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To explore all the attractions in Yubeng, you'll need at least 4-5 days. A typical trip to Yubeng takes four days: one day from the hot springs to Yubeng, one day from Yubeng to Base Camp, and one day from Yubeng to the Divine Waterfall, with the fourth day returning. Those entering Yubeng via the Yubeng River Valley (Ninon Route) can exit via the pass, completing a loop and seeing different sights without backtracking.
D1: Feilai Temple → Xidang → Nazong Pass → Shangyubeng
D2: Shangyubeng → Xiaonong Base Camp → Ice Lake → Return to Shangyubeng
D3: Upper Yubeng → Lower Yubeng → Divine Waterfall → Lower Yubeng
D4: Rainbow → Alpine pasture → Camping in the mountains at night
D5: Pasture → God Lake → Rainfall
D6: Xiayubeng → Yubeng Valley → Ninon → Xidang
Day 1: In the morning, in Deqin County, you can rent a car with other hikers to Xidang. If it's too late, consider staying overnight at Xidang Hot Springs and departing the next morning. If time permits, you can rent a mule or hike directly from Xidang to Yubeng. There are two rest stops between Xidang and Nazong Pass. Each one sells instant noodles, rice cakes, butter tea, and boiled water (8 yuan per pot). If you're not used to eating, bring some dry food. The mule ride takes about three hours to reach Nazong Pass. After resting at the pass, you'll begin your descent, reaching Shang Yubeng Village in about an hour. (The trail from Xidang to Nazong Pass is quite difficult, sometimes requiring a hike. The trail from the pass to Xia Yubeng is relatively easy to navigate.) Upon arrival in Yubeng Village, stay at an inn. Yubeng's nights are breathtakingly beautiful, with twinkling stars.
Day 2: After breakfast, we headed to the glacial lake with our guide. The distance from Yubeng to the glacial lake is approximately 22 kilometers. The hike from Yubeng to Base Camp takes 3.5 hours, and from Base Camp to the glacial lake takes about 2 hours. The path from Yubeng to Base Camp is mostly a relatively gentle 30-degree mountain road. The next step is to cross a pass, where the path becomes steeper. Water and instant noodles are available for sale at Base Camp, so it's best to pack light. After a short rest at Base Camp, we continued upstream to the glacial lake.
Day 3: Depart from Shangyubeng and arrive at Xiayubeng. Have breakfast and stay overnight at the Shenpu Inn in Xiayubeng, then head to Shenpu. There's only one path from Shangyubeng to Xiayubeng and then to Shenpu, so don't worry about getting lost. The path is easy at first, then gradually becomes steeper. Along the way, you'll see many fluttering prayer flags before finally reaching Shenpu. Visit the waterfall, pray, and then return to the Shenpu Inn in Xiayubeng to rest. (If you're short on time or don't plan to visit Shenhu, you can return to Shangyubeng Village and take the Xidang Line back to Feilai Temple the next day.)
Day 4: The trail to Shenhu Lake is full of forks, most of which are used by cattle and sheep. Some sections require climbing, making the path quite difficult and prone to getting lost. Be sure to hire a local guide. The vegetation distribution changes vertically as the altitude increases. The scenery along the way is beautiful, with meadows, seas of flowers, and even snow lotus blooms in July. However, the hike is quite strenuous. If you're not pressed for time, you can camp at the alpine pasture below the pass and enjoy stargazing at night and sunrise in the morning.
D5: After breakfast, continue to head towards Shenhu Lake. You can see different beautiful scenery along the way. After arriving at Shenhu Lake, return to Xiayubeng along the same route.
Day 6: Return to Deqin County from Xiayubeng via the Ni-Nong Route. It's best to hire a local guide in Xiayubeng Village, though this will be expensive. The return path along the Ni-Nong Route is narrow and dangerous, with steep cliffs below, so be extremely careful. From Xiayubeng to Ni-Nong, you'll pass a pasture. Continuing on, you'll see the old Ni-Nong Bridge (the new cable-stayed bridge may take an extra hour). After crossing the bridge, you can hail a car along the highway back to Deqin or Feilai Temple. (Note: Inexperienced hikers are advised to return via the Xidang Route.)
D1: Feilai Temple → Xidang Hot Spring → Nazongla Pass → Shangyubeng → Xiayubeng, overnight in Xiayubeng
D2: Lower Yubeng → Shenpu → Upper Yubeng, stay at Upper Yubeng
Day 3: Shangyubeng → Ice Lake → Base Camp → Nazongla Pass → Xidang Hot Spring → Mingyong Village, Overnight
D4: Mingyong Village → Mingyong Glacier → Prince Temple → Lotus Temple → Mingyong Village → Feilai Temple
D1: Feilai Temple → Xidang Hot Spring → Nazongla Pass → Shangyubeng → Xiayubeng, overnight in Xiayubeng
D2: Lower Yubeng → Shenpu → Upper Yubeng, stay at Upper Yubeng
Day 3: Shangyubeng → Ice Lake → Base Camp → Nazongla Pass → Xidang Hot Spring → Feilai Temple
D1: Feilai Temple → Xidang Hot Spring → Nazongla Pass → Shangyubeng → Xiayubeng, overnight in Xiayubeng
D2: Lower Yubeng → Shen Waterfall → Upper Yubeng → Nazongla Pass → Xidang Hot Spring → Feilai Temple