The panoramic view of the Jiaozi Snow Mountain

3 Days Kunming - Mt. Jiaozi - Kedu - Kunming

On your first day, get up early in the morning to catch a coach to Zhuanlong Town at the North Passenger Station as it frequently sets off only before 9:00 am. The fare is CNY30-40 and the journey lasts for about 4 hours. Upon your arrival at Zhuanlong, have lunch here. Then join other visitors to charter a car to your destination. The cost is about CNY150 per car. The Mt. Jiaozi admission fee is CNY30. The mountain rises to 4223 meters (13,855 feet) above sea level and is the highest in central Yunnan. Since the shape of the mountain top is like a sedan chair (jiaozi in Chinese), it got its current name. It is said that spring and winter are the best seasons to visit there. Please bear in mind that the road might be frozen in winter and it will be probably dangerous to climb up. After you arrive at the entrance, it is still 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) away from the foot of the mountain. While you are climbing, you can see almost dozens of kilometers away when it is sunny. The rugged mountain here has the biggest drop and highest range. Accommodation is available at the Sifangjing (Square Well) encampment at the foot of the mountain.

Kedu Town near Kunming

On your second day, start to climb up the mountain. From here, you can choose the cable car or climb up the steps. The cable car will take you to the old Daheiqing base camp. From the Daheibase base camp, the hiking on Mountain Jiaozi formally starts. If you visit here in spring, you can enjoy the sea of rhododendron spreading as far as 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) along the path. You may also hear the sounds of many streams. If you come here in winter, glaciers and ice falls will feast your eyes. Go through Huaxi and fir forest and you will arrive at Yixiantian, which is composed of more than 600 steps.  This is the only way to the top. The 70-degree slope will demand your attention as some parts are almost vertical. There is a flat piece of grass once you have climbed the steps. Have a short rest here. Proceed for about 500 meters and you will pass by a shrine and the Unyielding Forest. At an elevation of 4,137 meters (13,573 feet), the Unyielding Forest is a unique scene consisting of alpine cypresses, which for reasons unknown have perished, yet not decayed hence this woodland has been dubbed the Unyielding Forest. Finally you will reach the top and see the Tianchi Lake. Do not miss the beautiful legend there. It is said that there is a real dragon hidden the Tianchi Lake. So making wishes here is very efficacious and drinking the water is said to enhance the function of your immune system function. Return down the mountain, take a bus back to Zhuanlong and stay overnight there.

Take a coach to Kunming. Get off at Kedu Town. Visit Red Army's Long Match Memorial Hall there. The admission fee is CNY3. You may also visit The Memorial Museum of Liujia Battle, if you are interested as it is not far away. Transfer back to Kunming to end your tour.