Many people who hear about "Laiku Glacier" and "Yalong Glacier" for the first time are confused: are they both close to Ranwu Lake? Do they refer to the same place or are they completely different glaciers?
Many people have the wrong idea! Yalun is one of the glaciers in Laiku.
Where are the two glaciers, Laiku Glacier and Yalun Glacier? Some people say that Laiku is the most spectacular glacier, while others say that Yalun is the location of the Blue Ice Cave.
This article will help you to understand the important glaciers of Laiku and Yalung in Tibet! And it will also help you to understand why many tours choose to go to Midu Glacier instead of Laiku!
One,Laiku Glacier is a collective term.
In fact,Laiku Glacier is not a single glacier, but a group of glaciers.It is located in Bashu County, Chamdo, Tibet. It is located in Baju County, Chamdo, Tibet, and consists of a number of giant glaciers together, which contain:Yalong, Mercer, Rorong, Donga, Shunga, NyumaSix major glaciers including.
In these six glaciers.Yalun Glacier is the most spectacularThe Blue Ice Cave is about 12 kilometers long, stretching from the 6,606-meter Gangri Gabu Mountain to the 4,000-meter Laiku Village, forming a magnificent tongue of ice and a central ridge. It is precisely because of its large scale and thick ice that Yalong has given birth to the Blue Ice Cave, a spectacle that is limited to the winter season.
A Simple Understanding of the Relationship between the Laiku/Yalon Glaciers
Therefore, it can be understood in this way:
- Laiku Glacier = Group name (Glacier Museum)
- Yalong Glacier = the most interesting glacier in the Laikoo Glacier Group and the stage for blue ice caves in winter.
Laiku Glacier Group: the largest glacier museum in Tibet
1. The geography and scale of Laigu and its characteristics.
Laiku Glacier is located in the area of Ranwu Lake along the southern route of Sichuan-Tibet, at an altitude of more than 4,500 meters above sea level, and in the distance is the majestic Gangri Gabu Mountain (6,606 meters above sea level). Due to the long years of snow accumulation and glacial activities, this place has given birth to a large-scale glacier group. AndThe characteristic feature is the ice walls, which are slightly shorter but numerous and of different shapes, some of which can be seen as small transparent ice holes with crystal-colored ice.
Unlike a single glacier.The most important feature of Laiku is the coexistence of ice.The scene is spectacular. Six glaciers flowing side by side like white dragons converge here, making for a spectacular scene.
2. Scenery worth seeing
- group ice together (idiom); fig. two people sharing a common frameworkThe view of six different glaciers at the same time from the same angle is a magnificent sight.
- Reflection of Ranwu LakeThe surface of the lake is like a mirror, reflecting the snow-capped mountains and glaciers, especially in the early morning and at dusk.
- Village symbiosisLai Lai Village is located right next to the ice tongue, and the villagers live next to the glacier, which is a rare scene of "coexistence between human habitation and nature".
- Wonders of the Central BeltThe black-and-white center band in the middle section of the Yalong is a striking contrast with a strong visual impact.
- Winter Limited Ice LakeThe Konchok Glacier Lake next to the Laiku Village freezes over in December and February every year, and the ice is thick enough to carry pedestrians. There are ice cracks and air bubbles under your feet, and snowy peaks and ice in the distance, making the experience unique.
3. Scientific and other special values
Laiku Glacier is known as"Natural Climate Archives"The ice sheet has preserved information on climate change for thousands of years. The ice sheet has preserved climate change information for thousands of years, which is an important basis for the study of ancient climate and glacier evolution on the Tibetan Plateau.
III. Yalong Glacier: a protagonist in the Laiku Group
1. Characteristics of Yalong Glacier
Yalong Glacier is the most spectacular glacier in the Laiku Group, with a total length of about 12 kilometers, stretching all the way from the top of Gangri Gabu Mountain to Laiku Village. With its thick ice and crevasses, the Yalong Glacier is the "most powerful glacier in the dream" in the eyes of photographers and adventurers.It is characterized by a huge and continuous wall of ice, as well as an amazing scale of ice caves. It is the most impressive, and most of the blue ice caves are found here.The Yalon Blue Ice is a popular destination in winter. The Yalong Blue Ice in the depths of the city is a place that many people would like to visit in the winter!
2.Blue Ice Cave for the winter season
Every winter, the most anticipated thing about this glacier in Yalong is theBlue Ice Cave..What's a blue ice hole?
- automatic formation: A fissure formed by meltwater flushing in summer, which solidifies in winter due to low temperatures and becomes fixed as an ice cave.
- Optical MiracleThe sunlight penetrates the ice, red light is absorbed, blue light is refracted, and the whole cave glows blue.
- Dream Experience: Walking in is like entering a blue crystal palace, sci-fi but not real.
Why is this beautiful blue ice only available in December and February?
- Low Temperature Stability: Only in winter is the ice cave structure strong enough not to collapse.
- Meltwater Reduction: Excessive summer meltwater can destroy ice caves.
- Best light: The blue light effect is strongest in winter when the sun is at a low angle and refracts the blue light.
Here it is, about September time in Yalong, in addition to people are less convenient to approach the ice group, less able to walk, but also less transparent white and blue in the winter reflecting the beauty of
(Entry to Blue Ice Cave is subject to the current policy of the scenic area)
Therefore.December to FebruaryIt is the only golden hour when you can safely see the Blue Ice Cave.
But...with the warming of the earth, there will be less and less time to see blue ice every year!
IV. Why do you need to buy a ticket for Yalong when you've bought a ticket for Lai Koo?
Many travelers will be puzzled when they come to Laiku: after buying the Laiku ticket, is it possible to see the Yalong Blue Ice Cave directly? The answer is - no!
