Haba Snow Mountain Culture

Haba Snow Mountain Culture includes the information of Ethnic Minorities, Ethnic Cuisine, Religions, Festivals, and the Climbing History. The people living in the region are Naxi and Tibetan ethnic groups, who can be found in Lijiang and Shangri-La.

The Climbing History of Haba Snow Mountain

Before February in 1995, Haba Snow Mountain is unknown. Since 1995, there were 200 more people reached the summit of Haba Snow Mountain successfully.

  • In April 1995, Li Shunyou, the villager of Haba Village, Diqing Prefecture, completed the first climbing by himself.
  • October in 1995, under the leading of Yunnan adventure travel agency Jin Feibiao, 4 people have climbed to the summit of Haba Snow Mountain and the route is the traditional route from northwest slope.
  •  In 1996—1998, Yunnan Adventure Travel Agency has organized 8 times business climbing, and 21 people have reached the summit of Haba Snow Mountain
  • In October 1999, outdoor climbing team of Meili reached the summit. Among them, 8 people reached the summit of Haba Snow Mountain. The climbing route is the northwest side of north slope for the first time.
  • In February 2001, Kunming Jungle Bird Club formed a team and 6 people reached the summit of Haba Snow Mountain this time.
  • In October 2002, Kunming Mountaineering Association formed a team and 4 people reached the summit of Haba Snow Mountain. The same month, 8 people of Guizhou Youth Climbing team reached the summit of Haba Snow Mountain. In February 2003, under the leading of Vanke Group Chairman Wan Shi, 7 people reached the summit.
  • In May of 2003, Kunming Shanye Travel Agency formed a team to reach the summit of Haba Snow Mountain.

Ethnic Groups Around Haba Snow Mountain

Sanba Township is an interesting place beneath the Haba Snow Mountain. The local minorities include Naxi, Hui (Muslim) and Yi people, as well as a few Tibetans. It is primarily of interest to hikers and those who enjoy exploring remote and more traditional villages. The town along the road is inhabited by a small number of Han people plus a mix of local minorities, the area above the road towards the mountain is home to two Hui (Muslim) villages, each of which with its own mosque. Further up the mountain is a Yi village. Further down the valley, beneath the road is a lush agricultural area inhabited by Naxi people. San Duo is the patron saint of the Naxi Group, so each year the local Naxi people will get together to hold a worshiping celebration on 8th February of the Chinese lunar calendar. It is considered to be the most important annual event for the Naxi Group.

At the foot of Haba Snow Mountain, there are some ethnic minorities, such as Tibetan, Yi and Naxi. There are many ethnic minority villages with unique characteristics. They have lived and prospered here for generations. There are seven or eight traditional ethnic villages in this township, not far away from the Haba Mountain. Although the residents here are Naxi people, in addition to living in the wooden raft, the customs of life does not have much difference with the Tibetans. There are two or three Hui villages near the Haba Snow Mountain. Due to its special geographical location and special natural environment, it has preserved the simple people's feelings. The clear river, the chic small wooden shed, surrounded by lush virgin forest, even if it has reached the foot of Haba Snow Mountain, the main peak is often still surrounded by clouds, and it is not willing to let people admire. The snow-white Haba is like a saint. It seems that no matter where you go, there is a pair of cold and pure eyes watching you, the homage and fear are generated from the bottom of the heart.

Religion Culture

The main ethnic groups in Haba Snow Mountain are the Naxi people and Tibetan people. The religion of Tibetan is also dominated by Tibetan Buddhism. The Naxi people has their own original religious Dongba religion.

Cuisine Culture

Most of the guesthouses in Haba Village provide local food for backpackers. Besides, You can take some food at only the Guesthouse around the Base Camp (4,200m). Please note it provides Muslim food without pork. Other than the impressive range of locally gathered wild mushrooms, there is a definite shortage of culinary variety in this town. The staple food is often baba or flatbread rather than rice, and you may be offered Tibetan-style buttered tea, which is an acquired taste by all tourists. The saving grace is that all food available is locally produced and is completely free of agricultural chemicals.

Ethnic Festivals in Haba Snow Mountain

The festivals and activities introduces the main festivals of Naxi people and the main activities in Haba Snow Mountain including the climbing and fair. Haba Snow Mountain stands by the Jinsha River, 120 km southeast of Shangri-La City, with its main peak of 5,396 meters. The attraction of the Sanba Tourist Area is attributed to the towering peaks of the Haba Snow Mountain and its alpine moraine lake, endless tracks of azalea flowers and cluster of waterfalls cascading down snow-covered cliffs. The glacier on the Haba Snow Mountain is the southmost glacier in China.

Haba Village is located at the foot of the west side of Haba Snow Mountain. It is a village dominated by the Naxi people. It closely links the climbers with the Haba Snow Mountain. It is a “Shamuini Town” where hikers gather. Haba Village belongs to Sanba Township, Shangri-La City. Hence, the festivals in Haba Snow Mountain are the festivals of Naxi people.

Festivals of Naxi People