Things to do in Heishui

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Aba Prefecture

Dagu Glacier

"The nearest distance" is the affectionate confession of renowned writer Alai to this place; "crossing high mountains and valleys without climbing, standing amidst snow-covered forests without braving snow, and towering atop mountain peaks without ascending" is its moving portrayal. The story from the movie "The Captain" seems to have flown overhead here, showcasing the image of a composed and resolute group of heroes; "The Red Chieftain" fought here, composing a magnificent picture of ethnic unity. It is reported that Dagu Glacier plays a pivotal role in the cultural tourism industry development of Aba Prefecture and even Sichuan Province, actively promoting the construction of the northwest Sichuan ecological demonstration zone. Located in the northwest of Sichuan Province, the heartland of Aba Prefecture, and within Heishui County, this attraction boasts abundant natural resources and a rich cultural atmosphere, with vast development potential and market prospects. It features the northernmost monsoon maritime modern mountain glaciers on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China, integrating glacier snow mountains, colorful forests, red rocks, lakes, meadows, and rare wildlife. The profound red culture and vibrant ethnic customs coexist harmoniously here, with fresh air, fragrant land, clear water, and ample oxygen, creating a pristine paradise. Crowned with honors such as National Geopark, Provincial Nature Reserve, and Ecotourism Demonstration Zone, it is an ideal destination for snow experiences, sightseeing, leisure, wellness retreats, summer escapes, and scientific research. As another meticulously developed premium tourist attraction following Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, and Siguniang Mountain, Dagu Glacier shines as a dazzling pearl on the Great Jiuzhai Loop and the Tibetan-Qiang Cultural Corridor. It holds four major brands among Aba's nine tourism highlights: "Grand Glacier, Grand Snow Mountain, Grand Colorful Forest, and Grand Long March," serving as a cornerstone for Aba's all-for-one tourism development and a pillar for the rise of central Aba's tourism industry. In the winter of 2019, this "winter snow paradise" gained immense popularity and quickly became one of the province's fastest-growing tourist destinations. Seizing the opportunity, the area expanded its "four-season glacier" concept—spring flower viewing with snow play, summer ice appreciation with snow activities, fall foliage with colorful forests, and winter snow paradise—making it more vibrant. It also enhanced eco-tourism, wellness travel, leisure vacations, and special adventure experiences. Extending the 10-month snow tourism season, the 4860 Glacier Coffee cultural tourism series, and ten viral photo spots further boosted the attraction's youthful, trendy, and high-quality appeal. From endless green fields to vibrant blooms and then to a winter wonderland, Dagu is a place where you can play with snow in summer, a cool retreat with temperatures around 20°C, and a natural oxygen bar with negative oxygen ions reaching 8,360 P. You can stroll through romantic spring snow, escape the summer heat in refreshing coolness, admire stunning fall foliage, or sip steaming coffee atop snow-capped peaks in winter while reflecting on life's beauty. "All-season snow, endless experiences" will dazzle you with boundless scenery and delightful moments, leaving you enchanted and reluctant to leave.

Aotaina

Mount Aotai is pyramid-shaped, with the main peak at an altitude of about5,200The terrain is relatively flat, making it a good place for hiking and mountain photography.

No. 3 of Night Attractions in Aba Prefecture

Yangrong Hade · China's Most Beautiful Tibetan Village

Yangrong Hade · China's Most Beautiful Tibetan Village is located in the central area of the premium attraction Larch Forest within Naizigou's Colourful Forest Park in Heishui County, on the east side of National Highway 347, 18 km from Heishui County town. It extends north to the vast Hongyuan Grand Grasslands and borders the magnificent Dagu Glacier to the east. Situated on the Jiuzhaigou – Huanglong – Grassland – Glacier tourism loop, it is an undeveloped eco-tourism destination and a shining pearl on the Greater Jiuzhaigou tourism loop. With convenient transportation, lush vegetation, abundant sunshine, and a beautiful ecological environment, it is an ideal rural tourism resort.

