Liming
Also known as: Laojunshan, 老君山, Li Ming
Laojunshan National Park sandstone towers, Lisu villages, terraced valleys
The climbing
What there is to climb at Liming, and whether a mixed-ability group can split up here.
323 routes (theCrag); ~315 in Rakkup guide
The Great Owl 5.9; Charlie the Unicorn 5.8; Soul's Awakening 5.10d (7-pitch); Clam Digger 5.11b; Sinister Rouge 5.12a; The Black Hole 5.13
Pillars/Guardian Valley moderate cracks for learners; Dinner Wall and long multi-pitch for advanced trad
Best for trad-capable groups; premier Asian crack area; sport limited (El Dorado, Liguang)
Rock & setting
Danxia red sandstone; solid but FAs need cleaning; sandy when wet
Splitter and varying-width cracks, corners, chimneys; vertical to slightly overhung; multi-pitch to 200m+
Multiple valley aspects; chase sun or shade by wall
Quiet, low-traffic; solitude common midweek
Season & conditions
Autumn-spring dry; avoid summer wet season
Oct-Apr
Danxia red-glow walls; cool dry autumn friction
Summer monsoon rain, wet cracks; winter cold snaps at altitude. Confirm.
Approach & gear
Within Laojunshan National Park; park/village fees possible; check current status. Confirm.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Varied 10-40 min hikes from village/road to buttresses
Fly/train to Lijiang (~2h) or Dali (~5h) then bus/car to Liming village
Double/triple cam rack incl wides, offsets; 60-70m rope; limited signal; Rakkup app guide
Village guesthouses (Qianli Zhiwai, Foguang); homestays in Liguang; basic camping
Small village shops/food; no gear shop, bring full rack
Bolting & safety
Trad protection with some bolt anchors; community rebolting fund active. Confirm.
Sandy cracks when damp, loose FA cleaning, run-out trad, remote rescue
Trad experience needed; guiding via Mike Dobie / Ana Pautler
Remote; Lijiang hospital ~2h; self-rescue essential
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand crag report. Coordinates are approximate.