Shika Snow Mountain

Shika Snow Mountain (石卡雪山) is located 10 kilometers west of Shangri-La City (香格里拉市). The peak, elevation 4,449 meters, has seen heavy use by tourists taking the cable car nearly to the summit. From the upper station, the hike and scramble to the top takes 20 minutes. The cable car closed in 2023 with no word on reopening

As the most accessible 4,000-meter peak in close proximity to Shangri-La, Shika Snow Mountain offers worthwhile hiking opportunities. The Base to Summit Route (从山脚到山顶路线) is shortest to the top and makes an enjoyable day hike. Combine with the Back Side Route (背面路线) to circle the entire mountain. The latter traverses high altitude meadows grazed by herds of yaks. Wooden huts, little used by yak herders these days, dot the terrain and appear on their way to collapse. The East Side Route (东边路线) crosses the foothills rising out of the plains around Shangri-La.

Despite the name, permanent year-round snow is no longer present on the mountain. Natural features span the range of mountain topography: canyon, lake, forest, and alpine terrain with awesome views. The marks of man and his works remain evident: remote huts, an extensive boardwalk system, Tibetan stone monuments, and of course the cable car. Riders on the cable car may see much, but hikers more, for they have the opportunity to explore the entire mountain, to experience its hidden corners.

Springtime ushers in the greening of meadows and forest beneath the snow-capped peak. Flowers such as Rhododendron and Azalea bloom from Spring into Summer. The Autumn chill turns meadows brown, larch trees yellow. Meanwhile the grassland plains around Napa Lake (纳帕海) take on a reddish tint. Snow covers the mountain in winter. The months of October-April are best for excellent views and crystal clear blue skies.

Views from the summit area are superb. On clear days you can see Meili Xue Shan (梅里雪山) to the northwest, 6,740 meters and the highest peak on the Yunnan-Tibet border. Other distant peaks include snowy fangs to the northeast which lie in Yading (亚丁) Nature Reserve of Sichuan Province. The twin brother snow peaks of Haba (哈巴雪山) and Jade Dragon (玉龙雪山) appear on the southeastern horizon.

With luck you may catch sight of a bird known locally as “Red Foot Chicken” (红脚鸡). The species, whose English name is Blood Pheasant, may be seen traveling along the ground in family groups.

Lingxi Lake (灵犀湖) is a lovely alpine tarn in wild surroundings located 1½ km southwest of the summit. Situated near treeline at 4,070 meters, it is the only sizable body of water on the mountain. The lake may be visited as a day hike.

For a time, the cable car company promoted Lingxi Lake as a destination for motorcycles and four-wheelers. These forms of recreation fell out of favor, perhaps because of environmental degradation. More recently, company employees discouraged visits to the lake. The reasons varied and included a warning about wild animals. Bear are indeed seen on rare occasions, but a more likely reason for their concern was tourists getting lost or injured in the backcountry.

The Lingxi Lake Boardwalk (灵犀湖栈道), 2½ kilometers in length, was built around the same time as the cable car in 2006. The idea was for tourists to ride the gondola up to the summit and walk the “plank road” (栈道) down to the picturesque lake, a one hour trip. After exploring the area they would have a choice on how to proceed: (a) walk 7 km down to the middle station, or (b) retrace the boardwalk back up to the top station. Either way they would ride the cable car down, or at least a portion of it.

That was then. Today, the boardwalk, while in good physical condition, sits abandoned except for occasional excursions by trekkers. The cable car company discouraged use of the boardwalk, and tourists generally confined themselves to short strolls along the summit crest.

The cable car system consists of three stations: base station at 3,430 meters, middle at 3,750 and top station 3,990. The middle served as a transfer station. When the cable car was running one could use it—up or down, wholly or in part—to organize a hiking itinerary. But some cable car employees discouraged hiking. The message varied: no hiking allowed, allowed for a fee, wild animals, and etc. Moral: mum’s the word to avoid unpleasant situations.

The principal hiking routes start at the cable car base station. To get there from from the city of Shangri-La (香格里拉), start at the gigantic Bhuddist baita (white tower) south of the city. Drive north on West Inner Ring Road (西内环路), which parallels highway G214. About 3 km north of the airport entrance turn left onto Shika Road (石卡路). Drive west 6 km to the end of the road. Park at the base station parking lot, or, if the cable car facility is closed, near the gate before reaching the station. Those without cars can make transport arrangements through local guest houses.

Images YCIIHG: Yunnan Cultural Industry Investment Holding Group