Naizigou Scenic Area

Naizigou Scenic Area is located along the main road from Heishui County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province to Barkam, 5 km from Heishui County town. It is adjacent to Hongyuan Grassland and is one of the largest and most spectacular red leaf scenic areas, known as the "80-li Gallery." "Naizigou" means beautiful, rich, happy, and peaceful in the Tibetan language. Naizigou's Colourful Forest Park is named after the quiet and elegant Naizigou, which is located deep in the valley, and is famous for its world of colorful forests. Stretching 80 li from 5 km away from the county town to the snow-capped mountain pass, the canyon is covered with broad-leaved forests, secondary forests, and shrubs. The main tree species include birch, oak, Japanese larch, maple, sea buckthorn, and poplar. Every fall, the mountains and plains are covered with colorful forests, featuring leaves in shades of bright red, purplish red, dark red, crimson, pink, golden yellow, goose yellow, grass green, dark green, coffee, and brown, along with clusters of bright red and golden wild fruits. Various colors dance among the mountains, converging into a colorful world of vibrant hues, appearing like a magnificent oil painting before your eyes.

Naizigou's Colourful Forest Park

"Naizigou" in Tibetan means beauty, abundance, happiness and tranquility. Naizigou Cailin Valley is named after the quiet and elegant Naizigou in the deep valley. The vegetation here is lush, the sun is shining, and the oxygen is abundant. It is a natural "oxygen bar". Naizigou Baishili Cailin is located between the main road from Heishui to Malkang, and is connected to the Hongyuan prairie. It is one of the largest and most spectacular red leaf scenic spots developed in my country. From 5 kilometers away from the county town to the Yakou Snow Mountain, the 80-mile-long canyon is covered with broad-leaved forests, secondary forests and shrubs. Sea buckthorn, poplar, etc. Whenever the golden autumn season, the mountains and plains are all over the place, and the forests are dyed; there are bright red, purple, red, waxy red, pink, golden, light yellow, grass green, dark green, coffee-colored, brown leaves, and there are strings of bright red wild fruits, all kinds of colors. Jumping between the mountains, it merges into a colorful world of purple, dry red and colorful, just like a colorful oil painting presented in front of your eyes.

