Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (or Yu Long Snow Mountain) is the landmark of Lijiang. You can see it in any corner of Lijiang city. And once you lose your way, following the highest peak in your vision, you will definitely know where to go.
It is the snow mountain closest to equator with snow line 4000 meters above sea level. About 35 kilometers long from north to south and 25 kilometers wide from west to east. Dotted meadows, continuously snow mountains, lush forest and great waterfalls are all the things you can expect from this lovely place. The snow scenery of the mountain is also variable according to the specific seasons and weather. The sunset and sunrise in Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is regarded as one of the top scenes you must experience one in a lifetime. And legend has that it will bring you good lucks if you come to see the sunrise or sunset by yourself.
Features
Chinese Name: 玉龙雪山
Location: About 21 kilometers away from Lijiang.
Popular attractions: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Spruce Flat, Lanyue Lake, Yak Ping.
Time needed: one day
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is called“Oulu”in Naxi language, which means "ianshan Mountain”. Its thirteen snow peaks are endless, like a "giant dragon" jumping and flying, so it is called "Jade Dragon". And because its lithology is mainly limestone and basalt, black and white, so it is also called "black and white snow mountain". It is the sacred mountain of the Naxi people, and the embodiment of the legendary Naxi protector god "San Duo".
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the closest mountain range to the equator with year-round snow in the Northern hemisphere. It is juxtaposed with Zhongdian Snow Mountain in Jiangxi Province and Mianmian Mountain in the east. It stretches from Sanjiang Estuary in the north to 27° N in the south. The 13 peaks of the mountain are arranged from south to north, and the highest point of the Principal peak, Fan Steep, is 5596 meters above sea level, with snow all year round, and the snow line height is between 4800 and 5000 meters. It is the closest temperate Marine glacier in Eurasia to the equator.
How to get to the top
The Glacier ropeway
First of all, take a taxi to the Yulong Snow Mountain visitor center to get off, and then queue up at the visitor center to buy tickets, take the scenic bus to the place where you take the big ropeway, and then walk some distance to the top of the mountain after taking the ropeway. ️
Spruce Meadow
Spruce Meadow is a boundless lawn hidden in the original spruce forest, 3240 meters above sea level. In the Naxi language is called "you wu ge," "the place of love death." It is located on the eastern foot of Yulong Snow Mountain Mountain Mountain Qingli, in the lower right of the Principal peak of Snow Mountain.
The Spruce Ping
There is a beautiful legend that Spruce Ping is the place where the first pair of lovers of the Naxi nationality died. According to legend, the ancestors of the Naxi love death are Kai Mei and Yu Le Pai, they yearned for a free love life but were torn apart by the feudal marriage of polygamy, and both of them died at Spruce Ping. Therefore, every June on the Torch Festival, the young men and women who live in the village near the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, come to Spruce Ping to pay homage to the first pair of Kaishan ancestors who died in love. As a result, Spruce Flat also becomes a romantic and sad place, where you find a sense of holiness and respect along the edge of the meadow and forest.
How to get to the Spruce Meadow
You can get off at the visitor center and then take the scenic bus to the Spruce Ping ropeway to take the ropeway. If you choose to climb to the top of Yulong Snow Mountain, you can take the middle ropeway after the snow mountain.
Blue Moon Valley (Lanyue Lake)
The Lanyue Valley
Lanyue Valley is at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, 2800 meters above sea level, the lake is blue, so the valley is like a blue moon inlaid under the Yulong Snow Mountain. When the weather is clear, here you can see the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance, the sky is blue and white clouds, and the blue Moon Valley is ripening around. I heard that when you wash your hands with water from the Lanyue Valley and make a wish to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, your wish will come true. Local legend says that the water here comes from the mouth of the Jade Dragon, with spirituality, washing one is official luck, washing two is business luck, and washing three is peach luck.
How to get to the Blue Moon Valley
You can take a bus to Lanyue Valley at the visitor center first. Or you can go to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Spruce Ping first, and after going to these two places, you can take a bus to Lanyue Valley.
Yak Meadow
The Yak Ping
Yak Ping is halfway up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, its elevation is higher than that of Spruce Ping, and the terrain is also high. Yak Ping is mainly alpine meadows, which is the best place to enjoy the Thirteen Peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The scenery here is fascinating all year round.
How to get to the Yak Meadow
You can take a bus from the visitor center to the ropeway and then take the ropeway to Yak Ping.
Travel Tips
Best time for visiting: From February to June every year
How to Get to Dianchi Lake: Take the bus or drive yourself.
Travel Information
Opening Time: 7：00～16：00
Customer Service Phone: 0888-5137677,0888-5161501,0888-5162140,0888-5131068
Admission fee: Glacier ropeway （big cableway）- 140 yuan; Yak Ping ropeway (Middle ropeway) - 65 yuan; Spruce Ping Ropeway (small ropeway) - 60 yuan.
Due to the high altitude of Yulong Snow Mountain, it is necessary to prepare for high resistance before going up the mountain.
The temperature in the mountains is low, and you need to prepare thermal clothing in the summer. UV is strong, so wear sunglasses, umbrellas, and other anti-sunscreen items.
Pay attention to safety when traveling, and do not walk to dangerous places such as cliffs or glaciers.
Travel Maps
Recommended Tours
3 Days Lijiang Tour: Lijiang Ancient Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain,...
7 Days Yunnan Tour: Travel to Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La...
