Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan) dominates the skyline north of Lijiang, its 13 peaks draped in permanent snow and the highest summit, Shanzidou, reaching 5,596 metres — unclimbed until a Chinese mountaineering team made the first ascent in 1987. The mountain is sacred to the Naxi people, who regard it as the embodiment of the god Sanduo, protector of the Naxi. A cable car ascends to a high-altitude glacier plateau at 4,506 metres, offering close-up views of the ice field; the thin air at this altitude requires a slow pace and causes mild altitude sickness in many visitors. Lower elevations feature meadows of rhododendron and subalpine forest, accessible by two other cable cars to Spruce Meadow (3,240 m) and Glacier Park (4,506 m). The mountain also provides the dramatic backdrop for Zhang Yimou's outdoor performance "Impression Lijiang," staged at 3,100 metres with a cast of 600 local performers.