Written by Veronica |
Located in the southwest of China, Yunnan Province boasts complex and various terrain, including high plateaus, huge mountain ranges and gorgeous valleys. The spectacular scenery of mountain in Yunnan ranks the top in China, attracting plenty of tourists from home and abroad to include mountain sightseeing in their Yunnan tours.
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- Yunnan is a Mountain Loverās Paradise
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Snow Mountain)
- Meili Snow Mountain
- Haba Snow Mountain
- Cangshan Mountain
- Laojun Mountain
- Gaoligong Mountains
- Baima Snow Mountain
- Jiaozi Snow Mountain
- Jizu Mountain
- Shika Snow Mountain
- Practical Travel Tips to Visit Yunnan Mountains
- FAQs about Yunnan Mountains
- Connect China Xian Tour to Plan Your Yunnan Mountains Tour
Yunnan is a Mountain Loverās Paradise
Overview of the Yunnan Mountain Range
The most striking characteristic is the alpine gorge in the northwest where has three giant mountains Gaoligong Mountain, Nu Mountain, and Yunling Mountains and three deep gorges Nujiang River, Lancang River and Jinsha River from north to south.
While in south, the elevation of mountains drop below 3,000 meters and the valleys are boarder. The karst hills are mainly in eastern Yunnan. The elevation difference of most Yunnan mountains exceed 1,000 meter, creating the landscapes of āfour seasons on one mountainā.
Snow-Capped Peaks and Biodiversity
Among the Yunnan mountains, the most well-known snow-capped peaks include Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Meili Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. Thanks to the various and abundant terrain and climates, Yunnan is also famous for its biodiversity. It is the home of 20% of China’s higher plants and 25% of animal species, including some rare species, such as wild Asia elephant and green peafowl.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Snow Mountain)
- Location: Yulong Naxi Autonomous County in Lijiang City and about 15 kilometers from the Lijiang Old Town.
- Altitude: The highest peak, Shanzidou, is 5,596 meters above sea level, while the location of the highest viewing platform is at 4,680 meters.
- Cable Car Access: there are three cableway lines available for tourists to choose, the destinations are Spruce Meadow, Yak Meadow and Glacier Park, with an altitude of 3,240 meters, 3,700 meters, and 4,506 meters, respectively.
- Best time to visit: November to May are the best months to visit, when most of the days are sunny and it is suitable to appreciate the snow peaks and glaciers. December to March are also suitable for skiing.
What to see
With a height of over 5,000 meters, tourists can see meadows, coniferous forests, and alpine glaciers from the foot to the top of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. At the foot of the mountain, there is a blue moon valley where the water of the lake is crystal clear to the bottom and has a fantastic blue color.
Suggested visiting route
Different visiting routes will have different experiences. The lowest destination of cableway is Spruce Meadow where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the snow mountains from afar. The best place to take a picture of the 13 snow-capped peaks is the middle cableway destination in Yak Meadow. After reaching Glacier Park, the highest place the cableway can reach, you can hike to the viewing platform to get close to the glacier.
Hiking trails
1. Ganheba Route:
Route: Yuhu Village – Ganheba Valley – Joseph Rock – Milk River
Distance: 16 kilometers
Height: 2,650 – 3,600 meters
Time: about 6 – 8 hours
Landscapes: glacial relics, white calcified beaches, alpine meadows, and milk lakes
2. Alpine Meadow Route
Route: Yuhu Village ā Alpine Meadow ā Yuhu Village
Distance: 9 kilometers
Height: about 3,600 meters
Time: about 5-6 hours
Landscapes: grassland, forest, yaks
3. Snow Mountain Canyon Route
Route: Yuhu Village ā Buckwheat Field ā Leech Dam ā Xunqing Valley ā Sword Bamboo Forest ā Quicksand Slope ā Grand Canyon
Distance: over 18 kilometers
Height: ascending elevation of 1800 meters
Time: about 9-10 hours
Recommended tours: 1 Day Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Hiking Tour
Meili Snow Mountain
- Location: Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
- Altitude: Meili Snow Mountain consists of 13 peaks with an elevation of above 6,000 meters. Kawagebo, the highest peak, is 6,740 meters high.
- Best time to visit: October to May in Winter and Spring, especially at the end of October, when there are many sunny days and the air is clear, making it easy to see the wonder of “Sunlight on the Golden Mountain”.
What to see
- Sunlight on the Golden Mountain: During 6:00-7:00 at sunrise, the sunlight is cast on the snow-covered mountain, making it golden yellow, and the Tibetans regard it as the manifestation of a sacred mountain.