Kalong Ditch

Kalong Ditch attraction Kalong Ditch Scenic Area, located at the intersection of the Min Mountains and Qionglai Mountains, combines the charm of Jiuzhai Valley with the dreamlike beauty of Huanglong. Its stunning natural views captivate every visitor. The gorge boasts exceptionally beautiful and pristine scenery, with landscapes ranging from moss-covered terrain at lower elevations to calcified waterfalls, primeval forests, and stone forests at higher altitudes. The calcified waterfalls are particularly distinctive. Here in spring you can see nature come back to life, in summer you can escape the heat and enjoy the cool, and in fall there's over 30 miles of stunning colorful forests. The abundance of pristine natural scenery is simply breathtaking! 01 Experience Tibetan village charm The first stop when entering Kalong Ditch is Caigai Tibetan Village. The village is filled with wooden buildings in shades of red, orange, and yellow—fresh yet exuding rustic charm, surrounded by beautiful swaying gesang flowers. Moreover, the local Tibetan people are warm and hospitable, inviting you to enjoy butter tea and join in the Guozhuang dance... endless joy awaits. 02 Search for moss carpets Known as the "World of Moss and Travertine in China," Kalong Ditch is covered with sponge-like colorful moss carpets. These lush plants thrive everywhere—along streams, on rocks, and even clinging to tree trunks. A thick layer, like a vibrant carpet, leaves a soft imprint with just a gentle press. Beyond the travertine water features, moss reigns supreme across every forest clearing. 03 Admire the Emerald Golden Slope Kalong Ditch is truly a blessed land, where calcification has created countless rare views, with the most spectacular being the golden calcified slopes. The emerald-green moss resembles jade, alongside the milky-yellow calcified slopes that shimmer golden under the sunlight... The interplay of azure and gold creates a rare wonder of the world—the Emerald Golden Slope. 04 Check in at the Calcified Waterfall Following the forest stream upward, at the cliff's edge, flowing water has carved and deposited a creamy-yellow travertine waterfall, where the rushing currents cascade down. The travertine waterfall stands out with its dramatic drop and steep cascade, distinct from the waterfalls of Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou, boasting unparalleled beauty. The most iconic is Pearl Waterfall, which makes for exceptionally photogenic shots! 5 Explore natural caves Along the cliffs near the travertine waterfall, you can observe numerous karst caves of varying sizes and shapes, each exuding a mystical charm. The most representative caves are the "Immortal Cave" and the "Four Symbols Sky-Reaching Cave." Both feature milky-white concentric stalactites in bizarre formations, making them perfect summer retreats. 06 View the alpine stone forest At the edge of the primeval forest, near the source of Kalong Ditch at an altitude of 3,600 meters, the sprawling Kelong Stone Forest stretches for miles. The first sight is a circular stone gate with a massive boulder resting at its center, resembling a guardian deity protecting the mountain entrance. Entering the stone gate feels like stepping into a fairyland, where for miles around, bizarre rocks and layered peaks create a landscape of endless wonder with their unique and varied formations. 07 View 60 miles of colorful forest The 30-mile valley from the Zhimulin River Dam to the entrance of Kalong Ditch is flanked by lush vegetation, featuring distinct layers of broadleaf forests, secondary forests, and shrublands on a grand scale. A kaleidoscope of colors converges into a vibrant, multicolored world, unfolding before your eyes like a series of dazzling oil paintings. 08 Colorful Pool View On the left branch of Kalong Ditch, clusters of colorful pools are scattered in groups, numbering in the hundreds. The lowest-altitude pool sits at 3,200 meters. Moss world and colorful mountain forests Calcified wonders, Amdo customs...

Dagu Glacier Scenic Area - Viewing Platform

The glacier here is at a lower altitude and covers a vast area, hidden deep within the mountains. Only when you are there can you truly feel its magnificence and marvel at nature's masterful handiwork.

San'ao Snow Mountain Base Camp

San'ao Snow Mountain is located in Luhua Town, Heishui County, 16 kilometers away from Heishui County. Sanao Snow Mountain is composed of three snow mountains: Aotaiji, Aotaimei and Aotaina. The main peak, Aotaiji (meaning father of mountains in Tibetan), is 5,286 meters above sea level. The mother of mountains), 5257 meters above sea level; Ao Tai Na (Tibetan means son of mountains), 5210 meters above sea level. The three snow-capped mountains are beautiful in shape, pyramid-shaped, and connected side by side. Under the sunlight, the three snow-capped mountains are golden in color, making them even more mysterious and brilliant. You can admire its majestic and beautiful figure anywhere in the county. San'ao Snow Mountain, because of its steep terrain, complex mountain shape and magnificent beauty, is a good place for viewing the strange peaks of the snow-capped mountains, a good place for photography, mountaineering, exploration, tourism and vacation.

Fall Foliage Sightseeing in Heishui

The red leaves viewing period in Heishui County is mainly concentrated in October to November, which is the best time of the year for red leaves. During this period, as the temperature gradually drops, the red leaves in the mountains turn from green to yellow, and then from yellow to red, forming a colorful picture. There are many red leaf viewing scenic spots in Heishui County, among which the more well-known colorful forests include Dagu Glacier, Naizigou, Sanao Snow Mountain and Kalonggou. The red leaves of these scenic spots form a colorful forest area of ​​nearly 3,000 square kilometers in autumn, providing tourists with a wide viewing space.

Sandagu Tibetan Village