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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12 day trip to Kunming, Dali and Lijiang
Our tour guide cum driver for Kunming, is Jack Lee. He took good care of us, especially when there is any descending or ascending hike during the trip. He gave excellent suggestion for dinner and even show us the authentic way to eat the food. We had a fantastic 6 days in Dali area. Our guide, 王立婷, is from the Bai ethnic group. She is very knowledgeable in the custom and history of Yunnan as well as the different Ethnic group of the area. We learn a lot of interesting things from her. If I were to go to Dali again, I will definitely look for her. The last stretch of our trip, is 3 days in Lijiang with our guide , 和绍春. He is from the Naxi Ethnic group. He shared with us his knowledge of his people and also how to handle high altitiude. Luckily for us, we had him to look out for us as some of us were unwell during and after the ascent of Yulong snow mountain. Last but not least, our driver, 卞师傅，spent 9 days with us and is a safe driver and a friendly person. more
Apr 2025, Boon Keow L
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Lijiang and Kunming
Thanks to Camillia Jiang from China Highlights who created our itinerary we had a wonderful holiday in Lijiang and Kunming. Our guides in Lijiang Alice and Lulu in kunming were wonderful in taking care of our needs from the word go and made our holidays so much better. more
Apr 2025, Chng S
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Amazing 9D8N Yunnan Experience!
Our group of 8 had an amazing time in Yunnan with China Highlights!We’re on 9D8N tour in Shangrila, Lijiang, Dali and Kunming. Special thanks to Liberman (key coordinator) for his patience in meeting our many requests and changes, I’m really impressed with his good English competency, prompt responses and follow-up. We were blessed with great weather, sunshine when we visit Pudacuo and Songzhanlin, Hotel Indigo is an excellent choice for hotel stay in Shangrila. We were able to ascend Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang too, it was snowing slightly and the mountain was covered by thick white snow, making our experience a very special one. Thumbs up to Lijiang guide Jack, he’s one of the few guides who would hike up the mountain side by side with guests. Our special thanks goes to our guides - James (Shangrila), Jack (Lijiang), Alice (Dali), Lydia and May (Kunming). They have worked very hard to ensure our Yunnan experience is an amazing one with beautiful scenery, delicious food, great shopping! I will definitely travel with China Highlights again andwill highly recommend them to my friends. more
Apr 2025, savvy Traveler
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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