- Feilai Temple: It is a sacred place of Tibetan Buddhism, you can see the murals and prayer flags from Ming Dynasty inside the temple. Besides, you can have a full view of Meili Snow Mountain.
- Yunbeng Sacred Waterfall: The waterfall forms due to snow water pouring down from a thousand-meter cliff.
Related reading: Top 10 Highest Mountains in China
Suggested visiting route
1. Short Trip (1-2 days)
Day 1: Feilai Temple (sunlight on the Golden Mountain) – Mingyong Glacier (hike along the trail to the foot of the glacier) – Stay in Deqin County.
Day 2: Wunongding ( Foggy Peak) – Yubeng Village hiking.
2. In-Depth Exploration (3-5 Days)āā
Day 1-2: Feilai Temple – Mingyong Glacier;
Day 3-4: Yubeng Village hiking – Stay at a Tibetan Family’s Home – Explore the Ice Lake/Sacred Waterfall;
Day 5: Return
Hiking trails
1. Yubeng Village Route
Route: Xidang Village ā Nanzongya Pass ā Yubeng Village
Distance: 12 kilometers
Height: about 3,100 meters at Yubeng Village
Time: about 5-6 hours
2. Mingyong Glacier Route
Route: entrance of the scenic area ā Lianhua Temple at the end of the plank road
Distance: 8 kilometers
Height: about 3,000 meters
Time: about 3-4 hours
3. Scared Waterfall Route
Route: Yubeng Village – Scared Waterfall
Distance: 8 kilometers
Height: about 3,657 meters
Time: about 5 hours
Recommended hiking tour: 5 Days Yunnan Yubeng Village Hiking Tour
Haba Snow Mountain
- Location: In the southeast of Shangri-La, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
- Altitude: The highest peak is 5,396 meters.
- Best time to visit: November to February: low winds, stable snow conditions; April to June: appreciate the snow-capped mountains and azalea flower fields at the same time
What to see
During the trip, you will see a cluster of glacial lakes, such as the deep blue black sea and the āPearl of Habaā Bay Sea surrounded by the cold pine forests. Near the snowline, there are numerous ice towers. In the Base Camp in Haba Village, the panoramic view of the main peak will unfold in front of you. In addition, you can also see the vertical vegetation zone of Haba Snow Mountain and high mountain waterfall.
Suggested visiting route
1. Short Trip (2 days)
Day 1: Shangri-La – Haba Village – Horseback riding to Black Sea
Day 2: Hike through the sea of azalea flowers (best from April to June) – Return to Shangri-La.
2. Summit Challenge Route (4 days)
Day 1: Lijiang – Haba Village;
Day 2: Haba Village – Hike through Primitive Forest/Meadow – Base Camp
Day 3: Summit at 5,396 meters – Descend to Haba Village;
Day 4: Return to Lijiang.
Hiking trails
Summit Challenge Route
In consideration of the high altitude and the complex terrain, it is advised to climb the mountain in 2 days.
Route: Day 1: Haba Village – Base Camp | Day 2: Base Camp – Summit
Distance: Day 1: 6-8 kilometers ļ¼ Day 2: 4-5 kilometers
Height: from 2,800 to 4,100 to 5,396 meters
Time: Day 1: about 6 hours ļ¼ Day 2: 5-8 hours
Recommended climbing tour: 4 Days Haba Snow Mountain Climbing Tour from Lijiang
Cangshan Mountain
- Location: Central part of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, on the west side of Erhai Lake.
- Altitude: The highest peak is Malong Peak at an altitude of 4,122 meters.
- Cable Car Access: There are also three cableway lines for you to choose, which are Ximatan cableway, Gantong cableway and Zhonghe cableway, with the destination at a height of 3,920 meters, 2,523 meters, and 2,600 meters and a round trip price of CNY 275-335, CNY 50-80 and CNY 60, respectively.
- Best time to visit: In spring, the azalea are in full bloom all over the mountains. In autumn, the mist halfway up the Cangshan Mountain is like a belt, suitable for taking photos. And in winter, you can see the beautiful scene of “Snow on Cangshan Mountain”.
What to see
As one of the must-visit Yunnan mountains, Cangshan Mountain boasts the hydrological wonders like Wash Horse Pool, Butterfly Spring and Seven Dragon Ladyās Pool, a calcified pool waterfall. The geological relic is rock peak forest and the culture relics include Three Pagodas of Chong Sheng Temple and Jizhaoan Monastery. During a hiking tour of Jade Belt Road, tourists can overlook Dali Ancient Town & Erhai Lake.
