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Hailuogou is located in Luding County, on the eastern slope of Mount Gongga, in the southeastern part of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is an extremely high mountain area on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Located at the foot of Mount Gongga, Hailuogou is renowned for its low-altitude modern glaciers. Hailuogou is currently the most accessible and well-equipped scenic area in China. Hailuogou Glacier No. 1 is the largest and lowest of the five major glaciers in the Gongga Mountains. The glacier's icefall, 1,080 meters high and 1,100 meters wide, is the highest and largest icefall ever discovered in my country.
Besides the stunning glaciers, Hailuogou's hot springs are also a major attraction. Located at Camp No. 2, they reach peak heat in winter. Nearby, Yanzigou and Yajiageng offer numerous red stone beaches.
Since most tourists come to Hailuogou for its stunning snow-capped mountains, the best time to visit is winter, from November to April. After the snow falls, there are more sunny days, the air is fresh, and you can see the white glaciers in the distance.
In the summer, temperatures rise, making it harder to see glaciers. July and August are the local rainy season, and mountain roads are prone to landslides. For safety reasons, visiting during the rainy season is not recommended.
Autumn is also a great time to visit, as the weather is warmer than winter. The snowcapped mountains that melted in the summer slowly reappear as the temperature drops. The primeval forests are covered in vibrant red leaves, creating a vibrant scene. The air is clear and the sky is cloudless, making it a perfect time for a visit.
The temperature in Hailuogou is much lower than in Chengdu, with the average temperature in July and August only reaching 20°C. The temperature varies greatly in the mountainous area. Furthermore, if you're heading to Camp 4, at an altitude of 3,600 meters, you'll need to wear windproof and warm clothing at all times.
Costs in Hailuogou are quite high, especially for tourists planning a one- or two-day stay. For example, a four-day trip from Chengdu to Hailuogou would cost 300 yuan per person for round-trip transportation, 312 yuan per person for tickets and internal transportation, 80-200 yuan per night for accommodation (currently, accommodation is not available within the gorge; Shentang Hot Spring Hotel costs over 800 yuan per night), and 70 yuan per day for food (which is quite frugal). This means the average cost per person is at least 1,000 yuan. If you plan to soak in the hot springs, charter a car to visit Yajiageng or Yanzigou, and buy some local souvenirs, a per-person budget of 2,000 yuan is not uncommon.
Get up close and personal with the amazing glacial lakes, ice caves, and ice crevasses
The ancient town has a long history and is home to many ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a must-go place on the way to Hailuogou.
The mountain scenery is ever-changing, featuring glaciers, red rock beaches and forest parks.
