Hailuogou Scenic Area is located in Moxi Town, Luding County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. As a national 5A-level tourist attraction, it covers an area of 906.13 square kilometers and serves as an important part of the Gongga Mountain Scenic Area. The scenic area is known for its "Six Wonders": glaciers, hot springs, snow-capped mountains, red stones, clouds, and primeval forests. With rich geothermal resources and various natural hot springs, its unique conditions create rare climatic and astronomical landscapes such as snow scenes in winter and spring, and golden mountains under sunlight. The No.1 Glacier in the area, namely the Great Glacier Waterfall, is 14.7 kilometers long, 500-1100 meters wide, with a drop of 3,900 meters and an area of 16 square kilometers. It is the tallest glacier waterfall discovered in China so far.
History and Culture
Red Culture: From May 28 to June 3, 1935, the main force of the Central Red Army on the Long March passed through the Moxi area at the foot of Gongga Mountain. Comrade Mao Zedong stayed in the priest's house of Moxi Catholic Church and convened the famous "Moxi Meeting" here, deploying the specific plan for the "Capture of Luding Bridge".
Kangba Culture: The Kangba region is located in the transition zone from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the Sichuan Basin and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Diverse geographical environments have endowed the local culture with diversity, compatibility, and openness. With 13 ethnic groups including Han, Yi, and Tibetan, it has formed unique folk cultures and ethnic customs.
Tea-Horse Culture: From the Tang and Song Dynasties to the Republic of China period, the "Tea-Horse Ancient Road" was formed between the Han and Tibetan peoples, with the Sichuan-Tibet Road, Yunnan-Tibet Road, and Qinghai-Tibet Road as the main lines. It was not only a road network but also promoted cultural integration along the route, accumulating rich historical and cultural connotations in Tea-Horse culture.
Main Attractions
Great Glacier Waterfall
Located in Hailuogou, it is the No.1 Glacier, 14.7 kilometers long, 500-1100 meters wide, with the highest altitude of 6,750 meters and the lowest altitude of 2,850 meters. With a drop of 3,900 meters and an area of 16 square kilometers, it is the tallest glacier waterfall discovered in China so far.
Red Stone Beach
The stones here appear bright red due to a layer of red algae attached to their surfaces. Against the backdrop of green mountains and waters, they form a unique natural landscape, particularly vibrant.
Caohaizi
It is an alpine wetland surrounded by mountains and dense forests. The middle features an open meadow with clear streams flowing through, presenting beautiful scenery.
Local Cuisine
Cordyceps Duck
Prepared with local ducks and cordyceps, this dish features tender duck meat, nourishing cordyceps, and rich soup, boasting high nutritional value.
Fritillaria Chicken
Using fritillaria and hen as main ingredients, it is slow-cooked to make the chicken soft and tender. The medicinal effects of fritillaria integrate into the soup, providing effects such as moistening the lungs and relieving cough, with a delicious taste.
Glacier Cured Meat
Local farmers cut pork into strips, smoke them, or air-dry them on beams for half a year. The lean meat is ruddy, fragrant, and the fat is not greasy. It also has effects of relieving cough, removing dampness, and tonifying the kidney.
Gastrodia Elata Pig Elbow
Cooked with gastrodia elata and pig elbow, the elbow is fat but not greasy. The medicinal value of gastrodia elata combines with the nutrition of the elbow, offering certain nourishing effects.
Moxi Farmhouse Huahua Sugar
Locally produced chestnuts, glutinous rice, corn, etc., are popped and glued with corn sugar, added with peanuts, walnuts, sesame, etc., then rolled and cut into slices after repeated pressing. It is crispy, sweet, and a nutritious tourist snack.
Tickets
Combined ticket (admission + sightseeing bus): 160 RMB/person.
For the latest updates or online booking, search the official WeChat public account "海螺沟旅游".
Opening Hours
May 1 - October 31 (summer & autumn): 07:00 - 15:00; November 11 - April 30 (winter & spring): 08:00 - 14:30. Subject to the actual opening hours of the scenic area.
Tour Routes
Visitors can first arrive at the tourist center and take a sightseeing bus into the scenic area. After reaching the No.3 Camp, they can voluntarily choose to take a cable car to the No.4 Camp (weather permitting) to visit attractions such as the Great Ice Waterfall Viewing Platform, Wolf Totem Viewing Platform, Red Stone Beach, and Mountaineering Monument. They can also get off at the Caohaizi stop to visit Caohaizi, Dongga Temple, and other attractions.
Transportation
- From Chengdu, take a bus to Hailuogou, about 4-5 hours' drive.
- Take a bus to Luding County first, then transfer to a shuttle bus to Moxi Town to reach Hailuogou Scenic Area.
- For self-driving, use highways like Ya'an-Kangding Expressway to reach the scenic area with good road conditions.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Great Glacier Waterfall: The tallest glacier waterfall discovered in China, with grand scale and spectacular scenery.
- Red Stone Beach: A unique red stone landscape, rare in other places.
- Hot Springs: Hailuogou is rich in hot spring resources. Soaking in hot springs allows visitors to relax while enjoying surrounding beauty.
Tour Tips
- Check the weather in advance, bring appropriate clothing, and take warm-keeping and sun-protection measures.
- The scenic area has a high altitude, so avoid strenuous exercise. Prepare anti-altitude sickness medicine in advance.
- Arrange time reasonably to leave enough time to appreciate each attraction.
- Stay in homestays or hotels within the scenic area to experience local life atmosphere.
Notes
- The scenic area has strong sunshine, UV rays, and light reflection. Bring sun protection items like sunglasses and sun hats.
- Alpine climate is changeable. Bring cold-proof and rain-proof clothing. Avoid entering the scenic area wearing high heels, plastic-soled/slippery shoes, shorts, or skirts.
- Do not litter. Protect the environment, do not pick flowers, or trample/engrave red stones.
- Vegetation in the scenic area is precious. No smoking to prevent fires.