Hiking trails
1. Jade Belt Road Route
Route: Gantong Cableway – Seven Dragon Ladyās Pool – Fengyan Cave – Zhonghe Temple
Distance: 12 kilometers
Height: about 2,600 meters
Time: 4-6 hours
2. Wash Horse Pool – Peak Route
Route: Ximatan Cableway – glacial erosion lake – viewing platform in peak
Distance: 2 kilometers
Height: from 3,900 – 3,966 meters
Time: 1-1.5 hours
Recommended tours: 4 Days Dali Essence Tour
Laojun Mountain
- Location: Located at the junction of Lijiang, Dali, Nujiang and Diqing prefectures in the northwest of Yunnan Province.
- Altitude: Taishang Peak with a height of 4,247 meters is highest peak of the mountain.
- Best time to visit: May – June when the sea of azalea flowers and glacier lakes are the best time to enjoy; September – November when tourists can see the sea of clouds and “Sunlight on the Golden Mountainā.
What to see
Covering an area of 240 square kilometers, it boasts the largest Danxia landform among all Yunnan mountains, creating spectacular geological wonders of the landform. It glows red like flames in the morning light. With less tourists and more complete ecosystem, it is best for off-the-beaten-path hikers.
Suggested visiting route
1. One-day tour
Route: Liming Village – Hiking in Qianāgui Mountain – Take a bus to Ninety-nine Dragon Pools – Hiking in the lakeside boardwalk
2. Two-day In-depth Tour
Day 1: Lijiang – Danxia Landform in Liming Village – Stay in Lisu Ethnic Minority Guesthouse (experience bonfire evening)
Day 2: Liming Village – Ninety-nine Dragon Pools – Jinsichang Viewing Platform (overlooking the Lancang River Gorge) – Lijiang
Hiking trails
1. Qianāgui Mountain Loop Route
Distance: 3 kilometers
Height: 2,200 -2,500 meters
Time: 1.5 hours
2. Ninety-nine Dragon Pools Route
Distance: 5 kilometers
Height: 3,800 – 4,000 meters
Time: 2 hours
3. Jinsichang High Mountain Route
Distance: 8 kilometers
Height: 3,500 – 4,100 meters
Time: 4 hours
Gaoligong Mountains
- Location: Located in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture and Baoshan City in west of Yunnan.
- Altitude: the highest peak is 5,128 meters above sea level.
- Best time to visit: FebruaryāMarch: In early spring, tourist can see the spectacular scene of āflower seas of kapok trees below and glaciers aboveā in the mountain. OctoberāDecember: There is a high probability of sea of clouds appearing, and the trees in the protected area are dressed in beautiful colors.
What to see
Except for the glacier lakes and Danxia landform, there are also White-browed Gibbon Habitat and Baihualing Birdwatching Paradise where 525 kinds of birds inhabit including rare species. So it is the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, making it a great choice for ecotourism and trekking.
Suggested visiting route
1. One-day Tour
Route: Entrance of Baihua Mountain – Bird Watching Trail – Yin Yang Valley Waterfall – Drive to the Southern Silk Road Hiking Section
2. Two-day In-depth Tour
Day 1: Baoshan – Danxia landform in Liming Village – Stay at Lisu ethnic minority guesthouse (experience bonfire evening).
Day 2: Liming Village – Ninety-nine Dragon Pools Lake Hike – Visit to the Dulong ethnic village
Hiking trails
1. Baihua Mountain – Nanzhaigongfang Mountain Route
Distance: 15 kilometers
Height: 1,500 – 3,150 meters
Time: 6-7 hours
2. Ridge Crossing Route
Distance: 20 kilometers
Height: 2,100 – 3,500 meters
Time: Two days and one night
Related reading: Yunnan Attractions: The Ultimate Guide to Chinaās Most Diverse Province
Baima Snow Mountain
- Location: Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
- Altitude: The highest peak, Zhala Queni Peak, is also the second highest mountain in Yunnan, with an elevation of 5,640 meters.
- Best time to visit: May – June: during this period of time, you will see over 30 varieties of alpine azalea in full bloom and snow-capped peaks. SeptemberāNovember: Golden spruce forests and sea of clouds are charming.
What to see
Known as Hidden gem of Northwestern Yunnan, Baima Snow Mountain is characterized by pristine and undeveloped ecosystem and biodiversity. It is the core habitat of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, and also the only protected area you can observe this endangered species closely.
