China Travel

Despite what you see in the news, China isn't all ultra-modern architecture, crazy foods, tall buildings, mega-projects, temples, museums, world-record breaking shopping malls and the Great Wall. The world's oldest civiliazation also plays host to some of the world's youngest tourist destinations, and the virtually unknown Hailuogou National Glacier Forest Park is exactly that.

Hailuogou's unusually low-lying, 16,000,000 year old glaciers crown a landscape that is as endowed with beauty as it is touristic riches. You'll find some of the country's most renowned hot springs here in the form of the Conch Gully Hot Spring, a nice place to soak up therapeutic microelements while catching snowflakes on your tongue.

You'll definitely want to hike trails through the Gully's beautiful forests which reach all the way to the east slope of Gongga Shan (Mt. Gonggar). They reputed to be one of the only places in China where you can see all four seasons in action in the same day. Hiking along the trails, you'll find areas where the glacier's six kilometer long tongue pushes into the forest creating scenes of chaotic form and color.

Other must-do activities include taking cable car rides to get a bird's eye view of the landscape below, taking pictures of the macaques, sunbirds and blue sheep in the area as well as visiting the Ice Pagoda Forest, Shuihaizi Lake, Vista of the Grand Glacier Cascade, Glacier Tongue, Jinyin (Gold and Silver) Mountain and the Snow Basin. Yes, it's definitely the right place for rigorous exercise in a rugged setting.

Hikers planning to spend multiple days in this mountainous paradise can stay in nearby Moxi township hotels, or the Hailuogou hotels that crowd the entrance and hot springs, they range from three to four stars. It'll be a good spot to try the signature local dish: chicken cooked with Chinese caterpillar fungus. 

Be aware that you are hiking at altitude in this area. Take the necessary precautions and dress accordingly.