Blue Moon Valley
蓝月谷
A four-tiered travertine lake system at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with blue-green meltwater and reflections of the snow mountain. It is the most photogenic stretch of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain visit.
Blue Moon Valley lies on the south slope of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, between Yunshanping and Ganhaizi. Snowmelt forms four stepped lakes in the valley: Jade Liquid Lake, Mirror Pool Lake, Blue Moon Lake, and Listening to the Waves Lake. The water is rich in copper ions and lime. It turns sapphire blue on sunny days and milky white after rain, which is why it is also called White Water River.
Highlights: from Jade Liquid Lake, follow the path and the wooden boardwalk to Blue Moon Lake, where you can photograph the snow mountain reflected in the blue water. The white travertine steps and waterfalls offer another good angle. You can ride the scenic area's electric cart (about 60 yuan) directly to Blue Moon Lake and walk back, or walk the whole way, about 2 to 3 kilometers, which takes about an hour.
Blue Moon Valley is not charged separately. It is included in the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain entrance fee and is a standard stop after coming down the cable car. The eco-shuttle stops at the Blue Moon Valley station.
Suggested timing: visit after taking the cable car. Go up in the morning to avoid the clouds, and in the afternoon the light will shine on the lakes.
Notes: the altitude is about 3,000 meters, so walk slowly. Do not swim in the lakes or feed the fish. When it is crowded, you can walk from the lower Listening to the Waves Lake in reverse, when there are fewer people. In peak season the electric cart queue is long, and walking is often faster. This area is also near the Ganhaizi site where Impression Lijiang's theater is located, so you can see the show on the way.
Opening hours
07:00–18:00 (follows Yulong Snow Mountain scenic area hours)
Nearby sights
- Impression Lijiang
- Ganhaizi Meadow
- Glacier Park, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Yuhu Village
- Spruce Meadow (Yunshanping)
- Dongba Valley
- Jade Water Village
Places to eat nearby
- Lijiang Jinmao Hotel - Snow Mountain, Unbound Collection - Xuejingge Restaurant
- Fuxian Xiaoguofan Yunnan Folk Flavor Restaurant (Shuhe Ancient Town Store)
- Apoqing Cured Rib Hotpot (Old Town Flagship Store)
- No. 88 Snack Shop
- Xiaoxike Yunnan Specialty Restaurant (Naxi Courtyard Store)
- Erge Rice Noodles (Lijiang Store)