Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Sunrise Tour: Glacier Cableway Options

The glacier cableway climbs 1,150 meters in a single ride to a viewing platform above the clouds.

A private day tour of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in China with a live guide in English or Chinese, built around your choice of cableway, scenic train, the Impression Lijiang performance, and visits to Blue Moon Valley and surrounding villages. You pick which combination suits your day: glacier cableway alone, glacier plus spruce meadow, the outdoor performance, the scenic train, or any mix of them. Admission to some cultural sites and lunch are included in certain options. The mountain admission fee and some attractions are paid separately depending on which option you choose.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Jade Dragon Snow Mountain area

• Watch golden sunrise at Yundian Cafe
• Take Glacier Park cableway to summit
• Walk to highest viewing platform
• Visit Blue Moon Valley
• Take shuttle to Yunshanping Cableway
• Explore Spruce Meadows and watch folk dances
• Watch Impression Lijiang performance

The experience

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain rises 5,596 meters above sea level as the southernmost snow mountain in the Northern Hemisphere, made up of 13 peaks that stretch 35 kilometers north to south. The mountain is the centerpiece of a full day that can run anywhere from six to ten hours depending on which stops and experiences you add. The tour starts with a choice: watch the golden sunrise at Yundian Cafe with the snow peaks as your backdrop, or visit the cafe later in the day. From there, the route branches into options: ride the scenic train through the foothills, take the glacier cableway (the highest elevation cableway in Asia at 2,914 meters long with a 1,150-meter vertical rise) to walk the viewing platform at 4,580 meters, or take the spruce meadow cableway to see the Spruce Meadows at 3,240 meters surrounded by original forest.

The Impression Lijiang is a one-hour outdoor performance staged at 3,100 meters with the snow mountain as the backdrop, choreographed by Zhang Yimou and performed by local ethnic dancers in traditional dress. Blue Moon Valley sits at the base of the mountain: a crescent-shaped valley where the Baishui River (the upper reach of the Yangtze) runs milky white through limestone sediment, and the water reflects blue on sunny days. Depending on your option, you can also visit Dongba Valley, Yushui Naxi Village, or Baisha Ancient Town to learn about Naxi culture, paper making and sacred sites. Some options include a snow kitchen buffet lunch. Others leave meals to your choice. A personal travel consultant handles your booking and stays reachable via WhatsApp or WeChat to adjust your itinerary before the day, and real-time support monitors your tour while you're on the mountain.

You'll need at least moderate physical fitness. The altitude and cableway rides are not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular issues, or pregnancy. Winter clothing rental and a 1,000ml oxygen bottle are included in most options to help with the elevation. Infants sit on an adult's lap. Free cancellation is available up to one day before the tour if you're not satisfied. Yundian Cafe admission and drinks cost extra (around 48 yuan per person) if you choose that sunrise stop.

What’s included

• Depending on your chosen option, the tour includes a live guide in English or Chinese.
• glacier cableway, scenic train, spruce meadow cableway, or combinations of these.
• the Impression Lijiang performance (standard or VIP seating).
• winter clothing rental and a 1,000ml oxygen bottle.
• admission to Dongba Valley, Yushui Naxi Village, and Baisha Murals (options 12–15 only).
• snow kitchen buffet lunch (options 2, 3, and 8–11).
• shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley.
• and private vehicle transport in most options.

Options for this experience

15 options

Scenic Train, Option 1 (two-way)Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeNo tour guide, 2-way scenic train with admission. Starting point: W6VM+5C6, Lijiang, Yunnan, China

Option 2: GlacierUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier: Glacier cableway and shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, no tour guide, Snow Kitchen buffet lunch, 2-way sightseeing train, oxygen and winter clothing rental

Option 8: GlacierUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier: Glacier cableway and shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, no tour guide, Snow Kitchen buffet lunch, private vehicle, oxygen and winter clothing rental, pickup is included

See 12 more options

Option 3: Glacier and SpruceUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier and Spruce package: Glacier and Spruce cableway, shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, no tour guide, Snow Kitchen buffet lunch, 2-way sightseeing train, oxygen and winter clothing rental

Option 10: Glacier and SpruceUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier and Spruce: Glacier and Spruce cableway and shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, no tour guide, Snow Kitchen buffet lunch, private vehicle, oxygen and winter clothing rental, pickup is included

Option 9: GlacierUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier: Glacier cableway and shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, private guide, Snow Kitchen buffet lunch, private vehicle, oxygen and winter clothing rental, pickup is included

