Blue Moon Valley, Lijiang 蓝月谷
What Makes It Special
The valley sits at about 2,900 meters (9,500 ft) and is part of the larger Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenic area. The lakes get their striking blue-green color from dissolved copper ions and a pH around 8.2, which scatters sunlight in a way that makes the water look like liquid turquoise.
Behind every lake rises the snow-capped massif of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain — thirteen peaks that make every photo look like a postcard.
The Four Lakes
| Lake | What to See |
|---|---|
| White Water Terrace (白水台) | Milky travertine steps with pale blue-green pools — fewer crowds, great warm-up shots |
| Jade Liquid Lake (玉液湖) | The bluest of them all. Viral-photo central. |
| Mirror Pond (镜潭湖) | Perfect for reflection shots — crouch low at the water’s edge |
| Blue Moon Lake (蓝月湖) | The namesake crescent lake with a stone arch bridge framing the mountain |
| Wave-Listening Lake (听涛湖) | Water spills over a stone dam with a soothing rush — the final stop |
The full walk takes about 2–3 hours at a leisurely pace. The path is flat and stroller-friendly.
Tickets & Costs (2026)
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Scenic Area Entry Fee: 100 RMB (~$14) per person
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Internal Shuttle Bus: 20 RMB (~$3) round trip (mandatory — private cars can’t enter)
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Total minimum cost: 120 RMB (~$17)
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Glacier Park Cable Car: 140 RMB — ascends to 4,506m (book up to 7 days ahead, limited daily quota)
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Spruce Meadow Cable Car: 60 RMB — gentler, easier to book
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Electric Cart inside the valley: 50 RMB — not recommended, the boardwalk is flat and scenic
How to Get There
| Option | Cost (RMB) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bus 101 | 15 | ~1 hour |
| Shared ride | 20–30 | ~40 min |
| Taxi / DiDi | 80–110 | ~40 min |
⚠️ Important shuttle bus tip: When the green shuttle bus announces “Blue Moon Valley,” do NOT get off. That stop is for the electric cart route — you’ll be 4.8 km from the actual lakes. Stay on for one more stop: Shuiyuege (水月阁 / Water Moon Pavilion). The turquoise water is a 2-minute walk from there.
Best Time to Visit
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Best hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM for the brightest water colors; or around 2:00–3:00 PM for the deepest “gemstone blue” under side-backlighting
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Best months: March–May and October–December — clear skies, great snow mountain views
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One rule above all: Pick a sunny day. The blue water only shows its magic under direct sunlight. On a cloudy day, it looks dull and gray.
What to Wear & Bring
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Bright, solid colors for photos — white, cream, red, or yellow pop against the turquoise. Avoid dark blue/green (you’ll blend in).
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SPF 50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, hat — plateau UV is intense and deceptive
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Layered clothing — temperature swings are sharp; even summer mornings are chilly
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Comfortable non-slip shoes — boardwalks can get slick
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Oxygen canister — buy in Lijiang Old Town for 15–20 RMB (same one costs 60 RMB inside the park). Most people feel fine at 2,900m, but it’s cheap insurance if you’re coming straight from sea level.
Combining with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
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Easy & Photogenic: Spruce Meadow cable car (morning) → Blue Moon Valley (afternoon) — gentle pace, family-friendly
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Iconic: Glacier Park cable car (early morning) → Blue Moon Valley (afternoon) — high altitude, more strenuous
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Minimalist: Blue Moon Valley only — skip cable cars, just enjoy the lakes with the mountain as your backdrop
Quick Tips
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Plan 2–3 hours for the valley alone; a full day if combining with a cable car or the Impression Lijiang show
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No drones allowed — the entire scenic area is a no-fly zone
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Don’t wade in the water — it’s glacier runoff, just above freezing, and the rocks are slippery
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The “free souvenir photos” near the cart drop-off are a tourist trap — you get a tiny thumbnail for free, then they try to sell you a larger print