As a senior travel consultant dedicated to Yunnan’s travel sector for over a decade, I have served thousands of tourists from all over the world. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, also known as Yulong Snow Mountain, always holds a special place in their hearts. It’s a commonly recognized soul-soothing sacred land hiding unparalleled beauty in China.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a holy mountain to Naxi people. It looks like a silver dragon consisting of 13 continuous snow peaks, quietly guarding the Old Town of Lijiang for thousands of years. As the closest snow mountain to the equator in the northern hemisphere, it boasts a complete vertical ecological landscape from subtropical to frigid zones. Though global warming causes snow to gradually melt nowadays, it remains one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in Yunnan and even China.
- Location: northern part of Lijiang, approximately 30km from the Old Town of Lijiang
- Altitude: 5,596 meters (18,360 feet)
- Key Attractions: Glacier Park, Blue Moon Valley, Spruce Meadow, Yak Meadow, Ganhaizi Meadow
- Time Required: Half to one day
- Opening Hours: 7am-6pm; the three cableways operates between 7:30am and 4pm (may vary slightly).
- Best Months to View Snow: November to May of the following year
- Ticket Information: Tickets for entrance and cableways are sold separately.
Content Preview
- How to Buy Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Ticket & Cableway Ticket?
- How to Plan a Trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain?
- Four Main Attractions
- Other Hot Activities and Attractions
- Hike up the Snow Mountain or Take a Cable Car?
- Recommended Hiking Routes
- Best Time to Visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- How to Get to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain?
- What Are the Accommodation Options Near Jade Dragon Snow Mountain?
- What Should I Do If I Experience Altitude Sickness at Yulong Snow Mountain?
- Nearby Attractions
- FAQs
- Join Us to Embark on a Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tour
How to Buy Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Ticket & Cableway Ticket?
On-site purchase: Take your original passport and buy a ticket at the tourist center in the scenic area. Be aware that cableway tickets sell out very quickly during peak seasons, so you’d better make a reservation in advance.
Online booking attempt: You can try to book a ticket through the “Lijiang Tourism Group” mini-program on WeChat, but it’s difficult for foreign guests to pass the real-name authentication process.
The best way is to book through a travel agency. It can solve all the problems related to ticket booking.
Ticket |
Price |
Duration of a Single Ride |
Remarks |
Entrance Ticket |
100 yuan/person |
/ |
Must-buy, also covering Ganhaizi and Blue Moon Valley at the mountain foot. |
Sightseeing Bus |
20 yuan/person |
/ |
Purchase it only when you do not take any cableway. |
Glacier Park Cableway |
140 yuan/person |
15 minutes |
Round-trip ticket |
Yak Meadow Cableway |
65 yuan/person |
20 minutes |
Round-trip ticket |
Spruce Meadow Cableway |
60 yuan/person |
8 minutes |
Round-trip ticket |
Battery Cart in Blue Moon Valley |
50 yuan/person |
/ |
Round-trip ticket. The car stops at every station with hop-on-hop-off flexibility—highly recommended. |
How to Plan a Trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain?
You may have noticed a few practical problems after reading the above content: tickets are hard to obtain on your own — the official WeChat mini-program requires real-name verification with a Chinese ID card and foreign passports often cannot pass the verification process. Besides, you may experience language barriers and troublesome transfers between attractions.
For a hassle-free tour around Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it’s more recommended to customize your own Lijiang tour itinerary. Below are three handpicked routes popular among foreign visitors.
Recommended Route 1: Classic 1-Day Tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
The Old Town of Lijiang – Glacier Park (ascend via the main cableway) – Blue Moon Valley – Baisha Ancient Town (with Baisha Murals) – return to the Old Town of Lijiang
Recommended Route 2: 2-Day Lijiang Highlights Tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Day 1: The Old Town of Lijiang – Ganhaizi Meadow – Spruce Meadow Cableway + Wander around the meadow – Blue Moon Valley – “Impression Lijiang” Show – Return to the Old Town of Lijiang
- Day 2: The Old Town of Lijiang – Baisha Ancient Town (Baisha Murals) – Yuhu Village (horseback riding experience) – Shuhe Ancient Town – Return to the Old Town of Lijiang
Recommended Route 3: 3 Days Lijiang Cultural Tour
- Day 1: Mufu Palace – Sifang Street – Dongba Culture Museum
- Day 2: The Old Town of Lijiang – Spruce Meadow Cableway (optional: Glacier Park) – Blue Moon Valley – “Impression Lijiang” Show – Baisha Ancient Town (Baisha Murals) – Return to the Old Town of Lijiang
- Day 3: The Old Town of Lijiang – The First Bend of the Yangtze River – Tiger Leaping Gorge – Depart
Explore Lijiang Ancient Town's traditional architecture, Naxi Dongba culture, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, serene Blue Moon Valley, and thrilling Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Four Main Attractions
1. Glacier Park (major cableway)
Taking the major cableway, you’ll ascend from the lower station at an elevation of 3,356 meters to the upper station at 4,506 meters in 10 to 15 minutes. This is the only spot where you can observe up close the perennial glaciers. The moment you step out of the cable car, the huge glaciers will burst into your view.
