Jiaozi Snow Mountain

Understand

History

Landscape The mountain peak, at an elevation of 4330m, is the highest point in the Eastern Yungui Plateau and the highest point of the Gongwang Mountains.

Flora and fauna The mountain is known for frozen waterfalls in winter and forests of flowering rhododendrons and azaleas April-June. Sheep are given free reign in the park.

Climate Despite being called a snow mountain, snow is only present from October to April.

Getting there

The park's brochure mentions daily buses between here and Kunming, but "daily" is not to be taken literally. These leave Kunming North Railway Station (Railway Museum entrance gate) at 07:30, and return from the park visitor centre at 16:00, but they should be booked a day in advance (phone +86 871 6272-5990). There is a bus every 60-90 minutes from the base of the mountain at Zhuanlong (转龙) town, which has bus service from Kunming's north bus station. The town of Majie (马街) may also be also a useful transfer point, with shuttle vans to the mountain, and vans and buses to Kunming, Dongchuan, and other towns in the area. For those driving, there is a direct 2-lane highway from Kunming, named after the mountain. This tourist route is about 150km, and far from straight.

Getting around

From the 1 parking lot at 3140m, you take the park shuttle bus (08:30-17:30) to the beginning of the trail network at 3500m. From there, there is a small 2 ropeway (08:30-18:00) that takes you up to 3850m, or you can hike on the extensive network of boardwalks. A very fast hiker who is acclimatized to the altitude could cover the entire boardwalk network in a day if they catch the first park shuttle bus in the morning and the last one in the evening and if trail conditions are good, but nearly all visitors will need to either spend multiple days on the mountain or prioritize the sights they wish to visit.

Sleep

Lodging There is a 1 hotel next to the parking lot. (updated Jun 2018), and 2 cottages. (updated Jun 2018) near the base of the ropeway. These start around ¥400. About 3 2km before the parking lot. (updated Jun 2018), there is a small village of new guest houses under construction, and there are also several older ones along the road in this area, generally ¥50-150.

Camping

Backcountry Not permitted.