Code: LIJIANG03
Day Trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
► Route: Big Cableway → Glacier Park → Blue Moon Valley (White Water River) → Impression Lijiang → Ganhaizi Meadow (Dry Sea)
7:00 – 8:00 Lijiang to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is 18 km (11 mi) north of the Lijiang Old Town. You are recommended to go there by taxi or charter car, which runs 40 minutes to the entrance. It costs CNY 80 to 100 for a single trip by taxi, while CNY 200 to 300 for a round trip by charter car. You can share a car with other travelers if possible.
There is a bus line 101 running from Lijiang Old Town to the mountain, but it is not recommended, for it takes 1.5 hours for a single trip, including a long walking distance. If you still want to try it, get on the bus from Zhongyi Market station, get off at Dongba Valley, and then walk 2.5 km (1.6 mi) north for about 35 minutes to reach the entrance.
► Hours of Bus Line 101: 7:00 – 17:00
► Frequency: every 20 minutes
► Fare: CNY 15
● Want to avoid the trouble of traffic? You can choose our Guided Day Tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to arrange all the transportation and sightseeing schedule for you.
● After arriving at the gate, buy a ticket to enter and arrive at the visitor center, and then transfer to the sightseeing bus to the cableway station.
There is a bus line 101 running from Lijiang Old Town to the mountain, but it is not recommended, for it takes 1.5 hours for a single trip, including a long walking distance. If you still want to try it, get on the bus from Zhongyi Market station, get off at Dongba Valley, and then walk 2.5 km (1.6 mi) north for about 35 minutes to reach the entrance.
► Hours of Bus Line 101: 7:00 – 17:00
► Frequency: every 20 minutes
► Fare: CNY 15
● Want to avoid the trouble of traffic? You can choose our Guided Day Tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to arrange all the transportation and sightseeing schedule for you.
● After arriving at the gate, buy a ticket to enter and arrive at the visitor center, and then transfer to the sightseeing bus to the cableway station.
8:00 – 10:00 Big Cableway to Glacier Park
Facts of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
► Elevation: 5,596 meters (18,360 feet)
► Opening Hours: 8:00 – 18:30 (Ticketing stops at 16:30.)
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 day
► Ticket Price: CNY 100, including Glacier Park, Blue Moon Valley, Spruce Meadow, Yak Meadow, and Ganhaizi Meadow, while excluding the cableway and sightseeing bus (CNY 20).
About the Big Cableway
Due to the dangers of hiking up the mountain, the scenic area does not allow tourists to climb up on foot. The cableway is the only way to go up the mountain.
► Length of Big Cableway: 2,914 meters (9,560 feet)
► Altitude Difference: 1,150 meters (3,773 feet)
► Opening Hours: 7:00 – 18:00 (Ticketing stops at 16:00.) In windy seasons or when the weather condition is not good, the operating hours will end early at 16:00.
► Duration: 30 minutes for a single trip
► Fare: CNY 180 for a round trip
Generally speaking, after 12:00 at noon, it would be windy and cloudy, making it hard for you to see the beauty of the snow mountain. Therefore, it is suggested that you make the Glacier Park the first stop. Take the Big Cableway directly up the mountain in the morning. The cableway tickets are limited, so be sure to go there early. If traveling in the peak season from November to the next April or during public holidays, you need to book tickets online 1 to 2 days in advance. It depends on your luck that how long you have to wait for taking the cableway. Queuing usually takes 1 or 2 hours. It means that it could be around 10:00 by the time you go up the mountain even if you go early in the morning.
● Note: the Big Cableway might be suspended in case of strong winds. Please check the weather forecast and the official ticketing information when you go.
● Note: the Big Cableway might be suspended in case of strong winds. Please check the weather forecast and the official ticketing information when you go.
10:00 – 11:30 Snow Mountain Hiking from 4,506 to 4,680 Meters
The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain has long been regarded as a patron saint among the Naxi people in Lijiang. Being the snow mountain closest to the Equator, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain retains terrific vertical landscape differences. Its main peak Shanxidou, at 5,596 meters (18,360 feet) is surrounded by clouds and fog all the year round, making it an unconquered virgin peak.
The Big Cableway takes tourists from the lower station at an elevation of 3,356 meters (11,010 feet) to the upper station at 4,506 meters (14,783 feet). Get off the cable car and walk along the wooden path on the glacier, you can hike to a height of 4,680 meters (15,354 feet) which is the highest place that common visitors can reach. As you climb up to the viewing platform step by step, you’ll feel the spectacular charm of the snow mountain even more with the rapid breathing brought by the elevation.
► Kind Reminder:
For most healthy people, a slow climb up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain would not be too much of a problem. Remember to keep a peaceful mind, and do not get too excited and jump. Adjust your breathing and pace as you climb. For the seniors or the frail, consult your doctor in advance, and prepare for medicine or oxygen supplement, to prevent altitude sickness. In addition, you need to wear warm and pay attention sun protection.
