Laojun Mountain National Geopark in Lijiang

More Picture

Laojun Mountain National Geopark (Chinese Name: 丽江老君山国家地质公园) is a stunning natural attraction located in the northwest of Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, China. Laojun Mountain in Lijiang, Southwest China’s Yunnan province was announced as part of the second batch of “China’s Most Beautiful Forests” at the 2019 China Forest Oxygen Bar Annual Festival, which was held in Beijing on May 10. As an important part of Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Laojun Mountain National Geological Park covers an area of 1324.77 square kilometers.

Location: Laojun Mountain National Geopark is situated approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Lijiang’s city center. It covers an area of about 667 square kilometers and encompasses Laojun Mountain, which is part of the Hengduan Mountain Range.

Features and Attractions:

1. Scenic Beauty: Laojun Mountain boasts breathtaking landscapes characterized by towering peaks, lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and crystal-clear streams. The park’s natural beauty attracts visitors seeking outdoor adventures and tranquil retreats.
2. Geological Wonders: The geopark is renowned for its diverse geological formations, including ancient rock formations, limestone karsts, and unique landforms shaped by millions of years of geological processes. These geological wonders offer opportunities for geological exploration and education.
3. Cultural Heritage: In addition to its natural attractions, Laojun Mountain National Geopark is steeped in cultural heritage. Visitors can explore traditional Naxi villages nestled among the mountains and learn about the local customs, architecture, and way of life.
4. Hiking and Outdoor Activities: The geopark offers a variety of hiking trails that cater to different skill levels, from leisurely strolls to challenging treks. Popular hiking routes lead to scenic viewpoints, mountain passes, and hidden valleys, providing opportunities for adventure and exploration.
5. Wildlife and Biodiversity: Laojun Mountain is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including rare and endemic species. Visitors may encounter wildlife such as monkeys, birds, and butterflies while exploring the park’s natural habitats.

Visitor Facilities: Laojun Mountain National Geopark provides visitor facilities and amenities to enhance the visitor experience, including:

• Visitor centers with information about the park’s geology, ecology, and cultural heritage.
• Interpretive trails and signage to guide visitors through key attractions.
• Rest areas, picnic areas, and designated camping sites for outdoor enthusiasts.
• Local guides and tour services for guided hikes and exploration.
• Souvenir shops and food stalls offering refreshments and local products.

Accessibility: Laojun Mountain National Geopark is accessible by road from Lijiang City, with transportation options including buses, taxis, and private vehicles. Visitors can arrange transportation from Lijiang to the geopark through tour operators or travel agencies.

Tips for Visitors:

• Wear comfortable hiking shoes and clothing suitable for outdoor activities.
• Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and plenty of drinking water.
• Respect the natural environment and follow designated trails to minimize impact.
• Check weather conditions before visiting, as mountain weather can be unpredictable.
• Observe local customs and regulations, and be mindful of cultural sensitivities when interacting with local communities.

Main Attractions of Laojun Mountain National Geopark

Laojun Mountain National Geopark features stunning geological landscapes, including the largest and highest Danxia landform area discovered in China, as well as glacial features that encompass both ancient and modern glaciers. The geological scenery in the Jinsha River Valley includes the First Bend of the Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge, and multi-level terraces. Key geological features consist of eroded high mountains, middle mountains, plains, canyons, broad valleys, intermontane basins, riverbanks, floodplains, terraces, fault cliffs, angular peaks, knife ridges, cirques, lateral moraines, stone rings, stone rivers, permafrost, landslides, and various Danxia formations such as peaks, valleys, columns, red cliffs, and shapes resembling turtles.

The park is rich in cultural heritage, being home to various ethnic groups, including the Naxi, Han, Bai, Lisu, Yi, Pumi, Miao, and Tibetan peoples. It showcases a vibrant array of folk cultures and serves as a cultural crossroads for Tibetan, Bai, Yi, Naxi Dongba, and Han cultures.

Jinsi Factory Scenic Area

This area includes 19 scenic spots, categorized mainly into glacial relics, alpine lakes, streams and waterfalls, grassland scenery, and flora and fauna:

1. Glacial Relics: Key sites include Jinshan Yufeng, Jindao Ridge, Seven People Stone, Twin Peaks, Thumb Mountain, Curved Mountain, and Old Man Stone.
2. Alpine Lakes: Notable glacial lakes include Yuhu Lake, Mirror Lake, Malutang, Silver Lake, and Shuanglong Pool.
3. Grassland Scenery: Main alpine pastures include Jinshan Pasture, Sique Kudi, and Dayangchang.
4. Streams and Waterfalls: Key scenic areas are Jinxiu Valley and the Sancha River waterfalls.
5. Flora and Fauna: Notable spots include Baiyao Valley and the Lijia Golden Monkey Protection Area.