Hiking trails
1. Zhubaluo River Canyon Route
Distance: 5 kilometers
Height: 3,000 – 3,500 meters
Time: 2-3 hours
2. Alpine Pasture Hiking Route
Distance: 3-5 kilometers
Height: 3,800 – 4,000 meters
Time: 2 hours
3. Quzonggong – Double U-shaped Valley Route
Distance: 12 kilometers
Height: 3,500 – 4,200 meters
Time: 1 day
Recommended Tourļ¼4 Days Yubeng Trekking Tour from Shangri-La
Jiaozi Snow Mountain
- Location: Wumeng Township, Luquan Yi and Miao Autonomous County, about 150 kilometers away from Kunming
- Altitude: The main peak is about 4,223 meters, the highest mountain in central Yunnan.
- Cable Car Access: The cableway has two lines. One connects the entrance and the Sifangjing, another connects Xiapingzi and Daheiqing with an elevation of 3,500 meters and 3,800 meters respectively. The ticket price is CNY 35 for one-way ticket and CNY70 for a round-trip ticket.
- Best time to visit:
December to March: Enjoy snow landscapes, ice waterfalls, and rime. And from January to March, the ski resorts are open.
March to April: alpine azalea are in full bloom
September to November: With stable weather, there is high probability to see cloud seas and Buddha’s light – the rare phenomenon of a seven-colored halo surrounding human shadows.
What to see
Jiaozi Snow Mountain the closest snow mountain to Kunming. The various landscapes such as alpine lake group, ice waterfalls, rime and snowfields, cloud sea, alpine meadows and spruce forests all can be seen in this scenic area.
Hiking trails
1. Flower Stream – Ice Waterfall Route
Distance: 5 kilometers
Height: 3,500 – 3,800 meters
Time: 3 hours
2. Main Peak Challenging Route
Distance: 8 kilometers for a round-trip
Height: 3,800 – 4,223 meters
Time: 5-6 hours
3. Heavenly Terrace – Heavenly Pond Loop Line
Distance: 12 kilometers
Height: 3,500 – 4,100 meters
Time: 7-8 hours
Jizu Mountain
- Location: Binchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture
- Altitude: Tianzhu Peak is the highest peak with a height of 3,248 meters.
- Cable Car Access: The cableway line connects the Yufo Temple and Jinding Temple at the peak. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the peak with the whole length of 1,811 meters. The ticket price is CNY 45 for the ascent and CNY 30 for the descent.
- Best time to visit:
March – May: appreciate the beautiful alpine azalea and camellia dot the forest.
September to November: It is ideal for photography with woods looking like dyed and cloud sea.
December to February: The snow scenery at the peak resembles fairyland. But some roads may be blocked due to the snow accumulation.
What to see
Jizu Mountain is famous as Buddhist sacred mountain among all Yunnan Mountains. Jinding Temple is Buddhist holy land and the Huashou Gate and Zhusheng Temple are also Buddhist architecture.
Hiking trails
1. Zhusheng Temple – Huideng Nunnery Route
Distance: 3 kilometers
Height: 2,300 – 2,600 meters
Time: 1.5 hours
2. Huideng Nunnery – Jinding Temple Route
Distance: 4 kilometers
Height: 2,600 – 3,248 meters
Time: 3 hours
3. Jinding Temple – Huashou Gate Loop Route
Distance: 2 kilometers
Height: 3,248 meters
Time: 1 hour
Shika Snow Mountain
- Location: Shangri-la, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Only 7 kilometers from city center of Shangri-la.
- Altitude: With an altitude of 4,449.5 meters, the main peak is the highest peak.
- Cable Car Access: The cableway is one of the longest sightseeing cableway in Aisa, which is divided into two sections, the first one is from entrance to Yalaqingbo Pasture, and the second is from the pastry to the peak. The total duration is 40-50 minutes.
- Best time to visit:
January – March: The best time to see snowy landscapes. The snow-covered pastures is like a fairy tale world during this season. Having snowball fights and viewing rime are also attractive.
September – October: Cool weather, trees of various colors, cloud sea.
May – June: Enjoy the scenery of sea of flowers and snow mountain at the same time.
What to see
At the viewing platform at the peak, you can see all the eight scared mountains, including Meili Snow Mountain and Yulong Snow Mountain. Lingxi Lake is one of China’s three major lakes with constant temperature of 21 ā all year round.
Hiking trails
1. Lingxi Lake Loop Route
Distance: 3 kilometers
Height: 3,746 – 3,800 meters
Time: 1.5 hour
2. Line A for beginnerās hiking
Distance: 6 kilometers
Height: 3,746 – 3,800meters
Time: 4 hour
3. Line B for challenging hiking
Distance: 20 kilometers
Height: 3,746 – 4,449.5 meters
Time: 8 hour
Practical Travel Tips to Visit Yunnan Mountains
How to Get There
Since most mountains are far away from the city center, so it is advised to choose Lijiang, Dali, Shangri-La, and Kunming as hubs. All the four cities can be reached by air and train. Then you can take a bus to get to the mountain.
