Golden ice

Colorful natural scenery of the Dagu Glacier Park in different seasons.[Photo provided to China Daily]

In 2003, provincial authorities stepped up efforts to protect the primeval forests and wildlife here, especially the rare Sichuan snub-nosed monkey.

The national park was later established and a network of cable cars was built to afford visitors stunning views of the glacier.

As the glacier descends down the mountains, blue lakes with floating ice come into sight. Wooden pathways line the edges of the lakes.

Travel time to the glacier's base from a point by a cable car is roughly 15 minutes and a sightseeing tour is usually completed within two hours. An on-site bus service is also available. The national park has more than 1,000 kinds of plants and 153 species of animals. Travelers can watch the monkeys, wild sheep and birds.