Mount Siguniang Dafeng Base Camp

Dafeng is one of the "four sisters" of Mt. Siguniang. Dafeng is the lowest mountain of the four sisters and a perfect mountain for amateur climber. It is basically considered to be a hard trek to the summit of Dafeng of Mt. Siguniang that takes 2 to 5 days. For more information about Dafeng Trek, please read here for more details. Below is detailed information of Dafeng Base Camp.

Dafeng Base Camp is the stopover place for anyone who plans to make to the summit of Dafeng. It is located at 3km lower than the summit and at the altitude of 4290 meters above sea level.

Inevitable night or nights are usually spent here for trekkers to Dafeng Summit. Dafeng Base Camp is an open pasture that you can either stay at the basic huts/big tents or doing camping. Dafeng Base Camp is located 14km from the town of Rilong (base of Mt. Siguniang). From Dafeng Base Camp one can see the south face summit of Dafeng .

About the Huts

The huts are run by local people that if anyone wishes to stay there, one needs to pay CNY100 (2019 price) for 1 night. Pre-arrangement for one night by the hut/big tent is required during busy travel seasons. Usually if you go with a local guide/use a company to go with you this will be pre-arranged.

The hut for sleeping is very basic. Bunks with a simple sleeping mat and the rooms are often shared by other hikers. The hut/big tent shelters you from wind and rain/snow but all other necessary warm-keeping you need to prepare by yourself, for example you need to have your own sleeping bag for sleeping. From 2020 there are more big tents set up due to many more hikers come to the summit of Dafeng and one can not book a specific type of hut/big tent but if you get to base camp first you can choose the spots you like in one single hut/big tent.

Please note these huts or big tents are super basic, and during windy times these huts and big tents make noisies. Traveling in summer and autumun seasons you are likely to be sharing the huts with other hikers. You are recommended to wear ear plugs if you are light sleepers. One other issue is it is also going to be loud if there are other hikers even if they don’t share the same hut/big tent with you. For example, some people plan to start earlier than you do so when they wake up they will make a lot of noises and will inevitably wake you up. Except wearing ear-plugs you can also consider to set tents by yourself and far away from the crowd not just to avoid the noises but also to have some privacy.

Inside a Hut

About Camping

Please note that the base camp is by general were the huts are but the base camp is by large the whole area including camping places outside of the huts area as long as where you can find running water. Camping inside the hut area is not very comfortable as it is also shared by pack horses and can be muddy in rainy/snowy days.

Camping farther from the crowd you will have higher possiblity to sleep better and have privacy. Although this means: A. you need to pack more gears including camping tents, mats and other things you need for setting up a tent; B. you will need a stronger sleeping bag since a tent doesn’t give you more protection from wind and cold than the hut does. And you need to consider all the other issues while camping especially during raining.

Running water is available in four seasons. Hot water is available when you go with a guides. Please note that hot water is not always available. Please make sure you are aware of where and when to get hot water by base camp if you use local guide or a company.

There is basically no phone nor internet reception at Dafeng Base but it has improved a lot since the last few years. At somedays locals can make phone calls at certain spots near the base camp. There is no electricity at Dafeng Base Camp. There is no hot water for washing at Dafeng Base Camp, there is a basic toilet at Dafeng Base Camp by the hut area but by the big tent area you do it freely in the wild.

There are no wood there that you can find firewood, making fire in the wild is not allowed here at Siguniang.

From Dafeng base camp to the summit it is another 3km and ascending from 4300m to 5000m. From Dafeng Base Camp back to Rilong is 14km and descending from 4300m to 3100m. From Dafeng Base Camp to Erfeng Base Camp is 4km and from 4300m to 4200m.