Lijiang Tours

The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, 35 kilometers (22 miles) long from north to south, 13 kilometers (8 miles) wide from east to west, 5,596 meters (18,360 feet) above sea level, covering an area of 960 square kilometers, is the southernmost snow mountain in the northern hemisphere. It consists of 13 snow peaks and the main peak, Shanzidou Peak, surrounded by the clouds and mists all year around, is an unconquered virgin peak. There are rich natural tourism resources, including the snow fields, glaciers, alpine meadows as well as primitive forest landscapes, and you can visit the Glacier Park, the Spruce Meadow, the Blue Moon valley, the Yak Meadow and some other scenic spots here. On the Blue Moon Valley Square, you will also have a chance to watch a large-scale live performance, the Impression Lijiang, directed by Zhang Yimou.

There are three cable car routes on the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which will offer you different sceneries. The Glacier Park cable car can reach the top of the 4,680-meter-high (15,354 feet) mountain, where you can see white snow and thousand-year-old glacier. However, you need also to withstand the rigors of the high altitude. The Yak Meadow cable car, with 1,200 meters (0.75 miles) long, can reach the Yak Meadow scenic area (3,600 meters, 11,811 feet), where you can see the yaks and amazing natural sceneries. It is also the best point to view the thirteen peaks of the snow mountain. The Spruce Meadow cable car can reach the 3,200-meter-high (10,499 feet) Spruce Meadow. Here, you will enjoy the spectacular views of dense spruce forests and alpine meadows. The ride also offers a great opportunity to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. Don't miss it.

• Yulong Snow Mountain has a high altitude, with snow on the top of the mountain all year around, which results in a big temperature difference between the foot and the top of the mountain. Therefore, the down jackets are generally required, even in July and August. If it's too much troublesome, you can also rent one at the foot of the mountain.

• The highest point on the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain you can reach is the Glacier Park at 4,680 meters (15,354 feet) above sea level. Therefore, the altitude sickness must be taken into account. Generally, it will not be a problem for most people if climbing slowly. However, it is still advisable to buy a tank of oxyge, just in case. For your reference, a typical tank of oxygen can last 30 to 45 minutes.

Impression Lijiang, performed in the world's highest live performance venue - the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Ganhaizi Blue Moon Valley Theater, is a large-scale live performance with snow mountains as the background, folk culture as the theme and local indigenous people as the actors. It is also the only show performed in the daytime, which truly shows the indigenous people' feelings towards heaven, earth, people and mountains.

Impression Lijiang is divided into two parts, the "Snow Mountain" part and the "Ancient City" part.  The "Snow Mountain" part is about the dialogues between the people and the mountains, showing the close relationship between life and nature; The "Ancient City" part is about the dialogues between the people and their ancestors, showing that there is always a sacred kingdom in the local people's hearts of all ages. More than 500 actors and actresses are all from the surrounding rural areas and they will bring you a real impression of Lijiang with their original gestures and rustic singing.

There will be one performance every day, which lasts about 1 hour. Generally, it's from 13:30 to 14:30 during the low season and from 12:50 to 13:50 during the peak season.  You're suggested to buy the tickets and confirm the time in advance.