Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is located within Yulong Naxi Autonomous County (玉龙纳西族自治县), Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. Its geographical coordinates range from 100°4′2″ to 100°16′30″ east longitude and from 27°3′2″ to 27°18′57″ north latitude. It is approximately 25 kilometers north of the urban area of Lijiang City. As a group of snow-capped mountains in the Hengduan Mountains range, the scenic area covers an area of 415 square kilometers, with the scenic spot stretching 75 kilometers in length. It consists of 13 snow-capped peaks, and the main peak, Shanzidou (扇子陡), reaches an altitude of 5,596 meters.

Human and Historical Background

Naxi Ethnic Culture

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is regarded as a sacred mountain by the Naxi ethnic group and serves as the spiritual and emotional sustenance of the Naxi people. The Mu Clan chieftains of the Naxi ethnic group once built Jade Lake (玉湖) and villas at the foot of the mountain. In the late 1940s, local Naxi youths, in resistance to feudal arranged marriages, would go to the so-called “Yulong Third Kingdom” on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to commit suicide for love. The Naxi people also have the custom of worshipping the God of Love.

Tibetan Ethnic Culture

The Tibetans in the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain area of Lijiang believe in Tibetan Buddhism and mainly engage in herding and farming. In the eyes of the Tibetans in the Tibetan areas of Yunnan, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a place of holy pilgrimage. During the Republic of China era, a yak farm was established here. Later, Tibetan herders returned and settled down, forming the Tibetan village at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

In 1922, Joseph Rock, an American botanist, adventurer, and researcher of Naxi culture, came to western China and lived in Yuhu Village (玉湖村) at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang for as long as 27 years. He was the first person to showcase the scenery of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the world through photographs. He authored several monographs, including The Ancient Na-khi Kingdom of Southwest China.

Climate and Best Visiting Seasons

Climate

The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain area is mainly influenced by the southwest monsoon. Ganhaizi (甘海子) and other places on the eastern side of the snow mountain, which are located in the Lijiang Basin, belong to the southern temperate climate type. The temperatures are mild throughout the four seasons, with an average annual temperature of 12.6℃. The average temperature in the hottest month of summer is below 18℃, and the average temperature in the coldest month of winter is 5.9℃. The modern snow line of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is at an altitude of 4,800-5,000 meters. The average annual temperature near the snow line ranges from -3.3℃ to -4.7℃, and the annual precipitation is between 1,500 and 2,000 millimeters.

Best Visiting Seasons

Winter (November to March of the following year): This is the best period for viewing the snow scenery and glaciers. The snow mountain is wrapped in white, and there are fewer tourists, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful travel experience. However, it is necessary to pay attention to keeping warm and preventing altitude sickness.

Spring (April to June): The climate is pleasant, and all things come back to life. The sea of rhododendron flowers, alpine meadows, and other landscapes are incredibly beautiful, making it an excellent time for hiking and photography.

Summer (July to September): The temperature is moderate, making it a great summer resort. However, it is the rainy season with more cloudy and rainy days, which may affect the viewing of the scenery and the operation of the cableways.

Autumn (October): The season is relatively short, but you can enjoy the perfect combination of the unique autumn scenery and the snow mountain.

Recommended Scenic Spots

Glacier Park (冰川公园)

Hailed as the “Museum of Modern Glaciers,” here you can see the existing glaciers and ancient glacial relics. The viewing platform is at an altitude of about 4,680 meters.

Blue Moon Valley (蓝月谷)

With an altitude of about 2,800 meters, the valley is shaped like a crescent moon, and the river water is a deep blue. It has scenic spots such as Yuye Lake (玉液湖), Jingtan Lake (镜潭湖), Lanyue Lake (蓝月湖), and Tingtao Lake (听涛湖).

Spruce Meadow (云杉坪)

At an altitude of about 3,200 meters, it is a meadow on the halfway up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. There is a dense spruce forest and a magnificent backdrop of the snow mountain.

Ganhaizi (甘海子)

With an altitude of about 3,100 meters, it is an open meadow surrounded by mountains on three sides. It is a great place to watch the sunrise and enjoy the performance of Impression Lijiang.

Maoniuping (牦牛坪)

At a relatively high altitude, you can enjoy the scenery of the alpine meadows and the yak herds. The view is broad, and you can overlook the magnificent scenery of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Transportation

Public Transportation

You can take a special bus line in the urban area of Lijiang to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area. You can also first go to Lijiang Bus Station and then take a bus heading to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Chartered Car or Carpooling

Chartered car or carpooling is more convenient when traveling in a group. You can find regular car charter services in the ancient city of Lijiang or the urban area. The price depends on the type of vehicle and the itinerary.

Self-driving

Starting from the urban area of Lijiang, drive along the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tourist Special Line, and you can reach the scenic area directly. There is a parking lot in the scenic area.

Accommodation

Urban Area of Lijiang

There is a wide variety of accommodation options, ranging from budget hotels to high-end resorts. The transportation, shopping, dining, and other supporting facilities are complete. It is about a one-hour drive from the scenic area.

Around the Scenic Area

There are some characteristic homestays and hotels, such as the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Homestay. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the snow mountain more closely. Some homestays also provide pick-up and drop-off services and special catering.

Food and Shopping

Food

Naxi Cured Pork Ribs: A classic Lijiang flavor, the cured pork ribs are firm in texture and have a savory and fragrant taste.

Ham and Black-bone Chicken Hot Pot: The ham is savory, and the black-bone chicken is tender and juicy, rich in nutrition.

Plateau Tibetan-style Fragrant Pig: The meat is tender, juicy, and has a unique taste.

Original Ecological Yak Beef: It is chewy and has a rich meat flavor.

Shopping

Cultural and Creative Products: At the cultural and creative product sales points at the lower stations of the cableways of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, there are items such as sliding cableway refrigerator magnets, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-themed notebooks and stationery, commemorative coins, and keychains.

Characteristic Agricultural Products: Fruits such as snow peaches and green plums in Lijiang, as well as various mountain products and medicinal herbs, are of excellent quality and make good souvenirs.

We hope this introduction helps you understand Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and plan your trip more effectively.