A bizarre destination in China: Tourists have to pay to buy… air.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - In recent years, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (China) has attracted Vietnamese tourists not only for its fairytale-like pristine white scenery but also for its breathtaking experiences, both literally and figuratively.

The snow-covered mountain is as beautiful as a painting.

Recently, Ms. Doan Thu Trang (Ho Chi Minh City) took a trip to the famous Jade Dragon Mountain (Lijiang, Yunnan, China). She arrived in Lijiang in November and spent 5 days and 4 nights in what is considered a "living museum" - a place that preserves almost intact the unique historical, architectural, and cultural values ​​of centuries past.

Ms. Trang on a snow-covered mountain (Photo: Provided by the subject).

She recounted that, because they were traveling in a group, each tourist was given altitude sickness medication and a spare oxygen tank right from the start of the journey. “Taking the cable car up to an altitude of over 4,500 meters, the view of the snow-covered mountain from foot to summit was magically beautiful. The higher we went, the thicker the snow became, it felt like stepping into a fairytale world ,” she said.

Because the air was thin, each step Trang took was slower than usual. After a few steps, she immediately felt dizzy and short of breath. However, after just a few breaths of oxygen from the tank, she felt comfortable again.

"That day I used up my oxygen tank, then I borrowed a spare one from a friend," she recalled.

The journey up the mountain by cable car in strong winds filled Ms. Trang with fear (Photo: Provided by the subject).

Besides the difficulty breathing, the cold was also a major challenge for Ms. Trang. The strong, biting wind made her breath feel like it was freezing in mid-air. However, thanks to sufficient preparations including thermal shirts, thick jackets, hot water bottles, heating pads, and warm water, only two cases of low blood pressure requiring oxygen support occurred in her group of nearly 100 people.

The most memorable moment for Ms. Trang was when the cable car gradually passed over the ancient forest, revealing a vast expanse of white snow below. But at that very moment, a sudden strong wind caused the cable car to shake violently.

"I was a little scared at that moment, my heart really raced. But apart from that part, the journey was quite safe. Up on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the air is thin, so shortness of breath is normal, which is why everyone needs to bring extra oxygen tanks to ensure their health."

"Spending money on oxygen tanks to get to admire a thousand-year-old glacier was absolutely worth it," she said.

Ms. Trang said that when she set foot on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, she felt like she had entered another world (Photo: Provided by the subject).

According to Ms. Trang, to have a safe and fulfilling trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, tourists should prepare thoroughly, from clothing to physical fitness.

Athletic shoes with good grip will help you move steadily on slippery snow, and clothing should be layered, including thermal shirts and thick windproof jackets to protect against the biting cold.

A race against time

Not only Ms. Trang, but many Vietnamese tourists are also captivated by the beauty of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. During the journey up the mountain, many tourists said that they sometimes felt dizzy or had heart-stopping moments due to the wind shaking the cable car; however, standing at an altitude of over 4,500m was a worthwhile experience.

Among them is Mr. Le Phat Dat (Ho Chi Minh City), who came to Lijiang during the transitional period of October-November 2024, right when the weather turned cold. Interestingly, he didn't intentionally choose to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; it was already included in the tour itinerary.

Therefore, the moment he saw the mountain shrouded in mist right after the car stopped at the parking lot surprised Mr. Dat.

“As soon as the car parked, we could see the mountains appearing and disappearing in the clouds from afar. For someone who loves adventure like me, that was truly breathtaking. Everyone quickly got out of the car and took out their phones to snap pictures non-stop. I was already shivering from the cold just standing at the foot of the mountain,” he recalled.

To make it on time for the cable car, Mr. Dat's group had to be at the parking lot between 5 and 6 am. Each group was only allowed to board at the exact time they had booked; arriving early or late was not permitted, so the schedule was extremely tight.

"Tour guides have to rush around to get tickets on time. Even a minute off schedule means the group will have to wait a long time or won't be able to board at all. I think those traveling independently must have it even harder," he said.

Mr. Dat conquered the 4,506m altitude on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Photo: Provided by the subject).

Before climbing the mountain, tourists can rent thermal jackets for about 200 yuan (approximately 750,000 VND). It was very cold, but luckily, everyone in Dat's group had prepared their clothing well, so no one had to rent any.

Despite being repeatedly warned by the guide about altitude sickness (the body's inability to adapt quickly when moving up high mountains, causing altitude sickness and shock), Mr. Dat still faced fatigue and shortness of breath.

