Live Your Best Lives
Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Hiking—places that sound both sacred and challenging—have been conquered time and again. If you're not going to heaven, then Yubeng is the place everyone wants to visit, but for different reasons. Some seek self-discovery through pilgrimage, while others seek to witness the sacred beauty of the snow-capped mountains. So, what's your reason for visiting Yubeng?
The Meili Snow Mountain, a vast, north-south snow-capped mountain range located east of Zayu County, Tibet, and west of Yunling Township, Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, stretches 150 kilometers. It is a renowned pilgrimage site in Tibet and a sacred site circumambulated by people from the Kham region (Qinghai, Gansu, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet). Thirteen peaks, with an average elevation of over 6,000 meters, are commonly known as the "Thirteen Peaks of the Prince."
The main peak, Kawagebo, means "White Snow Mountain" in Tibetan and is revered by Tibetans as the "God of Snow Mountains." At 6,740 meters, it is Yunnan's highest peak, a virgin peak that has yet to be climbed. It is also the only peak prohibited for climbing due to cultural protection. The relative height difference is 4,740 meters, and there are six climatic zones from low to high altitude.
The Meili Snow Mountain is renowned for its majestic grandeur and enigmatic beauty. Legend has it that if one is fortunate enough to see Mount Kawagebo in its true form, then upon ascending the Potala Palace in the future, one will be able to see its silhouette amidst the colorful clouds southeast of the peak. This testament to the mountain's height, its far-reaching brilliance, and its lofty position in the hearts of Tibetans.
Many people are unfamiliar with the term "circumambulation." It's a form of prayer in Tibetan Buddhism. Legend has it that Kawagebo was originally a sacred mountain of the Bon religion, but was later conquered by Guru Padmasambhava, becoming one of the four sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism. The circumambulation route has been practiced for over 700 years, yet it's little known.
Many people know about Meili Snow Mountain and Kawagebo because of the unforgettable glimpse of the golden mountain in the sun. Even more well-known is the catastrophic mountain disaster that occurred in 1991 when a joint Chinese and Japanese academic mountaineering team participated.
Merlin turned inward, the rain collapsed into a divine waterfall, and under the double rainbow, I suddenly realized the obsession of several lifetimes and let go of the obsession of several lifetimes.
Yubeng Village boasts a unique geographical environment and is sparsely populated. Since ancient times, it has been connected to the outside world by a single horse and horse post road, creating a sense of seclusion and tranquility. Experts both domestically and internationally consider it a miniature Shangri-La. Consequently, Yubeng Village has become a popular destination for visitors seeking to venerate the sacred mountain.
Located on the south side of Mount Kawagebo, the Yubeng Waterfall cascades down from a cliff. Tibetans practice bathing in the Yubeng Waterfall as a spiritual practice. "Yubeng" means scripture, and the waterfall is said to contain holy water brought back from heaven by the deity Kawagebo. It can predict a person's fate, ward off disasters, and bring blessings to all living beings.
Yubeng Glacier Lake is located at an altitude of about 3,800 meters, about an hour's drive from the Xiaonong Base Camp. The lake is a deep green lake formed by the melting snow from the glaciers of Meili Snow Mountain, and is known as the Holy Lake of Meili Snow Mountain.
The glacial lake is a typical ice-stained lake, formed by glacial movement eroding the surface. The dark blue glacier and the emerald green lake water complement each other.
Xiaonong Base Camp was built in 1991 by a joint Chinese and Japanese mountaineering team as the base camp for climbing Kagebo Peak on the Meili Snow Mountain. That year, all seventeen Chinese and Japanese climbers perished in what became known as the '91 Mountain Disaster.
It is recommended to complete the journey from Yubeng to Shangri-La in 4 days so that the trip will not be too tight and physical discomfort caused by going too fast or too slow can be avoided.
D1: Feilai Temple - Xidang Village (2635m) - Nanzong Pass (3729m) - Yubeng Upper Village (3228m)
Get up early and go to the Pearl Laka Observation Deck to watch the [Sunset over the Meili Snow Mountain] and pray devoutly to the sacred mountain Kawagebo.
After breakfast, we'll drive to Xidang Village, the starting point for the Meilinei Yubeng trek (approximately one hour). Circumambulating the mountain is a form of prayer in Tibetan Buddhism. Kawagebo is one of the four sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism.
From the entrance to the scenic area, we ascended, stopping at a rest stop for a quick break. We then crossed the Nanzong Pass and continued downhill to Yubeng Upper Village, where we checked in. Yubeng Village boasts a unique geographical environment and is sparsely populated. Since ancient times, only a single horse and horse post road led to the outside world, creating a sense of tranquility.
Tips:
Breakfast: You can order at Feilai Temple
Lunch: There is a small shop before arriving at Nanzong Pass, which provides simple supplies such as hot water, instant noodles, and drinks.
Dinner: You can order at the Yubeng Village Inn
Hiking distance: about 10KM
Hiking time: about 6 hours
Day 2: Yubeng Upper Village (3228m) - Xiaonong Base Camp (3623m) - Ice Lake (3864m) - Yubeng Upper Village - Yubeng Lower Village (3054m)
After breakfast, we set out, passing through the sea buckthorn forest at the village entrance and entering the primeval forest. After crossing the Xiaonong Pass, Jiangjun Peak is right in front of us. After taking photos at the viewing platform, we continue on to Xiaonong Base Camp, the former camp of the Sino-Japanese mountaineering team climbing Mount Kawagebo.
