Mazongling Mountain Peak in Luquan County, Kunming
Mazongling (马鬃岭) rises to an elevation of 4,247 meters, located approximately 190 kilometers from Kunming (昆明). Nestled between Xueling (雪岭) at 4,344 meters and Jiaozi Snow Mountain (轿子雪山) at 4,223 meters, the mountain range resembles the mane of a horse when viewed from a distance. The difficulty of the ascent lies in navigating the broken rocky paths with steep elevation gains and losses, culminating in the narrow knife-edge ridge at the summit. Located on the southeast slope of Jiaozi Snow Mountain, Chanfang Village (炭房村) in Hongtudi Town (红土地镇) in Dongchuan District (东川区) is home to three peaks exceeding 4,000 meters: the renowned “First Peak of Central Yunnan” and “Roof of Kunming,” Xueling, rising at 4,344 meters, Jiaozi Snow Mountain at 4,223.4 meters, and Mazongling at 4,100 meters. These three high mountains attract thousands of adventurers every year.
Additionally, Chanfang Village features stunning scenery, including thousands of acres of rhododendrons and grasslands. In May, the massive trees of rhododendron bloom in a spectacular display, captivating visitors.
Route Overview
The route to Mazongling is divided into several segments:
- Through the Pine Forest: Pass through lush pine trees.
- Across Alpine Meadows: Walk through vibrant mountain meadows.
- Over Rhododendron Blooms: Enjoy the scenic beauty of blooming rhododendrons.
- Climbing Steep Cliffs: Ascend challenging cliff walls.
- Traversing Knife-Edge Ridges: Navigate narrow ridges with steep drops on either side.
Summit Motivation
“The journey of climbing always holds more significance than mere longing!”
We are a group of outdoor enthusiasts. If you’re unsure where to go on weekends and holidays, join us as we venture into the mountains!
Details about Mazongling
- Mazongling (马鬃岭) stands at an altitude of 4,247 meters, making it the highest peak in Luquan County (禄劝县) and the second-highest peak in the Kunming region (昆明地区). It is one of the three main peaks in the Gongwang Mountain Range (拱王山系). The continuous ridges resemble a horse’s mane, hence its name. In addition to the beauty of Emei (峨眉) and the perilousness of Huashan (华山), it features unique natural landscapes, including three alpine lakes of varying sizes and alpine meadows that enhance its charm. The majestic and perilous terrain of Mazongling, with its towering peaks, is known as the “Absolute Ridge of Central Yunnan” (滇中绝岭).
Hiking Highlights
- Height: Mazongling stands at 4,247 meters, making it the true highest peak of Luquan County and marking the “Roof of Kunming” before reaching Dongchuan.
- Varied Terrain: The area includes mountains, steep ridges, canyons, streams, and meadows, all converging to create a wild, diverse, and secretive destination that adds mystery to Mazongling.
- Mountain Formations: The continuous ridges resemble a horse’s mane, especially the section near the main peak, which is particularly steep, leading to the name Mazongling.
Hiking Guide
- Navigation Location: New Chanfang Village (新炭房村)
- Accommodation: We recommend Xueling Inn (雪岭客栈), the best inn in the surrounding area.
- Climbing Route: A single ascent of over 8 kilometers with an elevation gain of 1,500 meters for a round trip.
Important Notes
- As one of the most challenging climbs near Kunming, it’s best for climbers to go in groups to avoid getting lost when descending at dusk.
- Climbers should arrive at the inn a day in advance, planning to start climbing at 7 AM the next day. Departing in the morning could mean climbing in darkness if one is not careful.
- It’s crucial to assess your physical condition before attempting the climb; beginners should train more before taking on this challenge.
- It is possible to ride horses to the base camp, reducing the difficulty of the last 3 kilometers to the summit. Local horsemen can be hired for around 200 RMB per horse, taking you to the base camp and back.
- Fire is prohibited on the mountain, smoking is not allowed in the mountainous areas, and please take your trash with you, adhering to the Leave No Trace (LNT) principles.
