Are you eager to find a hideaway away from the hustle and bustle? In the depths of the secret realm of the Western Sichuan Plateau, there is Tsopugou, known as the ‘First holy Lake of Kangba’.

Here, the snow-capped mountains are surrounded by lakes as turquoise as pine ear stones, hot springs with steaming steam flow on the grassland, and the ancient Tsopu Temple quietly guards this pure land on earth. When you set foot on this land, you are not only opening a visual feast, but also opening a visual feast.Dialogue with the most primitive nature and listen to the echo of the legendary horseshoe of King Gesar

1. Geographical location

Tsuo Pugou is located in the northern part of Batang County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is a natural ecological reserve integrating snow-capped mountains, lakes, forests, grasslands, hot springs and temples on the 318 Sichuan-Tibet Line. It is known as the location of the “First holy Lake of Kangba” and has become a secret land in Western Sichuan with its pristine and wild scenery.

2. Core attractions

(1) Geological landscape

​​1. Lake Tsopu: As the core of the scenic area, Lake Tsopu is known as the “First holy Lake of Kangba” 417. The lake has a turquoise color like pine otolith, crystal clear and bottomless, and covers an area of about 3 square kilometers 1115. The lake is surrounded by Zhajinjiabo Sacred Mountain, and the primeval forests and grass slopes on the lake create a peaceful atmosphere like an outdoor paradise. A unique experience is “calling fish’: making a specific sound by the lake, groups of naked carp will gather on the shore to get close to people, showing a high degree of harmony between man and nature. 11

2. ​​The sister lakes (Zhima Yongtso and Kangzhulatso) are located near Lake Tsopu and consist of two small and exquisite alpine lakes, Kangzhulatso and Zhima Yongtso. Legend has it that they are related to the princesses and princesses of King Gesar. The lake will show dreamy colors such as emerald green and peacock blue in the sun, and they are regarded as jadeites in the secret realm by the locals.

3. ​Raikeng Hot spring Group This is the largest group of high-temperature hot springs in Sichuan Province, with more than 200 springs and a water temperature of more than 90℃. Among the most spectacular are geysers, some of which erupt every more than ten minutes, with a water column of up to four or five meters, and steam often forms rainbows under sunlight, which is spectacular. 4 Visitors can experience the fun of boiling eggs with hot spring water here.

4. ​​Zhangde Grassland, a vast alpine grassland, was rated as one of the “Most beautiful alpine Grasslands in Western Sichuan” by National Geographic of China. In summer, the grassland is full of wild flowers, herds of cattle and sheep, and in the distance are continuous snow-capped mountains, forming a typical picture of the plateau. This is an area where wild animals such as marmots are active, and visitors have the opportunity to interact with them up close.

3. Tickets and opening hours​

•Opening hours: The peak season (May to October) is usually 7:30-18:00; the opening hours will be shortened in the low season (November to April of the following year).

•Cost: Ticket + sightseeing ticket is about 190 yuan/person. Special groups such as the elderly over the age of 65 enjoy ticket discounts. The scenic area also provides limited self-driving access places, which need to be booked in advance.

​Traffic guide​

• •Arrival method: The most common way is to drive from Chengdu along National Highway 318 through Ya’an, Kangding, and Litang to Batang. The whole journey is about 700 kilometers and takes more than 12 hours. It is recommended to travel in two days. You can also take a bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Station to Batang County, and then charter or carpool to the scenic area.
• •Internal transportation: The distance from the gate of the scenic area to the core attractions is far (about 50 kilometers), and visitors need to transfer to a sightseeing bus. After arriving at Lake Tsopu, you can choose a battery car transfer at your own expense to Sister Lake.

(3) Safety protection: responding to geological and weather characteristics

️ Coping with geological and topographic characteristics

The altitude of the Tsuo Pugou Scenic Area ranges from 3,300 meters to more than 5,000 meters, and the altitude of the core tourist area is mostly above 4,000 meters. This kind of high-altitude environment is the primary safety consideration.

•Stay away from high-temperature geothermal areas: Tsuo Pugou has a large hot pit hot spring group, some springs have water temperatures as high as 90℃ or more, and there are even geysers. When visiting the hot pit hot spring area, be sure to follow the safety warnings, enjoy it on the planned viewing platform or plank road, and never try to cross the fence to approach the high-temperature spring or steam outlet to avoid burns.

•Prevention of altitude sickness: At the beginning of high altitude, you need to avoid strenuous exercise and slow down your movements to give your body enough time to adapt. Anti-hyperreflective drugs (such as Rhodiola rosea) and portable oxygen cylinders can be prepared in advance. Keep warm and prevent colds, because colds at high altitudes can increase the risk of altitude sickness.

•Carefully pass through complex terrain: the scenic area contains canyons, forests, waterfalls and other landforms. When hiking or walking along the lake, please be sure to follow the built plank road or designated route. Do not venture into undeveloped or dangerous areas, especially near cliffs, fast-flowing river banks and other places.

Fourth, the return trip

When the journey is nearing the end, when you return from Tsopugou, you can slowly drive out of this wonderland along National Highway 318.

1. On the way back, you can stop by Xinduqiao, the ‘Photographer’s Paradise”, where the intertwined light and shadow, Tibetan-style houses and winding rivers will bring your journey to a perfect end.

1. Sitting in the car on the return journey, the snow-capped mountains and grasslands passing by the window will remind you of the smart moment when groups of naked carp jumped out of the water when they “shouted for fish” on the shores of Lake Tsop.

2. And the wonderful experience of encountering marmots unexpectedly on the Zhangde Grassland

6. This memory, which combines shock and tranquility, will become an eternal plateau mark in your heart.