Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is located in the northwest of Lijiang. It runs from the south to the north about 35 kilometers, and it is about 13 kilometers wide from east to the west. It covers a total area of 396 square kilometers, and stands against the Haba Snow Mountain with surging Jingsha River runs past.
It is famous for its high hills and meadows, snowy mountains and water and primitive forests. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the highest peak in ranges of Yunlong Mountains. The glaciers originating from these mountains have the lowest latitude in the Northern Hemisphere.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountains consists of 13 peaks, all of which have an altitude of more than 5,000 meters. Its major peak, the Fan Peak, has an altitude of 5,596 meters, and is the second highest peak in Yunnan. The snow on the 13 peaks is present all the year round. They look as if a vivid white dragon that is going to spring into the Jingsha River and that is the reason that the mountain is called Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. (Yulong means white dragon) The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a treasure house of animals and plants. It is known as the Natural Garden for Animals and Plants on the High Mountain and the Modern Museum for Glaciers.
The major peak of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is still unconquered by human beings. The peak is always covered and hidden in clouds and fogs. Only when the sun shines strongly, you can see her real face. Skiing is possible at any time on the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The Four-Season Skiing Field is high on the Mountain with an altitude of 4,506 meters. Access is by closed cable car. That will cost you 165 yuan return.
History:
The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain was named the "Holy Dragon Snow Mountain" as early as Tang Dynasty. It was called the "Northern Yuefei" by Yi Mouxun, the King of Nanzhao Kingdom. Li Jing, an official of Yuan Dynasty who had been transferred from Hejian (today's Hebei Province) to Yunnan also wrote a poem in honor of Snow Mountain of Lijiang. Xu Xiake, a great traveler from the Ming Dynasty also thought highly of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain was mentioned in the book "the Famous Mountains in the World" published in the early Qing Dynasty. During the Anti-Japanese War, the American scholar Locke lived at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for a very long time to study the vegetation and the Dongba Culture. Two of his works are The Ancient Kingdom of Naxi in Southwest China and Naxi Language and English Cyclopedia.
How to get there:
You can take a bus from the Ancient City of Lijiang however during the tourist season expect people. The best route for a tour is from the county seat of Lijiang to Ganhaizi, then to Baishui River, and finally to Yunshan Meadow. From Baishui River, take the ropeway from Yunshan Meadow up the mountain. The ropeway will cost you 22 yuan for one way, and 47 yuan for going and coming back. Alternatively ride a horse there and back, and that will only cost you 30 yuan. The ride will take more than one hour.
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