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It's said that seeing the Sun Shining over Golden Mountain brings a year's worth of good luck! When the clouds part and the brilliant sunlight shines on the peak, the sacred snow-capped mountains are ablaze with splendor, their gilded peaks awe-inspiring and majestic. This is the sacred phenomenon of "Sun Shining over Golden Mountain"!
Named "China's Most Beautiful Snow Mountain" by National Geographic, Meili Snow Mountain boasts a rare spectacle: the "Golden Mountain Shining Under the Sun." A dazzling golden light descends from the sky onto the summit, creating a breathtaking spectacle resembling a golden Potala Palace. However, to maximize your chances of catching this extraordinary sight, you need to consider weather, time of day, and your viewing location.
You can’t see the Rizhao Jinshan every day in winter! If you want to see the Rizhao Jinshan, you need to check the weather forecast three or four days in advance. If it is sunny a few days before you go to see the Rizhao Jinshan, the probability of seeing the Rizhao Jinshan is still relatively high.
🔸Follow the official account of "Deqin Media Center" and search for the live broadcast of the day.
🔸Search "天天通" on WeChat Xiaocheng to view the specific weather and cloud cover conditions for the next week
🔸Note: It is recommended to refer to the forecast within three days! If the forecast is sunny, the probability of seeing it is very high, so you can go out without hesitation; if the forecast is cloudy, check the wind speed. If the wind speed is strong, the clouds may be blown away, and the probability of seeing it is also high. If the forecast is rainy, the probability of seeing it is low, so it is recommended to postpone travel;
🔸Best viewing time: November to April of the following year. This is the dry season in Yunnan, with less rain and more sunny days. The clouds surrounding the mountain become thinner, the main peak is clearly visible, and the probability of seeing the golden mountain in the sun is higher.
🔸Sunrise Schedule: The "Golden Mountain in the Sun" lasts for a very short time and mostly appears at sunrise. A "Meili Snow Mountain Sunrise Schedule" is particularly important! You can set up your camera position in advance according to the time to avoid missing it.
🔸Feilai Temple Observation Deck: The closest viewing platform to the snow-capped mountains, facing the main peak, Kawagebo, has two floors, with similar angles, depending on personal preference. There is also a telescope on the lower floor, from which you can see every inch of the snow-capped mountains, as well as many white pagodas and prayer flags.
🔸Wu Nong Ding Observation Deck: Also known as the Thirteen White Pagodas Welcoming Deck, it is the best spot to take panoramic photos of the Meili Snow Mountain. From here, you can see the entire Meili Snow Mountain, including the Thirteen Peaks of Prince Edward. It is a classic viewing platform for the Meili Snow Mountain.
🔸Kawagbo Peak Observation Deck: On Route 214 heading to Yubeng, it's about 5 kilometers from the Feilai Temple Observation Deck. From the roadside, you can see Kawagebo up close, facing the overwhelming pressure of the snow-capped mountains. You can also see Goddess Peak, Five Crowns Peak, and General Peak...
🔸Shangyubeng Village: You can see Jiangjun Peak from Shangyubeng Village, which is very different from the magnificent golden mountain in the sky above Feilai Temple. The golden top hidden among the mountains is full of atmosphere.
🔸Xia Yubeng Village: There are fewer obstructions to the view of the mountains. You can see the Goddess Peak and the Five Crowns Peak. The clouds between the mountains suddenly dispersed, and the sunlight hitting the peaks was magnificent.
🔸A tree: There is a chestnut tree on the roadside near Wunongding Village. Local Tibetans call it a sacred tree. Taking photos under the tree is very photogenic.
🔸Xueda Lake: At Xueda Lake next to the Tibetan village of Shuoda Village, you can take pictures of the reflection of the Meili Thirteen Peaks, but there is no accommodation here
Yubeng Village: "Yubeng" means "a place where scriptures are piled" in Tibetan. A mountain stream divides Yubeng into Upper and Lower Villages. Although only 3 kilometers apart, reaching Upper Village requires descending to the valley floor, crossing the Yubeng River, and then climbing a short distance to reach it, a 45-minute hike. Yubeng's charm lies not only in its stunning natural scenery but also in its sacred religious significance: it's a must-see during the Meili Circumambulation.