The Big Cableway takes tourists from the lower station at an elevation of 3,356 meters (11,010 feet) to the upper station at 4,506 meters (14,783 feet). Get off the cable car and walk along the wooden path on the glacier, you can hike to a height of 4,680 meters (15,354 feet) which is the highest place that common visitors can reach. As you climb up to the viewing platform step by step, you’ll feel the spectacular charm of the snow mountain even more with the rapid breathing brought by the elevation.
► Kind Reminder:
For most healthy people, a slow climb up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain would not be too much of a problem. Remember to keep a peaceful mind, and do not get too excited and jump. Adjust your breathing and pace as you climb. For the seniors or the frail, consult your doctor in advance, and prepare for medicine or oxygen supplement, to prevent altitude sickness. In addition, you need to wear warm and pay attention sun protection.
11:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break & Blue Moon Valley
Coming down from the mountain, you can take the sightseeing bus to the Blue Moon Valley. The bus will pass the Spruce Meadow, which needs 1 to 2 hours to visit. If you do not have enough time, you can skip it and go directly to the Blue Moon Valley.
The Blue Moon Valley was formerly known as the White Water River because of its color on rainy days. On a sunny day, the water is crystal blue. From a distance, the valley in the shape of a crescent moon looks like a blue moon embedded at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
The valley is a popular destination for lovers due to its romantic scene. It contains four lakes: Yuye Lake, Jingtan Lake, Blue Moon Lake and Tingtao Lake. It takes 40 to 60 minutes to walk around the lakes. You can also take a battery car to save time and energy with an extra cost of CNY 50.
► The Blue Moon Valley is a proper place for you to have lunch. There are many restaurants, mainly offering hot pot or stir-fried dishes.
The Blue Moon Valley was formerly known as the White Water River because of its color on rainy days. On a sunny day, the water is crystal blue. From a distance, the valley in the shape of a crescent moon looks like a blue moon embedded at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
The valley is a popular destination for lovers due to its romantic scene. It contains four lakes: Yuye Lake, Jingtan Lake, Blue Moon Lake and Tingtao Lake. It takes 40 to 60 minutes to walk around the lakes. You can also take a battery car to save time and energy with an extra cost of CNY 50.
► The Blue Moon Valley is a proper place for you to have lunch. There are many restaurants, mainly offering hot pot or stir-fried dishes.
13:30 – 14:30 Watch Performance: Impression Lijiang
From the Blue Moon Valley, you can take the sightseeing back to the visitor center, and walk to the theater to see the ‘Impression Lijiang’, which is an outdoor live performance set against the backdrop of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The simple local songs and dances show the charm of the mountain and the stories of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road passing Lijiang Old Town.
► Show Time: 11:10, 13:30
► Duration: 60 minutes
► Ticket Price: CNY 280 for a common seat; CNY 346 for a VIP seat.
► Show Time: 11:10, 13:30
► Duration: 60 minutes
► Ticket Price: CNY 280 for a common seat; CNY 346 for a VIP seat.
14:30 – 17:00 Ganhaizi Meadow
After watching the performance, you can walk to visit the Ganhaizi Meadow, which is a large natural pasture at the mountain foot. Low trees dot the gently undulating meadows where yaks and goats roam leisurely. The open terrain makes Ganhaizi the nearest and best place to get a panoramic upward view of the snow mountain. From here you can see the impressive scene of the 13 peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain arranged in sequence.
► If you don’t have enough time, you can skip the Spruce Meadow and the Yak Meadow. If the Big Cableway is closed due to bad weather, or your physical condition does not allow you to go up, or you want to avoid long queues and save time during the peak season, you can skip the Big Cableway and choose the Middle Cableway (CNY 60) to the Yak Meadow at an elevation of 3,700 meters (12,139 feet) or the Small Cableway (CNY 55) to the Spruce Meadow at 3,240 meters (10,630 feet). Both the two scenic areas are halfway up the mountain and feature alpine meadows and spruce forests.
► If you don’t have enough time, you can skip the Spruce Meadow and the Yak Meadow. If the Big Cableway is closed due to bad weather, or your physical condition does not allow you to go up, or you want to avoid long queues and save time during the peak season, you can skip the Big Cableway and choose the Middle Cableway (CNY 60) to the Yak Meadow at an elevation of 3,700 meters (12,139 feet) or the Small Cableway (CNY 55) to the Spruce Meadow at 3,240 meters (10,630 feet). Both the two scenic areas are halfway up the mountain and feature alpine meadows and spruce forests.
17:00 – 18:00 Get Back to Lijiang
Manage your way to Lijiang after a day of sightseeing. It is recommended to take a taxi or a charter car to go back for there is no bus after 17:00.