Looking for the best time to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山，yù lóng xuě shān) in Lijiang, Yunnan is your ticket to adventure. A permanent snow cap covers this towering giant, which is actually 13 peaks disguised as a mythical dragon. Don’t worry, no dragon sightings have been reported (yet).
Beyond the legend, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain offers something for everyone. Hike through lush forests, catch a cable car to the snowy summit, or simply soak up the stunning views. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a casual explorer, this mountain is calling your name.
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how to get to jade dragon snow mountain from lijiang
Bus 101 lijiang
The special 101 bus service runs from outside Lijiang Old Town to the Tourist Centre for 15¥ (2 USD).
The bus service begins at Zhongyi Market Station, located south of Lijiang Old Town. It then travels west along Minzhu Road towards the mountain. The bus service runs approximately every 20 minutes from 7am to about 5pm*. However, if the bus is already at capacity by the time it gets to your stop, then you might get passed over. The total bus trip takes abut 1 – 1.5 hours, so make sure you plan your time accordingly.
*The official run time for these buses is until 5 PM. However, we took a return bus around 6:30 PM. So, you should be fine to leave the park a little later. Even if you miss the bus, many people offer pin che (shared taxi) rides back to Lijiang Old Town. The cost is 25¥ (3.5 USD) per person.
Time is money (faster) option
If you’re short on time, then we’d recommend booking a Didi or taxi directly to the mountain. A one way trip will set you back 80 – 100¥ (11 – 14 USD) and take approximately 40 minutes.
TRAVEL TIPS
Decide what to see (and budget)
Realistically, you’ll likely only have enough time to visit two of the four sights within a day. Not sure what to see? Check out our notes on Must See Spots below!
Purchase entry tickets on arrival. These cost 100¥ (14 USD) per person, which gives access to the general Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenic area. Access to each attraction within the mountain requires a separate ticket. These additional tickets cover the cost of cable cars and/or eco buses to reach these locations.
Book tickets via WeChat
Book tickets ahead of time via the mini program in WeChat. To access the correct mini program for ticket purchases, enter 丽江旅游集团 into the search bar in WeChat. After you open the mini program, select Services > 票务预订 > 雪山票务 (blue/purple icon). You will see a list of ticket options to buy. For example, 冰川公园索道 (bīng chuān gōng yuán suǒ dào) is the cable car ticket for Glacier Peak.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Cable Car Tickets
To reach the iconic Glacier Peak, you’ll need a cable car ticket. It’s the only way up—hiking isn’t allowed. The round trip costs 140¥ (19 USD) and takes you to snow-covered heights with incredible views. Tickets sell out fast, with only 10,000 available daily. They’re released around 8pm the night before and are usually gone by 8pm. Book early via the WeChat mini program by searching 丽江旅游集团. Don’t wait until the morning—you’ll miss out.
Must see spots at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
There are four main attractions in the scenic area of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. There’s no option to stay in the scenic area, so you’ll need to plan out your visit as a day trip.
Glacier Peak
If you’re looking to see some snow, then Glacier Peak (冰川公园, bīng chuān gōng yuán) is the place you want to be. You can’t hike up the mountain, so the only way to reach the peak is via a cable car. Cost of a cable car to Glacier Peak is 140¥ (19 USD) for a round trip, which takes you up to the peak.
There is a limited allocation of 10,000 tickets per day and you must book your tickets the day before. Tickets for each day are typically released online around 6pm the evening prior. Since you are competing with others in China for tickets, they sell out very quickly. Usually, they are gone by 8 PM. We didn’t believe our hostel when they told us this, but it is true. Make sure to click through the mini program first. Register your details before tickets go on sale. This way, you can buy them as soon as they are released. It can get a bit crazy, we know.
Blue Moon Valley
At the base of the mountain there is Blue Moon Valley (蓝月谷, lán yuè gǔ) which is a must visit sightseeing spot. The views are absolutely stunning and many people come here to get their wedding photos done.
To reach the valley from the Tourist Centre, you’ll need to take an eco bus, which costs 20¥ (3 USD). You should be able to walk 1.5 hours from the Tourist Centre. However, when we asked the man at the counter, he said “no.” We don’t understand why not. If you bought cable car tickets for Spruce Flat or Yak Meadow, you do not need a separate bus ticket. This applies to Blue Moon Valley. It is included in your ticket.
Spruce Flat
Spruce Flat (云杉坪, yún cǎi píng) is a high-altitude meadow with views of the mountain and surrounded by towering spruce trees. Access to Spruce Flat requires purchase of a cable car ticket, which costs 60¥ (8 USD). You can take a leisurely stroll along the plank walkway, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and soak up the breathtaking views. Though we didn’t get to visit this one, we were told by our hostel that this is very similar to Yak Meadow and if you visit one, then you don’t need to visit the other.
Yak Meadow
Yak Meadow (牦牛坪, máo niú píng) is another scenic plateau in the area. A round trip cable car ticket costs 65¥ (9 USD). This ticket lets you ride a charming, old-fashioned cable car. It feels like the early designs of modern cable cars. Yak Meadow is a large, grassy area famous for its yaks. These yaks roam freely, but they usually stay far from the areas where tourists visit. If you’re having trouble deciding, we wouldn’t rank this high on the must-see list. However, it’s a nice place for a casual walk.
Where to stay
Choosing where to stay when visiting Jade Dragon Snow Mountain depends on what kind of experience you’re after. If you enjoy a busy atmosphere, you will like Lijiang Old Town. It has a lively vibe and many places to stay. Check out our blog on Lijiang to see our favourite hostel where we spent 11 days!
For a quieter place, you can stay in Baisha (白沙, bái shā) or Shuhe (束河, shù hé). Both towns show a bit of Naxi culture. There are also mountain lodges closer to the mountain itself, providing stunning views but with limited amenities.
We found Trip.com to be the best platform for booking accommodation while in China. As it was foreigner friendly while still having more options than most other platforms.
eat and drink
There are plenty of food options around the park! From snacks to full meals, you won’t go hungry. No need to worry about packing a lunch or forgetting snacks for the mountain – you’ll find plenty of delicious options along the way.
Best time to visit
The best time of year for seeing snow is from November to April when enough snow has built up on the mountain. The autumn months from September to November are very popular with landscape photographers. They love the beautiful orange leaves against the bright turquoise water.
You can visit any time of year. We went in the peak of summer, and it was still very beautiful!
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