Written by Ivy Dong |
The Blue Moon Valley is located at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang, and is formed by the snow mountaināsĀ melt waterĀ – Baishui River flowing through this area. The lakeĀ water is crystal clear to the bottom and has a fantastic blue color, which is very eye-catching.
Blue Moon Valley has four distinctively charming lakes: Yuye LakeĀ (ēę¶²ę¹), Jingtan LakeĀ (éę½ę¹), Blue Moon LakeĀ (čęę¹), and Tingtao LakeĀ (å¬ę¶ę¹). There are also many small waterfalls arranged in a staggered manner, and the photos are very beautiful.Ā Surrounded by lofty snow mountains and dense vegetation, it feels like an isolated fairyland.
The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Blue Moon Valley in Lijiang are not only stunning naturalĀ attractions, but also a place where the soul can be relaxedĀ and nourished. Start yourĀ YunnanĀ toursĀ toĀ enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature!
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- Facts About Blue Moon Valley
- How was Blue Moon Valley Named
- What to See and Do in Blue Moon Valley
- Blue Moon Valley Travel Tips
- How to Get to Blue Moon Valley in Lijiang
- Attractions Nearby Blue Moon Valley in Lijiang
- An Adventure of Lijiang and Blue Moon Valley with China Xian Tour
Facts About Blue Moon Valley
- Blue Moon Valley in Chinese: čęč°·
- Location: within the Jade DragonSnow Mountain National Scenic Area, 15 km from YulongĀ Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province
- Altitude: 2800m
- Climate: It has a vertical natural landscape zone from subtropical zone to temperate zone to cold zone.
- Opening Hours: 08:00-16:00
- Entrance Ticket: Included in the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain ticket(RMB 100), no need to purchase a separate ticket
- Time Needed: About 0.5-2 hours
- Best For: Alpine scenery enthusiasts, photography lovers, those who want to see Yulong Snow Mountain but do not want to take the high-altitude cable car
How was Blue Moon Valley Named
Legend has it that Blue Moon Valley is a sapphire lost by God, and when it falls under the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it becomes a passionate tear on this land.
The original name of Blue Moon Valley was āBaishui Riverā. Because the riverbed and terrace are composed of gray white marble and limestone fragments, presenting a grayish white color. Clear springs flow over the stones, also presenting a grayish white color, hence the name āBaishui Riverā.
In Blue Moon Valley,Ā the color of the water is blueĀ on clear days, and the valley is crescent shaped, resembling a blue moon set at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from afar. And also because the Blue Moon Valley in James Hiltonās novel āLostĀ HorizonāĀ is similar to it, hence the name āBlue Moon Valleyā.
What to See and Do in Blue Moon Valley
Blue Moon Valley is located in the valley north of Sweet Lake (GanĀ Haizi)Ā and south of Spruce MeadowĀ at the eastern foot of Jade DragonĀ Snow Mountain in Lijiang.Ā It attracts countless tourists to embark on a Yunnan travelĀ for its majestic snow mountains and jade-like azure water.
The Blue Moon Valley originates from the melting water of ancient ice and snow on the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Glacier, flowing down the cliffs and continuously converging into mountain streams, ultimately forming a clear and refreshing river in the deep valley upstream. During the flow process, four large water surfaces were formed due to the obstruction of mountains, known as Yuye Lake, Jingtan Lake, Blue MoonĀ Lake, and Tingtao Lake.
Four Landscape Lakes
Yuye Lake
Yuye Lake (Jade Liquid Lake) is known as the most beautiful lake in the Blue Moon Valley. As the source of Blue Moon Valley,Ā Yuye LakeāsĀ water quality is very clear, and the blue lake reflects the nearby Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, resembling a splendidĀ landscape painting.
Jingtan Lake
Jingtan Lake (Mirror Pond Lake) is a small scenic spot in Blue Moon Valley, which looks exquisite but very peaceful. The lake water here is glassy calm, with a feelingĀ of āMirror Lake of Jiuzhai Valleyā. It is quite poetic that āthe surface of the lake, windless, unpolished like a mirrorā.
Blue Moon Lake
Lanyue Lake (Blue Moon Lake)Ā is located at the corner of the valley. Surrounded by lush green treesĀ andĀ shaped like a crescent moon, the lake waterĀ presents a deep blue color due to the presence of copper sulfate, mysterious and beautiful.
Tingtao Lake
Tingtao Lake (Listening to Waves Lake) has a large drop in water, and the stream flows over like a waterfall, making aĀ melodiousĀ jinglingĀ sound, like the instrumental sound.
The Blue Moon Valley in China has built a total of six landscape debrisĀ dams, forming nearly 260,000 cubic meters of water and creating the above four landscape lakes. It has become a scenic areaĀ that showcases high-altitude water landscapes, high-altitude vegetation resource landscapes, and ethnic cultural characteristics to touristsĀ during their Lijiang travel.