Laojun Mountain Scenic Area

This area has abundant geological resources concentrated at altitudes above 3,700 meters, featuring glacial relics, alpine vegetation, glacial lakes, alpine flowers, and meteorological phenomena. The combination of these landscapes creates a multi-layered, diverse, and ever-changing scenery:

1. Taishang Peak Scenic Area: Key attractions include Taishang Peak, Taiji Ridge, Black Dragon Pool, and Yellow Dragon Pool, known for their scenic beauty.
2. Liuhe Lake Area: This area boasts six glacial lakes, resembling pearls scattered among fir forests and rhododendron flowers. Major spots include Taiyi Peak, Mother Lake (Moon Lake), Sister Lake, Lingxue Flat, San Cai Lake, Liuxia Creek, Guipul Ridge, Sida Terrace, and Nantan Gate.
3. Qingniuling Area: Located east of Sanxuan Lake, this area features stone beaches and rhododendron forests. Main attractions include Sanxuan Lake, Qingniuling, Aibulou Volcano, and the entrance to the protection area and alpine pasture.

Canyons

The canyon area includes five scenic groups: Shigu, Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge, Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge, and the Daju Basin:

1. Shigu Town: Key sites include Shigu Town, Shigu, the Red Army Crossing Memorial, Mugua Crossing, Iron Rainbow Bridge, and the First Willow Forest of the Yangtze River.
2. Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge: Notable attractions are the Tiger Leaping Mouth, Ice Mountain Visitors, Wild Goose Formation, Vertical Rock Zone, Tumbling Water, Jade Dragon Playing in Water, Tiger Jumping Stone, Monkey Watching Tiger Leap, Layered Stones, Millennial Rotting Wood, Ten Thousand Scrolls of Scriptures, Stump Bonsai, and the Northern View of Jade Master.
3. Middle and Lower Tiger Leaping Gorge: Key sites include the Walnut Garden Ancient Cirque, Deep Gully Ancient Cirque, Local Bay Ancient Cirque, ancient glacier lateral moraine, U-V nested valleys, large landslide body, fault paintings, bends, quicksand waterfalls, staircase peak forest, Big Hanging Waterfall, Jila Waterfall, riverbank caves, and strange stone beaches.
4. Daju Basin: This basin is known for its comprehensive scenic views, including basin topography, Jade Dragon Peak Cluster, eroded terraces, glacial debris, and accumulations of ice and water, along with the roaring river and Daju ferry.

Cause Analysis

In the high mountain region of Yulong Snow Mountain, at altitudes of 4,000 to 4,200 meters, there are 19 modern glaciers covering a total area of 11.61 square kilometers, with 15 glaciers on the eastern slope and 4 on the western slope. The modern glaciers of Yulong Snow Mountain can be classified into valley glaciers, cirque glaciers, and hanging glaciers, along with transitional types such as cirque valley glaciers and cirque hanging glaciers. The modern glaciers of Yulong Snow Mountain are classified as maritime glaciers, specifically temperate glaciers, which means that all ice temperatures, except for the active layer influenced by seasonal climate factors, are at the melting point. The ice contains a certain amount of liquid water. However, within a certain depth range in the ablation zone, the low permeability of ice and the small water content within it can cause temperatures to drop below the melting point during the winter. Although the ice surface absorbs a significant amount of heat in summer, most of the heat is lost through surface melting and runoff. Thus, conduction and melting water infiltration do not necessarily raise the temperature of the ice within a certain range to the melting point. Therefore, surface melting is a fundamental characteristic of the modern maritime glaciers of Yulong Snow Mountain.

The formation of glaciers is a result of long-term geological and climatic conditions, with climate being one of the primary factors influencing the development of modern glaciers. A decrease in temperature leads to a drop in the snowline, increasing the area of the mountain above the snowline, which enhances the accumulation of ice and snow and promotes glacier development. Conversely, an increase in temperature raises the snowline, decreasing the area above the snowline and reducing ice and snow accumulation, resulting in glacier retreat. Similarly, increased precipitation leads to greater snow accumulation, benefiting glacier development. Conversely, decreased precipitation reduces snow accumulation, causing glaciers to retreat.

The current snowline of Yulong Snow Mountain is between 4,800 and 5,000 meters, with an average annual temperature near the snowline ranging from -3.3°C to 4.7°C and annual precipitation between 1,500 and 2,000 millimeters. The area of the mountain above the snowline is approximately 18-8 square kilometers.

How to Get to Laojun Mountain National Geopark in Lijiang

1. From Lijiang City:
   • By Car: The most convenient way is to drive or hire a taxi. Laojun Mountain is approximately 60 kilometers (about 1.5 to 2 hours) from Lijiang city center. Follow the G214 highway towards the north and look for signs to the geopark.
   • By Bus: You can take a long-distance bus from Lijiang to the nearby town of Yulong (Jade Dragon). From there, you may need to hire a local taxi or find a shuttle bus to the geopark.
2. Public Transportation:
   • There are buses that run from Lijiang to Yulong County. Once you arrive in Yulong, you can take a taxi or arrange local transportation to the geopark.
3. Tour Packages:
   • Consider joining a guided tour from Lijiang that includes transportation to Laojun Mountain. Many local travel agencies offer day trips that cover the geopark and other attractions in the area.
4. Best Time to Visit:
   • It’s best to visit during the spring and autumn months (April to June, September to November) for pleasant weather and stunning scenery.

