Yunnan | Blue Moon Valley | The Sapphire of the Human World

Blue Moon Valley, the romance beneath the snow mountain, lies a blue tear under the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The lake water is a transparent blue, almost solid in its deep azure, with hints of green embellishing it. Looking around from the heart of the lake, white clouds stretch across the sky, floating at the edge of the mountains, reflecting on the lake surface, like a dreamy shadow, making one doubt if it's a fairyland. Blue Moon Valley: There are four major lakes, namely Yuye Lake, Jingtan Lake, Blue Moon Lake, and Tingtao Lake. Yuye Lake: The water quality of Yuye Lake is very clear, allowing one to see the pure white lakebed at a glance. The blue lake water reflects the nearby Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, resembling a wonderful landscape painting, just like the poetic realm of 'A square pond like a mirror opens, with the sky's light and clouds' shadows wandering together'. Jingtan Lake: Jingtan Lake is a small attraction in Blue Moon Valley, which looks delicate but is very tranquil. The lake water is also particularly clear, reminiscent of the 'Mirror Sea' in Jiuzhaigou, often with the poetic sentiment of 'Lake light and autumn moon complement each other, the surface of the calm lake is like an unpolished mirror'. Blue Moon Lake: Surrounded by green mountains and trees, under the brilliant sunlight, the jade-like lake surface sparkles like sapphires, giving people a feeling of being both fairy-like and fantastical. When encountering the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain's sunlight on the golden mountain, it's just like the poet's description of 'Sunrise makes the river flowers red like fire, spring makes the river water green as blue'. Tingtao Lake: The water level of Tingtao Lake has a large drop, and the stream cascades down like a waterfall, making a 'ding-dong' sound, like the music of a reed pipe and zither. Standing by the lake, one can hear the sound of water mixed with the sound of pine waves, just like the beautiful scene described in 'The sound of the stream under the pines, the sound of the waves above the pines'. Transportation: Bus: Walk 10 minutes from the South Gate of Lijiang Ancient Town to Zhongyi Market Station, take the 101 Snow Mountain Line, 15 yuan/person, 1.5 hours by bus Self-driving: About 25km from Lijiang city area, can go back and forth on the same day (navigate to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tourist Center, then take a bus to Blue Moon Valley, you cannot directly drive to Blue Moon Valley) Taxi 70~80 yuan, about 40 minutes to arrive Carpool / Ride-sharing 20-25 yuan/person Tour route: Take the scenic area bus to the second stop 'Under the Shuiyue Pavilion', walk along the plank road, and you will see Tingtao Lake, Jingtan Lake, Blue Moon Lake, Yuye Lake, Baishuitai and other unnamed lakes along the way. The lake water is very beautiful on sunny days, clear to the bottom, just like sapphires. Walk up the plank road, the higher you go, the fewer people there are. You can walk and take photos along the way. Personally, I think Yuye Lake is the most beautiful, where you can take pictures with the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, making the overall picture rich and colorful. It is recommended to stay longer at Yuye Lake and Baishuitai, find more spots to take photos, as they are very photogenic spots; you can rest assured to visit Blue Moon Valley, as long as it's a sunny day, it won't disappoint. Ticket prices: 1. Mountain entrance ticket: At the mountain gate, staff will board the bus to collect the entrance fee, 100 yuan/person (not the ticket for Blue Moon Valley, but the 'admission ticket' for the entire Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenic area, including Glacier Park, Yak Meadow, Spruce Meadow), cable car fees are paid separately. 2. Large cable car (to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from Glacier Park): 140 yuan/person. 3. Medium cable car (Yak Meadow): 65 yuan/person. 4. Small cable car (Spruce Meadow): 40 yuan/person. The entrance ticket to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenic area is 100 yuan (mandatory purchase), you don't need to get off the car whether you are driving or taking a bus, someone will come to collect the fee, and then it's a fifteen-minute drive to the tourist center, where you can buy a round-trip bus ticket to Blue Moon Valley for 20 yuan per person, 10 minutes one way. Book tickets in advance, search for 'Lijiang Tourism Group', it is recommended to book in advance. Tips: The scenery of Blue Moon Valley differs greatly depending on whether the weather is good or not, it is recommended to choose good weather to visit (if you only visit Blue Moon Valley, you generally don't need to bring cold-proof clothing + oxygen, but if you go up the snow mountain, you must bring them, as the weather changes quickly at high altitudes and the temperature difference is large. There is an oxygen supply center on Glacier Park, you can go there). Bring sunglasses, the ultraviolet rays are strong, remember to bring sunscreen, ID card, and you can bring some snacks and water, wearing solid colors or brightly colored clothes is more photogenic. It is recommended not to engage in strenuous exercise to avoid causing altitude sickness.