Hike along the wooden plank road for approximately 40-60 minutes, and you will reach the observation deck at the height of 4,680 meters. It’s important to know that summer and autumn, with less snowfall, highlight the unique landscape of exposed rocks; while in spring and winter, the scenery is more stunning with abundant white and pristine snow.
On sunny days, the surface snow reflects the strong sun rays like a huge mirror. Sunglasses are an absolute necessity! I’ve seen many tourists, who didn’t wear sunglasses in order to travel light, start to shed tears within half an hour after ascending the snow mountain. This can truly ruin your hiking experience.
2. Spruce Meadow (small cableway)
At an elevation of 3,240 meters, it’s an alpine meadow surrounded by virgin spruce forests. In the Naxi folklore, the Spruce Meadow is a legendary land associated with a tragic love story. Nowadays, it has become a popular background for young couples to take wedding photos. After getting off the cable car, you will walk through a forest of towering spruces and suddenly see a vast expanse of grassland. In the distance, there is the snow-capped mountain. In front of you, herds of cows and sheep graze leisurely on the grassland. The tranquil scenery has won the Spruce Meadow the fame of “Little Switzerland in Yunnan”. The whole journey takes about one hour.
3. Yak Meadow (middle cableway)
The Yak Meadow is located at an altitude of 3,700 meters and serves as the best place to admire the panoramic view of the thirteen peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. With less tourists and wider terrain, it guarantees the best possible travel experience. You will occasionally see free-range yaks and horses stroll on the meadow. It takes about 1.5 hours for a full visit.
Note: The Yak Meadow cableway uses semi-open cabins, allowing winds to go in from all sides. It will be quite a thrilling experience on windy days. Of course, it can be rather cold too. Those who are afraid of heights are not recommended to try it.
4. Blue Moon Valley
The lake water in the Blue Moon Valley presents an incredible Tiffany blue hue due to its high copper ion content. It can be as beautiful as a fairyland on sunny days, that’s why this is the most crowded site in the scenic area. But don’t get nervous, we’ll thoughtfully share two tips to avoid the crowds. First, arrive before 9am or after 3pm. Second, do not take photos at the drop-off points of battery cars. Instead, walk along the lakeside plank road to the hinterland of the valley. The further you go, the less tourists there are, and the better the scenery becomes. A complete exploration takes about 1.5 hours.
Which cableway should I choose?
Glacier Park Cableway (direct transfer to the glaciers): This is the only cableway that can take you directly to the height of 4,506m for a close view of the glaciers and snow. It’s also the first choice of over 80% of tourists. If you are not afraid of altitude sickness and yearning for the ultimate goal of climbing to the top of a snow mountain, this is a perfect choice! However, be aware that the tickets for this cableway easily sell out. You have to secure tickets in advance for a smooth trip.
Spruce Meadow Cableway (stunning forest meadow photos): The terminal stands at an altitude of about 3,240 meters. It offers an excellent background for taking photos, with primeval forest and alpine meadow under your feet, and the snow-capped mountain being the background. The Blue Moon Valley is only a 10-minute walk from the lower station of the cable car. If your physical strength is not that good, or you are travelling with kids, this is the easiest route.
Yak Meadow Cableway (alpine meadow scenery): The terminal, at the height of 3,800 meters, is endowed with expansive alpine meadows and pastures. You can see the whole of the thirteen peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain here. Besides, it’s less touristy than other attractions inside the scenic area, thus a wonderful choice to get away from the crowds and enjoy untouched plateau meadow scenery.
Recommended way to visit:
Choose one of the three cableways based on your physical strength and personal preference. Combine it with the Blue Moon Valley – the must-see attraction. This is the most popular and comfortable way to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Since the three cableways are not in the same place, you need to take transfers between different stations by shuttle bus. It will take quite a while on the way, so it’s not recommended to experience two or more cableways in a single trip.