At noon, you can have a simple lunch at the base camp, then go to the Ice Lake for a visit. At an appropriate time, you can descend the same route and return to the Yubeng Village Inn to rest.
Tips:
When heading to the glacial lake, you can leave your luggage at the Yubeng Upper Village Inn and bring it to the Yubeng Lower Village for check-in after you descend.
Tips:
Breakfast: You can order breakfast at the Yubeng Village Inn
Lunch: There is a small shop at the Xiaonong Base Camp, which can provide simple supplies such as hot water, instant noodles, and drinks
Dinner: You can order at the Yubeng Village Inn
Hiking distance: about 14 km
Hiking time: about 7 hours
Day 3: Yubengxia Village (3054m) - Shenpu Waterfall (3657m) - Yubengxia Village (3054m)
After breakfast, we set out on foot through the primeval forest and alpine pastures to reach the [God Waterfall].
The Divine Waterfall, formed by the cascading meltwater from the snow-capped mountains, offers a panoramic view of the Five Crowns Peak. The Divine Waterfall beneath the snowy mountains is where pilgrims receive baptism and is the heart of the pilgrimage. Only after being baptized in the divine waters can the pilgrimage be considered complete, cleansing both the mind and body. After circumambulating the Divine Waterfall, return to Yubeng Village to rest.
Tips:
Breakfast: You can order breakfast at the Yubeng Village Inn
Lunch: There are small shops along the way that provide simple supplies such as hot water, instant noodles, and drinks
Dinner: You can order at the Yubeng Village Inn
Hiking distance: about 11 km
Hiking time: about 5 hours
Day 4: Yubengxia Village (3054m) - Secret Inn (2350m) - Ninon Canyon (2150m) - Shangri-La
After breakfast in Yubeng Village, take a final photo with the snow-capped mountains, then walk down the Yubeng River and through the Ninon Canyon to exit the village (the road is narrow in this section, so please be careful during the hike). Then, take a bus to Shangri-La.
Tips:
Breakfast: You can order breakfast at the Yubeng Village Inn
Lunch: Deqin can order food
Dinner: A la carte at Shangri-La
Hiking distance: about 14 km
Hiking time: about 4 hours
1. How difficult and strenuous is the Yubeng hike?
A: The Yubeng hike reaches altitudes between 2,150 and 3,900 meters, making it a high-altitude hike of moderate difficulty. The total distance is approximately 55 kilometers, with the longest single-day hike being approximately 24 kilometers. The intensity is moderate to high. Active outdoor enthusiasts should be able to complete the entire hike.
A: The hiking section can be completed in three days (challenge) or four days (comfort), with the total mileage being the same.
2. Will I experience altitude sickness while hiking Yubeng? How should I deal with altitude sickness?
Answer: The highest altitude during the trip does not exceed 3,900 meters, and the oxygen content in Yubeng Village, the accommodation point, is relatively sufficient. If you maintain a good attitude and get enough rest, most people will not suffer from altitude sickness.
Answer: Mild altitude sickness mostly presents symptoms such as headache, nausea, drowsiness, and poor sleep. In most cases, the human body can adapt through self-regulation. If the symptoms persist and do not improve, the most effective measure is to descend to a lower altitude area in time. It is not recommended to rely on oxygen inhalation to persevere.
3. When is the best time to go hiking in Yubeng?
Answer: You can hike Yubeng all year round. In summer, the temperature is suitable and the oxygen content is richer, but there is more rain, so the probability of seeing the Meili Sunshine Golden Mountain is relatively low. In winter, the temperature is lower and you may encounter snowfall, but the climate is stable, so the probability of seeing the Meili Sunshine Golden Mountain is relatively high.
4. What outdoor gear do I need to bring when hiking Yubeng?
Answer: In addition to matching clothes according to different seasons, you also need to bring hiking shoes, trekking poles (single or double poles can be used depending on your usage habits, double poles are recommended), a thermos (drink more hot water when hiking at high altitudes), a headlamp (it gets dark early in winter, so be prepared), and large and small backpacks (the large backpack is used to store items that are not needed for hiking, and the small backpack is used to carry the necessities for three days of hiking).
5. What kind of physical exercise should I do before hiking?
Answer: Maintain a stable amount of exercise at ordinary times. You can run or climb mountains in low-altitude areas. The main purpose is to train physical fitness and cardiopulmonary function. Reduce the amount of exercise appropriately about a week before departure to ensure adequate rest.
6. Can I ride a mule during the hike?
Answer: There is a road from Xidang Village to Yubeng Upper Village, and the price is about 200 yuan/one way/parking space; from Yubeng Lower Village to Ninon Canyon, you can choose to rent a mule, and the price is about 350 yuan/one way; riding a mule is not recommended. First, the experience is not good and it is uncomfortable to sit. Second, many sections of the road are relatively narrow. If the mule is frightened, it is easy to cause an accident, so try to insist on walking down the road by yourself.
7. Are there any resupply points during the hike?
A: There will be a few supply points along the way, but they cannot be guaranteed, and the variety of supplies is limited, so you still need to bring an appropriate amount of water and food.
8. What are the accommodation conditions like in Yubeng Village?
Answer: Yubeng Village is located in the hinterland of Meili Snow Mountain, and transportation is extremely inconvenient, so the overall facilities are average. Please be mentally prepared.
No matter what the reason for choosing to hike to Yubeng, we must prioritize our lives. When altitude sickness is severe, we must follow the advice of the guide and accompanying personnel and not force ourselves to do anything. After all, what we see and gain will only be meaningful when we are conscious.
