Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Hiking Trekking Climbing Mountaineering Travel Tour

Introduction of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yulong mountain

Located in Lijiang County in Yunnan province, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain/Yulong mountain is the famous in Hengduan mountains. There are dozens of towering steep peaks of over 5000 meters above sea level in Yulong Snow Mountain, from which more than 10 modern marine Temperate – Glacier in southern China were originated. With the altitude of 5596 meters, the main peak, “Shanzidou”(means a steep peak like a fan) has the lowest latitude in northern hemisphere and the highest peak in the world. At the northern side, there is a cirque glacier, and at the southern and western side, a small hanging glacier respectively.

Mountains go from north to south, about 13 kilometers from east to west and about 35 kilometers from north to south, facing Haba Snow mountain, with surging Jinsha River in between. Yulong Snow Mountain, in Naxi people’s eyes, is regarded as “Boshioulu”, which means silver rock of white sand. The whole snow mountains are combined by 13 peaks, ranged vertically from north to south of around 50 km, about 13 km from east to west. Yulong Snow Mountain is not only magnificent, but also tall, beautiful, charming, and delicate in style. Clear as crystal jade, bright as thirteen sword, against the blue sky, it is like a silver Yulong flying eternally. That is why the name Yulong was created. Yulong Snow Mountain is also called “Black and White Snow Mountain” because the rock inside is mainly limestone and basalt.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain/Yulong mountain is a divine mountain in the eyes of Naxi people and other Minority groups in Lijiang. Naxi people’s god of protection, “San Duo”, is the incarnation of the Yulong Snow Mountain, and till now people celebrate “Festival San Duo” annually in Lijiang. During the period of King Yimouxun of Nanzhao in Tang Dynasty, Yimouxun titled Yulong Snow Mountain as “Bei Yue”(means the greatest mountain in the north) in his trip visiting. Till today Bei Yue Temple still stands in northern Baisha Villiage, with a deep courtyard and brilliant Buddha. Pilgrims and climbers keep visiting the mountain. At the beginning of Yuan Dynasty, when the king, Kublai Khan went to Lijiang, he titled Yulong Snow Mountain as the Deity Mountain which can stabilize the country and make it more prosperous.

Climate Condition of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yulong mountain

Generally speaking, from January to May there are relatively too much snow, and on the road there is still a possibility of avalanche. During this period the temperature is lower than the usual on the mountain area, sometimes up to -20℃. From January to March there are more opportunities to encounter strong winds, it is not suitable for climbing. The rainy season is from June to September , and the fog is everywhere, which make climbers unable to see the road conditions. The best season to climb is from October to December, because of more sunny days and less snow accumulation.

Climbing Route of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yulong mountain

Kunming–Lijiang–Yulong Snow Mountain

Climbing History of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yulong mountain

Five foreign climbing teams all failed to climb the mountain from the southwest side, the south side, and east side.

In 1987, American ERIC PERLMAN firstly climbed the mountain but are not confirmed and admitted by China.

In 1991, Kunming Mountaineering Expedition Association climbed to the altitude of 4500 meters.

In 2002, the climber “Jin Feibiao” from Yunnan province climbed to the altitude of 5100 meters.

Climbing Route of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yulong mountain

It is extremely difficult to climb the mountain straight by the south side from Ganhaizi Valley and tourists need to climb the steep rock in many sections. The slope is generally 30 to 50 degrees, some are 70 degrees. There is no much glacier route, and the rock is weathering badly.