Things to see

“Never before had I seen so glorious a landscape, so boundless an affluence of sublime mountain beauty.”
“Thousands of years have they stood in the sky exposed to rain, snow, frost, earthquake and avalance, yet they still wear the bloom of youth”

-- John Muir.

1. Chenresig (or Chenrezig, Shenrezig, Chenrezi, Xiannairi).
2. Jampelyang (or Jambeyang, Yangmaiyong).
3. Chanadorje (or Xiaruoduoji).

All together, they were ranked as the eleventh most sacred mountains in Tibetan Buddhism.
"The three peaks were blessed in the 8th century, when Buddha Padmasambhava shed his divine light on the range, and named the three elevations after three bodhisattvas. The 5,958-meter-high southern peak, Jambeyang (or Yangmaiyong in Mandarin), represents Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, while the eastern peak Chanadorje (Xiaruoduoji), of the same height, stands for Vajrapani, the Bodhisattva of Wrath. As the tallest of the soaring trio, the 6,032-meter-high north peak, Shenrezig (Xiannairi), represents Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron-saint of Tibet. " .. more at www.china.org.cn

1. Five-color Lake (五色海): It lies beneath the sheer precipice walls of Chenresig's stunning south face. The lake changes its color amazingly from green, bright blue to deep ocean blue upon light conditions.

2. Milk Lake (牛奶海): A glacier-fed lake. Glacier running off from Jampelyang gives the water its striking bright green color. The best view can be gained if you follow the main trail along the north shore of the lake and climb up to the col in the west. (see photo)

Location: Both Milk Lake and Five-color Lake are situated at the saddle between Jampelyang and the south face of Chenresig, with Chanadorje standing at the east range. It is the second place to admire all of three sacred peaks. Although the view of Jampelyang is less impressive than that of in Luorong Pasture, both lakes offer breathtaking views of Chanadorje and Chenresig.
It takes three hours to hike from Luorong Pasture to Milk Lake. Five-color Lake is hidden behind a steep slope, 150m higher than Milk Lake beneath Chenresig's south face. Count 30 minutes to reach it from Milk Lake. No clear trails. Follow the direction of Tibetan praying flags hanging above the slope.

Altitude: The map published by local tourist bureau mentioned the altitude of Five-color Lake as 4800M and that of Milk Lake as 4400M. However Milk Lake is more likely situated at an elevation of 4600M.

Access: See Kora.

3. Pearl Lake (Zhenzhuihai): 4000M. It is hidden in the beautiful upper valley of Chenresig's north face, accessed by an easy 45-minute walk from Chonggu Lodge.

Chonggu Si (冲古寺 Chonggu Monastery): 3880M
A small monastery built in Yuan Dynasty, more than 700 years ago, offers a spectacular view of Chenresig's north face. The Chonggu Lodge is operated by the monks from the monastery. Access: See Kora.

Luorong Pasture (洛绒牛场): 4180M
A paved trail leads to Luorong Pasture, 12 km from the entrance, an easy three-hour trek. The difference in height is less than 300 meters. Luorong Pasture is situated in an enchanting valley between the east face of Chenresig and the west face of Chanadorje. Jampelyang, 'a truncated pyramid' claimed by Joseph Rock, rises almost 2000 meters at the upper end of the valley. It is the first place in the reserve where three sacred peaks can be seen.

“Various green shades of the trees contrast marvelously and are enhanced by long streamers of pale-yellow lichens which festoon every branch. The clear atmosphere and the many varicolored rhododendrons, with their undergrowth of primulas and peonies, from indeed a garden fit for gods.” -- Joseph Rock. «Konka Risumgongba, Holy Mountain of the Outlaws»