Pilgrimage to Joseph Rock's Favorite Mountain
—"I want to die among those beautiful mountains rather than in a bleak hospital bed all alone."
American explorer Joseph Rock said this in a letter to his friend to express his endless love for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
In this one-day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain hiking tour, you will skip the cable car and find yourself walking in Rock's footsteps in the embrace of his favorite mountain. Feel Yulong Mountain with your feet and see its beauty with your own eyes. There are several hiking routes up to the mountain. We are happy to recommend the right one that suits your interests.
Tour Map
Tour 'Wow' Points
Discover the Hidden Valley of the 'Milk River' and 'Snow Sea'
Skipping the cable car and tourist crowd, you will hike through the bushes, wade across a little stream, lie down on an alpine meadow, and enjoy the exclusive views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain that only hikers can.
Explore Yuhu Naxi Village
Observe the Naxi villagers as they engage in their daily routines, clad in traditional garments, and tending to the fields that embrace their time-honored stone homes.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Unforgettable 7 Day Travel Experience in Yunnan
Our 7 days Yunnan trip with China Highlights started at Kunming then took us all the way to Dali, Lijiang and Shangri La. Visiting Yunnan in December during winter time was interesting, less crowded and most importantly enable us to see Yunnan in a different landscape. A special mention to our fantastic guides, May (in Kunming) and Sunny (in Dali) and their respective drivers who were personable and shared a wealth of knowledge and insights of the places we visited. They spoke good English, helpful with our requests and ensured that we were comfortable and satisfied with our tours. We will not hesitate to use China Highlights again for our next trip to China! more
Jan 2025, Jess W
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Lijiang- family trip Dec 2024 Eleanor
My family really enjoyed our time with Eleanor in Lijiang. She was able to pass on a lot of knowledge about her city which made the trip lots more interesting! We enjoyed having her guide us to amazing places. She was really attentive when one of us were feeling sick at the top of the mountain and provided us all with adaquete preparation for the 4000km+ altitude ascension. more
Jan 2025, Nicole L
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Yunnan Province 2024
We spent a fabulous week traveling through Yunnan. Our guides, Jack (Shangri la) Alice (Lijiang) Frank (Dali) and Rosemary (Kunming) all have deep knowledge of their cities and did an excellent job showing us their home areas. Our driver Mr Liu was also excellent taking us safely from place to place. This China Highlights trip was as advertised and we highly recommend it. more
Dec 2024, Esteban C
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour to suit your interests.
Your private guide will meet you at your Lijiang hotel and accompany you on a pleasant journey to picturesque Yuhu Village.
Discover Naxi villagers in Yuhu Village, going about their daily lives in traditional clothing, working in the fields surrounding their stone homes.
Follow the winding path around Yuhu Lake and embark on a 40-minute uphill hike to the Sansi River. In the rainy season, the river water, sourced from snow-capped mountains, can rise to knee level as it flows through the valley to Lijiang Ancient Town.
Another 40-minute hike will bring you to Bahe, known locally as "Frog's Pool". During the rainy season, it transforms into a pool, other times, it's a small meadow.
Ascend the mountain's slopes through a winding path of bushes and rocks. In an hour, reach Ganheba, a vast meadow where the stream dries in spring, autumn, and winter. Feel the refreshing breeze on the grassland, inviting you to relax and gaze at the endless blue sky.
Trek across the Ganheba plain to the aptly named Milk River, which has a milky appearance due to the white limestone.
Hike uphill to a viewpoint for a magnificent panoramic view of the snow-capped mountain range and the vast Ganheba below.
Head to the Snow Sea at the end of the Milk River. White rocks and sand give it a frozen appearance, but it turns into a vibrant blue water body in the rainy season.
Take a stroll down to the meadow and enjoy some free time for photos.
Enjoy a comfortable and relaxing transfer to your hotel in Lijiang Ancient Town.
Note:
1. The hike covers approximately 12.5 km (7.7 miles) with a 600-meter (2,000 feet) ascent, and typically takes around 5½ hours. However, on our private tours, you can adjust the schedule flexibly based on your pace and interests.
2. Due to local fire prevention regulations, this hiking tour is unavailable from May to October. Your travel advisor will recommend alternative hiking routes tailored to your preferences.
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English-speaking local guide
- Activities listed in the itinerary
- A 24/7 helpline is available throughout your trip
Tour code: lj-5