Blue Moon ValleyĀ Tour Route
Get off at the second stop of the scenic busĀ –Ā āWater MoonĀ PavilionĀ (Shuiyue Ge)ā, and then take a stroll along the boardwalkĀ to experience the magic of nature. Along the way, you can see Tingtao Lake, Jingtan Lake, Lanyue Lake, Yuye Lake, White-Water Terrace, and some unknown small lakes.
Note:Ā YouĀ can choose to walk or take aĀ battery carĀ to tour Blue Moon ValleyĀ in Lijiang. Walking can better appreciate the scenery along the way, but it requires more time and energy.Ā Battery cars can save time and energy, but youĀ may miss out on some scenery and photo spots.
Blue Moon Valley Travel Tips
- Best Viewing Time: On a clear noon day, the lake water under the sunshine is as blue as a mirror, making it the best time to take photosof Blue Moon Valley.Ā In addition, from 9 am to 11 am and from 3 pm to 5 pm are also good shooting time periods for Blue Moon ValleyĀ whenĀ the light is soft, and you can avoid the peak flow at noon.
- Photography Spots:Ā Bai Shuitai (an artificial calcium carbonate pool) beside Yu Li Lake; Blue Moon Lake, presenting the classic Tiffany blue color; Jingtan Lake, resembling a mirror – an excellent spot for capturing the reflection of the snow-capped mountains;
- Sunscreen and Warmth: As Blue Moon Valley is located in a high-altitude area (2,400 ~ 2,900 meters) with strong ultraviolet radiation and large temperature changes, it is recommended that tourists apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses and sun hats, and also wear warm clothing.
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Do you need oxygen at Blue Moon Valley? So youāve already have an idea of its elevation. So most visitors, if you walk slowly to adapt to the environment, you donāt need to be worried.
Insider’s Tip for Visiting Only the Blue Moon Valley Without Ascending the Snow Mountain
If you don’t plan to take the cable car to the top of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you can still visit the Blue Moon Valley independently. The admission fee for the Blue Moon Valley is free, but an entrance fee of 100 yuan is required to enter the Yulong Snow Mountain scenic area. Additionally, the cost of the scenic area’s environmental bus is 20 yuan for a round trip.
After entering the scenic area, take the scenic bus to the Blue Moon Valley. The first stop of the bus will reach the Spruce Peak. Don’t get off at this stop. Get off at the Water Moon Pavilion at the second stop.
Also, we would like to remind everyone that in the Blue Moon Valley, if you have enough time, it is not recommended to take the 50-yuan electric vehicle. Because the distance between each lake in the Blue Moon Valley is very short, taking the electric vehicle takes only a few minutes, and it is completely unnecessary. Walking can help you better appreciate the surrounding scenery and save costs.
How to Get to Blue Moon Valley in Lijiang
- By Bus: Depart from the south gate of the Old Town of Lijiang, walk for 10 minutes to Zhongyi Market Station, and take the No.101 Snow Mountain Special Line. The fare is RMB 15Ā per person, and it takes about one hourĀ to reach Blue Moon Valley.
- Self-Driving: Blue Moon Valley is about 25km away from Lijiang City, and you can travel back and forthĀ on the same day. Note:Ā You need to navigate to Jade DragonĀ Snow Mountain Tourist Center and then take a bus to Blue Moon Valley, and you cannot drive directly to
- Taking a Taxi: About 40 minutes. Or you can choose car–pooling There are blue taxis available around the Lijiang Old Town, priced at RMB 20 per person.
Attractions Nearby Blue Moon Valley in Lijiang
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: a sacred mountain of the Naxi ethnic people and the southernmost snow-capped mountain in the Northern Hemisphere. Its highest peak is 5,596 meters.
- Lijiang Old Town: one of the four ancient cities in China and also a world cultural heritagesite. It attracts countless touristsĀ with its unique architectural style and Naxi ethnic culture.Ā Located 35 kilometers away from Blue Moon Valley.
- Black Dragon Pool: a great place with the beautiful reflection of snow mountain, boasting spectacular pool of water and ancient buildings. Located 32 kilometers away from Blue Moon Valley.
- Shuhe Ancient Town: an important market town on the ancient Tea Horse Road, boasting rich historical relics and unique natural scenery. Located 30 kilometers away from Blue Moon Valley.ā
An Adventure of Lijiang and Blue Moon Valley with China Xian Tour
CXTās specialists have travelled every place in Lijiang and checked in & out in countless hotels toĀ craft the best possible itineraries to match your preferences. Whether you want to plan a private guided Lijiang tour or are looking forĀ Yunnan group toursĀ including Lijiang at cheap prices, we have you coveredĀ at China Xian Tour.
