Best Autumn Viewing Experience 2/3 [Xiannairi Snow Mountain, Yading Nature Reserve]

Since the trees of the forest had not completely change their foliage color yet in the last autumn, I decided to visit Daocheng Yading or Yading Nature Reserve this year (2024) about 10 days later than the previous year. I was glad that I did, this time the trees have fully transformed into their autumn foliage color. #china #sichuan #ganzi #naturalwonders #thingstodo In order to have a different experience than the previous visit, I decided on another scenic area, the Xiannairi Snow Mountain. From the Chonggu Temple visitor center, I set out on foot towards Chonggu Temple, a Tibetan temple by the foothill of Xiannairi. It was thrilling to see yellow autumn foliage among green pines beside and behind the beautiful Chonggu Temple, with the ever so majestic Xiannairi in the background. There was actually another route which won't pass by the Chonggu Temple, but I was glad that I chose this route instead. After that, I walked through a trail beside the temple into the pristine forest behind Chonggu Temple. Pines with yellow autumn foliage were everywhere around the trail. Excitedly, I thought this has to be the ultimate autumn display everyone serious into autumn foliage viewing should see! And it was the entire stretch of forest until the trail reach open space at higher elevation, all along in yellow blaze. And there she was, Xiannairi snow mountain, facing the small little me at the open space. Forest at the foothill of Xiannairi and surrounding mountains were a mix of yellow and green. There was so much of mix feeling when facing such grand scenery; excited, appreciative, admiration, respect, and others. I continued walking on the walkway nearer to Xiannairi, an above 6,000 m snow mountain, to visit a lake at her foothill. The view of Xiannairi with Zuomalacuo or Zhenzhuhai (Pearl Lake), and the surrounding autumn foliage display, was intoxicating! The lake has water in various green shades, possibly according to water depth. The end nearer to Xiannairi is deep, while the opposite end away from her is shallow. It's a considerably small lake, and walking around the lake could be leisurely achieved in 30 minutes. There is only one same way in and out of Xiannairi snow mountain, and on the way out, the yellow autumn foliage of the forest was appreciated once more! Further down the foothill, I bypassed Chonggu Temple and reached Chonggu Grassland beside Chonggu Temple visitor center, where my sightseeing continued...