Laiku Scenic Area Ticket + Sightseeing CarThe ticket is about 210-300 RMB (including basic sightseeing and Laiku village area). This ticket allows you to see the Laiku ice, the reflection of Ranwu Lake and the glacier.
In December and February, when the ice is hard enough, you can walk on the ice of Lake Tsobing.
Yalong Blue Ice Cave / In-depth Visit: usually requiresAdditional Payments(4-wheel drive, motorcycle, or specialized vehicle), as it is necessary to go deep into the glacier or the entrance of an ice cave, the safety control is adjusted from year to year.
Will you get screwed? How to avoid it!
Many travel agencies are now implementing the "non-package" option, so there is no way to assess how much it will cost!
The more unscrupulous travel agents (not all of them, but you can be a little more prepared) may charge travelers extra!
Avoidance methods:Follow the "ticket".Tibet Tours, CITS China International Travel Service (CITS) Global(We are responsible for the cost and risk of price increases! Tickets are included.
Otherwise, it would not be worthwhile to go to the Blue Ice Cave, which is supposed to be a happy place, but ends up making everyone unhappy!
V. Comparison with Iceland and Blue Ice Cave of Greenland
When many people think of blue ice caves, they think of the Blue Ice Cave at Vatnajökull in Iceland. It's spectacular, but if you compare "price and accessibility", you'll find that the Blue Ice Cave of Jarón has the edge:
Iceland Blue Ice Cave
- Experience Fee: Usually sign up for the local Blue Ice Cave Adventure Tour for 8 days.About RMB 20,000-40,000 plus airfare.
- convenienceThe overall transportation time and cost is very high: you have to fly to Europe and then change planes to Iceland.
- restrictive: Tours are limited due to weather and group control, and usually have to be booked six months in advance.
Yalon Blue Ice Cave (Glacier Complex)
- Experience Fee:Laiku + Yalong Blue Ice Cave 8 Days Tibet Tour CITS China Travel approx. 7980RMB/person(Airfare depends on the price of flights from each place, but it is cheaper in winter).It's cheaper than Iceland any way you look at it!
- convenience: After flying to Lhasa or Linzhi, take the South Sichuan-Tibet route to reach Ranwu Lake and Laiku Village, which can be combined with Bashongtso, Linzhi and Lhasa.
- Flexibility: Although seasonal (December-February only), it's not as long a trip across the continent as in Europe + high tour prices.
Miguiguan Glacier: Is it worth going?
Migdui Glacier is located in Bomi County, Linzhi, so many travelers will consult us whether it is worthwhile to go to Migdui Glacier or whether it can be added to the itinerary because of the "recommendation" of other travel agencies! In fact, it depends on the itinerary or your purpose! It depends on the itinerary or your purpose to decide.If it's a pure Sichuan-Tibet tour, you can only choose Miguiguan Glacier because of the season and time.The Migdui Glacier is close to the highway! Because Migdui Glacier is close to the highway, as long as the road surface can be normal walking can be added to the itinerary!
1. The characteristics of Migdui Glacier
Migdui Glacier is located in Bomi County, Linzhi City.It is one of the lowest glaciers in the world, with the end of the glacier at only 2400 meters.This is the most beautiful glacier in China. The forests, villages and glaciers here are all in the same frame, and it is honored as "the most beautiful glacier in China".
2. Advantages and limitations
- AdvantagesThe transportation is convenient (next to the 318 National Highway), the touring difficulty is low, and the risk of high altitude sickness is small, so it is very suitable for first-time travelers to Tibet.
- limitationsThe scenery is beautiful, but lacks the spectacular ice formations of the Laiku and the scarcity of the Yarlung Blue Ice.
- That's a shame.: for being the lowest glacier in terms of elevation.With the earth warming up the ice is melting very fast! The scenery may not always be what you wantBut it's also part of nature, and in Tibet it's important to embrace it in a different light.
As you can see in the picture above, the Midu glacier melts faster... so be prepared to see the glacier of your heart, but it's also the best glacier to get to (low altitude & next to the highway)
How to choose between Yalong Glacier, Laiku Glacier and Midu Glacier?
I want to see the "Group Ice Feast":Laiku glacier complex (geology)-
(Seasonal variations may vary) but the entrance fee is higher.
You want to chase the "Winter Limited Blue Miracle":Yalong Blue Ice Cave + Laiku Ice Lake Tour (December-February)
Winter is the best season to get closer to the ice walls and caves when the ice is hard enough and the lake is walkable after mid-December! But the cost is the highest!
You want easy access to your home and convenient transportation:Migdui glacier-
As long as the road is open, it is easy to get to, alongside the 318 highway, and if you want to be a little bit special, you can decide whether or not to ride in (but it will increase the cost).
VIII. Double feast of ice and blue ice
These glacier formations in Laiku demonstrate the magnificence and diversity of Tibet's glaciers, and the Blue Ice Cave on the Yalong Glacier takes this to the extreme - it is a winter-only natural wonder.
If you crave not just "sight-seeing" but a mind-blowing journey, then this winter, walk into theLaikou + YalongThe blue light of nature is the pure blue light of the world.
I want to see it for myself this winter. Blue Ice Cave Is it a dreamscape?
We provide professional guides, safety equipment and optimal planning to take you deep into the heart of the Laiku and Yalon Blue Ice region to experience a Winter Blue Adventure.
👉 Click here for details of the Blue Ice Cave tour
(Entry to Blue Ice Cave and Ice Walking are subject to the current policy of the scenic area)
