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Last updated on February 5th, 2025

In this travel guide, I’m here to help you plan your visit to Dagu Glacier and create a Dagu Glacier itinerary.

Dagu Glacier (Chinese: 达古冰川) in China is a popular travel destination, particularly for those visiting the Sichuan region. This stunning glacier is notable for being the lowest, largest, and youngest glacier in the world. Many travelers choose to visit this glacial mountain to experience its impressive peaks. Dagu Glacier is located approximately 280 km from Chengdu, making it the closest glacier to Zhongcheng City. It is also rated as the most beautiful glacier in the area.

In this Dagu Glacier Travel Guide blog, you will find an overview of the best things to do at Dagu Glacier, recommendations on when to visit, and tips for planning your Dagu Glacier itinerary based on your interests, travel style, and available time.

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Dagu Glacier Entrance Ticket

The Dagu Glacier ticket prices are on the higher side. To enter, you will need to purchase an entrance ticket and shuttle bus costing RMB185, along with a cable car ticket for RMB175. The total cost comes to RMB360.

If you want to buy tickets for Dagu Glacier in advance and we recommended doing to avoid disappointment. You can pre-purchase your ticket here: Get your Dagu Glacier Ticket from Trip.com

Dagu Glacier Ticket Prices: Entrance + Shuttle Bus RMB185 and Cable Car RMB175.

Day Trip to Dagu Glacier Itinerary

Visiting Dagu Glacier is one of the highlights of our Sichuan Jiuzhaigou trip. This breathtaking glacial mountain is included in our itinerary. After continuing from the Bipenggou National Park visit, we finally arrived at Dagu Glacier..

We recommend starting your Dagu Glacier itinerary early, as the entire ascent takes about two hours. If you plan to visit in the afternoon, be sure to keep an eye on the time.

Once we entered the scenic area, we first followed the crowd to the sightseeing bus boarding area.

Next, we were transported by shuttle minibus to the lower cable car station. There were many tourists waiting to board the shuttle bus, which would depart once it was full.

Jinhou Lake

As we boarded the bus, we noticed that we were the only foreign travelers in the group, while most of the other guests were local. The minibus takes you to several scenic spots, including lakes, waterfalls, bridges, and rivers. A Chinese-speaking tour guide provides brief background information, and you can disembark to explore and take pictures. The journey is about 32km.

The first stop on the Dagu Glacier tour is Jinhou Lake, also called Golden Monkey Lake.

The tour guide mentioned that there are monkeys in the area, but we didn’t see any during our visit—likely because the weather was too cold. The guide also cautioned us that the monkeys can be quite aggressive if they see food in your hand, as they may try to grab it.

Despite the absence of monkeys, the scenery at Jinhou Lake is beautiful and enjoyable.

Breathtaking and Serene Scenery

The sightseeing shuttle bus made several stops at various attractions for us to enjoy views of the bridge and the lake. The bus tour offered breathtaking and serene scenery along the journey.

Dagu Glacier Itinerary - Breathtaking View

We also had some time to explore the area. Many lovely animals are enjoyed and staying at the Dagu Glacier scenic area. After taking pictures, we boarded the shuttle bus, which then took us to the entrance of the cableway.

Cable Car to the Dagu Glacier

After about 90 minutes on the sightseeing bus, we finally arrived at the Cable Car Lower Station during our day trip to Dagu Glacier.

You have the option to either take the cable car up the mountain or hike up. The walking trail is well-maintained, featuring a wooden platform and a paved path, but hiking uphill can be challenging due to the altitude and cold weather.

We decided to take the cable car that ascends approximately 1,000 meters to reach the glaciers at the summit. The cable car service runs frequently, and each cable car can accommodate up to 8 people.

The journey takes us from an elevation of 3,600 meters to 4,860 meters and lasts about 15 minutes.

As our cable car ascended, we observed the landscape transforming from a yellow forest to a snowy mountain in just a few minutes. It was truly stunning.

At the Top of Dagu Glacier

At the top of Dagu Glacier, you will encounter one of the most breathtaking views of glaciers on our entire trip to Sichuan. The peak of Dagu Glacier Mountain is covered with snow year-round, creating a magnificent landscape.

Dagu Glacier itinerary A Travel Guide blog

Standing on the mountain peak gives you a feeling of looking down over the entire landscape. The stunning scenery at the summit offers numerous excellent photo opportunities.

We were all amazed by the vast expanse of white mountains.

The weather is clear, and the scenery is beautiful. However, the wind at the mountain’s peak is strong, and the temperature is low, so it’s important to dress warmly.

Many travelers experience altitude sickness and use supplemental oxygen. I felt a bit dizzy, but it was still manageable.

We didn’t stay outdoors for long since there wasn’t much to see. There is also a café at the top of the mountain where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or drinks and take a rest. After about an hour of exploring the summit, we headed back down.

More Dagu Glacier Travel Tips

Next, we will share how to make the most of your Dagu Glacier visit and tips for a perfect experience. Read on for more!

Time management: The scenic shuttle bus ride to Dagu Glacier takes about 2 hours, while the cable car journey is approximately 30 minutes. We spent about an hour at the top of the glacier, so be mindful of time management when planning your itinerary.