📍Ice Lake: The ice lake is about 3900m above sea level. It is formed by glacial meltwater and is one of the highest points reached by hiking to Yubeng Village. It is about 2 hours away from the base camp.
📍Sacred Waterfall: Legend has it that the sacred waters of Yubeng Waterfall were brought back from heaven by the god Kawagebo. They can predict fate, ward off disasters, and bestow blessings upon all living beings. This is a must-see for those who circumambulate the inner sutras of Meili. Believers who visit Meili must visit Yubeng Waterfall to bathe in it.
📍Nylon Canyon: It is a beautiful and steep canyon at the foot of Yubeng Village. It is an important passage out of the village after completing the hike to Yubeng Glacier Lake and Shenpu Waterfall.
Named one of China's most beautiful hiking trails by National Geographic, Yubeng, also known as the Meili Inner Turn, is a high-altitude entry-level hike that will leave you in paradise for both your eyes and body. The peak viewing season for Yubeng begins in early November, so avoid peak season and hike through the vibrant autumn forests for a greater chance of catching a glimpse of the Golden Mountain in the sun.
🌟Hiking distance: about 55km in total
🌟Altitude range: 2150-3900 meters
🌟Activity intensity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (medium intensity)
🌟Suitable for people: Outdoor enthusiasts aged 18-65, healthy, without high blood pressure, heart disease or other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases
🚩D1: Lijiang (assembly day)
🚩D2: Lijiang - Shangri-La - Benzilan - Feilai Temple
🚩D3: Feilai Temple - Nanzong Pass - Nanzong Pass - Yubeng Upper Village
🚶The hike was 12km long and took about 7 hours, with an ascent of 1100m and a descent of 570m.
🚩D4: Yubeng Upper Village – Xiaonong Base Camp – Ice Lake – Yubeng Upper Village
🚶 14km hike, about 7 hours, 750m climb, 750m descent
🚩D5: Yubeng Upper Village - Yubeng Lower Village - Divine Waterfall - Yubeng Lower Village
🚶13km hike, took about 6 hours, climbed 600m, and descended 700m
🚩D6: Yubengxia Village - Secret Inn - Nylon Village - Shangri-La
🚶14km hike, about 5 hours, 900m descent
🚩D7: Shangri-La-Lijiang (disbandment day)
🚩How to get to Lijiang?
Airplane: Fly to Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, from the airport to the ancient city
About 30 kilometers, about 50 minutes by taxi, about 70 yuan; you can also take the airport bus, about 80 minutes, 20 yuan per person
Train: Arrive at Lijiang Station. The train station is about 10 kilometers away from the ancient city. A taxi takes about 25 minutes and costs about 20 yuan. You can also take the bus, which takes about 40 minutes and costs 3 yuan per person.
🚩How to enter Yubeng?
The hiking trail from Xidang to Yubeng Village is now open to traffic, and there are some local teams using their own pickup trucks.
Optional car rental/horse riding sections (one-way price reference):
Arrival: Xidang - Yubeng Upper Village, 200 yuan/person; Return: Yubeng Upper Village - Xidang, 150 yuan/person
Entrance: Xidang - Yubengxia Village, 260 yuan/person; Return: Yubengxia Village - Xidang, 200 yuan/person
Xidang-Yakou: 235 yuan per person one way
Yubeng-Ice Lake: 305 yuan/person one-way, 455 yuan/person round trip
Yubeng-Shenpu, 255 yuan/person one-way, 355 yuan round trip
The Yubeng Village Inn provides meals, so you don't need to bring too much food. Simple supplies like hot water, instant noodles, and drinks are available during the hike, but the selection is limited, so it's recommended to bring your own snacks.
Yubeng now has internet and electricity. Except for the hiking section where there is no signal, the village has internet access and most inns offer showers.
In addition to the large bunk beds, Yubeng now also has standard rooms or view rooms, each with its own bathroom. The conditions are average, but overall clean and comfortable.
