Many families planning a Yunnan trip wonder if Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is suitable for the elderly & kids. The mountain has a relatively high altitude, with some areas over 4,500 meters, so altitude sickness and physical exertion are key considerations. It’s feasible to visit with them if you pick proper tourist areas based on your family’s physical conditions. Blue Moon Valley and Spruce Flat, at around 3,000 meters, are easily accessible for the elderly & kids, while Glacier Park (4,680 meters) requires traveling at one’s own ability. This article explains the notes for visiting Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with family from area selection, transport, ticketing, essential items and so on.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Altitude Data of Each Area
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a mountain range, and the altitudes of the popular tourist areas vary greatly:
- Glacier Park (the big cable car) – the upper station of the cable car is at an altitude of 4,506 meters, and the highest viewing platform is at an altitude of 4,680 meters. This is the area closest to the snow mountain where glaciers and snow can be seen.
- Spruce Flat (the small cable car) – at an altitude of about 3,200 meters. It is an alpine meadow surrounded by spruce forests with gentle terrain and flat walking plank roads.
- Blue Moon Valley – at an altitude of about 2,950 meters. Located at the foot of the snow mountain, the lake water is blue-green, and the plank road along the lake is gentle without slopes.
- Dry Sea Meadow – at an altitude of about 3,100 meters. It is the first meadow after entering the scenic area, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the snow mountain in the distance.
Whether the elderly and kids can go to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain depends on the choice of area. A trip to Glacier Park at 4,680 meters has certain requirements for cardiopulmonary function. If you only visit Spruce Flat and Blue Moon Valley, with an altitude of around 3,000 meters, most people can adapt and the risk of altitude sickness is very low. Before taking your family there, you should first determine the tourist areas.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Spruce Flat Alpine Meadow
Physical Assessment Criteria for the Elderly and Kids Visiting Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Conditions of the Elderly Who Are Not Suitable for the Mountain Trip
According to the safety tips of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area, tourists with the following conditions are not recommended to take the cable car up the mountain:
- Elderly people suffering from heart disease, cerebral disease, lung disease, hypertension and other underlying diseases
- Elderly people with a history of severe altitude sickness or acrophobia
- Elderly people over 70 years old with limited mobility
The elderly should consult a doctor before the trip, and the doctor will assess whether their physical condition is suitable for traveling to high-altitude areas.
Suggestions for Kids of Different Ages on the Mountain Trip
There is no strict age limit for kids to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and parents should judge according to their kids’ physical conditions:
- Toddlers under 3 years old: not recommended to take to high-altitude areas. Toddlers have weak physical regulation ability, and altitude sickness is not easy to be detected when it occurs.
- Kids aged 3 to 7: can visit Spruce Flat and Blue Moon Valley. These two areas have low altitudes and little activity. If traveling to Glacier Park, extra caution is needed and the kids’ condition should be observed at all times.
- Kids over 7 years old: those who are in good health and have no respiratory diseases can consider visiting Glacier Park after acclimatizing in Lijiang for a day or two. Pay attention to controlling the activity rhythm and avoid running and jumping.
Acclimatize to the Altitude in Lijiang in Advance
It is not recommended for the elderly and kids to go directly to the snow mountain as soon as they arrive in Lijiang. Lijiang Ancient Town is at an altitude of about 2,400 meters, so it is recommended to stay in Lijiang for a day or two first to let the body adapt to the plateau environment. If obvious altitude sickness symptoms such as headache, nausea, chest tightness and shortness of breath occur during these two days, it means the body is not suitable for going to higher altitudes.
Transportation Methods to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
International Transportation
To get to Lijiang from abroad, you usually fly to major cities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu) first, and then transfer to a China flight to Lijiang Sanyi Airport. Lijiang Airport has direct flights to many China cities, and the drive from the airport to the ancient city of Lijiang takes about 40 minutes.
Transportation from the Ancient City of Lijiang to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
The distance from the ancient city of Lijiang to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area is about 25 to 30 kilometers, and the main transportation methods are as follows:
- Scenic train: The newly opened Lijiang Snow Mountain Scenic Train in February 2025 runs directly from the Tourist Center Station to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Station, with a total length of 20.7 kilometers and a single trip of 35 minutes. The ticket price is 50 CNY per person for a single trip and 80 CNY for a round trip, with discounts for kids, soldiers and other groups. The carriages are equipped with 1.9-meter giant color-changing glass windows, and you can enjoy the scenery of snow mountains and canyons along the way. This is the most comfortable way and suitable for families with the elderly and kids.
- Charter a car or online car-hailing: A taxi from the ancient city of Lijiang to the scenic area entrance costs about 80 to 100 CNY for a single trip, with a driving time of about 1 hour. Chartering a car can take you directly to the scenic area gate without transfer. You can call a car at the scenic area gate for the return trip.
- Scenic area special bus: The Snow Mountain special bus Route 101 departs from Zhongyi Market every day, with a ticket price of 15 CNY per person and a driving time of about 1 hour. The departure time is fixed, and you need to get on the bus at the designated stops.
- Join group tours: Some travel agencies provide one-day tour services to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, including round-trip transportation, entrance tickets and cable car tickets, with the whole journey arranged by a tour guide, so there is no need to handle ticketing and routes by yourself.
Internal Transportation in the Scenic Area
After entering the scenic area, you need to transfer to the environmental protection bus to travel between the scenic spots. The purchase of any cable car ticket includes the cost of the environmental protection bus, and there is no need to buy it separately. If you only visit Blue Moon Valley without taking the cable car, you need to buy an additional environmental protection bus ticket of 20 CNY.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Train Scenery along the Way
Ticket and Cable Car Ticket Prices and Purchase Methods
Entrance fee: The gate ticket of the scenic area is 100 CNY per person, with half price for student ID holders. It is a must-buy to enter the scenic area. If you only visit Blue Moon Valley without taking the cable car, you need to buy an additional environmental protection bus ticket of 20 CNY; if you buy a cable car ticket, the cost of the environmental protection bus is included.
Cable car ticket prices:
- Glacier Park big cable car: 140 CNY per person, reaching an altitude of 4,506 meters, suitable for healthy adults.
- Spruce Flat small cable car: 60 CNY per person, reaching an altitude of 3,200 meters, suitable for the elderly, kids and people who do not want to climb high.
- Yak Meadow middle cable car: 65 CNY per person, reaching an altitude of 3,700 meters, suitable for tourists who want to see the alpine meadow.
Blue Moon Valley battery car: 40 CNY per person, for transportation within Blue Moon Valley Scenic Area. The elderly and kids can take it when they are tired from walking, or they can choose not to buy the ticket and walk along the lake for sightseeing.
Notes on ticket purchase:
- The number of tickets for the Glacier Park big cable car is limited every day, and you need to grab the tickets in advance in the peak season. It is recommended to book on the mini program of Lijiang Tourism Group. In the peak season, the tickets for the big cable car are released at 8 pm one day in advance, and the tickets for Spruce Flat and Yak Meadow are released at 9 pm.
- The cable car tickets for Spruce Flat and Yak Meadow are relatively easy to buy, but it is still recommended to book in advance in the peak season.
- For families with the elderly and kids, it is recommended to choose the Spruce Flat cable car first. There is no need to grab tickets for this cable car and the queuing time is short, bringing a better travel experience.
Essential Items List for Taking the Elderly and Kids
Clothing
- Warm coat: The wind is strong and the temperature is low on the top of the mountain, so a light down jacket or a jacket is needed even in summer. There is a large temperature difference between the foot and the top of the mountain, so it is recommended to wear clothes that are easy to put on and take off.
- Hats and gloves: The wind on the top of the mountain is strong, and the heads and hands of the elderly and kids need to be kept warm to avoid headaches after being blown by the wind.
- Comfortable shoes: Wear non-slip and comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes. The plank road may have icy and snowy or slippery sections.
Medicines and Protection
- Oxygen cylinder: If you plan to visit Glacier Park, it is recommended to buy it in advance at a pharmacy in the ancient city of Lijiang, with a small bottle costing 10 to 20 CNY, much cheaper than 60 CNY in the scenic area. One to two bottles per person are sufficient.
- Common medicines: cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, band-aids, glucose oral liquid. Glucose oral liquid has a good effect on relieving altitude sickness.
- Sun protection products: The ultraviolet rays on the plateau are strong, so you need to bring sunscreen cream (SPF50+), sunglasses and sun hats. The snow reflects sunlight strongly, and sunglasses can protect the eyes.
Food and Drinking Water
- Hot water: Bring a thermal mug with hot water, drinking it on the mountain can relieve the cold.
- High-calorie snacks: chocolate, Snickers, biscuits, etc., which can supplement physical strength at any time. Eating some before going up the mountain can improve physical fitness.
Others
- ID card: ID card swiping is required for ticket purchase and entry to the scenic area.
- Power bank, tissues, small garbage bags: There are not many trash cans in the scenic area, so it is recommended to bring your own garbage bags to take away the trash.
Common Misunderstandings and Practical Suggestions
Misunderstanding 1: Taking Rhodiola Rosea in Advance Can Prevent Altitude Sickness
The effect of Rhodiola rosea varies from person to person, and there is no scientific evidence that it can completely prevent altitude sickness. A more reliable approach is to acclimatize for a day or two after arriving in Lijiang, walk slowly after going up the mountain, drink plenty of water and ensure adequate sleep.
Misunderstanding 2: Taking Too Much Oxygen from Oxygen Cylinders Will Cause Dependence
No. Oxygen inhalation is to supplement the oxygen needed by the body, and you can use it when you feel uncomfortable. Glacier Park is at a high altitude, and many people will experience shortness of breath or headache, and taking a few sips of oxygen can relieve the symptoms significantly. It is recommended to buy it in advance in the ancient city and carry it with you when going up the mountain.
Misunderstanding 3: Only the Big Cable Car Is Worth Visiting
Not necessarily. The scenery of Spruce Flat and Blue Moon Valley is no less than that of Glacier Park. Especially for families with the elderly and kids, traveling in these two areas is more relaxed and brings a better experience. The color of the lake water in Blue Moon Valley is similar to that of Jiuzhaigou and is deeply loved by tourists.
Practical Suggestions:
- Time arrangement: When taking the elderly and kids to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it is recommended to arrange a separate day for the trip. Set off after the sun comes out and the temperature rises in the morning.
- Lunch arrangement: Snow Kitchen Restaurant in the scenic area provides fast food and simple meals. If the elderly and kids are not used to the food in the scenic area, it is recommended to bring your own dry food.
- About queuing: The queuing time for the Glacier Park cable car is relatively long in the peak season, and the elderly and kids are easy to get tired after waiting for a long time. If you don’t want to queue, Spruce Flat is a better choice.
- Second entry: If you plan to enter the scenic area again the next day, you can go through the “second entry”formalities at the Tourist Center, and there is no need to buy the entrance fee again the next day.
- Reserve physical strength: It is not recommended to hurry to check in all the scenic spots. The combination of Spruce Flat and Blue Moon Valley will not make the elderly and kids too tired after the tour and brings a good experience.
Preparations for Taking Family to Visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Safety is the top priority when going out with the elderly and kids. You can check the following items before departure:
- Health status confirmation: Elderly people with hypertension, heart disease and lung disease should consult a doctor in advance before deciding whether to go up the mountain.
- Item preparation: Oxygen cylinders, warm clothes, sun protection products, hot water and high-calorie snacks should all be fully prepared.
- Ticket reservation: Grab tickets in advance in the peak season, especially for the big cable car, you need to grab the tickets on time. For families with the elderly and kids, the Spruce Flat cable car is the first choice.
- Transportation arrangement: The scenic train is the most comfortable, chartering a car is also convenient, and taking the bus is troublesome but cheap.
- Travel rhythm: Slow down the pace and rest when tired. Go down the mountain if you feel unwell, and do not force yourself.
Taking your family to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you can let the elderly and kids have a worry-free trip as long as you choose the right areas, make full preparations and slow down the travel rhythm. Whether you just want to wander in Blue Moon Valley and Spruce Flat leisurely or plan to visit Glacier Park, planning all the matters in advance can make the family trip more smooth.
