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Wilko Wanders joins a tour from Lijiang to climb Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. He prepares with oxygen canisters and altitude-sickness medicine, then travels by bus and cable car with a group that includes English-speaking visitors. Clouds partly obscure the mountain views at first, but the climb brings him above 4,506 meters and eventually to a summit at 4,680 meters. The cold and thin air make each step harder, so he uses oxygen along the way. After descending by cable car, he visits Blue Moon Valley, sees waterfalls and blue water, and rides electric buggies around the park. He also shares practical points about tour booking, squat toilets and expensive drinks at the high-altitude attraction.
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Preparing for the climb
Wilko Wanders sets out from Lijiang for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with a tour arranged through Trip.com. He brings oxygen canisters and medication for altitude sickness because the route climbs high above sea level. He had worried that a Chinese-speaking tour would be difficult, but the group includes international travelers who speak English. A bus takes the group to the cable car, which is useful for visitors unfamiliar with the ticketing process.
The cable car rises high into the mountain and gives views that are partly hidden by clouds at first. From there Wilko continues on foot. The air gets thinner and colder as he climbs, and he needs to use oxygen frequently. The route passes altitude markers at 4,506 meters, 4,571 meters and 4,636 meters before he reaches 4,680 meters at the summit. A solo traveler from Jiangsu joins him on the hike, and they share the summit moment. The number of visitors at the top surprises him, as does the height of the cable car.
Blue Moon Valley after the descent
After the climb, Wilko takes the cable car down and visits Blue Moon Valley. The water is a strong blue color, with waterfalls along the route. Electric buggies carry visitors through the park, giving him a different way to see the valley after the strenuous ascent. He describes the place as combining natural scenery with a theme-park-like visitor setup.
The video also offers practical advice for the same trip. Carry tissues because many public toilets are squat toilets, and expect drinks and food in the national park to cost more than outside. Prayer flags appear along the route, and each color has a different meaning in the local tradition described. Wilko's account covers the tour, transport, altitude, encounters with other hikers and the lower valley. The experience is physically demanding: at the summit his legs feel heavy and he feels dizzy, but the views make the effort worthwhile.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was it like climbing to such a high altitude?
- A: It was really hard. I had to use oxygen canisters just to breathe properly, and my legs felt very heavy at the top. I also felt dizzy, but I thought the views made the climb worthwhile.
- Q: What was the most surprising thing about the trip?
- A: I was surprised by how many people were at the top. I also had not expected the cable car to go so high or the views from it to be so impressive.
- Q: What's the best advice you'd give to someone planning a similar trip?
- A: Book a tour because it makes getting around and handling the tickets easier. Bring tissues too, since many of the toilets are squat toilets.
- Q: What was the Blue Moon Valley like?
- A: The water was a striking blue color, and there were several waterfalls. It felt like a mix of nature and a theme park, which was unusual but also enjoyable. The route also includes electric buggies, which carry visitors through the park after the walk.