A standard room typically costs around 200-400 RMB per night, with prices varying depending on the off-season (November to March) and the peak season (April to October). Bookings are recommended in advance during peak seasons, such as holidays.
Mani piles are sacred landmarks in the eyes of Tibetans. When encountering temples, mani piles, or other religious structures, one must circumvent them from left to right. Do not pick up mani stones or sit on them. Do not step over ritual implements or fire basins. Prayer wheels must rotate clockwise, never counterclockwise. For Tibetans, the top of the head is a place of good fortune, so touching someone's head is taboo. Tibetans are always silent and respectful in the mountains, so shouting is forbidden, as it could anger the sacred mountain. When drinking butter tea, guests must wait for the host to hold it in front of them with both hands before accepting it.
Down jackets are essential for keeping warm, but they are not as warm when wet. It is best to choose a down jacket with a filling volume of 150-200 grams for the Mountain Turning Festival.
Tips:
💥Reference for filling amount of down jacket
Above 15℃: Down jackets are not necessary
5 to 15°C: less than 100 grams
0 to 10°C: 100-150g
-10 to 0°C: 150-200g
-20 to -10°C: 200-250g
Below -20℃: 250g or more
🤠Three rules for outdoor clothing
Protective layer: the first line of defense against external weather, directly against wind and rain
Insulation layer: retains body heat that the base layer cannot retain and prevents cold air from entering the body
Sweat-wicking layer: regulates body temperature, prevents overheating or overcooling, eliminates excess sweat, and keeps the body warm
👔Clothing system
1 set of hardshell jacket and pants, 1 set of softshell jacket and pants, 1 fleece/down jacket, 1 set of sweat-wicking jacket and pants, 1-2 sets of spare jacket and pants, 2-3 pairs of wool socks, 1 pair of thin gloves, 1-2 headscarves, 1 sun hat, 1 fleece hat, 1 pair of sunglasses
🥾Shoe system
Hiking shoes, trail running shoes
🎒Carrying system
Large backpack 40-50L, small backpack 30L
🧤Assistive Equipment
Backpack rain cover, thermos cup, waterproof bag, trekking poles, knee pads, headlamp, snow glove, crampons
💊Other equipment
Sunscreen lipstick, sunscreen, electronic devices, personal medicine, personal care products, cash, meals, ID cards
You can do some exercise before the trip to build up your physical fitness, but you should reduce the amount of exercise a week before the trip, combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise. The following exercises with fewer restrictions are recommended:
Running: Exercise lower limb strength and cardiopulmonary function, jogging to exercise endurance, not the pursuit of speed
Cycling: Exercise lower limb strength and cardiopulmonary function
Mountain climbing: comprehensive physical exercise
Wall squats or stair climbing: Exercise lower limb strength and knee endurance
Planks or crunches: These build core strength, which is helpful for maintaining stability and balance on rough terrain.
1. Is there any signal along the way?
The Yubeng hiking route is relatively mature. Yubeng Village and most of the hiking trails have signal. Some sections have poor or no signal (such as Xiaonong Base Camp and above).
2. Will this line cause altitude sickness? If so, how should I deal with it?
Hiking Yubeng at an altitude of 2,150 to 3,860 meters, presents a small but possible risk of altitude sickness. If severe, oxygen therapy and a prompt descent to a lower altitude are recommended. Avoid washing your hair or showering on the first day after entering the plateau, and avoid strenuous exercise. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Tea or plain water is best (carbonated beverages are best avoided). Adding glucose to your water is recommended. Maintain warmth, as the plateau is cold and has a large temperature swing between day and night. A diet high in sugar and high-quality protein is recommended, and drinking butter tea can alleviate altitude sickness. Avoid smoking and avoid or limit alcohol consumption to reduce oxygen consumption.
3. Can I bring a suitcase on this route?
Not recommended. Because you need to walk in and out of Yubeng Village, you need to carry your personal belongings in and out of the village by yourself, which is not convenient for you to carry a suitcase. Team members with poor physical strength can choose to carry their personal belongings in and out of the village by car at their own expense (cost 150-200 yuan/single trip). Because the off-road vehicles in the scenic area can only reach the village entrance, it is not convenient for you to carry a suitcase.
