Mingyong glacier is the longest and largest glacier among the four glaciers that Meili Snow Mountain (Mt Kawakarpo) has, it starts from the elevation of 6740 meters of the Meili Snow Mountain and stretching down for about 11.7 km to the tree-line of 2,700 meters, where virgin forest area is at. Due to global warming and excessive tourists, it is aggravating that glaciers melts at the annual rate of about 5 or 6 hundred meters.
Mingyong Glacier is the 2nd longest glacier after Hailuogou glacier (13.6 kilometers) in Gongga Mountain in the Heng-duan Mountains
Brief
A lot of snow and ice is from south slope of the main peak, and from the northwest slope of the little ice-cap on the southeast of the main peak forming up a huge snow and ice low-lying land, which extends about 5km from south to north, and 3 kilometers from east to west. In summer time, melted ice and snow flows into this low-lying land forms a diameter of 50 meters seasonal lake, the water color produce blue and dark
When a large quantity of snow and ice are over the ice ridge, it is cut by 3 frozen rock to two ice streams, and Converging into a big ice waterfall flowing down to the northeast with a gradient of 300 to 400 degrees, and length of 2 kilometers and height difference of 1,000 meters around.
Under altitude 4000 meters, there is one giant glacier platform with gradient of 5-10 degrees and length of 2 kilometers and wide of 1.5 kilometers. Then after, the ice flows to the southeast at an angle of 300 degrees, the gradient is about 30-35 degrees and forming up the 2nd large Ice-waterfall; Due to the movement that glacier push down, and the ice collapse, the very loud sound is often to be heard
Approximately 3,000 meters beneath the 2nd Ice-waterfall, the gradient become gentle to 15 – 20 degrees, the ice is about 1.5 kilometers wide. Due to ice melting, it forms a series of parallel ice valley and ice ridge area with height of 20 to 30 meters. Ice water gush out from the ice-cave under the ice cliff, which a 70 meters high ice-cliff is at the end of glacier with gradient 300-400 degrees
It is about 8 kilometers from the entrance to Tai-Zi-Miao where to enjoy the view of mingyong glacier. The hike is relatively gentle uphill, just as an usual walk up to a hill, just the elevation increases. For those, whom do not like to walk, horse-riding is the only option, however, the horse rental can be arranged at the entrance, and not in the halfway of the hike.
After arriving at the foot of Mingyong glacier, you will be able to appreciate the great view of Meili Snow Mountain (Mt Kawakarpo)
Mingyong Glacier
- Meili Snow Mountain (Mt Kawakarpo) is still an virgin mountain that no one has ever reach the top
- There are 3 peaks that are over 6000 meters above sea level, and 5 peaks are over 5,000 meters above sea level
- The altitude difference from the peak to the bottom of the glacier: 4,080 meter
- Above Snow-line, the mountain width of 1 – 3 kilometers
- The annual average temperature of the area at Snow-line (4800 meters – 5200 meters): -3 to -5.6 degrees
- Annual precipitation : 1500 mm
Add : Ming Yong Village
Contact : +86 887 841-2666
6,740 meters at its highest point
2,700 meters at its lowest point
Full Day
RMB 228 per person
With this ticket, you can visit to Mountain Meli (Kawakarpo ), Jinsha River Bend, Fei-Li-Si view platform
How to get Mingyong Glacier
Mingyong glacier is located at Mingyong village that is 50 kilometers from Deqin county, or 40 kilometers to Fei-Lai-Si
By bus from Deqin two daily bus with departures: 07:00am, 15:00pm, with rate: RMB 15 one way
By rent vehicle from Deqin it usually cost RMB 200 – 300 per vehicle, round trip
By rent vehicle from Fei-Lai-Si it usually cost RMB 150 – 200 per vehicle, round trip; or it is possible to share a rent vehicle with others with rate of RMB 20 per person
