Major city · China
Haba
Spend 2–3 days for mountain trekking (base‑camp hike or Black Lake) or skip if only a quick pass‑through.
Haba is a high‑altitude Yunnan town (2,600 m) serving as a gateway to Haba Snow Mountain (5,396 m) and Black Lake. Most visitors need 2–3 days for acclimatization and a summit or lake trek; a single day is possible only for a quick village walk.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- May–June, September–October
- avoid July–August (rainy, higher avalanche risk)
- Airports
- DIG · LJG
- Nights
- 2–3
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Haba110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Haba, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyAltitude and limited English; bring cash, hire Mandarin‑speaking guide, and allow acclimatization days.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckDIG Diqing Shangri-La Airport (About 4 h by bus to Haba; check bus schedules.).
- Getting aroundWalking is the only reliable option; local auto (guest‑house arranged) for longer trips; guides required for mountain trails.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedTwin room, a night, per roomCN¥150 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedTwin room, a night, per roomCN¥200 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedTwin room, a night, per roomCN¥300 (≈ US$45)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥120 (≈ US$17) · Mid CN¥240 (≈ US$35) · High CN¥350 (≈ US$50)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DIG Diqing Shangri-La Airport (About 4 h by bus to Haba; check bus schedules.) · LJG Lijiang Sanyi Airport (About 3.5 h by bus to Haba; morning bus to Baishuitai, get off in Haba.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Haba: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking is the only reliable option; local auto (guest‑house arranged) for longer trips; guides required for mountain trails.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Haba Snow Mountain summit
goDoor to door: ≈8–12 h round‑trip from base camp
Guide hire ¥300 (≈ US$45)/day; rope/gear rental ¥200 (≈ US$30); start from base camp (¥150 (≈ US$25) night).
Acclimatize 1–2 days first; altitude risk high.
Black Lake
goDoor to door: 4 h round‑trip from base camp; 6–8 h from village
Guided walk ¥300 (≈ US$45)/day; optional mule ¥300 (≈ US$45)/day.
Good acclimatization day; May–June best.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Haba Snow Mountain Inn
¥80 twin (no bathroom) or ¥150 double/triple ensuite
Haba Hostel
¥100 twin with ensuite
On The Clouds Haba Guest House
¥168 double, ¥188 triple, ¥268 five‑person; meals ¥25–45
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥120–180 (≈ US$17–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥180–300 (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
- High
- ¥300 (≈ US$45)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dorm bed1 × 2 nights × CN¥120 | CN¥240 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 2 days × CN¥240 | CN¥480 |
| Guide (per day)1 × CN¥300 · check | CN¥300 |
| Equipment rental (ice axe, crampons, poles)1 × CN¥200 · check | CN¥200 |
| Bus from Shangri‑La1 × CN¥60 · check | CN¥60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥128 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥704 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,408≈ US$200 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights and long‑distance rail excluded.
Prices of common things
| Cash machine withdrawal (Chinese card) | ¥0 (≈ under US$1) fee |
| Guide hire | ¥300 (≈ US$45) per day |
| Ice axe / crampons / poles | ¥200 (≈ US$30) set |
| Base camp night (dorm) | ¥150 (≈ US$25) |
| Tent site | ¥50 (≈ US$7) + ¥200 (≈ US$30) admin |
| Meal at base camp | ¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cash machine only accepts Chinese cards; bring enough cash.
- Guides do not speak English; arrange Mandarin‑speaking guide in advance.
- Altitude: acclimatize before summit attempts; risk of altitude sickness.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
HabaHaba
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Kunming; check address before travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shangri‑La → Haba bus: ¥60 (≈ US$9), 4 h, dep 13:30¥60 (≈ US$9), 4 h, dep 1:30 PM
- Lijiang → Haba bus: ¥38 (≈ US$6), morning, arrive mid‑afternoon
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 会说英语吗？ — Do you speak English? (huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?)
- 公交站在哪里？ — Where is the bus stop? (gōngjiāo zhàn zài nǎlǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Haba. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–June, September–October · avoid July–August (rainy, higher avalanche risk) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Arrange guide and equipment in Haba Hostel or Snow Mountain Inn.
- Use local auto for transport to base camp or Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Sources
Ask about Haba
Loading…
Was this useful?