玉龙雪山
A 5,596m glacier massif above Lijiang — take the highest cable car in China to 4,506m.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the defining natural backdrop of Lijiang — the dramatic 5,596m glacier massif that towers above the old town and is sacred to the Naxi people. The high cable car reaches 4,506m above sea level, offering extraordinary views across the Tibetan Plateau and the glacier face. This is one of China's most accessible alpine experiences, but altitude sickness is real — acclimatise in Lijiang before attempting the high cable car.
The high cable car (大索道) ticket must be booked online well in advance through the Lijiang scenic area website — daily quotas are strict and it sells out weeks ahead in peak season. Take a DiDi from Lijiang Old Town to the cable car base station (30 min). Bring warm layers regardless of season — temperature at 4,506m is well below zero. Altitude sickness bags are provided at the summit.
Opening Hours
7:00am – 5:00pm. Cable car last ascent: 2:30pm.
Entry Fee
¥180 scenic area entry + ¥280 high cable car (booked separately)
Address
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area, Lijiang, Yunnan Province
云南省丽江市玉龙雪山风景区
The high cable car has a strict daily quota. Book online at the Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain official website using your passport. Sells out weeks ahead in peak season. Cannot be purchased at the gate.
You must bring your passport to enter this attraction. Without it, you will be denied entry.
Show these to locals — large Chinese text designed to be read at arm's length.
Show this to locals:
师傅您好，请送我去玉龙雪山大索道站，丽江市玉龙雪山景区。谢谢！
Hello, please take me to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain high cable car station, Lijiang Scenic Area. Thank you!
For your eyes only:
From Lijiang Old Town, the cable car base is about 30 minutes by DiDi. Tell the driver you want the big cable car (大索道).
Show this to locals:
我感觉头晕，高原反应，请帮我找医护人员。谢谢！
I feel dizzy with altitude sickness. Please help me find medical staff. Thank you!
For your eyes only:
Altitude at the summit is 4,506m. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, and nausea. Medical staff are stationed at the summit. Descend immediately if symptoms are severe.
Follow these guides to navigate each part of your visit.
Book the high cable car online weeks in advance at the Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain official website
Acclimatise in Lijiang (2,400m) for at least one night before attempting the high cable car
Take a DiDi from Lijiang Old Town to the scenic area main gate (30 min)
Pay the scenic area entry fee (¥180) at the gate
Take the shuttle bus (included) to the high cable car base station
Ascend by cable car to 4,506m — the journey takes 15 minutes with extraordinary views
At the summit: boardwalk to the glacier viewing area (bring warm layers — it is cold regardless of season)
Spend 45–60 minutes at altitude, then descend — altitude sickness develops quickly above 4,000m
Return via the middle cable car area for meadow walks, then shuttle back to the gate
Acclimatise for at least one night in Lijiang (2,400m) before the cable car — headaches at 4,506m are common, severe AMS can be dangerous.
Bring a down jacket and gloves regardless of the season — summit temperature is 0°C to -10°C year-round.
The cable car sells out. If you cannot book online, your only option is to show up at the gate at 7am for cancellation slots.
The middle meadow cable car (¥120) offers stunning views without the extreme altitude — good alternative if sold out or unwell.
Lijiang Old Town
丽江古城
A UNESCO-listed Naxi minority town of cobblestone canals and wooden architecture — best before 9am.
Explore →Tiger Leaping Gorge
虎跳峡
One of the world's deepest gorges — a 2-day hiking trail along clifftops above the Yangtze.
Explore →Yuanyang Rice Terraces
元阳梯田
3,000 years of Hani agricultural engineering — the most extraordinary sunrise landscape in China.
Explore →Save all your travel cards, action guides, and reservations in one place — accessible offline anywhere in China.