Other Hot Activities and Attractions
Ganhaizi Meadow: It lies at the foot of the snow mountain, an exceptional spot for capturing the golden sunrise. When the first rays of sunlight shine on the snow peaks, the whole mountain is dyed golden red, which is extremely breathtaking.
“Impression Lijiang” Show: This is a live performance directed by the famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou and his team. The snow mountain makes the natural stage. Over 500 actors from ethnic minority groups participate in the performance. My guest told me, even his 10-year-old kid was captivated by the ending melody and the primal power. It lasts for 90 minutes, costing 200 yuan and suitable for those who want to take an in-depth cultural tour. For a better experience, select the evening sessions after visiting the snow mountain in the afternoon.
To be honest, some people find the performance very shocking, while others think it hard to understand. I suggest you decide whether to watch it based on your interest.
Snow Activities: During winter when there is abundant snow, some areas are open for skiing and snowmobiling (depending on the snowfall conditions of the year).
Hike up the Snow Mountain or Take a Cable Car?
This is the most important point about Jade Dragon Snow Mountain that I want to emphasize: never attempt to hike up the mountain.
Firstly, the vertical drop from the mountain foot to the summit exceeds 3,000 meters. There are no hiking trails for tourists actually. The so-called “hiking” only involves a round trip of 1-2 hours on the wooden plank road between the cable car upper station (4,506m) and the observation deck (4,680m).
Secondly, it poses a big challenge for those who are unfamiliar with plateaus to hike and climb in areas over 4,000 meters high, even if the altitude gain is merely 100 meters. I once saw a young man feel confident at the height of 4,506m, saying “No need to use oxygen canisters at all!”. Soon, he ended up feeling dizzy and nauseous, fulfilling only one third of the journey, and was forced to retreat.
Recommended Hiking Routes
Hike Along the Wooden Boardwalk in the Glacier Park ((4,506m → 4,680m)
- Distance: about 800 meters
- Altitude gain: about 174 meters
- Time required: 1-2 hours for a round trip (depending on your physical strength and fitness).
- Advice: Take it slow! Take a break every few steps, and inhale oxygen if you feel short of breath. Descend immediately if you feel uncomfortable.
Blue Moon Valley: Baishui River Boardwalk → Lakeside Trail Around Blue Moon Lake → Tingtao Lake (endpoint)
- Distance: 3.2 kilometers
- Time required: 1.5-2 hours
- Altitude: at around 3,100 meters, with plenty of oxygen, almost no risk of altitude sickness.
Best Time to Visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a year-round attraction. November to May of the following year is mostly recommended for the good snowfall and ample sunshine. There is a high possibility to see the golden snow-capped peak at sunrise.
From June to October, there is less snow and more cloud and mist due to global warming and frequent rainfall. The meadows and lakes are still worthwhile. With fewer tourists, it’s suitable for those who prefer tranquility and natural greenery.
Best time of the day: 8:00-11:00 am when the visibility is optimal. Departing from Lijiang between 6:30 and 7:00 in the morning, you can see the sun rise over the snow mountain either on the way or at Ganhaizi Meadow. Catch the first cable car before a flood of tourists arrive—this can save you at least two hours of queuing.
Regarding Holiday Crowds
Question: Are you overwhelmed by the crowds and long queues during holidays?
Solution: We have to face the fact that Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is crowded during holidays such as May Day, National Day and Spring Festival. It’s common to queue for 2-3 hours for the cableway. The only solution is: book tickets through the WeChat mini-program “Lijiang Tourism Group” seven days in advance or make a reservation with a travel agency in advance, and choose the earliest time slot (usually 7:00-7:30am). This can effectively cut down queuing time, but cannot completely eliminate it.
How to Get to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain?
You can take a taxi or call a car through DiDi (the Chinese equivalent of Uber). It’s a drive of about 50 minutes from the Old Town of Lijiang, costing 65-100 yuan (approximately 14 dollars).
Shuhe Ancient Town is closer, about 30-40 minutes from the snow mountain, costing 50-90 yuan (approximately 13 dollars).
For first-time travelers or those travelling during holidays, chartering a car is a hassle-free choice. What you get are door-to-door pickup and drop-off services, flexible schedules, and the ability to avoid the hassles of parking and queuing. In this way, you can fully relax and purely enjoy natural beauty. Especially if you travel with families or large luggage, the experience is much better than taking a taxi. Feel free to contact our travel consultant to kick off your amazing snow mountain tour!
