Hailuogou Glacier National Park

The lowest-altitude glacier accessible in Asia, flowing from the slopes of Mount Gongga down through a bamboo and subtropical forest valley to just 2,980 m above sea level.

Hailuogou Glacier descends from the east face of Mount Gongga in a dramatic icefall — one of the most visible and accessible large glaciers in China. At its snout, the glacier sits at roughly 2,980 m elevation, making it uniquely low for an Asian glacier of this scale; most comparable glaciers in the Himalayas or Karakoram are accessible only after days of trekking at much higher altitude.

The park is divided into several numbered camps connected by electric shuttle buses. Camp One, at the park entrance, lies in a valley of mixed bamboo and broadleaf forest at 1,940 m. Visitors ascend through progressively more alpine terrain via Camps Two and Three to reach the glacier viewing platforms. A cable car from near Camp Three lifts visitors directly to the glacier's upper viewing area, where in clear weather the summit icecap of Gongga dominates the view to the west.

The glacier's surface can be walked on with crampons supplied by local operators — guided ice walks are available for all abilities and are one of the more memorable experiences in the park. The area around the glacier viewing platform also offers one of the finest views of a glacial icefall in China, with pressure ridges, seracs, and meltwater pools visible at close range.

Hot springs at Camp Two provide a welcome contrast to the ice above. The springs are channelled into outdoor bathing pools with mountain views, popular for an evening soak after a day on the glacier.