The Hailuogou glacier is the central feature of the park and the reason most people make the journey. The glacier descends from the permanent ice fields of Minya Konka to an unusually low altitude — you can stand at the glacier's lower terminus in a landscape that still has large trees and hear the creak and crack of ice movement above you. The approach from the entrance involves shuttle buses and then a walkway that leads to the viewing platform and glacier access point.
At close range the glacier presents a wall of blue-white ice riddled with crevasses and topped by seracs — unstable ice towers that break periodically and sometimes audibly. The surface ice is grey with moraine debris but the interior, where it catches the light, has the particular deep blue that makes glacial ice unlike any other substance. Do not attempt to walk on the glacier without authorised guidance; the surface crevasses are real hazards. The cable car provides an alternative elevated view and is the better option for those with less mobility or time.
Clear mornings — typically before 10 a.m. before cloud builds from the valley — offer the best light on both the glacier and the peak above. Bring layers regardless of the season; the temperature drops significantly at the glacier's altitude even in summer.