Laojun Mountain (老君山) belongs to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in the Hengduan Mountains, with the Jinsha River to its left and the Lancang River to its right. Its ridge runs in a semi-circular shape, resembling the alchemical furnace of Laojun (an ancient Chinese deity), hence its name. Historians have referred to it as the “ancestor of mountains in Yunnan Province.” Stretching for hundreds of miles, the mountain range is divided into four main areas: the Li Ming High Mountain Danxia Area, the Ninety-Nine Dragon Pool Area, the Geladan High Mountain Grassland Area, and the Jinsichang Area. The main peak, “Golden Silk Jade Peak,” stands at 4,515 meters above sea level and is located in the Jinsichang area.
Laojun Mountain Geopark boasts diverse geological formations, including high mountain Danxia landforms, the largest and highest-altitude Danxia landform area discovered in China to date. It also features glacier landforms, with both ancient and modern glacier remains. Geological landscapes along the Jinsha River valley include the first bend of the Yangtze River, the Tiger Leaping Gorge, and terraces. The park showcases eroded mountains, plains, valleys, intermontane basins, river terraces, mid-stream bars, fault cliffs, sharp peaks, ridges, cirques, lateral moraines, stone rings, permafrost, landslides, overturned stone cones, Danxia peak clusters, Danxia valleys, Danxia columns, Danxia red cliffs, Danxia rock formations resembling tortoises, and volcanic rock joints. Rich in cultural heritage, the area is inhabited by various ethnic minorities such as the Naxi, Han, Bai, Lisu, Yi, Pumi, Miao, and Tibetan people, contributing to a vibrant cultural atmosphere that represents a convergence of Tubo, Bai, Yi, Naxi Dongba, and Han cultures.
The best time to visit Laojun Mountain is from May to June when the rhododendrons are in full bloom, covering the entire mountain area with a sea of flowers. For a more immersive experience of the magnificent Danxia scenery, it’s recommended to stay in Li Ming Village, where there are various accommodations ranging from youth hostels favored by backpackers to folk inns and holiday hotels. Visitors can witness the spectacular phenomenon of the “sun rising and setting three times in one day” when the weather is clear.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 day |
| Ticket Price | 70 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0888-5495059 |
Location and Transportation
Laojun Mountain is located in Liming Village, Lisu Township, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang, Yunnan Province. Visitors can take a bus from Lijiang Passenger Transport Station to Liming Hongshi Street. Alternatively, they can take Bus 208 from Yulong Passenger Transport Station.