Related readings: Yunnan Transportation
Weather & Best Time to Visit Yunnan Mountains
The weather and landscapes are quite different in four season, so if you are fond of enjoying the scenery of snow and glacier and skiing, December to February are the best choices. If you want to see the sea of flowers all over the mountain and the snow-capped peak, and avoid summer heat, May and June are definitely the best time.
If you want to avoid peak season, September to November are recommended, when the weather is sunny, and the trees turn golden. It is suitable for hiking and photography.
July and August are not highly recommended, because it is in rainy season, the road may be collapsed and blocked, and the snow mountain may be covered by the mist and clouds.
So before you travel to Yunnan, do not forget to search for information about the weather there to ensure your good experience.
What to Pack
- Spring: Windproof jacket, anti-slippery shoes, sun hat, sunscreen, etc.
- Summer: quick-dry clothes, mosquito repellent items, rain gears such as rain coat and rain shoes.
- Autumn: warm overcoat, wind-proof pants.
- Winter: down coat, high waterproof hiking shoes, crampon, thermal underwear, anti-fog ski goggles, gloves and earflap hat, etc.
- Common Items: medicines for prevent high altitude sickness, headache, non-acclimatization and other common drugs, oxygen cylinder, sun glasses, power bank, alcohol wipes, etc.
Altitude Sickness Tips
- Stop exercising and be careful not catch cold 15 days before departure.
- After arrival high plateau area, take medicines for prevent high altitude sickness.
- On the first day, ensure sufficient rest to adapt yourselves to the altitude. Do not shower, drink, and overeating.
- If you feel quite uncomfortable during the hiking, for your safety and health, do not hesitate descend to the low altitude area and seek for medical help.
Related reading: Yunnan Itineraries – How to Plan 5-14 Days Yunnan Tours
FAQs about Yunnan Mountains
What is the highest peak in Yunnan?
The highest peak in Yunnan is Kawagebo Peak, the main peak of Meili Snow Mountain, with an altitude of 6,740 meters.
What are the specific altitude ranges for major peaks like Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Haba, and Meili?
The altitude ranges for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Hana and Meili are 1,600 – 5,596 m, 1,550 – 5,396 m and 1,900 – 6,740 m, respectively.
Which Yunnan mountains pose the highest risk for altitude sickness, and what precautions should I take?
Generally, as long as the height of mountain is over 3,000 meters, the chances tourists get the altitude sickness is increased a lot. So among all the Yunnan mountain, it is not hard to tell that Meili Snow Mountain and Jade Snow Mountains pose the highest risk. I hope the following suggestions can be conducive to reduce your discomfort. It is advised to assess your body condition before departure. If you have severe diseases or respiratory tract infection, then do not plan a tour to the high-altitude area. And rhodiola rosea and painkiller will be necessary medicine which can relieve your discomfort. During the tour, the basic rules you should follow is to move slowly and avoid overeating and alcohol.
Should I fly directly into Shangri-La (Diqing Prefecture), or is a staggered ascent via Dali and Lijiang recommended?
Undoubtedly, choose a staggered ascent. The height in Shangri-La is about 3,300 meters. A direct flight means your body will have to adapt to the large altitude difference instantly, it is a great challenge for most travelers. So a”stepwise ascent” itinerary will be more suitable. You can stay in Dali (about 2,000 meters) for one or two days first. Then have a transition in Lijiang (2,400 meters). Finally, set out to the highest Shangri-La.
Which mountains are best suited for an easy day trip from major cities like Dali or Lijiang?
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the most convenient. It is only about 1.5-hour driving away from Lijiang. And the facilities inside the scenic area is the most well-developed. By the sightseeing bus and cable car, you can arrive at the viewing platform more easily.
When is the absolute best time to visit for the clearest views of the snow-capped peaks?
The dry season is from late October to May the next year. With dry air and fewer clouds, there are more chances to see the snow peaks.
Which mountains are considered sacred by the local Naxi or Tibetan ethnic groups?
Jade Dragon Snow Mountains and Meili Snow Mountain are the sacred mountain for Naxi and Tibetan ethnic groups, separately.
Connect China Xian Tour to Plan Your Yunnan Mountains Tour
As an experienced travel agency, China Xian Tour have various travel routes for you to choose. Also, we can tailor the trip according to your needs. Our guides have many years of experience leading groups and are also experienced in dealing with altitude sickness, who can give you abundant advises and ensure your safety during your Yunnan travel. So just connect with us for more information.
