Dagu Glacier
Name in Chinese: 达古冰川 Dá Gǔ Bīng Chuān [da: gu: bin tsuæ]
Duration of Tour: Half a Day
Location: Heishui County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Group Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
Highlights: the Glacier, the Virgin Forest, Mirror-like Lakes, Tibetan Culture
Must-see Sightseeing Spots: the Glacier, Dagu Lake
Reputations: A National Four-star Scenic Area, A National Geo-park, the Most Ideal Place for Both Glacier and Colorful Forest Sightseeing
Dagu Glacier lies at the junction of Qionglai Mountain Range and Minshan Mountain Range. It was formed around 100 million years ago. The glacier comprises three parts. It stretches down from 5,100 meters(16,732 feet) to 3,800 meters(12,467 feet) above sea level. Its thickness ranges from 60 meters(197 feet) to 200 meters(656 feet). The glacier covers an area of 8.26 square kilometers(2,041 acres). The scenic area has been added to the list of National Geo-park since 2018. It is a collection of spectacular glacier, colorful forests, gorgeous lakes and snow-capped mountains. The whole scenic area is quite large. It covers an area of 210 square kilometers(81 sq.mi).
Dagu Glacier Scenic Area is located in Heishui County. It has been inhabited by Tibetans and Qiang people for over 1,400 years. Both are good at singing and dancing. Guozhuan Dance is a traditional folk art for entertainment, and is popular among Tibetans and Qiang people. On festivals, the local people gather at meadows, sing and dance together. They are dressed in their own traditional ways.
Dagu Glacier National Geo-ark is the home for some wild animals and birds, such as Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys, red pandas, short-tailed Tibetan macaques, gazelles, wild sheep and Chinese copper pheasants. The snub-nosed monkey is also called golden monkey. Both the golden monkey and the red panda are rare species under protection of China.
The Upper Cable-car Station of Dagu Glacier
The Upper Cable-car Station is situated nearby the glacier. Visitors are transferred from 3,300 meters(10,827 feet) to 4,860 meters(15945 feet) above sea level. There is a cafe in the station. It serves visitors coffee and some other drinks. Visitors can walk around the station to get a close look of the glacier.
Dagu Lake
Dagu is a Tibetan word which means the glacier in the deep valley. There are several lakes in the valley. Dagu Lake is the most picturesque one. Its altitude is about 3,500 meters above sea level. The view of the lake varies in different seasons. It is ornamented with blooming wild flowers in the spring, and flame-red trees in the autumn. The lake freezes over in winter.
Travel Tips:
How to Get to Dagu Glacier National Geo-park
Dagu Glacier National Geo-park is located in Heishui county, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Group Autonomous Prefecture, about 310 kilometers(193 miles) to the northwest of Chengdu. It takes about six hours to get to the geo-park from downtown Chengdu by car.
How to Visit Dagu Glacier National Park
Visitors usually ride shuttle buses from the entrance to the Lower Cable-car Station, then take the cable-car to get a close look of the glacier. There are several bus stops along the winding road which stretches from the entrance to the lower cable-car station. The bus stops are set nearby the sightseeing spots. On the way to the cable-car station, visitors can get off the bus at each of the stops, walk around the lakes and take photographs. It is also allowed to trek in the valley.
Weather
The temperature in Heishui County ranges from minus 3℃(26.6°F) to 12℃(53.6°F) in spring, 8℃(46.4°F) to 21℃(69.8°F) in summer, 13℃(55.4°F) to 25℃(77°F) in autumn and minus 1℃(30.2°F) to 13℃(55.4°F) in winter. While the altitude rises, the temperature goes down. Even in the summer, it falls below 0℃(32°F) at the Upper Cable Car Station. Visitors should prepare warm coat and try to decrease the risk of catching a cold. The best time to visit Dagu Glacier is between September and November. Visitors should try to avoid going to Dagu Glacier in the rainy season. The rainy season in Sichuan lasts from July to August.
How to Avoid Altitude Sickness
The altitude of Dagu Glacier Geo-park ranges from 2,420 meters(7,940 feet) to 5,100 meters(16,732) above sea level. The highest sightseeing spot visitors can reach is 4,860 meters(15,945) above sea level. Visitor should try to avoid the AMS. Please read more about AMS.
Photography Tips
A tripod, a filter, telephoto lenses and wide angle lenses are needed.
The scenic area opens from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.. Visitors are not allowed to enter after 3:30 P.M.. Dagu Lake is the most ideal place in the geo-park to get a view of water reflection.
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Author: Tina Luo
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