Adventure Activities and Attractions in Liming Laojun Mountain National Park, Lijiang

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What else can you do when visiting Laojun Mountain in Lijiang besides seeing the Danxia landforms?

The answer is that, aside from not being able to walk up to the Danxia landform scenic area, you can freely enjoy other activities.

The rich alpine vegetation, rare flora and fauna, numerous glacial lakes, and unique Danxia landforms provide a visual feast. The diverse local customs and traditions will take you into a different world. There are also thrilling and interesting activities within the scenic area…

The fun of Laojun Mountain can only be truly known through personal experience!

Via Ferrata Rock Climbing — Once you start, there’s no turning back Via Ferrata is an outdoor activity that originated in Italy. It mainly uses iron chains, cables, and other devices to allow ordinary people to climb and walk on rock walls.

This sport tests both courage and physical strength. You need to stay focused throughout, and while it may seem dangerous, there are safety guarantees in place. Every year, thousands of tourists come here to challenge themselves. Every climber who successfully reaches the top jokingly says, “After this, nothing else seems impossible.”

Laojun Mountain’s Via Ferrata is located in the Liming scenic area, with two routes:

1. Anthony Via Ferrata Route One: It is 280 meters long, with a vertical drop of 75 meters and an altitude range of 2400-2475 meters. The difficulty level is relatively challenging, taking about one hour to climb; this route is suitable for beginners.
2. Anthony Via Ferrata Route Two: It is 650 meters long, with a vertical drop of 180 meters and an altitude range of 2500-2680 meters. The difficulty level is challenging, taking approximately 2.5 hours to complete. This route tests a climber’s courage; once you start climbing, you can only move forward and cannot retreat, so challengers should choose carefully.

Prices: Route One: 180 yuan/person, Route Two: 300 yuan/person (online purchase is more cost-effective).
Note:

1. People with acrophobia or heart conditions are prohibited from participating.
2. It is recommended to wear hiking shoes or non-slip footwear for climbing.
3. Remember to protect yourself from sun exposure.

Gorge Rafting — All the way with screams No sport is quite like rafting, where you advance entirely by the force of the water, splashing around and screaming all the way, making it both thrilling and fun.

At Laojun Mountain’s gorge rafting, visitors simply need to sit in the raft and enjoy the fun of rafting while taking in the beautiful mountain scenery. This activity is perfect for those looking to relax and get close to nature.

The gorge rafting spans 9 kilometers, with a drop of about 300 meters, starting from Wang Sanping Village in Shitou Township to Yonghong Village in Shitou Township. The entire rafting experience takes about 3 hours.

Rafting hours are from 13:00 to 17:00, with the latest entry time being 16:00. Each raft can accommodate 6-7 people.

Ticket Prices: Full rafting ticket: 198 yuan/person, half-trip ticket: 88 yuan/person. The ticket includes insurance and a set of rain gear. Besides the ticket price, there are no mandatory expenses in the scenic area; friends can voluntarily purchase water guns and other small items.
Note:

1. Children under 1.2 meters tall and seniors over 60 years old are advised to raft only half the distance; adults may also choose to raft half the distance.
2. People with heart disease, high blood pressure, pregnant women, and those with mental illnesses are not allowed to participate in rafting.
3. Please do not carry valuable or fragile items, such as phones or jade bracelets.
4. It’s recommended to prepare a change of clothes and shoes before rafting.
5. Visitors wearing glasses should secure them with rubber bands or similar to prevent them from falling off.
6. Follow the instructions and arrangements of the rafting personnel.
7. Be mindful of the ticket usage time.

Danxia Landforms — Liming Scenic Area The Danxia landforms in Liming are the largest and most spectacular in the country, with the highest relative height, absolute height, and stunning colors.

The most typical feature is Thousand Tortoises Mountain, whose scale and quality are among the most representative in the country, making it a true wonder of China.

In the Lisu language, Liming is referred to as “Yigu Luoma Di,” which means “ancestor of the giant valley.” The Lisu people call this place the homeland of the sun. The high-altitude Danxia landforms are a main feature of the Liming landscape, distributed across the administrative villages of Liming, Ligang, and Meile.

The Liming scenic area is a gathering place for the Lisu ethnic group, where you can enjoy Lisu-style hand-held rice and bonfire parties.

Ninety-Nine Dragon Pools The Ninety-Nine Dragon Pools are said to have formed from the elixir furnace of Taishang Laojun falling on Laojun Mountain. Hundreds of large and small deep pools are scattered across the mountains, adorned with a sea of rhododendrons. Attractions within include Nine Sons Rock, Three-Eyed Pool, Holy Mother Pool, Yellow Dragon Pool, and Black Dragon Pool.

Geladan Grassland Geladan Grassland is known as the “Heavenly Grassland,” featuring several alpine meadows, bright sunshine, fresh air, and beautiful scenery, completely isolated from the world, making it a rare “paradise.”

Jinsi Factory Snow Mountain Jinsi Factory Snow Mountain is the main peak of Laojun Mountain. Historically, the Mu chieftains operated a gold mine here, giving it its name. It is home to the first-class protected animal “Yunnan Golden Monkey,” which is referred to as the “Golden Silky Jade Peak.”

Scenic Area Visitor Guide Transportation + Tickets

Transportation:

1. Hire a car to get there.
2. Buy bus tickets to Liming from Lijiang Bus Station (0888-5121106). There are three buses daily, departing at 10:30, 11:30, and 14:00, with a ticket price of 24.5 yuan.

Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00
Ticket Prices: Laojun Mountain ticket: 80 yuan/person, scenic area electric car: 60 yuan/person. The round-trip cable car ticket for Thousand Tortoises Mountain in Laojun Mountain’s Liming scenic area is 140 yuan/person, with a journey time of 20 minutes; walking takes about 1 hour. Rafting and Via Ferrata tickets need to be purchased separately.

Notes:

1. The best time to visit Laojun Mountain is between May and June during the rhododendron bloom, and around October in autumn for great views. However, it’s best to avoid the rainy season (July-August) due to various inconveniences.
2. There is limited electricity at Laojun Mountain at night, so it’s advisable to bring a flashlight.
3. It can be damp at night, so if you plan to camp, be sure to bring a sleeping bag.
4. Laojun Mountain is over 3000 meters above sea level, so be cautious of altitude sickness.
5. You can take a bus from Lijiang or Shigu Town to the scenic area; the terrain is not as steep as Yulong Snow Mountain, making it climbable.
6. If you’re hiking, it’s essential to hire a trained local guide and have porters to assist with transporting luggage and other items.

Tips:

1. The nearby Shigu Town and the First Bend of the Yangtze River scenic area can be visited along the way.
2. The Liming Danxia landform scenic area and the Ninety-Nine Dragon Pools highland lake scenic area are more than 120 kilometers apart by car.