Hailuogou Glacier cascading from Mount Gongga

Photo: Chinese Mountains

Hailuogou Glacier Park

Hai Luo Gou

Walk on a glacier at 2,850m, then soak in hot springs beneath Mount Gongga

Elevation 2,850m
Province Sichuan
Difficulty Easy
Best Season October, November, December, January, February
Duration 1-2 days
Scenery 4.5/5 Hiking 4/5

About Hailuogou Glacier Park

Hailuogou is the easiest place in China to walk on a glacier. A cable car lifts visitors from forested valley to 3,600m, where the glacier flows from Mount Gongga 7,556m summit. The valley transitions from subtropical forest to ice within a single day. Natural hot springs heated by the same geothermal activity offer soaking pools with snow peak views.

Mountain Facts

Geology
Glacial valley
Protected Area
906 km2
Nearest City
Moxi
Entry Ticket
CNY 90
UNESCO Status
Not designated
Our Ratings
Scenery 4.5/5 · Hiking 4/5 · Culture 3/5 · Access 3/5

Cultural Significance

One of the lowest-elevation accessible glaciers in the world, descending to 2,850m beneath Mount Gongga.

Highlights

  • • Cable car over the glacier
  • • Ice tongue at 2,850m
  • • Four Camp stations
  • • Natural hot spring pools
  • • Rhododendron blooms April-May

When to Go

October-February: Best glacier views with clear skies. Hot springs at their best in cold weather. Summer brings rain obscuring the peak. Spring offers rhododendron blooms.

How to Get There

By Air: Fly to Chengdu, then continue overland (no closer airport exists). By Road: From Chengdu, buses to Moxi Town (base of Hailuogou) depart from Xinnanmen Station and take 6-7 hours (CNY 120-150); the new Ya'an-Kangding expressway plus the Luding-Moxi road cuts a private-car journey to about 5 hours. From Kangding, Moxi is 2 hours via the Luding junction. Getting Up: From Moxi (1,600m), park shuttle buses (CNY 90 round trip) climb the mountain road to Camp 3 (2,940m) in about 40 minutes, with dramatic views of the glacier tongue. The cable car (CNY 150 round trip) rises from Camp 3 to the Glacier Platform at 3,600m in 18 minutes, where boardwalks reach the glacier observation points. Entry Fee: CNY 90 (park) plus shuttle and cable car. The glacier terminus currently sits around 2,850m. Hailuogou pairs naturally with Gongga viewing or a night at the Moxi hot springs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk on the glacier? +
Yes. From Camp 3 a trail leads to the glacier surface at 2,850m. Guided walks with crampons available. Sturdy boots essential.
Are the hot springs natural? +
Yes, geothermally heated. Multiple outdoor pools at 38-42 C with mountain views. Night soaking with stars and snow peaks is the signature experience.
What is the best time to visit Hailuogou? +
October to February offers the clearest glacier views and the best hot-spring weather; the cable car runs year-round unless heavy snow closes it. Spring (April-May) brings rhododendron blooms on the slopes. June-September is monsoon season — the peak is often hidden, though the glacier itself remains impressive in the rain.
Is Hailuogou the same as Mount Gongga? +
Not exactly — Hailuogou is the glacier park on the eastern flank of Mount Gongga (7,556m). It is the most accessible way to experience Gongga's scale without trekking: the cable car puts you at 3,600m facing the mountain's east face and one of the lowest glaciers in Asia.
How difficult is the visit? +
Easy — shuttle buses and the cable car do the work, leaving short boardwalks at the glacier platform. Suitable for all ages. The only considerations are altitude (up to 3,600m — go slowly) and weather (the platform is 15 C colder than Moxi). Walking on the glacier itself requires a guide and proper boots.

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