Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

With an area of 396 k㎡, the Jade Dragon Snow mountain scape area includes the Snow mountain and part of its east area. Famous for its ice and snow sights, altiplano and meadow attractions, virgin forest and landscape, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the core area of Lijiang Old Town's natural sight. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the highest mountainous region among the Yunlin mountain chain; it is also the mountain of the lowest latitude in the Northern Hemisphere with glacier. The mountain is formed by 13 mountains with the average height of over 5000 meters (3.105 miles); its peak mountain named Shanzidou which is as steep as a fan, with a height of 5596 meters (3.48 miles), is the second highest mountain in Yunnan. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is honored as the holy mountain in Naxi ethnic group; they think the mountain is the incarnation of their guardian. The mountain is also named as"Boshioulu"by the Naxi ethnic group which means silver mountain rock. The 13 mountains stretch 50 km (31.05 miles) from north to south like a jade dragon jumping over, hence its name Jade Dragon. It has another name"Black&White Snow Mountain"because the mountain is mainly formed by lime stone and basalt which are black and white.

Hiking on Tiger Leaping Gorge can also be started from the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. You can take a bus to Daju Village from Lijiang Old Town and then ferrying to the gorge from Daju Village. The sight of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain can be viewed on the way to Daju Village from Lijiang Old Town.

Three ropeways are distributed on the mountain; Glacier Park, Spruce Meadow ropeway and Yak ropeway. It is suggested that the tourists take Spruce Meadow ropeway and Yak Meadow ropeway to the height of 3600 meters (2.24 miles); Oxygen should be taken along with if Glacier Park ropeway is taken because the ropeway would send you to the height of 4506 meters (2.8 miles) which is the snow line.