Scenic Sichuan
Nestled in the Gongga Mountains, Hailuogou is the only glacier and forest park in China. Walking in the park in the mornings and evenings is like walking on clouds with clouds of mist surrounding you. The air in the forest is known to be fresh enough to be bottled into oxygen tin cans that are sold in polluted cities in other parts of China. After a dizzy ride on the shuttle bus and a short scenic cable car ride, we were welcomed with freezing cold temperatures. It’s no surprise that many who have tried conquering the mountain have lost their lives and there’s actually a plaque commemorating hikers who lost their lives in the mountains.
In the downtown area of the Tibetan influenced town of Moxi which is where most people stay overnight before and after visiting Hailougou is a Catholic church. The building is pretty worn down could use some donation from tourists. It has historical significance in that it was the headquarters of the Red Army during the Long March and Chairman Mao actually stayed there. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the snow-capped peaks on the way down from the mountains, but the 6000+ metre peaks are clouded in mist most of the time. A visit to Hailuogou warrants a stop at the mineral hot spring that stinks of sulphur dioxide but the water is oh so good for your skin and health! Even you don’t stay overnight, a couple of hours at the hot spring will take all your troubles away.
Nestled in the Gongga Mountains, Hailuogou is the only glacier and forest park in China. Walking in the park in the mornings and evenings is like walking on clouds with clouds of mist surrounding you. The air in the forest is known to be fresh enough to be bottled into oxygen tin cans that are sold in polluted cities in other parts of China. After a dizzy ride on the shuttle bus and a short scenic cable car ride, we were welcomed with freezing cold temperatures. It’s no surprise that many who have tried conquering the mountain have lost their lives and there’s actually a plaque commemorating hikers who lost their lives in the mountains.
In the downtown area of the Tibetan influenced town of Moxi which is where most people stay overnight before and after visiting Hailougou is a Catholic church. The building is pretty worn down could use some donation from tourists. It has historical significance in that it was the headquarters of the Red Army during the Long March and Chairman Mao actually stayed there. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the snow-capped peaks on the way down from the mountains, but the 6000+ metre peaks are clouded in mist most of the time. A visit to Hailuogou warrants a stop at the mineral hot spring that stinks of sulphur dioxide but the water is oh so good for your skin and health! Even you don’t stay overnight, a couple of hours at the hot spring will take all your troubles away.
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