Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area Private Tour with Sightseeing Train Ride

10 hours

Moderate

Explore the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on a private guided tour. Enjoy a scenic train ride to the mountain, take a cable car to the summit, and watch the Impression Lijiang show.

Explore the Jade Dragon Scenic Area on a private personalized guided tour. Enjoy a scenic train ride to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, take the Glacier Park cableway to the summit of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and watch a folk dance performance at Spruce Meadow.


The Jade Dragon (Yulong) Snow Mountain is noted as the southernmost snow mountain in the Northern Hemisphere. As a must-see attraction in Lijiang City, Yulong Snow Mountain is made up of 13 peaks with the highest one, Shanzidou, rising 5596 meters above sea level. The mountain range stretches 35 kilometers from north to south and 15 kilometers from west to east. The snowy and fog-shrouded mountain looks like a giant jade dragon seen from Lijiang Old Town, hence the name ''Jade Dragon Snow Mountain''.


Take the Glacier Park cableway to the summit of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Glacier Park is located on the Shanzidou Peak. There are totally 19 oceanic glaciers on the peak, including hanging glaciers and cirque glaciers. The cableway to the glacier park is the one of the highest elevation in Asia with a length of 2914 meters and a vertical drop of 1150 meters. After walking out of the cableway, tourists can walk to the highest viewing platform of the mountain at 4580 meter above sea level.


Take a shuttle to the Yunshanping Cableway to visit the Spruce Meadows. Spruce Meadow is a huge lawn hidden in the original spruce forest, with an elevation of 3,240 meters. Watch the beautiful scenery. The colors of the lawn change in four seasons and the forest on the edge of the meadow form a natural barrier with the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.


Enjoy folk dances around the Spruce Meadow, you will see some girls dressed in bright ethnic clothing, they dance on the meadows and in the forests. Those wear sheepskin capes are Naxi girls, while the ones wear hats made of colored threads are Dai girls. Near the Spruce Meadow, you will find the Baishui River which is the upper reach of the famous Yangtze River in China. The bed of Baishui River presents a color of grey white as it is composed of sedimentary crushed limestone, when the thawing water flows through it. The river seems white and thus the name Baishui River (literally White Water River).


Baishui River runs through a deep valley named Blue Moon Valley, which has the shape of crescent moon and when it is sunny the water looks blue. Seen from a distance, the valley is like a blue moon at the bottom of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The Yak Plateau is a part of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area, where the Yi and the Tibetan ethnic minorities live. The local people live on stock raising, inheriting their own pristine custom and culture. As a typical pasture, the Yak Plateau is accompanied with snow mountain scenery, crystal Heishui River and dense primeval forest, framing a tranquil painting of nature. With carpet of colorful flowers in spring, cushion of green grasses in summer, golden lawn in autumn and snow-capped sights in winter, the plateau is an ideal place to feel the different looks and beauties of nature.


Impression Lijiang is an 1 hour magnificent singing and dancing performance demonstrating the traditions and lifestyle of the local ethnic people by famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou. The show is staged outdoors at 3,100 meters above sea level with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as the breathtaking backdrop.


Explore the attractions at your own pace and preference in a private group and customize the itinerary according to your interests.

What's included?
    • English-speaking private guide
    • Customized Itinerary
    • French/German/Italian/Spanish/Russian guide (extra fee)
    • Malay/Indonesian/Thai/Vietnamese/Khmer guide (extra fee)
    Exclusions
      • Round-trip Scenic Train Ticket (CNY80)
      • Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Admission + Cableway (CNY60 to 328)
      • Public Transportation
      • Tips and gratuities
      • Meals and beverages
      • Personal expenses
      Please note


        PHYSICAL FITNESS & ALTITUDE

        • Snow mountain is located at a high altitude (up to 4,680 meters). Visitors may experience high altitude sickness; consult your doctor if you have any health concerns.
        • Acclimatization in Kunming/Dali is recommended before the trip. This allows your body to adjust to a higher altitude gradually.
        • Moderate physical fitness is required.

        WEATHER & BEST TIME TO VISIT

        • The best time to visit is October to May, when the mountain is covered in snow.
        • Summer (June-Aug), can be rainy, affecting visibility.

        SIGHTSEEING TRAIN DETAILS

        • The train operates in Blue Moon Valley, offering a comfortable way to explore the turquoise lakes and waterfalls.
        • Train tickets and cable car fee are not included in this package.

        CABLE CARS

        • There are three cable cars in the scenic area:
          • Big Cable Car - takes you to Glacier Park (highest altitude).
          • Yak Meadow Cable Car - leads you to a quieter, scenic area.
          • Spruce Meadow Cable Car - offers great views but lower elevation.

        BOOKING & TICKETS

        • The scenic area has a daily visitor limit, so book in advance.
        • If visiting during holidays or peak seasons, expect crowds and longer waiting times.
        • The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area is open daily from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
        • Additional Timings to Note:
          • Cable Car Operating Hours - typically 7:30 AM -  4:30 PM (may vary by season).
          • Sightseeing Train Hours - generally runs between 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, but schedules can change.
          • Last Entry - it’s best to arrive before 3:00 PM to have enough time to explore.


        What to bring

          CLOTHING & GEAR

          • Warm Layers -  Temperatures drop drastically at higher altitudes. Wear a thermal base layer, sweater, and windproof jacket.
          • Hat, Gloves & Scarf - To stay warm, especially at Glacier Park.
          • Comfortable Shoes - Hiking boots or sturdy sneakers for walking on uneven terrain.
          • Sunglasses & Sunscreen -  Strong UV rays at high altitudes can cause sunburn and eye irritation.
          • Raincoat or Poncho (if visiting in summer) - Weather can change quickly.

           ALTITUDE & HEALTH ESSENTIALS

          • Oxygen Canister -   Available for purchase in Lijiang or at the scenic area. Helps with altitude sickness.
          • Altitude Sickness Pills - Consider bringing Diamox or herbal remedies if prone to altitude sickness.
          • Lip Balm & Moisturizer - The dry mountain air can cause chapped lips and dry skin.

          SNACKS & HYDRATION

          • Water Bottle - Stay hydrated to prevent altitude sickness.
          • Snacks/Energy Bars - Limited food options at the mountain. Good for quick energy.


          PHOTOGRAPHY & EXTRAS 

          • Hand Warmers -  Useful in winter.
          • Power Bank - Essential for long days out. Cold weather can drain batteries quickly.
          • Cash & WeChat Pay/Alipay - Some vendors only accept digital payments or cash.
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