Jade Dragon Snow Mountain aka Yulong Snow Mountain in Lijiang, Yunnan is one of the top attractions of China driving thousands of visitors in peak season, every single day.
First we visited the Naxi villages of Baisha and Yuhu, in the foothills of the Jade Mountain, which were absolutely stunning, and the next day we ventured to 4506 meters to the public observation point via cable car.
We experienced this magical mountain with this amazing travel agency and I would highly recommend everyone to use these guys for your China itinerary.
About Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Located inside a national park, nine miles from Lijiang, the 5956 m high Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a legendary Chinese peak soaring above the clouds.
There are thirteen peaks in this massive mountain range with the highest peak being Shanzidou peak at 5596 m, all forming a dragon-like ridge.
Unlike other Chinese mountains that require strenuous treks, Jade Mountain is easily accessible till about 4506 meters via cable car, and visitors can experience glacial environments and alpine meadows within a single day trip from Lijiang.
My Experience of Staying on the Foothills of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
With so many things to do in Yunnan, it can be difficult to choose which villages and towns to visit, which natural spots or top attractions to include. However, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is pretty much a MUST add to any Yunnan itinerary.
So it was a no-brainer for our travel experts over at Eastogo travel to arrange our base in Yuhu village overlooking the majestic mountain. We stayed in this gorgeous property – Snow Mountain Isle Aroma Hotel, Yuhu Village （玉湖村瑞息 RIXI · 雪山屿香氛酒店).
This was no doubt one of my favorite stays in Yunnan. The hotel had the perfect views of the mountain from their coffee shop, over 9 cuddly Persian cats hopping around, massive bathtubs, and heated mattresses – this was the perfect abode to destress after a long day.
These Naxi villages in the foothills of the Jade had their own stories, their own pictographic language, and their traditional living styles. This was all so unique and interesting for us to learn and observe.
From ancestor worship to tofu making, from house structures to pictographs, from hunting stories to Chinese horoscopes, we learnt so much from the local homes and village people.
I even got to try the traditional Naxi costume here which was gorgeous.
I could’ve easily spent a week here just absorbing the culture, fresh air, and warm soups.
My Experience of Visiting the Public Observation Point at 4506 Meters
The next day, we first witnessed a magical sunset as the Golden peaks shimmered with the rising sun and blanketed the village in its warm glow.
After that, we had our day out to the public observation point of the mountain. We layered up for the cold but did not anticipate altitude sickness or oxygen drops.
We also did not know we had to take 2 buses and a cable car to the observation decks and each transfer had a long queue – and this was the off peak season – thank god for that.
A 1 day trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is sufficient to enjoy the observation decks and a short hike if you wish to go further up. It took us half a day to do the entire sojourn, but most of our time was spent waiting for buses or the cable car queue.
However, the experience was worth it. The views even from each transfer point were so surreal. It felt magical, and I wanted to pinch myself. How can any place be so pretty?
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When we took the final Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car to the top after waiting in a hour long queue, the snow capped peaks looked absolutely stunning up close. The views all around were white and whimsical.
However, the crowds were massive, and we skipped the oxygen spray bottles, which everyone was flaunting (yes, flaunting in photos etc). It seemed more like an accessory than a necessity.
Within just 20 mins, I felt my head getting heavy due to the altitude, so I started descending via cable and the buses.
In conclusion, for me, the observation decks were quite busy even though I visited in December, which is off season. However, living on the foothills was an absolutely magical experience and one of my best stays in Yunnan.
Getting to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Public transport (Most economical) every 30-40 minutes from 7 am to 5 pm
Pro-tip: Take the 7 am bus to arrive when the gates just open and avoid crowds. Offers better visibility as clouds develop after 11 am
Buses (15 yuan) take one hour from Lijiang Old Town to arrive at the parking area from where tickets can be purchased for the different cable cars and chair lifts to ascend the mountain.
