Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - Honest Tips and Complete Guide

# A Must-Visit in Your Lifetime! Save This Comprehensive Guide to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 🌟 In our lifetime, we must visit a snow mountain at least once to experience the magnificent beauty of pure snow meeting the clear sky, and feel the awe of communing with nature at high altitudes. If you've decided to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, be sure to save this detailed guide! ## First Stop: Lijiang - Where the Dream Journey Begins ### Careful Preparation is Key Before departure, make sure you have all the necessary items ready. Your ID card is essential and must not be forgotten. A power bank is also crucial to keep your phone charged at all times so you can capture every wonderful moment of your journey. UV rays are particularly strong on the snow mountain, so don't skimp on sun protection - bring high SPF sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses to protect your skin and eyes. A windbreaker is a good choice, but if you find it inconvenient to carry, you can also rent down jackets on the mountain. To prevent altitude sickness, be sure to bring oxygen bottles, glucose, Snickers bars, and cola. Imagine when you feel short of breath or dizzy while climbing, having some glucose or a Snickers bar can instantly replenish your energy. Also, as Lijiang has significant temperature differences between day and night, if you plan to take photos in a pretty dress, remember to bring a jacket to avoid catching a cold. ### Smart Ticket Purchase for Easy Entry Advance reservations for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are required through "Lijiang Tourism Group." It's recommended to fill in your information in advance to save time during ticket purchase. Different cable cars have different prices and sale times: Large Cable Car (Glacier Park) costs CNY 140/person, tickets go on sale at 8pm the day before; Mid-size Cable Car (Yak Meadow) costs CNY 65/person, tickets go on sale at 9pm the day before; Small Cable Car (Spruce Meadow) costs CNY 60/person, also on sale at 9pm the day before. Choose the appropriate cable car based on your interests and schedule. ### Wise Accommodation Choices For accommodation, it's recommended to stay near Zhongyi Market. While Lijiang Ancient Town is full of rustic charm, its stone paths make it difficult to walk with luggage, so staying within the ancient town is not recommended. ### Route Planning for the Best Views The itinerary includes: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain ➡Glacier Park (visit the 4,680m peak) ➡Spruce Meadow (perfect for photos!) ➡Blue Moon Valley (breathtaking views!) ### Convenient Transportation to the Scenic Area Take bus line 101 from Zhongyi Market station to the mountain. The fare is CNY 15/person, with buses every 30 minutes and a journey time of about 60 minutes. You can enjoy the scenery along the way through the bus window. ## In-Depth Tour of Each Attraction ### Glacier Park - Challenge the Peak, Encounter Magnificence Ticket 🎫: CNY 140/person 🕐Opening hours: 7:00-16:15 Taking the bus from Zhongyi Market to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you'll need to pay an additional entrance fee of CNY 100/person at the gate. I chose to take the large cable car first, which reaches an altitude of 4,506m. From there, you'll need to climb stairs. Make sure to buy oxygen at the bottom of the mountain, as it's more expensive at the top. As you climb higher, the air becomes thinner, and many people may experience altitude sickness symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. Don't worry - just take it slow, rest when needed, and you'll usually adjust. After walking about 300 meters, you'll reach the peak at 4,680m! The view of endless snow mountains and magnificent sea of clouds from the summit is indescribable. 🚶Visit duration: 2-3 hours ### Spruce Meadow - A Stroll Through Wonderland Ticket 🎫: CNY 60/person 🕐Opening hours: 7:00-18:00 After descending from the large cable car, take the shuttle bus to Spruce Meadow. After taking the small cable car up, it's a 10-minute walk to reach Spruce Meadow. The area is mostly fenced, and while some tourists climb over for unique photos, most stay outside the fence. The photo opportunities here are excellent - every shot looks amazing. Walking through Spruce Meadow, surrounded by tall spruce trees and wildflowers, feels like being in a fairy tale. 🚶Visit duration: 2 hours ### Blue Moon Valley - Where Blue Waters Meet the Sky Ticket 🎫: Included in entrance fee 🕐Opening hours: 6:30-16:00 After visiting Spruce Meadow, take the cable car down and then the shuttle bus to the second stop "Shueyue Pavilion" - this is Blue Moon Valley. If you want to visit this spot, check the weather forecast first, as the scenery varies greatly depending on weather conditions. Only on sunny days can you truly appreciate the beauty of the blue-green lake waters under sunlight. The water is crystal clear, like a huge mirror reflecting the surrounding snow mountains and blue sky - it's breathtaking. 🚶Visit duration: 1-2 hours ## Warm Return and Looking Forward to Next Time ### Take bus line 101 from the Tourist Service Center (Parking Lot 3) back to Zhongyi Market, but note that the last bus departs at 17:00. If you miss the last bus, don't worry - there are many private cars offering shared rides that can take you to Lijiang Ancient Town. When you leave Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with wonderful memories and emotions, you might already be looking forward to your next visit. Hope this guide helps you have an unforgettable time at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - go embrace this pure and beautiful world!