Also named 'Splendid Vale', the Spruce Plateau is a large meadow hiding behind a primeval forest. It lies at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and is encircled by lofty spruces. An excellent environment makes it just fairies' bower.
It is located at an altitude of over 3,000 meters (approx. 9,843 feet). Standing on it, you will feast your eyes on a vast extent of verdant meadow which is both quiet and beautiful. Every year in spring and summer, flourishing green grass and colorful flowers are all over. In autumn, the color changes to orange. In winter, the plateau wrapped with white snow offers you another kind of beauty. Animals like yak, scalpers and goats wander here, dipping their heads from time to time to gnaw the fresh grass. Far away, the Jade Dargon Snow Mountain is huge and rises high into the air, seeming to overlook the meadow. What separate the plateau and the mountain is a forest lying on the edge of the plateau. In the forest, trees are lofty and deadwood and lichen are everywhere, making the forest looks like a fairyland that hasn't been disturbed by the outside world for a thousand years.
 | | Spruce Plateau, Yunnan | |  | | Local Yi Residents around Yunshan Meadow | |
The plateau is regarded by the
Naxi people as an entrance to the heaven that is rooted in their hearts. It is a place where people can love, and be together freely. Legend says that the first death for love in Naxi happened here. In the past, lovers came here to die for love when their love and marriage were strongly rejected. From generation to generation, tragedy has become Romantic story and attracts numerous lovers coming here together to enjoy romantic hours.
You can see beautiful lassies who wear colorful clothes singing and dancing on the plateau or in forest. They are lassies from Naxi Minority and Yi Minority. The clothes they wear are rife with ethnic features and you can take photos with them. You might also enjoy dancing with them hand in hand.
 | | Plank Road in the Forest | |  | | Taking cable car to Spruce Plateau | |
How to get to Spruce Plateau
Take a bus at Bailong Square of Lijiang Old Down to the tourist center of
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, taking CNY 15 and 1.5 hours. Then take a sightseeing car at the center to the ropeway terminal of the plateau.
The ropeway takes you up to the Spruce Plank Road (in Chinese, the name of the road pronounces Yunshan Zhandao). To reach the plateau, you should walk on the ropeway through a forest, where you can see tall spruces. Besides taking the ropeway, you can also get there by foot. No matter which way you choose, you can feast your eyes on the wonderful scenery on the way.
| Fees | Admission Fee is included in the ticket of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain;
Cable Car: CNY 40 for a round-trip
Cable Car + Sightseeing Bus: CNY 60 for a round trip |
| Opening Hours | 6:30 - 18:00
Operating hours of the ropeway: 07:30 - 16:30 |
| Recommended Time for a Visit | Two hours |
- Last updated on Apr. 23, 2024 by Gabby Li -
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