For the return trip to Lijiang, buses leave every 20 minutes until 5 pm from the parking area between the Impression Lijiang Theatre and the Glacier Park ticket office. There are no numbered lines, so look for Yulong Xueshan in Chinese.
Didi or private taxi (Most Convenient)
Download the DIDI app to hire a private taxi(100-150 yuan one way). Door to door service is available and is best for 3-4 people and families with children.
Organized tour (Easiest – and my pick)
Another option is to take a guided tour to view the mountain like we did. Our travel guides over at Eastogo Travel briefed us properly and took us in swanky private cars to the destination. Everything was taken care of and it was hassle free and easy.
Jade Mountain Entry Fee
An entrance fee of 120 yuan will gain you entry to the service centre and the surrounding Dry Sea Meadow. The Swiss-made cable car (180 yuan) takes about 12 minutes to reach an elevation of 4506 m, where a 200 m wooden path leads visitors right next to the mountain’s largest glacier.
It is mandatory to take the eco-shuttle bus(20 yuan) which operates within the scenic area.
Discounts eligibility:
- Students with ID 50% off on entrance
- Seniors 60-69 50% off on entrance
- Seniors 70+ Free
- Children under 12y free
Important booking information:
Book your Glacier park ticket 3-7 days in advance, especially during the April-October peak season. Online booking is available on the official website Ctrip and Meituan for convenience and often small discounts.
Operating hours for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain:
March to November – 730 am to 4 pm
December to February – 730 am to 530 pm
Things to Note Before Visiting Yulong Snow Mountain 玉龙雪山
You can climb higher (4680 m) for an additional fee, and once you are there you get even better views of all the 13 peaks. There are lodges here for relaxing and enjoying a cup of coffee while escaping the strong winds.
To be honest, the sunlight reflecting on the snowy mountain surface makes for an incredibly pure white view, which is simply jaw-dropping to say the least.
Oxygen cans (50-80 yuan) are readily available for purchase for tourists, but those in normal health should not show concern as you can simply go down if you are facing altitude sickness issues.
The mountain is undeniably beautiful, but also extremely overcrowded as it receives nearly 10.000 visitors during the peak season in the summer.
During this period expect to wait for at least an hour for the bus transfer to the cable car station and a further three to four hours for the cable car to the top.
Even in midsummer, it can get cold and windy at the top, so you are well advised to carry warm clothes or wear rented jackets(50 yuan available at base) as most domestic tourists do.
While views of the mountain are best seen from the top, there is an excellent vantage point at Black Dragon Pool, a pond located in Jade Spring Park, next to Elephant Hill. This is said to provide the most scenic view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
The trip to the mountain can be combined with the Liniang Impression show, a mega song and dance performance which is held at the base of the mountain. Cost 248-600 yuan depending on the seat chosen.
Please note that you will have to pay the park admission fees to witness the performance. Most domestic and independent travelers give this a miss, but those on an organized tour find it included in the package.
Alternative Experiences
Tiger Leaping Gorge sits at 3790 m below the summit and is a stunning canyon, one of the deepest of its kind in the world and another must-see attraction which we included in our Yunnan itineray as well.
The picturesque canyon runs along the Jinsha River at the base of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and stretches for 15 km as it traverses through the Jade Mountain and the neighboring Haba Snow Mountain.
If you want to skip the Glacier Park crowds, you can focus on:
Yak Meadow (4 hours)
Blue Moon Valley (2 hours)
Spruce Meadow (2 hours)
Tips for Avoiding Altitude Sickness –
- Acclimatise in Lijiang for 1-2 days before ascending
- Ascend slowly and rest frequently at high altitude
- Eat light
- Carry oxygen. Use short puffs, not continuously
- Consider medication like Diamox to prevent symptoms
Keeping all these things in mind, your Jade Dragon Snow Mountain visit will be hassle free and fun.
This alongside regular visits to Indian jungles in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fueled her zest for adventure, nature and wildlife.
Now she is a renowned travel blogger, outreach expert and has worked with over 500 travel brands in the last 15 years.
