Gokuming published two very helpful articles on the Yading Outer Kora, six days and 56km.
Part 1: www.gokunming.com/[...]
Part 2: www.gokunming.com/[...]
You said you aren't interested in the 2-day Inner Kora route, but for those who may wish to try: www.thelandofsnows.com/yading-sichuan/
For day hikes around Shangri-La, check out TrekYunnan.com
Do a search on Yubeng for multiple helpful articles on the hikes there.
Account in English of an ascent of Snow Lotus Peak in 2020. Superb photos show the east face of peaks north of the main summit (these are the peaks lining Tiger Leaping Gorge, where only the west faces are visible).
publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13201215701
Notes from the article: ice axe and crampons in use. Commercial expeditions have begun making the ascent.
In Lijiang you can try Adam (陈靖友, Chén Jìngyǒu), WeChat: AdamChinaDali; phone: 158-1222-1660; email: 15812221660@126.com. Speaks good English. I have hired him on several occasions, though not for mountaineering.
It was Adam who clued me in to a new mountaineering objective on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. That would be Snow Lotus Peak (雪莲峰), summit elevation 5,260+ meters. Located 6km north-northeast of JDSM main summit, 6km west-southwest of Yak Meadow cable car. Groups of Chinese mountaineers have been making the ascent in the last several years. Initial access via Yak Meadow cable car, the two or three-day climb ascends the eastern slope and north ridge. Judging by photos on the Chinese app Liang Bu Lu (两步路), the ascent requires no technical climbing and no glacier travel. If that is so, it's a true trekking peak and possibly the easiest 5,000-meter summit to reach in Yunnan Province.
You can see a photo of Snow Lotus Peak here (JDSM main peak at left, SLP at right):
trekhaba.weebly.com/jade-dragon-snow-mt.html
There are reported to be something like a dozen peaks over 5,000 meters in the Jade Dragon massif. A mini-mountain range it is.
About the climbing ban, I offer the following. There are two types of wardens that I am aware of. The first are fire wardens who man stations on certain roads in the general Lijiang area.
I have encountered them on the road to Puji Temple, also above Nanyao Village north of Lashi Lake. I was on the way down and out, so they didn't bother with me at all. One of them told me his job was to stop traffic attempting to pass through during the dry season, generally November to May and perhaps as late as mid-June. I presume he allowed known local residents to go on through. I noticed that he left his station after 5:00pm.
There may be fire wardens in the Yuhu Village area or areas to the east of Jade Dragon Snow Mt, but I have no knowledge. All I can say is that on several trips in the dry season I have never encountered fire wardens on any of the roads or trails from the Yuhu Village area up to Jade Dragon Reservoir and then down to Wenhai Lake.
The other type of warden might be called mountain wardens. A trekker friend encountered one at Yuhu Village, and the message was clear: no climbing on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. My friend hired a guide and did a long day trek from Yuhu reaching above 4,000 meters. Apparently this is an acceptable practice. Limited details about treks from Yuhu Village may be found here:
www.chinahighlights.com/[...]
Another friend, a guide in Lijiang, told me that if one is caught camping
on these hiking routes above Yuhu, you might well be told to get off the mountain.
For Tiger Leaping Gorge and Haba Snow Mt you might find some useful info at TrekHaba.com. I'm not aware of any local mountaineering contact. I do have aerial photos of Haba, TLG and parts of Jade Dragon S.M. If they might be of interest you can pm me.
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Tiger Leaping Gorge: Yunnan's classic trek
Posted byThe paragraph under "Side Trips from the Gorge" mentions the ferry across the Jinsha River. Ferry service has closed down with the April 2023 opening of a highway bridge for cars and pedestrians. The bridge is close to Daju Village. Thus ends a long-standing service that years ago was a standard feature of trekking the gorge. Nowadays, the vast majority of trekkers end their journey at Tina's Guest House, far upstream from the ferry location and new bridge. No need to weep for the ferry operator. He built a guest house in Daju, and now the village has seven lodging establishments.
Hiking in Lijiang: Dry River Valley
Posted byWhat an amazing transformation! Friends have sent photos taken last few days. The white dust plain of Milk Lake is covered in water, up to 1 meter deep. Healthy rainy season.
Hiking in Lijiang: Dry River Valley
Posted byI've been trying to locate the start of the new light rail line from Lijiang to the national park. A friend in Lijiang informs it begins off of Route S223, known locally as Yu Quan Lu (玉泉路), 7 km north of Old Town, between Shuhe and Baisha. I don't know if this is one of the five stations mentioned in the China Daily piece or the actual southern terminus, in which case no rail link from Lijiang train station.
Something else that will affect visitation to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain park. On a recent visit to Daju I noticed a new bridge under construction across the Jinsha River. For years a ferry has shuttled cars (except during periods of low water) and passengers across, but that will change with completion of the bridge. No doubt new popularity for auto tours/buses making the loop through Tiger Leaping Gorge with return to Lijiang through the park.
Off the beaten trek: Tiger Leaping Gorge part 1- Bamboo forest path
Posted byAs of November 2020, Tiger Leaping Gorge is closed for road construction. According to guest houses in the area, all tourism and trekking in the gorge is shut down until at least spring 2021.
For those who may be interested, my trekking guide to Haba Snow Mountain is now online at www.TrekHaba.com (proxy required).
Off the beaten trek: Tiger Leaping Gorge part 1- Bamboo forest path
Posted byhasenman, I received your pm and replied to your email.