Code: KUNMING06

3 Days Kunming Side Trip to Jiaozi Snow Mountain

► Route: Kunming Jiaozi Snow Mountain Kedu Kunming
Day 1 Kunming to Jiaozi Snow Mountain
On your first day, get up early in the morning to catch a coach from Kunming North Passenger Station to Zhuanlong Town first. Upon your arrival at Zhuanlong, you can have lunch there.

► Bus Schedule: 6:50, 7:50, 8:40, 9:40, 10:40, 11:40, 12:30, 13:40, 16:30
► Distance: 150 km (93 mi)
► Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours
► Fare: CNY 35

Jiaozi Snow Mountain
The recommended destination for the afternoon is the Jiaozi Snow Mountain.

► How to get there: From Zhuanlong Bus Station, you can join other visitors to charter a car to Jiaozi Snow Mountain. The cost is CNY 30 to 50 per person.
► Top Attractions: Sea of Azaleas, Colorful Waterfall, Alpine Heavenly Lake, Pudu River Valley, Wumeng Terrace…
► Opening Hours: 8:30 – 17:30
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 6 to 8 hours
► Ticket Price: CNY 138 for Combo Ticket, including CNY 35 for entry, CNY 30 for shuttle bus in the scenic area, CNY 70 for round-trip cable car, and CNY 3 for insurance.

The mountain rises to 4,223 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. The rugged mountain here has the biggest drop and highest range. Spring and winter are the best seasons to visit there. While you are climbing, you can see almost dozens of kilometers away when it is sunny. Please bear in mind that the road might be frozen in winter and it will be probably dangerous to climb up.

Accommodation is available at the Sifangjing Tourist Service Center at the foot of the mountain.

Day 2 Jiaozi Snow Mountain Hiking
Start to climb up the mountain in the morning. From Sifangjing encampment, you can choose the cable car or climb up the steps. Take the shuttle bus to Xiapingzi, and from here, the cable car will take you to the old Daheiqing Base Camp. From the Daheiqing Base Camp, the hiking on the Jiaozi Snow Mountain formally starts.

If you visit in spring, you can enjoy the sea of azaleas spreading as far as 7 km (4.3 mi) 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.

Going through the Flower Stream and the Fir Forest, 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 demands 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 there.

Proceed for about 500 meters (1,640 feet) and you will pass by a shrine and the Aogu Forest (Unyielding Forest). At an elevation of 4,137 meters (13,573 feet), the 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 Heavenly Lake. Do not miss the beautiful legend there. It is said that there is a real dragon hidden the Heavenly Lake, so making wishes here is very efficacious and drinking the water is said to boost the immune system.

Return down the mountain, charter a car back to Zhuanlong, and stay overnight there.

Day 3 Visit Kedu & Back to Kunming
Kedu Town
Take a coach to Kunming, and get off at Kedu Town. The distance is about 60 km (37 mi) and takes 1.5 hours. Here you are recommended to visit the Red Army's Long Match Memorial Hall.

► How to get there: From Kedu Bus Station, you can walk to the memorial hall in 25 minutes. To save time, you can hire a taxi to go there in 5 minutes at a cost of CNY 8.
► Opening Hours: 8:30 – 10:00, 11:00 – 17:00
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 to 3 hours
► Ticket Price: Free

You may also visit the Monument to Liujia Battle if you are interested.

► How to get there: It takes 40 minutes and costs about CNY 70 to go there by taxi.
► Opening Hours: 9:00 – 17:00
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 hour
► Ticket Price: Free

At last, take a coach from Kedu Bus Station back to Kunming to end your tour. The distance is about 90 km (56 mi) and takes 2 hours.

 More Kunming Hiking Tours:

Way to Shangri-la: 8 days hiking to Shangri-la, Haba Village, Dark Lake, Sanchahe Ranch
Kunming Quintessence Tour: 3 days hiking to Kunming, Expo Garden, Dianchi Lake, West Hill Park


 Recommended Cheap Tour with Visit to Kunming:

Yunnan Highlight Tour: 8 Days of Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Shangri-La - Kunming
Kunming Extension Tour: 6 Days of Kunming - Jianshui - Yuanyang - Kunming