Option 4: Glacier and ImpressionUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier and Impression: Glacier cableway, Impression Lijiang, and shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, no tour guide, hotel transfer and 2-way train, oxygen and winter clothing rental, pickup is included

Option 11: Glacier and SpruceUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier and Spruce: Glacier and Spruce cableway and shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, private guide, Snow Kitchen buffet lunch, private vehicle, oxygen and winter clothing rental, pickup is included

Option 6: Glacier and VIP ImpressUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier and Impression Lijiang: Glacier cableway, VIP Impression Lijiang, and shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, no tour guide, hotel transfer and 2-way train, oxygen and winter clothing rental, pickup is included

Option 5: Glacier, Spruce and ImpressionUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier, Spruce and Impression: Glacier and Spruce cableway, Impression Lijiang, and shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, no tour guide, hotel transfer and 2-way train, oxygen and winter clothing rental, pickup is included

Option 12: Glacier and ImpressionUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier and Impression Lijiang: Glacier cableway, Impression Lijiang, and shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, no tour guide, private vehicle, oxygen and winter clothing rental, pickup is included

Option 7: Glacier, Spruce and VIPUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier, Spruce and VIP Impress: Glacier and Spruce cableway, VIP Impression Lijiang, and shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, no tour guide, hotel transfer and 2-way train, oxygen and winter clothing rental, pickup is included

Option 14: Glacier and VIP ImpressUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier and Impression Lijiang: Glacier cableway, VIP Impression Lijiang, and shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, no tour guide, private vehicle, oxygen and winter clothing rental, pickup is included

Option 13: Glacier and ImpressionUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier and Impression Lijiang: Glacier cableway, Impression Lijiang, and shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, tour guide, private vehicle, oxygen and winter clothing rental, pickup is included

Option 15: Glacier and VIP ImpressUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · No fixed timeGlacier and Impression: Glacier cableway and VIP Impression Lijiang, shuttle bus to Blue Moon Valley, private guide, private vehicle, oxygen and winter clothing rental, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (3 to 80 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Aether Tours

Is this one for you?Pick the option that matches the activities you want and how much time you have: the scenic train alone takes the shortest route, while adding the glacier cableway extends the day and takes you to the highest viewing platform; adding the spruce meadow cableway gives you a second high-altitude experience; the Impression Lijiang performance adds an hour and works best in mid-afternoon. If you want a guide throughout the day, choose an option that includes one. If you prefer to move at your own pace with real-time support, the self-guided options give you that flexibility.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

What is the Impression Lijiang performance and where is it staged?

Impression Lijiang is a one-hour outdoor singing and dancing show choreographed by Zhang Yimou that demonstrates the traditions and lifestyle of local ethnic people. It is performed at 3,100 meters above sea level on the mountain itself, with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as the backdrop.

How high does the glacier cableway go and what can I see from the top?

The glacier cableway is 2,914 meters long with a vertical rise of 1,150 meters, and it is one of the highest elevation cableways in Asia. After you exit the cableway, you can walk to the highest viewing platform at 4,580 meters on Shanzidou Peak, where you stand above 19 oceanic glaciers including hanging and cirque glaciers.

What is Blue Moon Valley and why is the water blue?

Blue Moon Valley is a crescent-shaped valley at the base of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain where the Baishui River (the upper reach of the Yangtze River) flows through. The riverbed is composed of sedimentary crushed limestone, which makes the water appear milky white, but on sunny days the valley reflects blue, giving it the appearance of a blue moon at the mountain's base.

Which options include lunch and what else is covered?

Options 2, 3, and 8 to 11 include a snow kitchen buffet lunch. Most options include winter clothing rental and a 1,000ml oxygen bottle. Admission to Dongba Valley, Yushui Naxi Village, and Baisha Murals is included in options 12 to 15. Other options require separate payment for mountain admission and attractions depending on which combination you choose.

Can I adjust my itinerary after I book?

Yes. A dedicated travel consultant contacts you right after booking via WhatsApp or WeChat to plan your trip and answer questions. You have real-time support and flexibility to adjust your itinerary before and during the day, with an online helpdesk monitoring your tour.

What is Spruce Meadows and what can I do there?

Spruce Meadows is a large lawn hidden inside original spruce forest at 3,240 meters elevation, with the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain visible from the edge. You reach it by taking a shuttle to the Yunshanping Cableway. The meadow's colors change with the seasons, and you can watch folk dances performed by local ethnic dancers in traditional dress: Naxi girls in sheepskin capes and Dai girls in colored thread hats.