Laojun Mountain National Geopark offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, geological wonders, and cultural heritage, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts exploring the Lijiang region.

Travel Tips and Hiking Tour Route of Laojun National Mountain in Lijiang

Lijiang Laojun Mountain National Geopark, located in Liming Lisu Ethnic Township, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, covers an area of 1,324 square kilometers with a forest coverage rate of 91.7%. It is named after the Taoist deity Taishang Laojun, who is said to have practiced alchemy here. The park features natural attractions such as the Ninety-nine Dragon Pools, Jin Sifang Snow Mountain, Gela Dan Grassland, Ana Guo, Dayangchang, and Laojun Mountain Liming Scenic Area.

Honors and Recognitions

Laojun Mountain has received several prestigious titles, including World Natural Heritage Site, National Scenic Area, National Geopark, China Forest Oxygen Bar, China’s Most Beautiful Forest, National Excellent Tourist Destination, China’s Best International Leisure Travel Destination, China’s Most Beautiful Leisure Vacation Tourist Scenic Area, China Sports Tourism Boutique Scenic Area, and Yunnan’s Top Ten New Tourism Landmarks.

Laojun Mountain Scenic Area Highlights

• Laojun Mountain stretches across hundreds of miles with rolling peaks and valleys. The main peak stands at 4,240 meters and is historically known as the “Ancestor of All Mountains in Yunnan.” As part of the Three Parallel Rivers Scenic Area, the region is rich in high-altitude vegetation, rare wildlife, numerous glacial lakes, unique Danxia landforms, and the diverse customs of the Naxi, Bai, Lisu, Pumi, and Yi ethnic groups.
• Liming Scenic Area: This area contains China’s largest and highest Danxia landform, including famous sites like Thousand Tortoise Mountain, General Pillar, Great Buddha Cliff, Sky-high Ridge, Camelback Mountain, Lover’s Pillar, and Seven-person Rock. Known as one of China’s “Seven Most Beautiful Danxia Landforms,” the area is famous for the rare phenomenon where the sun appears to rise and set three times in one day.
  • Recommended Hiking Route: Lijiang → Hongshi Street → Model Worker Village → Thousand Tortoise Dragon → Shizhaizi Church → Hongshi Street → Lijiang (1-day tour). This 12 km hike offers stunning views of the “Danxia-like-fire, Thousand Tortoises Competing with the Sun” landform.
• Ninety-nine Dragon Pools Scenic Area: This area is dotted with hundreds of deep pools, such as Nine Sons Stone, Three-eye Pool, Virgin Pool, Yellow Dragon Pool, and Black Dragon Pool. Each year, from April to July, the area is adorned with blooming rhododendrons, making it one of the most diverse regions for rhododendrons in Yunnan.
  • Recommended Hiking Route: Lijiang → Ninety-nine Dragon Pools → Crocodile Lake → Xiaoqiaotou → Liju Village → Peach Blossom Village → First Bend of the Yangtze River → Shigu Town → Lijiang (3-day tour). This 32 km hike offers scenic views of the Ninety-nine Dragon Pools, high-altitude meadows, and rich geological features.
• JinSichang Scenic Area: Home to the park’s main peak, JinSichang Snow Mountain, also known as “Jinsi Yufeng,” which stands at 4,515 meters. The area is named after the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, which inhabits the region.
  • Recommended Hiking Route: Lijiang → First Bend of the Yangtze River → Peach Blossom Village → Liju Village → Trijunction River → Golden Monkey Protection Station → Golden Monkey Observation Deck → Dayangchang (Camping) → Daibaiqi → Liming → Lijiang (3-day tour). This route traverses through the JinSichang, Dayangchang, and Liming areas, showcasing expansive meadows, primeval forests, and Danxia landscapes.
• Gela Dan Scenic Area: Known as the “Heavenly Grassland,” Gela Dan Grassland is home to high-altitude meadows, rhododendron bushes, and stunning natural scenery, offering a secluded and untouched “Paradise on Earth.”
  • Recommended Hiking Route: Lijiang → Hongshi Street (22 km hike) → Explore and camp at Gela Dan Grassland → Liming → Lijiang (2-day tour). This 45 km loop offers breathtaking views of the Danxia landscapes and Gela Dan Grassland.
• Ana Guo Scenic Area: Ana Guo, also known as Ana Ge, is an emerging hiking destination. The area features pristine forests, alpine meadows, sunrise views, seas of rhododendrons, and a diverse range of flora and fauna. It’s known as “Heaven’s Ana Guo” and is often compared to Rainburge from 10 years ago.
  • Recommended Hiking Route: Lijiang → First Bend of the Yangtze River Observation Deck → Ana Guo Village Reception Station → Camp at Third Base Camp → Second Base Camp → First Base Camp → Watch the colorful sunset → Early morning sunrise → Cross spruce forest to Iris Valley → Through primeval forest and rhododendron sea → Third Base Camp → Ana Guo Village Reception Station → Lijiang (2-day tour). The first day covers 6.4 km and takes about 5 hours, while the second day covers 7.3 km in about 4 hours, offering some of the best views and experiences in the area.