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Lijiang InsiderA highland field guide / Yunnan

Ganhaizi / the dry sea

Ganhaizi meadow

A broad alpine meadow at 3,100 metres, with yaks, a long mountain view, and no cableway at all.

Reviewed 14 November 2026jade dragon · meadow · yaks

Altitude

3,100 m

Access

Park shuttle

Time needed

40 minutes

Best for

Open views

Open alpine meadow at Ganhaizi below the peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Ganhaizi is a broad basin rather than a viewpoint; the mountain surrounds it on three sides.

Ganhaizi means something like dry sea: a wide meadow basin at around 3,100 metres on the approach to Jade Dragon, likely an old lake bed. It is a stop on the park shuttle route rather than a cableway destination, which makes it the least structured and most open of the mountain's visitor areas. In summer it is green and grazed; in winter it is brown and windswept.

In short

Use Ganhaizi as a low-effort meadow stop between the cableways, or as an alternative when the summit is closed. Give it 40 minutes and bring a windproof layer.

Before you book

Prices and schedules change

Reserve the fixed-time items first, then build the rest around the weather. If you are deciding between two versions of the trip, send both.

01

What it is

Ganhaizi is a flat, open basin on the southern approach to the massif, with grass, scattered shrubs, and herds of yaks in the warmer months. The name and the geology suggest an old glacial lake bed. There is no cableway and no formal attraction beyond the meadow itself, which is the point.

The basin gives a different perspective from the cableways: instead of looking down from the mountain, you look across at it, with the ridge filling the horizon. On a clear day the scale is impressive. In cloud, the meadow can feel exposed and empty, and the stop is short.

02

Walking and weather

Paths run across the meadow, but there is no marked loop; walk as far as comfort allows and return the way you came. The ground can be boggy after rain, and the altitude makes even flat walking tiring. Do not approach yaks closely, especially mothers with calves.

The meadow is exposed to wind and sun. Bring a shell, a hat, and sunscreen. In winter it is often frozen and brown; in summer it is green but prone to sudden mist and rain. There are basic toilets and stalls near the shuttle stop.

03

Fitting it into the day

Ganhaizi works as a filler between the Glacier Park cableway and Blue Moon Valley, or as a substitute when the summit is closed. It is also a good low-altitude option for travellers who want to see the mountain without a cableway ticket. The shuttle connects it to the other stops, so you do not need a separate vehicle.

If you are short on time, prioritise Blue Moon Valley over Ganhaizi; the lakes are more distinctive. If you have a full day and want a quiet hour, the meadow is worth the stop. See the mountain day planner for sequences.

Verdict

A quiet, open meadow with the mountain in full view: a good filler, not the main event.

Field desk / direct line

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