What Are the Accommodation Options Near Jade Dragon Snow Mountain?
Usually it’s not necessary to spend a night near the snow mountain. The majority of travelers will choose to go back to Lijiang or Shuhe on the same day.
However, if you prefer the once-in-a-lifetime experience of “watching the sunrise over the golden snow peak” from your bed, consider staying at a high-end hotel at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (for example, Jinmao Purelax Mountain Hotel Lijiang). These hotels offer VIP services—free entry to the scenic area without having to pay the entrance fee and peaceful mountain views in the early morning before the crowds arrive.
What Should I Do If I Experience Altitude Sickness at Yulong Snow Mountain?
Altitude sickness is the most concerned issue for everyone, because the altitude of the Glacier Park is above 4,500 meters and the oxygen content is only 60% of that on the plain.
How to cope with it?
Precaution: Have a good rest in Lijiang (at an altitude of 2,400m) the night before you visit the snow mountain. Avoid drinking alcohol, taking baths, and staying up late.
Timing of oxygen inhalation: Do not wait until you feel dizzy before taking oxygen. Start to inhale oxygen every now and then while waiting in line for the cable car.
Oxygen canisters: 15-20 yuan per canister at the drug store in the Old Town of Lijiang. The price doubles in the scenic area.
The convenience of a group tour: We’ve already prepared an oxygen canister for each guest. You don’t need to buy it in advance. Our professional guide will also remind you to inhale oxygen properly throughout the journey. This will truly be a worry-free tour.
Energy replenishment: Take chocolates, Snickers, or glucose oral solution to maintain a stable sugar level at any time.
What to do if you suffer severe altitude sickness: Immediately descend if you suffer severe headache, vomiting, and difficult breathing. These symptoms will usually ease up within 30 minutes after you return to the low-altitude area.
Nearby Attractions
Baisha Ancient Town: about a 20-minute drive from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It’s quieter and more rustic than the Old Town of Lijiang, a window to see the traditional way of life of local Naxi people.
Baisha Murals: located inside Baisha Ancient Town. It’s a treasure of Naxi mural art from the Ming Dynasty, blending the artistic styles of Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, and Dongba religion. Do not miss it if you are fond of history and culture.
Golf Club: nestled at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, acclaimed as one of the most beautiful golf clubs in the world. You may not find anywhere else to hit the ball under the gaze of a snow mountain.
Shuhe Ancient Town: It’s more serene than Dayan Ancient Town and boasts more comprehensive amenities than Baisha. As home to historical sites including Jiuding Dragon Pool and Qinglong Bridge, it’s ideal for leisurely strolls and tracing the history of Ancient Tea Horse Road.
FAQs
- Essential documents: Be sure to take your original passport, as it is required for ticket purchase and entering the scenic area.
- Where must I visit: Take the cable car to visit the Glacier Park! If the tickets are sold out, go to the Spruce Meadow instead. The scenery there is equally stunning.
- Altitude sickness: Most travelers will feel dizzy and short of breath at altitudes above 4,000m. Don’t be too nervous. It’s a normal phenomenon.
- Oxygen canister: Prepare at least 1-2 canisters per person. They are available in Lijiang Old Town and the mountain foot as well, but the price greatly differs.
- Temperature: The temperature at the mountain top is 10-15℃ lower than in Lijiang Old Town. It’s necessary to wear a thick windproof jacket. You can also rent a down jacket at the mountain foot at the cost of about 50 yuan.
- Sun protection: The UV rays are extremely strong, so don’t forget to apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses, otherwise you may get sunburned.
- Food supply: Take some chocolates or biscuits. There are few restaurants on the mountain. Plus, they are expensive.
- Slow move: Walk and talk slowly. Never run or jump! Do not suddenly rise after squatting for a while.
- Who cannot go: Those with heart diseases, high blood pressure, and severe cold. Expectant mothers are not allowed to take the cable car to the Glacier Park.
Join Us to Embark on a Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tour
The beauty of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is never captured by the lens, but rather by your eyes the moment you stand at the altitude of 4,506 meters. Do your research and slow down your pace. This holy mountain will reward you with an unforgettable memory.
If you don’t want to be bothered by the trifles like snapping up tickets, queuing, and overcoming language barriers, we are glad to offer one-stop bilingual butler services for you, ranging from cableway booking to oxygen supply, from private car transfer to full-time accompaniment, just hoping to leave you a worry-free tour experience without any pity.