"While I was on the mountain, I was only slightly tired, but when I got back to the hotel, the symptoms started to intensify: nausea, dizziness, general exhaustion. That night I couldn't even take a shower; I had to drink warm water and rest for a long time before I felt better," he said.

Previously, Mr. Dat had bought a bottle of altitude sickness relief solution for about 100-200 yuan (approximately 370,000-750,000 VND) and an oxygen tank for 30 yuan (approximately 110,000 VND) to assist with breathing. However, the effectiveness was only "slightly better," not making a significant difference.

"Inhaling oxygen makes breathing feel a little easier, but not significantly. Even so, while climbing stairs in the cold, strong wind, and thin air, having an oxygen tank still helps us feel less panicked."

As many tourists say, when you go to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you have to pay to… breathe. Paying for air sounds strange, but it helps me appreciate breathing more,” he said.

Despite the arduous journey, Dat most vividly remembers the moment he stood at a great altitude, with the snow-capped mountain ranges stretching before him.

The majestic snow-capped mountain scenery overwhelmed him (Photo: Provided by the subject).

He confided, "The sight of the snow-covered mountains was overwhelming. This is the first time I've seen so much snow. I don't know how many times I'll have the chance like this in my life, so I'm enjoying every moment."

Mr. Dat emphasized that tourists climbing mountains should not underestimate altitude sickness and must equip themselves with sufficient supplies before embarking on the journey. "It's scary and haunting. Anyone going to high mountain areas must be in good health, avoid showering at night, drink enough water, and should bring water to help prevent allergic reactions," he shared.

We used up 3 oxygen tanks while conquering an altitude of nearly 5,000m.

Many tourists know Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as the "eternal snow mountain," but in reality, during the summer months (June-August), much of the snow melts in many areas due to warmer weather. This often leads to disappointment for those who visit during the warmer months, as they don't find the snow-covered scenery they expected.

Singer Doan Truong on Ngoc Long snow-capped mountain (Photo: Provided by the subject).

Also visiting Jade Dragon Mountain, singer Doan Truong reached the summit in -10°C weather. He said he went to the mountain in January, right during the coldest season. On this trip, singer Doan Truong conquered the 4,680m altitude of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

"To conquer this altitude, I had to bring three oxygen tanks," he recounted.

The biting wind and minus 10 degrees Celsius caused his phone battery to drain quickly, and he slipped and fell several times because he wasn't wearing snow boots. He witnessed tourists crying in fear, some dislocating their arms, and many collapsing from difficulty breathing and needing to go into heated rooms with oxygen.

Conquering the more than 4,680m high Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, singer Doan Truong used up 3 oxygen tanks (Photo: Provided by the subject).

"In my group, there were a few young men who relied on their physical fitness because they were gym-goers and didn't buy oxygen tanks. When we arrived, before we even had a chance to check in and enjoy the scenery, they had trouble breathing and had to take the cable car down because no one was selling oxygen tanks up there, nor did anyone have any spare ones to lend. Even with mutual support, the members of the group could only give each other a few breaths," he recounted.

According to singer Doan Truong, the cost of "breathing" alone on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain was quite substantial. Just for the essentials, he had to buy three oxygen tanks for 240 yuan (approximately 900,000 VND), rent a thick jacket for 60 yuan (approximately 220,000 VND), pay 120 yuan (approximately 450,000 VND) for the cable car ticket, and about 100 yuan (approximately 370,000 VND) for altitude sickness medication and hand warmers.

The male singer is at an altitude of 4,680m on the snow-capped Jade Dragon Mountain (Photo: Provided by the subject).

In total, the necessary expenses to ensure health and stay warm throughout the journey to an altitude of nearly 5,000m amounted to approximately 2 million VND. "Don't skimp on oxygen and remember to bring non-slip shoes and boots, heat patches, and two spare phone chargers," singer Doan Truong emphasized.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a majestic natural landmark located north of Lijiang City (Yunnan Province, China), about 25-30km from the ancient city center. This mountain range has 13 main peaks, with the highest peak, Shanzidou, reaching over 5,500m above sea level. It is covered in snow year-round and is one of the most prominent snow-capped mountain ranges in Southwest China.

Tourists come here not only to admire the snow-capped mountains but also to experience a cable car ride up to over 4,500 meters, gazing at the verdant valleys, plateau grasslands, and mysterious glaciers. The diverse natural scenery, from pine forests to grasslands and snow, makes Jade Dragon Snow Mountain an attractive year-round destination for nature lovers.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/diem-den-ky-la-o-trung-quoc-khach-phai-chi-tien-de-mua-khong-khi-20251212173550262.htm