Gonggashan Travel Season

Minya Konka (Gongga Shan or Mt. Gongga) is a big mountain massif located around 300km west of the city of Chengdu by the eastern rim of Tibetan Plateau. It has a big altitude difference between 1500m and 7500m by its east and between 3500m and 7500m by its west. Thus, it has a very drastic difference of temperature and climate. Minya Konka is a big area of high mountains that going to its different sides will possibly experience different weather and temperature. In general, its south and east sides have a bigger altitude difference than that of its west and north side. Therefore, we usually see more rain or snow by east and south side. Please note when you check for weather forecast of Minya Konka, the nearest recorded weather data will be from Kangding, a town by the north base of Gongga Mountains at 2500m [Kangding weather]. While going to visit Minya Konka normally one needs to go higher than just 2500m to over 3000m and 4000m or even 5000m therefore the temperature will drop dramatically once you go higher.

In general, the best time to visit Gongga Shan is from May to November. The climate around Gongga Shan can be summarized as a late spring, a lush summer, a short autumn and a cold winter. Spring is from March to May when normally the snow will melt. June, July and August are the blooming season in Gongga Shan, with the average temperature range from 20 °C and 25 °C during daytime. During nighttime, it drops to below 5C to 10C sometimes. Autumn comes in early September. Winter comes by November and will last until the next early March.

Weather is rather unpredictable around Gongga Shan due to its altitude difference. “When you are in the mountain, you never know the weather.” Indeed, the weather changes quickly in Minya Konka as the elevation of some locations here are very high up to 4800 meters. Each season you have the possibility of unpredicted weather conditions, but it's more obvious in summer. Winter is dry and summer is wet. In general, for trekking the best seasons from May to November. May, October and November have the window of lower chance of rain/snow and not so cold conditions, making it the best time for trekking. However, summer (June to August) is also good to travel to Minya Konka when the mountain is at its prime summer and all green. You will have higher possibilities of unpredicted conditions in summer though. In summer in July and August the rivers are usually high. In winter, it is a bit too cold when temperature drops below -5C or even -10C and rivers will freeze, but you can still visit Minya Konka if you can cope the cold conditions. In winter the days are short, but it is very dry and almost guaranteed clear weather every day. In sunny days the sun is usually very strong especially during dry seasons. Skin proof is necessary.

East of Minya Konka people often go to Hailuogou Glacier Park and Yanzigou Park. Base of these two parks is Moxi town at 1600m, a place that is very comfortable even in winter time. Hailuogou Glacier Park is between the elevation of 3000m and 3500m, Yanzigou is between 2800m and 3200m. Details about climate in Moxi.

North of Minya Konka requires trekking and camping to visit and elevation in this part is between 3500m and 4300m(and high to 4800m).

South of Minya Konka requires also trekking and maybe camping to visit and elevation in this part is between 3000m and 3800m (and high to 4200m).

West of Minya Konka one can also drive to. It includes Langgatso lake, Tsemed Pass, Quanhuatan, and other locations near Xinduqiao. Elevation in this part is between 3800m and 4600m. There are lodges available by the west of Minya Konka.

Best: generally, with the stable weather conditions or best scenery/views of the year for example in August it is all green and in Oct the mountains will turn golden. These seasons are often with sunny and clear days/good conditions for walking and photography and a good balance of good weather and good scenery.

Good: These seasons are with good views, normally with relatively unstable weather or maybe cold weather and climate, that have low chance of resulting into change of plan due to change of weather. These seasons are often less crowded and also very beautiful.

Okay: These seasons are usually super dry and also with good views but can be very cold.

In terms of crowd, because Minya Konka is not really a famous place for visitors, it does attract many hikers to come each year but if you can avoid the golden week of October then it is fine. It is wilderness overall that the mass tourists won't be able to get to although on the way there may be traffic during July, August and other holidays. To go to the eastern and western part of Minya Konka you will probably see more visitors because these places are accessed by cars that more and more visitors are coming to see Minya Konka.

Read Detailed weather information of Minya Konka (Gonggashan) in different seasons

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter