Pilgrimage to Joseph Rock's Favorite Mountain
—"I want to die among those beautiful mountains rather than in a bleak hospital bed all alone."
American explorer Joseph Rock said this in a letter to his friend to express his endless love for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
In this one-day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain hiking tour, you will skip the cable car and find yourself walking in Rock's footsteps in the embrace of his favorite mountain. Feel Yulong Mountain with your feet and see its beauty with your own eyes. There are several hiking routes up to the mountain. We are happy to recommend the right one that suits your interests.
Tour Map
Tour 'Wow' Points
Discover the Hidden Valley of the 'Milk River' and 'Snow Sea'
Skipping the cable car and tourist crowd, you will hike through the bushes, wade across a little stream, lie down on an alpine meadow, and enjoy the exclusive views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain that only hikers can.
Hear Joseph Rock's Thrilling Tales
Visit the former residence of ground-breaking explorer Joseph Rock in Yuhu Village. Listen to stories about him and the Naxi people he studied. Then, time-travel back to Yunnan in the 1920s as you see the pictures taken by Rock.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Yunnan Province 2024
We spent a fabulous week traveling through Yunnan. Our guides, Jack (Shangri la) Alice (Lijiang) Frank (Dali) and Rosemary (Kunming) all have deep knowledge of their cities and did an excellent job showing us their home areas. Our driver Mr Liu was also excellent taking us safely from place to place. This China Highlights trip was as advertised and we highly recommend it. more
Dec 2024, Esteban C
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Amazing family trip to Yunnan
Our trip to Yunnan was amazing and there were a tonne of well thought out activities to entertain everyone. Our guides May (Kunming), Sally (Dali), Alice (Lijiang), Daniel (Lijiang), Pema (Shangri-La) and driver 尹光涛师傅 were very knowledgeable and thoughtful. We also made some ad hoc adjustments to the itinerary which was facilitated by the guides. more
Dec 2024, Alexander S
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Unforgettable Yunnan
We went to Lijiang, Shaxi and Dali. My second time, my family’s first time. It was absolutely amazing, an experience filled with culture, nature and delicious foods. I would strongly recommend China Highlights to organise this trip for you as they know exactly what to show you and their service is excellent. Big shoutout to Coco, our agent who never disappoints. To Eleanor, our very capable and friendly guide in Lijiang. To Frank, our amazing, caring and extremely knowledgeable guide in Shaxi and Dali (no guide will ever take photos as good as Frank, trust me ;) more
Dec 2024, Elizabeth H
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour to suit your interests.
Your private guide will meet you at your Lijiang hotel and accompany you on a pleasant journey to picturesque Yuhu Village.
Discover Naxi villagers in Yuhu Village, going about their daily lives in traditional clothing, working in the fields surrounding their stone homes.
Visit Rock's Former Home, where Joseph Rock resided for 27 years, and immerse yourself in his captivating tales of adventure.
Follow the winding path around Yuhu Lake and embark on a 40-minute uphill hike to the Sansi River. In the rainy season, the river water, sourced from snow-capped mountains, can rise to knee level as it flows through the valley to Lijiang Ancient Town.
Another 40-minute hike will bring you to Bahe, known locally as "Frog's Pool". During the rainy season, it transforms into a pool, other times, it's a small meadow.
Ascend the mountain's slopes through a winding path of bushes and rocks. In an hour, reach Ganheba, a vast meadow where the stream dries in spring, autumn, and winter. Feel the refreshing breeze on the grassland, inviting you to relax and gaze at the endless blue sky.
Trek across the Ganheba plain to the aptly named Milk River, which has a milky appearance due to the white limestone.
Hike uphill to a viewpoint for a magnificent panoramic view of the snow-capped mountain range and the vast Ganheba below.
Head to the Snow Sea at the end of the Milk River. White rocks and sand give it a frozen appearance, but it turns into a vibrant blue water body in the rainy season.
Take a stroll down to the meadow and enjoy some free time for photos.
Enjoy a comfortable and relaxing transfer to your hotel in Lijiang Ancient Town.
Note:
1. The hike covers approximately 12.5 km (7.7 miles) with a 600-meter (2,000 feet) ascent, and typically takes around 5½ hours. However, on our private tours, you can adjust the schedule flexibly based on your pace and interests.
2. Due to local fire prevention regulations, this hiking tour is unavailable from May to October. Your travel advisor will recommend alternative hiking routes tailored to your preferences.
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English-speaking local guide
- Activities listed in the itinerary
- A 24/7 helpline is available throughout your trip
Tour code: lj-5