Jiaozi Snow Mountain

It should be hard to find a snow mountain in Kunming which is renowned as "Spring City". But the miraculous Jiaozi Snow Mountain is an exception. The snow-capped mountain got its name because it looks like a sedan chair (Jiaozi). In winter and spring, the mountain is covered with pure white snow, with beautiful icefalls hanging from cliffs. In summer and autumn, the fragrant azalea flowers are in full blossom with bees humming and butterflies dancing around. In one word, scenery in the Jiaozi Snow Mountain is extraordinary. Enchanting lakes, magnificent waterfalls, attractive cloud sea, charming sunset, exuberant meadows, and beautiful azalea flowers will make you feel like you are stepping into a fairy tale world.

Jiaozi Snow Mountain Tourist Map

The Jiaozi Snow Mountain is located in the northeast of Luquan County, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Kunming downtown. With an elevation of 4,223 meters (13,856 feet) and a total area of 253 square kilometers (98 square miles), it is known as the "No. 1 Mountain in Middle Yunnan Province".
 

The best time to appreciate the mountain veiled by white snow is from late November to March, when the mountain becomes a white beauty. Rivers are frozen. The tree branches are coated white, the grassland is hidden by the huge white carpet of snow. Animals are having a good rest in their caves. It is so tranquil and peaceful.
 

Another highlight of a winter visit to Jiaozi Snow Mountain is icefalls. Seen from afar, they are like white marble sculptures differing in thousands of ways, which will take away the breath of tourists. On warm spring days, these icefalls melt and become waterfalls cascading down the mountain, which looks splendid and fascinating as well. The falls are mainly distributed at an altitude of 2,500 meters (8,202 feet) to 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), including the Double Waterfalls at the Heroes' Slope, the Sisters Waterfall, the Flower Stream Waterfall, the waterfall at the Water Dripping Rock, the Lotus Waterfall, and the Flown-over Waterfall.
 

On the Jiaozi Snow Mountain, there are also many lakes worth visiting. The most famous ones are: the Heavenly Pond, the Mubang Lake, the Spirit Pond, the Heavenly Pond at Green Valley, the Heroes' Pond, and the Palanquin Curtain Lake. Glacier erosion contributed a lot to the formation of these lakes. A legend has it that there is a dragon deep in one of the lakes. So, people should not roar near the lake, not to mention throwing stones into it. Otherwise, the dragon will become angry, which might lead to thunderstorm or hail. This legend adds more beauty and mystery to the Jiaozi Snow Mountain.
 

Apart from the grand waterfalls and charming lakes, the azalea flowers are colorful decorations of Jiaozi Snow Mountain, usually in full blossom from April to June. White azaleas look very pure while purple ones look noble. The pink are gentle while the red are enthusiastic. Moreover, yellow azaleas are pretty and elegant. They contrast finely with waterfalls and embellish the mountain very well. Seeing clusters of azaleas dance in the gentle breeze and smelling the fresh fragrance will make tourists fascinated and excited. 
 

Moreover, there are plenty of rare animals and plants in the Jiaozi Snow Mountain, including rare birds, insects, flowers, herbs, woods and so on. Hence, it is known as the "Gene Bank of Animals and Plants in Yunnan". The primitive fir forest, known as the "Green Pearl" and "Natural Oxygen Bar", is the only one in Yunnan. Moreover, the glacier and karst sites catch the attention of geologists because of their great significance for scientific research.
 

 The temperature fluctuates extremely between day and night and due to the rise of elevation on the mountain. It may be sunny during the daytime and at the foot of the mountain, but windy and cold at night or on mountain top. So, you are advised to prepare enough clothes. In addition, you should apply moisturizer and sunscreen cream for your exposed skin, and wear a pair of sunglasses in winter because the snow is quite dazzling.
 Climbing the Jiaozi Mountain is energy-consuming, so you need to take enough food and water.
 To climb the undeveloped mountain areas, you’d better hire a local guide who is familiar with the environment.Take a bus from North Bus Station to Zhuanlong Town and then hire a private car to Jiaozi Snow Mountain. The 27km (18mi) driving takes about 40 minutes and CNY 70-110.
 Inside the scenic area, there are sightseeing buses shuttling between the Sifangjing Tourist Service Center (close to the attraction's main gate) and core scenic spot on the mountain. The bus departs frequently and it costs CNY 30 for a round trip.

Entrance Fee	CNY 35; Half price for children between 1.2 - 1.4m (3.9 - 4.6ft); Free for children under 1.2m.
Combo Ticket	CNY 138 for Combo Ticket, including CNY 35 for entry, CNY 30 for shuttle bus in the scenic area, CNY 70 for round-trip cable car, and CNY 3 for insurance.
Xiapingzi Cableway	Round-trip ticket: CNY 80 Single-trip ticket: CNY 50 Operating hours: 08:00 - 15:00
Opening Hours	07:00 - 17:00 (last entry at 15:00)