Yulong Snow MountainJade Dragon Snow Mountain
🏛️ What It Is
The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the soul of Lijiang—a range of 13 snow-capped peaks stretching across the landscape, with the main peak, Fanzi Dou, reaching an elevation of 5,596 meters. The main cable car takes you directly to the Glacier Park at 4,506 meters, from where you can walk to the 4,680-meter observation deck. At the foot of the mountain, Blue Moon Valley boasts crystal-clear blue waters and is known as “Little Jiuzhaigou.”
✨ Why Visit
Gazing up at the snow-capped mountains from the Old Town and looking down on the world from the mountains offer two completely different, awe-inspiring experiences. If you’re lucky enough to witness the “Golden Mountain” phenomenon—the sun illuminating the mountain—it’s an unforgettable sight.
Tips for Visitors
Secure your cable car tickets at 8:00 PM the night before
Secure tickets in advance via the “Lijiang Tourism Group” WeChat official account. They sell out instantly during peak season—do not buy from scalpers (who mark up the price by 200 yuan).
Buy oxygen canisters at pharmacies in the Old Town
20 yuan per can at pharmacies in the Old Town; 40–50 yuan at the scenic area. Stock up on 1–2 cans before heading to the summit.
Walk through Blue Moon Valley; don’t take the electric cart
No separate ticket is required for Blue Moon Valley (it’s included in the Snow Mountain combo ticket). The 60-yuan electric cart isn’t necessary—you can walk instead.
Common Mistakes
❌ Buy tickets for the main cable car from scalpers.
If you can’t get tickets, go to a scalper.
Consequence: Scalpers mark up the price by 200 yuan, and sometimes the tickets are even fake. Try to secure tickets in advance through the official WeChat account.
Ticket Information
- Price
- Mountain entrance fee: 100 yuan + main cable car: 140 yuan
- Foreign Visitor Price
- Same price
- Student Discount
- ✅ Yes
- Booking
- ⚠️ Must Book Ahead
- Book in Advance
- Book 1 days in advance
Location
Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City
Opening hours
Open 8:00–16:00 (last cable car), daily
Best Time to Visit
At 8:00 PM the night before, snap up tickets for the main cable car via the “Lijiang Tourism Group” WeChat official account. They sell out instantly during peak season. Buy cold-weather gear and oxygen canisters in the Old Town (20 yuan per canister at pharmacies; 40–50 yuan at the scenic area).