Webcam Jade Lake at Yulong Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, also known as Yulong Mountain, is the southernmost glacier in the northern hemisphere. Thirty-five kilometers long and twenty kilometers wide, the mountain lies at Jade Lake, 35 kilometers from Lijiang City in Yunnan Province. The water in the Black Dragon Basin is so clear and transparent that one can see a clear reflection of the snow-capped Jade Dragon Mountain. The famous Chinese writer Guo Mozho once wrote: "The Black Dragon Basin reflects thirteen peaks.
The inscription corresponds to the description of the local landscape - there are 13 peaks covered with ice and snow on Yulong Mountain. Although Yulong Mountain is not high, its slopes are very steep and precipitous. There is still no one brave enough to conquer the main peak of this mysterious snowy mountain, Shanzidou Peak, which is about 5,600 meters high.
If you look at the mountain from afar, snow-covered and shrouded in mist, it really resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds. According to a study of geologists, for about 400 million years the ocean raged in this area, but about 600 thousand years ago, due to the movement of the lithosphere, there was the landscape that we can observe now.
Popular among the local population is the legend of two twin brothers who once lived near the shores of the Golden Sands River. One day a terrible villain stole the river, then the brave brothers decided to get it back and fought the villain. Haba died in the battle, but the Jade Dragon managed to drive the villain away by hammering down 13 swords. To prevent the villain from returning and to protect the people, the Jade Dragon held those 13 swords day and night. As time passed, the brothers turned into two mountains of snow, and the 13 swords became 13 spades. However, Yulong is a sacred mountain to the locals not only because of the legend of the two brothers. Long ago, it was a place for young lovers who sacrificed their lives in honor of true love to avoid arranged marriages between their parents.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a sanctuary for rare animals and wild plants; a quarter of all plant species in China can be found in its vast area; there are 400 plant species and 30 endangered animal species. Thirteen peaks are covered with snow all year round; this is why the mountain is also called the "Museum of Natural Glacier.
Descending from the mountain top you can see rivers and ponds formed by meltwater running along the valley through the forests. The composition of flora and fauna changes depending on the altitude, as well as the scenery, so with each hundred kilometers of the mountain appears in a new guise.
The government of Lijiang attaches great importance to the development of the tourism industry - the longest and highest cableway in China has been installed on Yulong Mountain. The funicular takes you to 4,506 meters above sea level and then climbs the mountain by a mountain trail to 4,680 meters above sea level. From here, from a bird's-eye view, the mountain appears in all its glory.