Hiking Travelogue
Hiking the Two High Peaks of Central Yunnan — Xueling and Mazongling
Colorful Yunnan is adorned with diverse landscapes, all shining brilliantly. The red land of Dongchuan (东川红土地) perfectly presents the harmonious relationship between humans and nature, while the peaks of Xueling and Mazongling seem like the celestial brushstrokes of the divine. The red land and the peaks of Xueling and Mazongling, ranked among the “Ten Peaks of Kunming,” showcase both brilliance and grandeur, captivating visitors and becoming representative “divine paintings” of Yunnan. The red land, hailed as “God’s Palette,” displays vibrant colors. Xueling and Mazongling dominate the Yunnan landscape with their high altitudes, revealing a beautiful symphony of “sunset rays on snowy peaks” in the winter.
Huoshiliangzi (火石梁子) is the highest peak of the Gongwang Mountain Range (拱王山系), towering at 4,344 meters, and stands aloof among the surrounding peaks, gazing down at the shifting clouds. Every winter, as the sunset casts its fiery glow, the crimson light dances upon the icy, snow-covered peaks. In an instant, red clouds blanket the sky, and the flames tint the snowy summits. The proud Xueling and the passionate sunset perform a breathtaking “Ice and Fire Love Story.”
As autumn deepens and the fields turn golden, why not embark on a “Red Land Appointment” to explore the “Ice and Fire Mystique” of the snow peaks?
In recent years, due to pandemic restrictions, many have chosen not to travel far during holidays, preferring to explore nearby attractions. This led to a trip to Xueling during the National Day holiday.
Xueling, the highest peak in the Kunming region, is located 260 kilometers from Kunming City. It lies east of the Pudu River (普渡河), south of the Jinsha River (金沙江), west of the Xiaojiang Fault (小江断裂), and north of the Liangwang Mountain (梁王山), covering a total area of 4,500 km². Administratively, it falls under Dongchuan District, Xundian County (寻甸县), and Luquan County. Xueling boasts 39 peaks exceeding 4,000 meters, with the main peak, Gongwang Mountain Huoshiliangzi, standing at 4,344 meters, showcasing remarkable geological landscapes that capture our attention.
At 6 AM, we gathered for breakfast, bringing fragrant fried rice along for the journey. In outdoor settings, it’s essential to carry your own lunch, and enjoying warm fried rice with delicious pickles alongside hot tea is indeed a joy. The elevation gains were steep, leaving little room to catch our breath, and there were moments of doubt about continuing. However, by around 10:30 AM, we reached the base camp at an altitude of 3,800 meters, only to later learn that this was relatively fast.
The next two kilometers comprised a rocky path, where every few steps required deep breaths, making me question my choices.
As we neared the summit, the first group had already started descending.
Zhang Jie (张姐), a key member of the first team, continued to push forward.
Should we continue climbing or turn back? At this moment, my mind was filled with thoughts of surrender and struggle. Ultimately, the encouragement of my companions allowed me to overcome my difficulties. After five hours of effort, I stood atop the highest peak in Central Yunnan, Xueling Huofeng (雪岭火峰), at 4,344 meters.
“The infinite scenery lies at perilous peaks” is perfectly applicable here.
The ascent may be easier than the descent, especially for those unaccustomed to rocky paths. Cries of surprise accompanied by laughter echoed throughout our descent.
After a grueling 12-hour trek, we successfully made it to the mountain’s foot, concluding our journey to Xueling Huofeng. Everyone exclaimed how thrilling the experience was and immediately began planning the next climb. We unanimously decided on the next target, the second-highest peak in Central Yunnan, Mazongling, leading to our planned ascent on the 23rd.
Located in Wumeng Township (乌蒙乡) of Luquan County, Kunming, Mazongling is the second-highest peak in the Gongwang Mountain Range, at 4,247 meters—100 meters lower than Xueling and 20 meters higher than Jiaozi Snow Mountain. With clear streams and ponds, the scenery here is particularly stunning. Xueling, Mazongling, and Jiaozi Snow Mountain are close to each other, accessible by foot from Chanfang Village.
A few days before our departure on the 22nd, the weather in Kunming had been consistently rainy. With a sudden drop in temperature on Friday, everyone was cautious. However, the forecast predicted a transition from cloudy to sunny weather, providing us with a glimmer of hope.
With the weather as our companion, we embarked on a journey filled with anticipation, excited to explore the peaks of Central Yunnan. The majestic mountains awaited us!
