旅游英语景点介绍—玉龙雪山 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

　　【简介】玉龙雪山是云南纳西族人的神山和聚居地。最早有记载纳西族迁入现云南地区是在公元7-8世纪，故一般相信他们在玉龙雪山一带定居约有千年历史。现在每年的农历二月八日，丽江人民和旅居外地的纳西族人都会举行盛大活动，欢度三朵节。

玉龙雪山是第四纪中大幅度抬升所形成的断块褶皱山，山体主要由泥盆系和石炭系的碳酸盐岩构成，厚度在3000米以上，部分已变质为大理岩。主峰扇子陡即是由石炭系玉龙灰岩构成。山体南部有石炭系、二叠系玄武岩与灰岩互层。玉龙雪山东麓有白水河与黑水河奇景，这两条河的一条河床发育在石灰层中，另一条则发育于玄武岩中。前者的河底全为白色的石砾，水质清冽;后者则正好相反，石砾黑黄。两河一白一黑，形成特别的景观，现冰川总计有19条，总面积11.61平方公里，其中“白水一号”是目前最具游览条件的冰川。此外，玉龙雪山还有众多的古冰川遗迹，其中包括主峰扇子陡下面的干河坝。干河坝谷底海拔3300米，谷口朝向西南，谷宽300米，两侧灰岩陡壁相对高差达1000米以上，谷坡65~70度，是典型的阿尔卑斯式大型冰川谷。

Locating between 10004’-10016’east longitude and 2703’-2740’ north latitude, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Mountain) is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Consisting of 13 peaks, among which Shanzidou is the highest one with an altitude of 5,600 meters (18,360 feet), Jade Dragon Snow Mountain stretches a length of 35 kilometers (22 miles) and a width of 20 kilometers (13 miles). Looking from Lijiang Old Town in the south which is 15 kilometers (nine miles) away, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

According to the geologists’ research, for about 400 million years the area around Jade Dragon Snow Mountain was the ocean and it was during the last 600 thousand years that the different landscapes had come into being because of the uprising of the lithosphere. Archaic legend about this mysterious and beautiful snow mountain goes like this: Once upon a time, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain were twins. They had lived on panning in Golden Sand River until one day an evil fiend usurped the river. The brothers were very brave and had a fierce fight with the fiend, Haba died in the fight and Jade Dragon drove off the fiend after wearing out 13 swords. For guarding the people and preventing the return of the fiend, Jade Dragon held the 13 swords in hands day and night. As time passed, the brothers had turned into the two snow mountains, and the 13 swords had become the 13 peaks. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a holy mountain for the local Naxi people not only because of the legend, but also because long time ago, it was a place for young lovers to sacrifice their young lives in honor of true love and to escape from the arranged marriages and feudal ethics.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a sanctuary for rare animals and wild plants. In fact, one fourth of all plant species in China can be found here and 20 primeval forest communities shelter a big family of 400 types of trees and 30 kinds of animals which are protected by the state. These species live in different temperature levels and create different kinds of views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The 13 peaks, which have the altitudes of at least 4,000 meters, are covered by snow all year round; the mountain is called the "Natural Glacier Museum" for it has all types of glacier. Move down from the mountaintop and you can see rivers and pools, which are formed by the thawed snow water running along the valley and through the forests. The plants and the animals are different according to the altitude, so are the views. Every sight brings you a surprise and every step takes you to a new scene. Each of the meadows on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain has its own special character due to their different landscape and height. For instance, Yunshanping (Spruce Plateau) is grassland with gigantic spruces whilst Ganhaizi (Dry Sea) used to be a highland lake as its name tells, the meadow was formed after the water had dried up.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain now is a famous scenic spot for sightseeing, mountaineering, skiing, exploration, scientific research and taking holiday. Besides, widespread legends and myths of the Naxi ethnic minority and the unclimbed Shanzidou are all important attractive spots for those who come to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.