Hailuogou & Kangding

Low-altitude glaciers and hot springs beneath Gongga Mountain, the Red Stone Beach and Moxi Ancient Town, plus Kangding, the city of the "Kangding Love Song," and Xinduqiao, a photographer's paradise.

Hailuogou and Kangding both lie in Garze Prefecture, Sichuan, in the Daxue Mountains about 300 km west of Chengdu, around the eastern slope of Gongga Mountain (7,556 m), the "King of Sichuan's Mountains." Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park is at Moxi Town in Luding County; the tongue of Glacier No. 1 extends into primeval forest at about 2,850 m, making it one of the lowest-altitude and most accessible modern glaciers in Asia. The gorge also has hot springs and a huge icefall about a thousand meters tall. Kangding is the prefectural capital, formerly known as Dartsedo, and is famous for the "Kangding Love Song." North of town lies the alpine lake of Muge Co, and west of town, crossing the Zheduo Mountain pass (4,298 m), you enter the Xinduqiao and Tagong area (covered as a separate destination). Areas to visit: Moxi Ancient Town with Hailuogou, Yanzigou and the Red Stone Beach at Yajiageng (stay in Moxi, 1.5–2 days); Luding Bridge and Niubei Mountain; Kangding's city temples, Paoma Mountain and Muge Co (1 day); and the western slope of Gongga, with Zimei Pass and Gongga Temple, which require a chartered car. Best seasons: October–November for autumn foliage, blue ice and the clearest views of the snow peaks; winter is hot spring high season with many clear days; summer is cool and rainy. Getting there: Chengdu has coaches to Moxi and Kangding (about 4–5 hours), and Kangding Airport has flights from Chengdu; by self-drive, take the Ya-Kang Expressway and the Lu-Shi Expressway. We recommend 3–4 days. Notes: the upper camp at Hailuogou is at about 3,600 m and the Zheduo Mountain pass at 4,298 m, so watch for altitude sickness; stay on designated routes in the glacier area; Zheduo Mountain often has snow in winter and spring, so check road conditions before departure.

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