Hailuogou Glacier Park

Located in Moxi Town, Luding County, Sichuan Province, Hailuogou Glacier Park is lying at the east of Mount Gongga, 296km away from Chengdu. Hailuogou is known for the modern glaciers at low altitudes. The huge ice caves, the steep ice bridges, the white and clear modern glaciers pouring down from the high valleys make Hailuogou a mysterious crystal palace. In particular, there is an unparalleled glacier fall which is more than 1000m high and about 1100m wide. It is about 10 times bigger than the well-known Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou Province.

In Hailuogou, there are also some mineral springs with large flow, large areas of forests, high glacier peaks and rare animals and plants.

Highlights in Hailuogou

Snow Mountains

Hailuogou is at the foot of mountains, surrounded by dozens of peaks higher than 6000m. The peaks are covered with snow all year round. When the sun rise or set, the brilliant golden sunshine lights on the white peaks. The snow peaks shine magnificently. The stunning scenery is called “Rizhaojinshan”. The best place to see “Rizhaojinshan” is at the Base Camp No.3.

Mount Gongga at Sunset

Glaciers

Most glaciers in the world are at high altitude. But, in Hailuogou, you can also see glaciers pouring down from the steep canyon at low altitude. Hailuogou possesses the unparalleled Great Glacier Fall with the height of more than 1000m and the width of about 1100m. The glaciers are with various types, such as the ice lake, the ice tower, the ice bridge, the ice cave, the ice palace, etc. The glaciers are mainly distributed in Base Camp No.3 and Base Camp No.4. When you are touring the glaciers on the cableway, you will be astonished by such spectacular sightseeing.

The Great Glacier Fall

Primeval Forests

The primeval forest in Hailuogou covers 70 square kilometers. The altitude difference of the forest is up to 6000m. So, the forest consists of different climatic zones and vegetation zones. Walk along the winding mountain road and you will pass through palm trees, lush bamboos, towering old trees and large tracts of colorful wild flowers. The forest is very attractive and mysterious.

Hot Springs

Hailuogou has rich hot spring resources. Opposite to sown mountain and glaciers, the hot spring in Hailuogou can bring warm to you every season. Base Camp No.2 is a world of hot springs. Cottages and spa pools are dotted in the forests. It is really special to enjoy the hot spring with snow mountains and glaciers around you.

Spa Pools at Hailuogou

Best Time to Hailuogou

Since Hailuogou is famous for its snowy scenery and spectacular glaciers, the best time to visit Hailuogou is in winter (from November to April of the next year). After snowing, it is often sunny and the air is fresher. You can see the white glaciers and peaks clearly. From July to August, it is the rainy season. Considering your safety, it is not recommended to go to Hailuogou in rainy season.

The best time to enjoy the hot springs is from November to the next February. It is such a romantic and memorable experience to watch the sown falling down when you are lying in the hot spring.

Hailuogou in Winter

Autumn is also good for touring Hailuogou. The primeval forest turns red and golden. The sky is clear and blue. The glaciers represent as the temperature drops. The scenery of Hailuogou in autumn is also very beautiful.

Transportation

Chengdu to Hailuogou

Chengdu to Hailuogou Map

You can go to Hailuogou from Chengdu by a public bus or by a chartered car.

By bus

1.Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station- Hailuogou
The bus from Chengdu to Hailuogou departures at Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station every day. It will take about 5 hours to arrive in Hailuogou. The ticket fee is about 110RMB per person.

2.Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station- Luding- Hailuogou
You can take a bus which is from Chengdu to Kangding and get off at Luding. The ticket fee is about 120RMB per person. Then you can hire a car or take a public bus from Luding to Hailuogou.

By car

1.Chengdu- Ya’an- Shimian- Hailuogou
The road condition of this route is good. The way from Chengdu to Shimian is freeway with beautiful scenery. The whole distance is 368km which will takes about 6 hours.

2.Chengdu- Ya’an- Erlangshan- Hailuogou
Get on to the Cheng-Ya freeway at Chengdu. When you arrive in Ya’an, you keep going on the 211 provincial highway. After climbing over Erliangshan mountain, you will arrive in Hailuogou. The whole distance is about 300km, taking 6 hours. Although this route is short, the road to climb over Erlongshan is not as good as the first route.

3.Chengdu- Dujiangyan- Wolong- Xiaojin- Danba- Luding- Hailuogou
This route is tail-made for touring. If you go with this route, you can first tour Mount Siguniangshan and Danba. Then go to Hailuogou via Bamei,Tagong and Xinduqiao. The landscape and scenic spots along this route are extremely marvelous and stunning. It needs about 2 days to arrive in Hailuogou.

Luding to Hailuogou

There are not only regular buses but also chartered vans from Luding to Hailuogou every day. The ticket price is about 25RMB/Person. The whole distance is about 50KM, taking about 1.5 hours.

Transportation in Hailuogou Scenic Area

Hailuogou Scenic Area is divided into four main parts. They are called Base Camp NO.1, Base Camp NO.2, Base Camp NO.3 and Base Camp NO.4. From Base Camp NO.1 to Base Camp NO.3, you can take a sightseeing bus. From Base Camp NO.3 to Base Camp NO.4, you can take a cableway to get to the top of the grand ice waterfall. In addition to taking a bus or cableway, you can also choose to tour by foot. You can enjoy the primeval forests and beautiful scenery along the pathway.

The distance between each base camp:
Base Camp NO.1 (1940m) - 8km- Base Camp NO.2 (2660m)-7.5km- Base Camp NO.3 (2980m) -3.5km – Cableway Station - Base Camp NO.4 (3600m)

Hailuogou Cableway

Accommodation

You can choose to stay over in Moxi Ancient Town or in the scenic area .

In Moxi Ancient Town

Moxi Ancient Town is very near to the entrance of Hailuogou Scenic Area. It is also a well-known tea-house road ancient town which has well-preserved old streets. Most of tourists choose to stay over at Moxi Ancient Town for there are various kinds of hotels and hostels available with lower price.

Recommended hotels in Moxi Ancient Town: Glacier Hotel (Four Star), Changzheng Grand Hotel. Mingzhu Garden Hotel, Gongga Hotel.

In Scenic Area

You can also choose to stay over inside Hailuogou Scenic Area. Many great spa hotels are available in Base Camp No.1 and Base Camp No.2. The hotels in Base Camp No.3 is the best to view sunset lighting on the mountain peaks.

Recommended hotels in Base Camp No.1: Hailuogou Xueyu Resort & Spa, Gongga Shengtang International Wellness Center.

Recommended hotels in Base Camp No.2:Hailuogou Glacier Resort & Spa

Recommended hotels in Base Camp No.3: Yinshan Grand Hotel

Ticket Fees

Hailuogou Entrance Fee: 92RMB/Peron
Sightseeing Bus Fee: 70RMB/Person (round-trip)
Hailuogou Cableway Fee: 150RMB/Person (round-trip)

Tips

1. Hailuogou is in high altitude region and high altitude sickness occurs possibly. You’d better do not do excessive exercise and do not drink alcohol. Eat more vegetables and fruits. Take anti-high altitude sickness medicine and some commonly used drugs with you.
2.Take sunglasses and sunscreen products to protect you from the strong sunshine and strong ultraviolet radiation.
3. The temperature difference is big between day and night. Take thick clothes to keep warm.
4. Fire prohibited in scenic area.