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Mugecuo in Sichuan Province offers nature's refinements in wild setting One experienced traveller said the real traveller is the one who explores isolated and wild places alone. But how many people will have the courage to tour alone in the wild? Here is a destination that can help you realize your dream to become "real traveller" without suffering danger and loneliness. This time, you will go to Mugecuo (pinyin spelling) in Southwest China's Sichuan Province. Located in the 3,700-metre-high mountains in the Kangding area, Mugecuo is a newly developed scenic location with 350 square kilometres of verdant mountains, lakes, grassland, thermal springs and snow-covered peaks. Tourists once had to climb slopes too steep even for horses in order to enjoy the lake. Now, a road makes the climb easier, but if it is raining or snowing, you still need some luck getting there. Driving along the winding road, the first scenic spot is Qise Hai (Seven Colours Lake), which contains thermal water from the underground springs and icy water from the melting snow. The Qise Hai is surrounded by flourishing forest. Visitors in winter will find silence and tranquillity. In summer, the area seems full of energy, with birds singing, flowers blooming and trees reflected in the beautiful water of the lake. If there are too many tourists for your taste, a short walk through the forest to the southeast will bring you to a small lake named Qing Hai (Love Sea). Though it is very small, it is quiet and charming, most suitable for lovers. Driving onto the mountain from Qise Hai, visitors will see Fei Quan (Boiling Pool), a group of natural hot springs. The temperature of the water in these pools is as high as 90 degrees centigrade. The water contains several trace elements that are known to be beneficial to health. If legend is to be believed, each different pool soothes a different problem, including eyesight, stomach and rheumatism. If you sit in the pool for just a little while, your feet will be warm for the whole day. If you hold a few eggs under the warm water while you sit, you will soon have a nice cooked lunch. A long climb will take you to Yeren Hai (Wild Man Sea). Located high up in the mountain, the lake filled with melted snow from the mountain is almost too blue and clear for people from the city to believe. The azaleas that grow around the lake bloom only every two years, and locals say they will this year. In June, the lake will be surrounded by a riot of colour. Travel tips * Tour season: Because of complicated topography, the climate varies according to altitude and season. Generally speaking, May and June are the best months to tour when the temperature won't be too low and there is less rain. * Getting there: First take a train or plane from Shanghai to Chengdu in Sichuan Province, then take a long-distance bus from Xin Nanmen Bus Station to Kangding. The bus starts at 6:00am and 4:00pm and takes eight hours to Kangding. Then you must rent a car to take you onto the mountain. * Hotel: Hotels in Kangding can accommodate about 1,500 people. The best hotels are Jiaotong Hotel and Kangding Hotel with prices per person ranging from 50 to 300 yuan ($6 to $36). * Other scenic spots: If you have enough time, there are other good places in Kangding area to visit such as Luding County featuring its bridges, Tagong Grassland and Paomashan Mountain in Kangding City. (China Daily 05/31/2001)