Yaoshan Mountain in Ninglang County, Lijiang

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Yaoshan Mountain (药山) is located in Ninglang County (宁蒗县), Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China. It lies along the Jinsha River (金沙江) and spans the border between Ningli Township (宁利乡), Hongqiao Township (红桥乡), and Cuiyi Township (翠依乡), with a direct view of Yulong Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山) across the river. Yaoshan is known for its exceptional natural beauty, featuring a unique ecosystem that blends high-altitude lakes, karst stone forests, and alpine meadows. It is home to wild yak habitats, thousand-year-old tree clusters, and an expansive sea of rhododendrons. This pristine area remains largely undeveloped, preserving its original ecological state and is regarded as an area with immense potential for eco-tourism and conservation.

Geographic Coordinates

Located at the border of Ningli, Hongqiao, and Cuiyi Townships

Yulong Snow Mountain is approximately 40 kilometers away from Yaoshan

Landscape Type

Nature Reserve

Peak Elevation

The exact elevation is undocumented.

Name Origin

Named after the rich variety of medicinal plants found in the area.

Protection Status

Pristine and undeveloped

Mountain Range

Part of the ** Hengduan Mountains** (横断山脉) range

Geographical Features

Yaoshan is situated on the northeastern edge of the Hengduan Mountains (横断山脉) and lies within the Jinsha River Basin (金沙江流域). The mountain stretches across a 15-kilometer area, covering Ningli, Hongqiao, and Cuiyi townships in Ninglang County. The region showcases typical highland karst terrain, with an elevation gradient exceeding 2,000 meters. This elevation difference has led to the formation of glacier-remnant lakes and limestone karst stone forests. Yaoshan, along with Yulong Snow Mountain, creates an important scenic node in the Jinsha River Valley, forming part of the midstream gorge landscape.

Ecological Resources

Yaoshan boasts an intact vertical natural zone spectrum, making it an ecological treasure. Here’s a breakdown of the region’s biodiversity:

Above 3,000 meters: Alpine meadows and glacial lakes, providing a habitat for wild yak populations.

2,500–3,000 meters: A mix of rhododendron shrubs and fir forests.

Low-altitude river valleys: Home to medicinal plants such as Dong Chong Xia Cao (冬虫夏草), Gastrodia elata (天麻), and others.

From May to June each year, the mountain ridges come alive with a stunning spectacle of rhododendron blooms, creating a colorful flower carpet that blankets the region. This creates one of the most vibrant hotspots for biodiversity in the area.

Economic Value

Yaoshan’s unique ecological resources have given rise to a specialized local economy centered around medicinal herbs and livestock farming. As of 2025, the Changping Yaoshan Medicinal Herb Cultivation Cooperative in Ninglang County has established a 300-acre planting base for Gastrodia elata at an elevation of 2,400 meters, with an annual output value of 150,000 RMB.

Additionally, Ninglang County Yaoshan Livestock Development Co., Ltd. raises yak on high-altitude pastures, combining medicinal plant cultivation with livestock farming. However, as of 2023, the company has no registered employees under social insurance.

Traditional medicinal herb collection remains a key economic activity for some of the surrounding villages.

Conservation and Development

As a key ecological conservation area in Ninglang County, Yaoshan has not undergone large-scale tourism development. Access is strictly regulated, and only certified research teams are permitted to enter the area. In 2019, Yaoshan was included in the county’s tourism development plan under the “Three Mountains, Two Lakes” strategy. However, infrastructure development is still in the feasibility study stage.

To balance resource utilization with ecological protection, local cooperatives have implemented a “forest and medicinal herb intercropping” model, aiming for sustainable resource management. In 2022, the cooperative underwent a leadership change to further strengthen its conservation efforts.

Key Features:

Altitude: Varies from 2,400 meters to over 3,000 meters

Wildlife: Habitat for wild yak and migratory birds

Flora: Rich diversity of medicinal plants, including Dong Chong Xia Cao (冬虫夏草) and Gastrodia elata (天麻)

Ecological Role: Preservation of alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and karst stone formations

Conservation Status: Pristine, with controlled access for research purposes