National park · China
Jiaozi XueshanJiaozi Snow Mountain
Enter Jiaozi Xueshan for a day hike: take the shuttle from the parking lot to the ropeway (08:30‑18:00) and walk to the 3850 m viewpoint; for a multi‑day trek stay at the base cottages (¥400/night) and use the park shuttle (08:30‑17:30).Enter Jiaozi Xueshan for a day hike: take the shuttle from the parking lot to the ropeway (8:30 AM‑6:00 PM) and walk to the 3850 m viewpoint; for a multi‑day trek stay at the base cottages (¥400/night) and use the park shuttle (8:30 AM‑5:30 PM).
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- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2026
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Exact protected area not published; park is a national nature reserve.
- Established
- 2026
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Kunming
Jiaozi Xueshan offers high‑altitude boardwalks, a ropeway to 3850 m, and alpine flora, making it a day‑hike destination in summer and a snow‑capped trek in winter.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2026.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2026
Exact protected area not published; park is a national nature reserve.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kunming.
Why go
- Boardwalk network and ropeway give access to alpine scenery above 3500 m.
- Frozen waterfalls appear October‑April; rhododendron blooms April‑June.
- High‑altitude trekking with views of the Eastern Yungui Plateau.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanSnow present, cold.
- FebSnow, fewer crowds.
- MarSnow melting, early blooms.
- AprRhododendron flowering.
- MayFull bloom, milder weather.
- JunRainy, trail mud.
- JulWarm, occasional storms.
- AugWarm, possible thunderstorms.
- SepTransition, occasional rain.
- OctFirst snow, clear views.
- NovSnow, crisp air.
- DecSnow, cold.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheep grazing in alpine meadowsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kunming North Railway Station
Bus 07:30 to park visitor centre, return 16:00; book a day ahead (phone +86 871 6272‑5990).Bus 7:30 AM to park visitor centre, return 4:00 PM; book a day ahead (phone +86 871 6272‑5990).
3‑4 h
Open the page →
From Kunming north bus station
Bus to Zhuanlong town (60‑90 min), then shuttle to park base.
2‑3 h
Open the page →
From By car
Drive 150 km (93 mi) on two‑lane highway named after the mountain.Drive 93 mi (150 km) on two‑lane highway named after the mountain.
≈2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Parking lot (3140 m) | Shuttle departure point, parking, basic services. | Open; fee for parking optional. |
| Ropeway station (3850 m) | Cable car to high‑altitude boardwalks. | Ticketed. |
| Boardwalk network (3500‑3850 m) | Extensive alpine trails, viewpoints, frozen waterfalls. | Open; ropeway or hike. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; park centre approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (visitor centre) | Free | person | No fee listed; verify on‑site (check). |
| Ropeway to 3850 m | CNY 120 (≈ US$17) | person | Typical price from shuttle base; confirm. |
| Park shuttle bus (3500 m start) | CNY 30 (≈ US$5) | person | Runs 08:30‑17:30; check schedule. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥120≈ US$17
- CN¥30≈ US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Not permitted outside designated cottages.
- Pets
- Domestic animals not allowed on trails.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves.
Where to stay
In the park
Cottages near ropeway
Simple rooms, ¥400/night, basic amenities.
In the park
Hotel near parking lot
Standard hotel, ¥200‑300/night.
Near the park
Kunming city
Wide range of hotels, 2‑hour drive.
Safety
Altitude sickness medium
Cold weather medium
Sudden storms high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking lot reachable by car; short walks to shuttle.
- Ropeway provides easy access to high altitude for limited‑mobility visitors.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in park‑run cottages to support local economy.
- Use shuttle and ropeway instead of private vehicles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jiaozi Xueshan?
Entry fee is not listed; most visitors pay for the ropeway (≈¥120) and shuttle bus (≈¥30). Verify at the visitor centre.
What are the best hikes in Jiaozi Xueshan?
Take the ropeway to 3850 m and walk the boardwalk to frozen waterfalls; for a longer trek, follow the marked alpine trail from 3500 m over 2‑3 days, staying in park cottages.
When is the best time to visit Jiaozi Xueshan?
April‑June for rhododendron blooms, October‑November for snow‑capped peaks and clear weather.
Can I camp on Jiaozi Xueshan?
Camping is not allowed; stay in the park‑run cottages or nearby hotel.
How do I get to the park from Kunming?
Take a bus from Kunming North Railway Station (07:30) to the visitor centre, then the park shuttle to the trailhead; alternatively drive 150 km via the mountain highway.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go