The Two Sapphire Gems of Western Sichuan - Sister Lakes

The Sister Lakes are located on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway 318, at an altitude of about 4685 meters, situated between Litang and Batang, belonging to Batang County of Ganzi Prefecture. On the thousand-mile Sichuan-Tibet route, the Haizi Mountain Sister Lakes are an important geographical landmark, historically a major Han-Tibetan thoroughfare. The Sister Lakes are right beside the highway, and traveling along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway 318 means passing right by them. Heading west along the G318 National Highway, after crossing a pass in the middle of the Shaluli Mountain Range and turning a corner, one can behold a breathtaking view. In the distance, where the National Highway 318 stretches, two serene and crystal-clear alpine lakes nestle closely together*, lying quietly at the foot of Haizi Mountain, connected yet distinct, hence also known as the 'Spectacle Lake'. On a clear day, due to the high altitude, the temperature is also low, only around 5 or 6 degrees Celsius, with strong winds, it is still quite cold. The Sister Lakes are one of the larger ancient glacial relics on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known to the world as the 'Daocheng Ancient Ice Cap'. If one wishes to see the scenery of the Sister Lakes while visiting Daocheng Yading, they can drive more than 100 kilometers west from Litang County along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway 318. The best viewing point for the Sister Lakes is on the viewing platform along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway 318. Not only can one take in the full view of the Sister Lakes, but also the pure pastoral scenery beside them. There is no admission fee for the Sister Lakes, and many tourists stop here. The two lakes, like sisters, are closely connected, with emerald green waters and a mirror-like surface. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the reflection of Haizi Mountain in the lakes is incredibly beautiful. From a distance, the lakes, reflected by the azure sky and brilliant sunshine, shimmer and shine, resembling two green gems dropped from heaven. They also look like two crystal-clear teardrops from a fairy, nestled in the embrace of snowy peaks, pure and tranquil, as immaculate as a goddess. The best spots for photographing the Sister Lakes are the roadside viewing platforms, with the best times being early morning and evening, as the sidelight during these times gives the mountains on both sides more depth and enhances the three-dimensionality of the image. The higher one climbs up the mountain next to the viewing platform, the rounder the 'eyes' captured in the photo. Under different light and shadows, the Sister Lakes present various enchanting colors. In summer, when the snow melts or after heavy rain, the water levels of the two lakes increase, and sometimes they even connect, at which time a bit of charm is lost. ⚠️Warm Tips: 📍Location: Direct navigation to Sister Lakes, located between Batang and Litang, Haizi Mountain Nature Reserve. 🎫Ticket Information: Free. ❤️Tips: You can rent a Tibetan outfit in Litang and drive here to take photos. (🅿️There is a free parking lot here). The road from the viewing platform to the lakeside is rough, so be careful; from the lakeside, you can look at the snow mountains on the opposite side and also build a Mani stone pile for blessings. The altitude here is around 4500 meters, be aware of the risk of altitude sickness.