Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
The snow-capped peak that defines the Lijiang skyline — cable car to 4,506 metres
Intro
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan) rises to 5,596 metres above Lijiang and is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. The mountain is sacred to the Naxi people — it represents the male deity in Naxi cosmology. The cable car (the highest in Asia at time of construction) ascends to 4,506 metres at the Glacier Park, where a wooden boardwalk leads across a high-altitude snowfield. The views from the cable car and the top — of the glacier, the surrounding peaks, and Lijiang valley far below — are extraordinary.
Best Time to Visit
Highlights
Getting There
Bus from Lijiang Old Town to Yulong Snow Mountain Scenic Area (45 minutes). Multiple cable cars serve different sections of the mountain.
Tickets & Entry
Scenic area ¥230. Glacier Park cable car (highest) ¥180 round trip. Big Meadow cable car ¥60. Book in advance — daily visitor numbers are capped.
Practical Tips
Altitude sickness is a real risk at 4,506m — take it slowly. Warm clothing essential at the top even in summer. Oxygen available for hire. Book cable car tickets well in advance in peak season.
More in Yunnan
Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek
One of Asia's greatest hikes — two days through one of the world's deepest gorges
Lijiang Old Town
The living heart of Lijiang Old Town — cobblestone lanes, Naxi music, and mountain streams at dawn
Dali Old Town & Erhai Lake
Dali Old Town and Erhai Lake — Bai minority culture beside a mountain lake
FAQ
Quick Facts
| Best time | Year-round |