Yulong Xueshan Mountain

Glaciated mountain range near Lijiang in Yunnan province

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan) rises above Lijiang with glaciated peaks and alpine meadows; visitors take cable cars, trek marked trails and visit nearby Naxi villages.

Yulong Xueshan at a Glance#

Address: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan) Scenic Area, Yulong County, Lijiang, Yunnan, China

About Yulong Xueshan#

Yulong Xueshan (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) is a mountain massif north of Lijiang in Yunnan province, notable for its series of snow-capped peaks and perennial glaciers. The range’s highest summits approach 5,600 metres and form a dominant skyline above the Lijiang basin.

Tourist infrastructure includes trails and cable cars that take visitors partway up the massif to viewpoints and glacier viewing areas; the area is widely visited for mountain scenery and panoramic views. The range contains multiple peaks along a north-south crest and is visible from Lijiang town.

The mountains are culturally significant to the local Naxi people and have been a focus of both traditional reverence and modern tourism development. The massif lies immediately north of the old town of Lijiang in northwestern Yunnan.

  • High peaks and glaciers: The massif’s highest summit reaches approximately 5,500-5,600 metres and the range includes multiple snow-capped peaks and small glaciers that descend from high ridges.
  • Proximity to Lijiang: Located immediately north of Lijiang, the mountain is an important natural and cultural landmark for the local Naxi people and the Lijiang region.

How to Get to Yulong Xueshan#

Yulong Xueshan (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) is immediately north of Lijiang, Yunnan. From Lijiang city centre take a local bus, tourist shuttle or taxi north toward the Yulong Snow Mountain scenic area (the drive is roughly 20-30 km depending on your start point in Lijiang). Many visitors book day tours or hire drivers in Lijiang; once at the scenic‑area car parks there are short walks and internal shuttles/cable‑car points to access higher viewpoints.

Tips for Visiting Yulong Xueshan#

  • Get to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain at first light-the peaks are most likely to be clear early and clouds or haze typically build through the day.
  • Reserve tickets and the park cable car/gondola ahead of high season; the site manages access with shuttle buses, so allow extra time for transfers and queues.
  • Don't rush past the lower scenery: Blue Moon Valley and the valley walkways offer striking turquoise pools and perspectives that many visitors skip when heading straight to the higher viewpoints.
  • Expect rapid temperature changes and limited services near the glacier area-confirm shuttle schedules and timing before you go so you can complete the highlights in one visit.

Best Time to Visit Yulong Xueshan#

Best in spring (Apr-Jun) and autumn (Sep-Nov) to avoid the summer monsoon and to improve chances of clear views; expect freezing conditions at higher elevations.

Spring and Early Summer
April-June · base ~10-20°C; higher slopes often below freezing
Before the monsoon brings clouds and rain - clearer skies and good views of the snow-capped peaks.
Monsoon/Summer
July-August · base ~10-15°C; higher elevations below freezing
Cloudier and wetter with reduced visibility; lower chance of clear summit views.
Autumn
September-November · base ~5-20°C; summit below freezing
Post-monsoon offers clearer skies and very good visibility; temperatures vary widely with elevation.

Weather & Climate near Yulong Xueshan#

Climate

Yulong Xueshan's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -17°C to 7°C. Moderate rainfall (882 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 54 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
DecemberJanuaryNovember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -17°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-17° -3°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

15 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
10.5h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -15°C. Light rainfall.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

-9°
Feels Like Freezing
-9°C
Temperature
-15° -3°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.1h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-12°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-9°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

68 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.7h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-5°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

120 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.7h daylight

July

July is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (161 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

161 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.6h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

34 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

150 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

114 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-6°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -11°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-11°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

22 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
10.7h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -15°C. The driest month with just 11 mm and mostly sunny skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

-9°
Feels Like Freezing
-9°C
Temperature
-15° -2°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

11 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
10.3h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Yulong Xueshan#