### **Yubeng Village Travel Guide: A Hiker's Paradise, Hidden Gem Beneath Meili Snow Mountain**
**📍 Best Season**: **May-October** (Autumn is ideal, with stable weather and clear mountain views).
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### **🚗 Transportation Guide**
1. **Entry Points to Yubeng**:
- **Xidang Village** (Entry fee: ¥55, accessible by hiking or off-road vehicle).
- **Ninong Village** (No entry fee, but the trail is steeper, suitable for experienced hikers).
2. **How to Reach Xidang Village**:
- **From Shangri-La/Lijiang**: Take a bus to **Deqin County**, then transfer to **Xidang Hot Springs** (Off-road vehicle to the village costs ¥200-260/person).
- **Self-drive**: Park at Xidang Hot Springs parking lot, then switch to scenic area vehicles for entry.
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### **🏞️ Classic 3-Day Hiking Route**
**Day 1: Xidang Village → Upper Yubeng Village**
- **Hike/Off-road vehicle** into Yubeng (Hiking takes ~6 hours, crossing a 3,700m pass).
- **Accommodation**: Upper Yubeng Village (Recommended: "Butter Tea Guesthouse," with stunning mountain views).
**Day 2: Upper Yubeng → Ice Lake → Lower Yubeng**
- **Ice Lake Trail** (8 hours round trip): Trek through primeval forests to **Xiaonong Base Camp**, ending at **Ice Lake** (3,800m altitude).
- **Accommodation**: Lower Yubeng Village (convenient for the next day's Sacred Waterfall hike).
**Day 3: Lower Yubeng → Sacred Waterfall → Exit Village**
- **Sacred Waterfall Trail** (5 hours round trip): A Tibetan pilgrimage site with a majestic waterfall; you can circle it for blessings.
- **Exit Options**:
- **Hike through Ninong Grand Canyon** (~4 hours, featuring cliffside trails and Lancang River scenery).
- **Off-road vehicle back to Xidang Village** (¥200/person).
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### **🌟 Must-Visit Attractions**
1. **Ice Lake**: An emerald lake formed by glacial meltwater from Meili Snow Mountain, the ultimate goal for hikers.
2. **Sacred Waterfall**: A sacred site in Tibetan Buddhism; the waterfall's flow varies by season and may freeze in winter.
3. **Ninong Grand Canyon**: A classic exit route with breathtaking cliffs and river valleys.
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### **🍽️ Local Delicacies**
- **Yak Meat Hotpot** (Essential for staying warm in high-altitude cold).
- **Butter Tea + Tsampa (Barley Pancakes)** (Tibetan breakfast staples).
- **Matsutake Mushroom Chicken Stew** (Seasonal, available during rainy months, rich and fragrant).
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### **💡 Practical Tips**
1. **Altitude Sickness**: Prepare oxygen bottles and glucose; avoid intense activity in the first two days.
2. **Gear**: Waterproof hiking boots, windproof jacket, trekking poles, sunscreen (strong UV rays).
3. **Eco-Friendly**: Carry out all trash; no pollution at the sacred mountain's base.
4. **Accommodation**: Book in advance; village guesthouses are basic but offer unbeatable views.
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**📌 Summary**: Yubeng Village is a hiker's paradise, blending snow-capped peaks, forests, waterfalls, and Tibetan culture. The 3-day route covers the highlights. **"Body in hell, eyes in heaven"**—are you ready for the challenge?
Post by Gastronomy Globetrotter | May 25, 2025
