Dagu Glacier · Ice and Snow Kingdom 48-Hour Crossing Guide

1. Why It’s Worth Visiting
1. One of the world’s lowest altitude, largest area, and youngest modern glaciers, rated by National Geographic as one of the “100 Most Beautiful Rediscovered Spots in Sichuan.”
2. The world’s highest passenger sightseeing cableway (4860 m) + the world’s highest solitary café, 15 minutes from forest to snowland, 100% photo-worthy.
3. Ice and snow season lasts 10 months a year, with peak beauty from November to February: snow mountains + colorful forests + glacial lakes in one frame, the winter crown of Western Sichuan.

2. Quick Overview of the Scenic Area
Address: Dagu Glacier Town, Heishui County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province

Altitude: Visitor Center 2000 m → Summit 4860 m

Tickets: 120 RMB | Sightseeing Bus 70 RMB | Round-trip Cableway 180 RMB (purchase 1 day in advance on official website/Trip.com, entry with ID card)

Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00, daily limit 5000 visitors, recommended to enter before 8:30 during peak season.

3. Transportation Routes (2025 Update)
1. Self-driving (Recommended)

From Chengdu → Chengdu-Guanxian Expressway → Du-Wen Expressway → Wenchuan → Maoxian → Heishui County → Dagu Glacier, total 290 km paved road, 5 hours, toll about 40 RMB, no problem for sedans.
2. Bus

Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station → Heishui County Bus Station 117 RMB/person, 6 hours; then taxi 10 km to the scenic area, 30 RMB.
3. Flight + Car Rental

Fly to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport or Hongyuan Airport → 2.5-hour car rental to the scenic area, suitable for combined trips to Jiuzhaigou/Huanglong.

4. Best Travel Time
Mid-November to late December: thick snow, fewer people, colorful forests still vibrant;

January to February: thickest ice and snow, perfect for “ink wash snow mountains” photos, but beware of extreme weather.

Avoid: National Day & May Day holidays, cableway queues over 2 hours.

5. 2-Day Highlight Itinerary
Day 1: Chengdu → Maoxian for lunch → Heishui County (stay at Ga’er Manor/Ice Glacier Hotel, altitude 2400 m, acclimate in advance)

Day 2: 07:30 Scenic Area Gate → Sightseeing Bus (40 min, passing Golden Monkey Lake, Dagu Lake) → Cableway lower station → 15 min to summit 4860 m → Check-in spots

① 4860 Stone Monument ② Tear Lake ③ Glacier Eye Bird’s Nest ④ Solitary Café (oxygen on second floor, latte 38 RMB) → Return by same route → Return trip or continue to Yangronghade Tibetan Village.

6. Photo Spot Tips
- Right side of cableway cabin: overlook U-shaped glacial valley + colorful forest, telephoto 70-200 mm.
- Summit cabin: side backlight for snow forest shots, portraits with white clothes + red scarf pop the most.
- Glacier Eye Bird’s Nest: golden hour morning and evening, can capture reflections.
- Drone: height limit 120 m, must register in advance at visitor center, fly cautiously in strong wind.

7. Altitude Sickness & Warmth
Large altitude difference, summit 15-20℃ colder than Chengdu; windproof jacket + down jacket + fleece pants + sunglasses + SPF50 sunscreen recommended.

Altitude sickness: carry a portable oxygen bottle, start deep breathing during cableway ascent, avoid running or jumping at the summit.

8. Accommodation Recommendations
1. Ga’er Manor, Heishui County: high-end Tibetan-style homestay, floor heating + oxygen supply, window views of snow mountains, 800-1200 RMB.
2. Dagu Glacier Hotel: 5-star standard cooperating with scenic area, breakfast included, 700-900 RMB.
3. Budget: business hotels in county 200-300 RMB, 10 km taxi round trip to scenic area.

9. Nearby Attractions
- Naizigou 80-li Colorful Forest: most beautiful in early November, free, 20 km from Heishui County.
- Yangronghade Tibetan Village: night tour of Tibetan light village, experience roasted whole lamb, 15 km from scenic area.
- Bipenggou/Miyaluo: can be combined into a 3-day “glacier + colorful forest” mini loop.

10. Notes
1. Pets are prohibited in the scenic area; anti-slip mountaineering shoes are a must on icy and snowy roads.
2. Cableway annual maintenance in early December (2025: December 2-7), check official website announcements before traveling.
3. Weekend queues for sightseeing bus over 1 hour in peak season, can buy “VIP direct bus” ticket (extra 50 RMB) to go straight to cableway station.

— Bring enough batteries (cold drains power fast), capture the loneliest snowy scenery in Western Sichuan all at once!