Haba

Haba is a small town in Yunnan, China, on the eastern route between Qiaotou and Shangrila.

Understand
Haba (哈巴), elevation 2,600 m, is a small town in Yunnan Province and is known for its snow mountain (glacier) and high mountain lakes, which can be reached within a two or three day trip. Since the first ascent of the mountain in 1995, the area has become a major mountaineering center, attractive to those seeking a relatively easy 5,000-meter peak. Several thousand attempt it every year.

There is one cash machine in Haba (Nov 2017) but it might take only Chinese cards, so make sure to bring enough cash with you! Small stores near town centre sell food, drink and basic necessities.

The village itself is home to 4,000+ residents encompassing various ethnic groups: Yi, Tibetan, Pumi, Naxi, Lisu, Hui, Han, Bai. The main road through town passes through the Naxi hamlet. Below that is the Han village while above are two Hui (Muslim) hamlets each with its own mosque. The highest hamlet in Haba is occupied by Yi.

Get in
From Shangri-la, there is a daily bus (4 hr, ¥60) at 13:30.

From Lijiang you can take a morning bus to Baishuitai and get off in Haba arriving mid-afternoon, ¥38.

From Walnut Garden in the Tiger Leaping Gorge, a minibus can be taken for around ¥150 arranged through guest house, 90 min. Alternatively, you can hike in 10 hr from Walnut Garden (a local guide might be needed), but be prepared for significant elevation gain (1,200 meters).

Get around
Options limited to walking or local auto arranged through guest house. Streets are unsigned so even walking around may require a guide.

Do

 * Hike Haba Snow Mountain - There are two primary hikes up Haba Mountain: to base camp and to the summit. Base camp sits at around 4,100 m and takes about 6 hr to hike to. The elevation at the summit is 5,396 m and takes 8-12 hours round trip from base camp, usually starting at 03:00. A local guide can be hired for ¥300 per day. Two-hundred guides are available for hire, an astonishing number for such a small village, however, none of them speak English (confirmed by Kunming Mountaineering Expedition Association, Dec 2017). Necessary equipment for the trek can all be rented. Ice axes, crampons and poles are a combined ¥200. Warm hat, gloves, coat and sunglasses are ¥50. Supplemental air can be purchased for ¥20 per canister but shouldn't be necessary for just the base camp trek. Spending the night at a dorm room at base camp costs ¥150, and there is a one-time administrative fee of ¥200 to pay for the caretaker. Tent sites nearby are ¥50 but you must still pay the administrative fee. Dinner at base is variable, ¥20–35. Most people attempt the summit in 2 to 5 days. Spending a day acclimatizing at Haba Village and/or base camp is suggested if you're not used to the altitude. There's an outfitting company, Haba Haosi Hostel (哈巴好四客栈), on the left just as you enter Haba village from the south with the following contact info: Phone: 139-8884-8381 or 186-0887-2938. They have dorm beds in back. Bao Xiao Ge (包小哥) has guided many parties, contact info below under On The Clouds Haba Guest House. Another experienced guide, Yang Xiangming (杨向明), was part of the team that made the first ascent in 1995, contact info under Haba Snow Mountain Inn below. If an English-speaking guide is required, check this website. Experienced and properly equipped mountaineers may dispense with guides. Camping and route information is available online. For guided parties the failure rate of those seeking to summit is 30-60%, mainly due to weather conditions, lack of acclimatization, or inadequate physical preparation.

Sleep
Haba has around twenty guest houses catering to the many visitors who come to climb the mountain. May be crowded during weekends and public holidays. Guest houses will make arrangements for guides, mules, equipment, etc.