery, making it a summer retreat in western Sichuan. In autumn, colourful forests cloak the valleys, golden and crimson trees set against sapphire lakes, just like an oil painting. Winter blankets the mountains with snow. The lake freezes into blue ice, and the valley becomes serene and holy.
