Yulong Snow Mountain is the landmark of Lijiang and a beautiful backdrop for other tourist attractions around the city in Yunnan Province. [Photo / China Daily]

Yulong Snow Mountain is located in the Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

It is 15 km north of Lijiang with an altitude of 5,596 meters, and is the southernmost snow mountain in the Northern Hemisphere.

Best time to visit: April or May

Ticket packages: Yulong pass: 225 yuan (includes mountain entrance for 125 yuan and a total of six areas including Dongba valley, Yuzhu, Dongba, Jade Water Village, Yufeng Temple and Dongba Kingdom, but recommended places are Dongba valley, Jade Water Village and Yufeng Temple).

Additional costs:

Old Town maintenance cost: 80 yuan; iceberg cable car: 60 yuan; electromobile: 20 yuan (please note: there is no need to take an electric car into Lanyue valley as it's easier to walk)

Weather: the weather is best from February to June

Yulong Snow Mountain has an average annual temperature of 11.3℃, the coldest month has an average temperature of 3.0℃ and the warmest month 17℃.

Accommodation:

It is recommended that you stay in Lijiang Old Town as there are many spectacular hotels, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses, especially in the Lijiang minority living area where there are many traditional guesthouses of ethnic Naxi and Baigroups . You can soak up the sun at one of the ancient Dongba’s residences and experience some of the local customs.

Tour items: you can choose to climb the mountain on horseback or yak, but be careful of the steep mountain roads.

You can ski throughout the year on Yulong Snow Mountain and the snow is of good quality.

A 20-minute cable ride takes tourists to 4,506 meters above sea level on the Yulong Snow Mountain. [Photo / China Daily]

Tips:

1. You can reach the summit by taking the cable car, at which point you should be prepared to queue (up to 4 to 5 hours during peak season) so be patient.

2. The temperature is low on the snow mountain; you can rent a down jacket at the foot of the mountain (around 50yuan).

3. The altitude is high so those with high blood pressure or heart disease please proceed with caution; to prevent alpine hypoxia you can rent an oxygen cylinder (they are sold at Ganhaizi for around 50 yuan), but it is not recommended to use these for long periods.