Discover Hailuogou: Asia's Hidden Glacier Adventure

Most tourists think glaciers are only in Tibet or Yunnan. Wrong.

Hailuogou Glacier Park (Hǎiluógōu Bīngchuān Gōngyuán, 海螺沟冰川公园) is just 300 km from Chengdu—and it’s the lowest-altitude glacier in Asia you can actually walk on.

A German hiker told me last year:

“I flew to Chengdu for pandas. Ended up standing on a 16-km-long glacier—barefoot in hot springs, with snow falling. Unreal.”

Hailuogou Glacier Park

This guide solves your real problem:

✅ How to get to Hailuogou without a private car

✅ Exact bus times, prices, and where to stay

✅ What’s actually open to foreigners (no fake tips!)

So you can decide:

Is this icy wonder worth the trip?

(Short answer: Yes—if you want glaciers, hot springs, and zero crowds.)

Why Hailuogou? The Glacier You Can Touch

Hailuogou (Hǎiluógōu, 海螺沟) sits at the eastern foot of Mount Gongga (Gònggá Shān, 贡嘎山)—Sichuan’s highest peak (7,556m).

Its glacier drops to 2,850 meters—lower than any other in Asia.

That means you don’t need climbing gear to see it. Just good shoes.

Key Facts

• Glacier length: 16 km

• Ice thickness: Up to 300 meters

• Hot springs: Right below the ice—40°C water with snow falling

• Altitude sickness risk: Low (base camp is only 1,900m)

  
  

A Canadian couple visited in April. They soaked in Gongga Hot Springs (Gònggá Wēnquán, 贡嘎温泉) while watching avalanches.

“No one else there. Just us and the mountain.”

Skip if: You hate cold weather or need luxury hotels. Hailuogou is wild, raw, and real.

How to Get from Chengdu to Hailuogou (No Car Needed)

Option 1: Direct Tourist Bus (Recommended for foreigners)

• Departure: Xinnanmen Bus Station (Xīnnánmén Chēzhàn, 新南门车站) in Chengdu

• Time: 7:30 a.m. daily (only one bus!)

• Duration: 5–6 hours

• Price: ¥120 one-way

• Drop-off: Moxi Town (Móxī Zhèn, 磨西镇)—gateway to Hailuogou

  
  

Option 2: Train + Bus (Not recommended)

• Take train to Luding (Lúdìng, 泸定)—but then 2+ hours on mountain roads with no English signs.

• Too confusing for most foreign travelers.

  
  

Important

• Bring your passport—required for park entry

• Book bus tickets 1–2 days ahead at Xinnanmen Station (cash only)

• No Didi or Uber from Chengdu to Moxi—it’s too far

  
  

Day 1: Chengdu → Moxi Town → Glacier Base

Morning: Take the 7:30 a.m. bus from Xinnanmen. Pack snacks—only one rest stop (30 mins, basic toilets).

Afternoon: Arrive in Moxi Town (Móxī Zhèn, 磨西镇) by 2 p.m. Check into a guesthouse (¥150–250/night). Try Gongga Manor—clean, English-friendly.

Then: Buy park tickets at the Hailuogou Visitor Center.

• Entrance + shuttle bus: ¥170

• Cable car (to glacier view): ¥160 extra (worth it!)

Don’t hike up—it’s 3+ hours and steep. The cable car saves time and energy.

Day 2: Glacier Walk + Hot Springs

Morning:

Take the first shuttle (7:30 a.m.) into the park.

Ride the cable car to 3,600m—views of Mount Gongga are epic.

Then:

Walk the Glacier Observation Deck (Bīngchuān Guān Jǐng Tái, 冰川观景台).

• Free to walk on lower glacier (wear waterproof shoes!)

• Ice caves sometimes open—ask staff

• Stay under 2 hours to avoid fatigue

  
  

Afternoon:

Soak in Gongga Hot Springs (Gònggá Wēnquán, 贡嘎温泉)

• Price: ¥80

• Open: 2 p.m.–10 p.m.

• Tip: Go at sunset—steam rises as snow falls. Magical.

  
  

Story:

A UK teacher got frostbite on his ears. Why? He stayed in the hot spring too long, then walked back in -5°C air.

“Lesson learned: Dry off fast!”

Where to Stay & Eat in Moxi Town

Best Guesthouses

• Moyun Yunxiaozhu (Hailuogou Moxi Ancient Town Branch)

• Hailuogou Seven Valleys Source · Snow Mountain Secret Realm Onsen Resort Hotel

Food Tips

• Try: Yak meat dumplings (¥25), wild mushroom soup (¥30)

• Eat at: Xueba Restaurant (Xuěbà Cāntīng, 雪霸餐厅)—local favorite

• Avoid: “Tourist set meals” (¥100+)—overpriced and bland

  
  

Note:

Moxi has no ATMs. Bring cash from Chengdu.

What to Pack & Common Mistakes

Do:

• Bring layers (0°C at night, 15°C daytime)

• Pack waterproof hiking shoes (glacier is wet!)

• Carry snacks & water—no shops inside park

  
  

Don’t:

• Assume hot springs are clothing-optional (they’re not—wear swimwear)

• Visit in July–August—rainy season = fog + landslides

• Skip travel insurance—remote area, limited clinics

  
  

Best Time to Go

October–April (clear skies, snow views)

Foreign Travelers Say…

“I touched 500-year-old ice. Then soaked in hot water under stars. Best day in China.” — Mia, Norway

“The bus was bumpy, but the glacier? Worth every minute.” — Noah, Sweden

“No crowds. No hype. Just pure nature.” — Fatima, Morocco

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Go with confidence—and leave with stories, not stress. 😊

Want routes? PM me! 😊