The scenery at Dagu Glacier is stunning, with different views in each season. However, keep in mind that the area for walking around at the summit is somewhat limited.

Remember to wear sunglasses and sun protection as the ultraviolet rays can be quite strong.

Although the weather was not extremely cold during our visit to Dagu Glacier, it is still advisable to keep warm and dress warmly.

Additionally, take precautions to avoid altitude sickness. It is recommended to purchase some herbal pills from a pharmacy and consider bringing supplemental oxygen.

The Dagu Glacier may not recommended for children and the elderly due to their susceptibility to altitude sickness.

Overall: Our Visit to Dagu Glacier

All in all, Dagu Glacier is one of the top attractions in Sichuan, and we are thrilled to have visited it and experienced its breathtaking glacier views. The Dagu Glacier Scenic area is absolutely breathtaking and certainly worth a visit. We highly recommend this day trip to Dagu Glacier.

Related Dagu Glacier Travel Blog and attractions nearby:

If you plan to visit Chengdu Sichuan and the surrounding areas, be sure to check out our travel blog below:

Jiuzhaigou Orange Hotel (Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area) is the ideal hotel for travelers seeking a comfortable stay with modern amenities in the area. Check out our hotel review.

Finding the perfect hotel in a popular tourist destination like the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area can be challenging, but we had an outstanding experience at the Orange Hotel (Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area).

We booked a two-night stay at the Jiuzhaigou Orange Hotel through Trip.com during our visit to Jiuzhaigou. Initially, I had low expectations for our accommodations in the area, but it turned out to be an amazing experience. The beautiful rooms, excellent food, friendly staff, and outstanding facilities made us reluctant to leave!

Read more about our Jiuzhaigou hotel review – Orange Hotel (Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area) to know why.

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Jiuzhaigou Orange Hotel (Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area)

The Orange Hotel (Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area) is located in Zhangzha Village, Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Prefecture, in Sichuan Province. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, it’s a perfect place to relax and unwind. The hotel boasts stunning scenery and a modern design.

Orange Hotel (Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area)
Address: No.52, Group 3, Yanzha Village, Yanzha Town, Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, China.
Room Types: Double, Twin, Family Room, Deluxe Suite.
Check rooms availability and best rate.

Jiuzhaigou Orange Hotel Review - Communal Area

Upon arriving after a long journey, the staff greeted us warmly, even in the cold weather. They offered us complimentary sweet mandarin oranges at the front desk, which was a lovely touch!

The hotel appears to be newly renovated, with everything stylish and fresh.

China Accommodation Tips: We booked our stay at Orange Hotel (Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area) through Trip.com, which we found to offer a wide range of options and the best rates for international travelers seeking hotel accommodations in China. Be sure to check the room rate now!

The Room

We visited during the off-season, so the hotel wasn’t very crowded, and the front desk is so kind and upgraded our room.

The room was equipped with everything we needed for our stay. It was impeccably clean, spacious, and well-equipped with amenities. The beds were incredibly comfortable, ensuring a great night’s sleep.

Jiuzhaigou Orange Hotel Review - Bathroom

We loved the orange-themed decor, which included orange fruits, sweets, drinks, soap, toothpaste, and shower gel. Additionally, we appreciated the unlimited supply of water.

Plus, the integration of smart AI technology into the hotel’s operations added convenience to our stay.

Jiuzhaigou Orange Hotel - Self Service Laundry

The self-service laundry room was a nice added feature that impressed us!

Breakfast

We paid extra for breakfast on our first day, but the front desk staff were so kind that they offered it for free on the second day. The breakfast was delicious and varied, making it a great way to start the day.

Dinner

As the hotel is a bit far from the entrance to the scenic area, and there are only few restaurants nearby.

During our stay, we didn’t feel like going anywhere except for visiting the scenic spots, so we opted to have our meals at the hotel restaurant. The quality and cost of the hotel food was a welcome surprise.

We particularly enjoyed their authentic yak beef hotpot dinner, which was quite decent.

The hotpot and Tibetan cuisine were so good, with generous portions and reasonable prices for a tourist area. It was truly amazing to enjoy the warm soup at the cold weather.

Location and Shuttle Service

One of the drawback is the hotel is located outside of the main attractions and is not accessible on foot.

However, it does provide a complimentary shuttle bus to the Jiuzhaigou scenic area in the morning, which is a thoughtful service for travelers. Although we didn’t use the shuttle, it’s a great option for those who need it. It’s important to reserve the shuttle service when you check in.

Overall: Our Jiuzhaigou Orange Hotel Review

Overall, we hope you enjoy reading this Jiuzhaigou Orange Hotel Review. Our stay at the Orange Hotel (Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area) was very satisfying. The front desk, restaurant, and shuttle staff were all friendly and proactive. After a long journey from Chengdu, we arrived feeling exhausted, but the staff greeted us with a warm welcome and a smile, which instantly made us feel relaxed.

The standard of the rooms and communal areas was excellent. It’s refreshing to see a hotel offering such modern facilities in the Jiuzhaigou scenic area. I highly recommend this hotel, especially for those who value modern amenities and great service.

We booked our stay at the Jiuzhaigou Orange Hotel through Trip.com, which we found to be the cheapest and most reliable hotel booking site for international travelers to vist China.

Related Jiuzhaigou Travel Blog: