Climb Ice in Sichuan: Planning Ideas and Suggestions

The Season

The conventional season of ice climbing in Sichuan is between mid December to the next mid February. Before this the ice is usually not formed. After this there may still have ice til even April especially those that are not exposed to the sun. New year holiday (first 3-5 days of Jan) is usually busy since many people will be traveling on their vacations and usually we see more people doing ice climbing in places such as Shuangqiao and Lixian.

Where to Climb

Shuangqiao is most organized while the many other places with good ice are not inside any park or reserve and you may just go and climb by yourself if you are experienced. If you are a beginner you may consider to go with a guide/instructor to climb in Shuangqiao or Lixian. For experienced climbers you may consider to go further in the valleys in Siguniang Shuangqiao or the valleys in Lixian to explore the unclimbed ice. Please note some ices in Shuangqiao can be crowded, if you want to avoid crowds then need to avoid the easily approached ices in Shuangqiao and choose the further ones

Shuangqiao can be Crowded

Logistics

A car is necessary to get you around especially when you need to drive further into the valleys if you are doing ice climb in Lixian, Songpan, Kangding or other places in Sichuan. Permit is necessary for places such as Shuangqiao. Depending on the styles, what you need to pack is different. English-speaking level is low in all the above listed places. Be careful if you don’t speak mandarin and are in the places where there may require you to pay a fee at places such as Lixian that locals sometimes add on new restricted area or add on new entry fee to the places where the ices are. You are welcome to talk with us for arranging you an ice climbing trip in Sichuan to sort out your logistics and permits.

Budget

Things are costing more in China in general. Places such as Siguniang and Lixian, Songpan the living cost has raised more than 2 times in the last 10 years time especially on food and human. Locals don’t work cheap anymore. Transfer cost is okay as long as you stay on using public transport. Hotel price raised but along with the quality.