Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Chinese name: 玉龙雪山 (Yu Long Xue Shan)
Location: Yulong Naxi County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province
Ticket: Entrance ticket CNY130.00，combo ticket CNY280.00 includes the snow mountain, Yushui Village (also called Jade Water Village), Dongba Valley, Yufeng Temple, Yuzhu Qingtian Scenic Resort, Dongba Kingdom, Dongba Gods' Garden and Baisha Mural). Round trip cable car of Glacier Park CNY120.00, round-trip cable car of Yak Level Ground CNY 60.00, round-trip cable car of Spruce Level Ground CNY 55.00
Estimated tour time: Half day to one day
Recommended time to visit: All year round
Nearby attractions: Lijiang ancient town, Lashi Lake, Baisha Old Town, Shuhe Ancient Town, Black Dragon Pool, etc.

Located in Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is China’s southernmost glacier. The mountain belongs to the south section of Shaluli Mountains of Hengduan Mountains. It is the mountain of lowest latitude and highest altitude in the northern hemisphere. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is considered a sacred mountain by the Naxi nationality. Having 13 peaks, the silhouette of the mountain looks like a dancing silver dragon and was thus named Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Its main peak, Shanzidou, has an altitude of 5,596 meters and is covered by snow all year around. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is famous for its height, beauty and peculiarity. The main scenic spots are Glacier Park, Ganhaizi Meadow, Blue Moon Valley, Spruce Meadow and Yak Meadow.

● Highlights  of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Blue-Moon Valley

There is an extremely blue river meandering through a lush valley of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Seen from a distance, it resembles a blue crescent moon inlaid at the foot of the mountain. That’s how this place got its beautiful name – Blue Moon Valley. However, blue is not the only looking of the river. If it rains, the white mud and limestone rubbles at the riverbed will be swirl up, making the water as white as milk. 

White Water River 

The White Water River is converged by the melted snow and ice running down from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The water is freezing; even in summer, people still cannot bear the piercing cold when they can’t help dabbling in the river. But it is a favorite iced drink in summer. Legend has it that, when two Naxi youngsters fall in love, the boy will be tested by standing barefoot in the cold river in winter to show his committed love for the girl. Folks believe that this tested love will last forever in the presence of the holy snow mountain. So, the river is considered the Love River in local people’s mind.

The Glacier Park

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the mountain of lowest latitude in Eurasia that has present glaciers, so you can see maybe for the first time the various kinds of present glaciers and the remnants of ancient glaciers that are the essence of the global glaciers. Moreover, you will be amazed at the very charming scenery of the various shapes of serac pillars at the end of the glaciers, which shows blue and green under the sunshine and called the “Green Snow Peaks”. And you can see this wonderful view by taking the tramway up to the park at 4680 m.

Spruce Meadow

The Spruce Meadow is also called the “Third Country for dying for love”, and according to the materials of Dongba, one person can live without worry in the “Jade Dragon Third Country” for the abundant beautiful clothes, delicious food, etc. And if a couple die for love at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, their souls will go to this “country” and live happily. So it is famous worldwide as the place for dying for love.

Yak Meadow

Yak Meadow at the northern edge of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain has different but various picturesque sightseeing in each season. Here you can both appreciate the splendid image of the snow mountain at the best position, and see the local people driving their domestic animals up to the mountain. You can feel the original and simple life in this great place.

Impression Lijiang Show

The Impression Lijiang is a large-scale live-action performance directed by the world famous director Zhang Yimou who is the chief director of both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 29th Olympic Games held in Beijing in 2008. 500 local people from 10 minority nationalities perform this amazing show at the height of 3100 m. This show provides you a “BOOM” to your eyes and ears, with their wonderful dancing and singing and the unique fine background of the white Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as well as the blue sky.

Watching this great performance, you can know Lijiang from many aspects. The gallant men, respectable women, emotion to life and nature, historical scene on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, love to different people, hope for the sacred kingdom, and the sincere heart to the heaven, etc. all express the pure, hospitality and optimism of the local people in Lijiang.

● Three kinds of Cable cars of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Big Cable car

The big cableway is the most popular cableway in the scenic spot. The cableway will take tourists from Ganhanzi Meadow to the Glacier Park at an altitude of 4,506 meters. Getting off the cable, you can walk along the plank road on the glacier to the highest point with an altitude of 4,680 meters to enjoy the beauty of snow mountain and glaciers at more closely. The ticket costs RMB 180. The cableway will close on windy days. Please pay attention to official notifications.

Spruce Meadow Cable car

The cableway is located by the banks of Baishui River at the foot of the snow mountain. You can get there by taking the green bus in the scenic area. Taking the Spruce Meadow Cableway, you’ll arrive at Spruce Meadow at an altitude of 3,240 meters, where you can best appreciate the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Yak Meadow Cable car

15 kilometers to Spruce Meadow, Yak Meadow is located on the other side of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. On the Yak Meadow, you can appreciate the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from another perspective.

● Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Travel Tips

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Climate

On Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the yearly average temerature is 11.3 ℃, the average temperature of the colddest month is 3℃ while the average temperature of the hottest month is 17℃. The yearly precipitation of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is about 1000~1200mm; the rainfalls mainly come during June to October, taking up 80% of the overall precipitation of a year. However, there is few rainfalls during Novermber to Apirl of the next year.

The Best Time To Visit The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is suitable for traveling in whole year generally. Different season will see different scenery. In summer, you can see the green forest surrounding the while snow peak; in winter, you can see a snow kingdom covered by white color everywhere.especially in January, February and April, when the sky is clear and you can have a better view of the snow mountain the beautiful natural scenery.

Other Travel Tips

The altitude of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is so high that it is necessary for tourists to rent down jackets when the wind is strong. You’d better not rent it at places where provide green cars, which is more expensive than that on the mountain, taking 30 yuan as rental and 300 yuan as deposit per jacket. It is a better choice to rent the jacket after taking green car and arriving at ropeway station on 3356 meters or 4506 meters. In addition, some hostels in Lijiang Old City provide cost-free down jackets for their customers. They also help customers to book tickets of ropeway in case of waiting in line to buy tickets on the mountain; however, tourists still need to wait in line if they choose the big ropeway.