Written by Catherine |
The Blue Moon Valley is located at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang, and is formed by the snow mountain’s melt water – Baishui River flowing through this area. The lake water is crystal clear to the bottom and has a fantastic blue color, which is very eye-catching.
Blue Moon Valley has four distinctively charming lakes: Yuye Lake (玉液湖), Jingtan Lake (镜潭湖), Blue Moon Lake (蓝月湖), and Tingtao Lake (听涛湖). There are also many small waterfalls arranged in a staggered manner, and the photos are very beautiful. Surrounded by lofty snow mountains and dense vegetation, it feels like an isolated fairyland.
The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Blue Moon Valley in Lijiang are not only stunning natural attractions, but also a place where the soul can be relaxed and nourished. Start your Yunnan tours to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature!
Facts About Blue Moon Valley
- Blue Moon Valley in Chinese: 蓝月谷
- Location: within the Jade DragonSnow Mountain National Scenic Area, 15 km from Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province
- Climate: It has a vertical natural landscape zone from subtropical zone to temperate zone to cold zone.
- Opening Hours: 08:00-16:00
- Entrance Ticket: Included in the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain ticket(RMB 100), no need to purchase a separate ticket
- Time Needed: About 2-3hours
How was Blue Moon Valley Named
Legend has it that Blue Moon Valley is a sapphire lost by God, and when it falls under the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it becomes a passionate tear on this land.
The original name of Blue Moon Valley was “Baishui River”. Because the riverbed and terrace are composed of gray white marble and limestone fragments, presenting a grayish white color. Clear springs flow over the stones, also presenting a grayish white color, hence the name “Baishui River”.
In Blue Moon Valley, the color of the water is blue on clear days, and the valley is crescent shaped, resembling a blue moon set at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from afar. And also because the Blue Moon Valley in James Hilton’s novel “Lost Horizon” is similar to it, hence the name “Blue Moon Valley”.
What to See and Do in Blue Moon Valley
Blue Moon Valley is located in the valley north of Sweet Lake (Gan Haizi) and south of Spruce Meadow at the eastern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang. It attracts countless tourists to embark on a Yunnan travel for its majestic snow mountains and jade-like azure water.
The Blue Moon Valley originates from the melting water of ancient ice and snow on the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Glacier, flowing down the cliffs and continuously converging into mountain streams, ultimately forming a clear and refreshing river in the deep valley upstream. During the flow process, four large water surfaces were formed due to the obstruction of mountains, known as Yuye Lake, Jingtan Lake, Blue Moon Lake, and Tingtao Lake.
Four Landscape Lakes
Yuye Lake
Yuye Lake (Jade Liquid Lake) is known as the most beautiful lake in the Blue Moon Valley. As the source of Blue Moon Valley, Yuye Lake’s water quality is very clear, and the blue lake reflects the nearby Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, resembling a splendid landscape painting.
Jingtan Lake
Jingtan Lake (Mirror Pond Lake) is a small scenic spot in Blue Moon Valley, which looks exquisite but very peaceful. The lake water here is glassy calm, with a feeling of “Mirror Lake of Jiuzhai Valley”. It is quite poetic that “the surface of the lake, windless, unpolished like a mirror”.
Blue Moon Lake
Lanyue Lake (Blue Moon Lake) is located at the corner of the valley. Surrounded by lush green trees and shaped like a crescent moon, the lake water presents a deep blue color due to the presence of copper sulfate, mysterious and beautiful.
Tingtao Lake
Tingtao Lake (Listening to Waves Lake) has a large drop in water, and the stream flows over like a waterfall, making a melodious jingling sound, like the instrumental sound.
The Blue Moon Valley in China has built a total of six landscape debris dams, forming nearly 260,000 cubic meters of water and creating the above four landscape lakes. It has become a scenic area that showcases high-altitude water landscapes, high-altitude vegetation resource landscapes, and ethnic cultural characteristics to tourists during their Lijiang travel.
Blue Moon Valley Tour Route
Get off at the second stop of the scenic bus – “Water Moon Pavilion (Shuiyue Ge)”, and then take a stroll along the boardwalk to experience the magic of nature. Along the way, you can see Tingtao Lake, Jingtan Lake, Lanyue Lake, Yuye Lake, White-Water Terrace, and some unknown small lakes.
Note: You can choose to walk or take a battery car to tour Blue Moon Valley in Lijiang. Walking can better appreciate the scenery along the way, but it requires more time and energy. Battery cars can save time and energy, but you may miss out on some scenery and photo spots.
Blue Moon Valley Travel Tips
- Best Viewing Time: On a clear noon day, the lake water under the sunshine is as blue as a mirror, making it the best time to take photosof Blue Moon Valley. In addition, from 9 am to 11 am and from 3 pm to 5 pm are also good shooting time periods for Blue Moon Valley when the light is soft, and you can avoid the peak flow at noon.
- Sunscreen and Warmth: As Blue Moon Valley is located in a high-altitude area (2,400 ~ 2,900 meters) with strong ultraviolet radiation and large temperature changes, it is recommended that tourists apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses and sun hats, and also wear warm clothing.
How to Get to Blue Moon Valley in Lijiang
- By Bus: Depart from the south gate of the Old Town of Lijiang, walk for 10 minutes to Zhongyi Market Station, and take the No.101 Snow Mountain Special Line. The fare is RMB 15 per person, and it takes about one hour to reach Blue Moon Valley.
- Self-Driving: Blue Moon Valley is about 25km away from Lijiang City, and you can travel back and forth on the same day. Note: You need to navigate to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tourist Center and then take a bus to Blue Moon Valley, and you cannot drive directly to
- Taking a Taxi: About 40 minutes. Or you can choose car–pooling There are blue taxis available around the Lijiang Old Town, priced at RMB 20 per person.
Attractions Nearby Blue Moon Valley in Lijiang
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: a sacred mountain of the Naxi ethnic people and the southernmost snow-capped mountain in the Northern Hemisphere. Its highest peak is 5,596 meters.
- Lijiang Old Town: one of the four ancient cities in China and also a world cultural heritagesite. It attracts countless tourists with its unique architectural style and Naxi ethnic culture. Located 35 kilometers away from Blue Moon Valley.
- Black Dragon Pool: a great place with the beautiful reflection of snow mountain, boasting spectacular pool of water and ancient buildings. Located 32 kilometers away from Blue Moon Valley.
- Shuhe Ancient Town: an important market town on the ancient Tea Horse Road, boasting rich historical relics and unique natural scenery. Located 30 kilometers away from Blue Moon Valley.
