Hailuogou boasts a pristine, ancient, wild, magical, unique, and breathtaking charm. It boasts: ancient and mysterious primeval forests; a diverse "animal kingdom"; the world-renowned "Conch Cuckoo"; colorful waterfalls and hot springs; a "mythical world" beneath Pomo Mountain; the enchanting "Sunshine Golden Mountain"; the mysterious "Green Sea Glacier"; and the "Great Icefall" cascading through the air. Hailuogou is also renowned for its large, low-altitude modern glacier, stretching 14.7 kilometers. The scenic area blends primeval forests, rare flora and fauna, hot springs, and waterfalls into a magnificent and unique landscape, a world-renowned attraction that offers both educational and entertaining experiences.
Distance between campsites:
Moxi Town (1600 meters above sea level) - (15 km) - Camp 1 (1940 meters above sea level) - (8 km) - Camp 2 (2660 meters above sea level) - (7.5 km) - Camp 3 (2980 meters above sea level) - (3.5 km) - Glacier Cableway Station - Camp 4 (3600 meters above sea level)
Camp 1 is 1,940 meters above sea level, and the vegetation landscape is mainly yew forest.
The famous Gongga Shentang Hot Spring is located in the area from the mountain gate of the scenic area to the ticket gate of Camp No. 1. It is also the only place in the scenic area where you can soak in hot springs and stay overnight.
The highlight of Camp 2 is the hot spring resort, comprised of European-style villas nestled in the mountains and a variety of hot spring pools nestled against the hillside. Guests can enjoy the hot springs as often as they like, free of charge. However, the cost is quite high: the cheapest standard room costs 688 yuan in winter, and reservations are difficult to come by. Despite the high cost, the experience is truly exceptional, and if you can afford it, it's definitely worth a try. Non-residents can also soak in the hot springs for 120 yuan per person. Because of the rush to get up and down the mountain, the hot springs are often most popular between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
The real glacier tour begins at Camp 3. Leaving Camp 2, we pass Shuihaizi, the only ancient moraine lake in Hailuogou, and arrive at Camp 3, at an altitude of 2,940 meters. This is also the perfect spot to admire the golden mountain in the sun.
"Sunlight Shining on the Golden Mountain" is one of the five wonders of Hailuogou. On clear days, when the morning glow shines on the snow-capped peaks of Mount Gongga's south side, including the Three Lian Peaks, the Gold and Silver Mountains, and the Nameless Peak, which rise above 6,300 meters, the silvery white peaks are instantly bathed in a dazzling golden glow, a scene of unparalleled splendor and magnificence. To witness this spectacle, don't overdo it; the best time to see it is around 6:40 a.m. in spring and summer, and around 7:20 a.m. in autumn and winter.
Camp 4 is the epitome of Hailuogou's scenic beauty. From the moment you board the cable car from Camp 3, the spectacle begins. Here, you'll witness an icefall that plunges 1,100 meters, overlook the main peak of Mount Gongga, which rises over 7,000 meters, and experience a close encounter with the glaciers.
Moxi Ancient Town boasts a long history. Despite the vicissitudes of time, traces of its ancient past can still be seen in its numerous Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, which still retain their solemnity. Among them is a Gothic church, built by French missionaries, whose prayer bells have echoed for a century.
Yajiageng is located between Lao Yulin in Kangding and Moshi Town in Hailuogou. The red stone beach at the two river mouths of Yajiageng is one of the largest red stone beaches in the world and the best place to view the red stone beach around Hailuogou (there is also a red stone beach in Yanzigou).
Yanzigou, the sister gorge of Hailuogou, is located on the road from Moxi Town to Yajiageng. It's also known as the "Gongga Red Stone Valley." Originally, it boasted a spectacular 20-kilometer-long red stone beach, but the 2011 mudslide destroyed it, leaving only a smaller stretch. However, the red stones here are even more vibrant and stunning. Besides the red stone beach, Gongga Snow Mountain and its glaciers are other highlights of Yanzigou.