The Hidden Glacier Heartland of Meili Snow Mountain Worth Visiting, Yet Overlooked by Many

The Hidden Glacier Heartland of Meili Snow Mountain Worth Visiting, Yet Overlooked by Many||I don’t know how many people share this inexplicable yearning for snow-capped mountains like I do, which led me to Meili Snow Mountain.

I set aside two days to witness the golden sunrise over the mountains. At dawn, the viewing platforms at Feilai Temple and Wunongding were packed with crowds. But as soon as the sunrise ended, most people hurried away, leaving the areas nearly empty. Yet, still craving more, we chose to go against the flow—heading to the Mingyong Glacier at the foot of Kawagarbo Peak!

A few awe-inspiring facts about this sacred mountain and glacier:
🔸 Kawagarbo is the foremost of Tibet’s eight sacred mountains.
🔸 Mingyong Glacier is the longest glacier in the Meili Snow Mountain range.
🔸 Yet, over the past 20 years, it has retreated by more than 500 meters.

There’s no direct shuttle from Feilai Temple to the glacier, so we hired a private car (prices are fairly transparent). Crossing the Lancang River, we wound our way up to Mingyong Village, deep in the mountains. The bumpy ride prompted our driver to sigh: "A few years ago, there were so many tourists we couldn’t keep up. Now, hardly anyone comes…"

At the glacier site, tickets cost ¥45, and the shuttle (highly recommended) is ¥75. The winding road led us to the shuttle’s endpoint, where only four people began the hike. The trail was destroyed by avalanches, forcing us to trek along a muddy horse path. The sound of glacial meltwater echoed through the forest, and the closer we got to the snow-capped peaks, the more it felt like an adventure.

But when we finally stood before the glacier—I was stunned. The ice tongue had turned completely "blackened," with terrifying fissures and only scattered ice chains barely holding it together. This was the tangible reality of climate change.

Then, the chanting from Lotus Temple reached us. A solitary monk struck a bell rhythmically, and in that moment, everything felt strangely healing.

Some honest takeaways:
1️⃣ It’s so uncrowded it feels like a private tour, but the trail is rough—go with companions.
2️⃣ The horse path is muddy; wear slip-resistant shoes!
3️⃣ Altitude ranges from ~2,800m to 3,400m—watch for altitude sickness.
4️⃣ Trekking poles are optional (I didn’t use them and managed fine).
5️⃣ Almost entirely uphill—not recommended for those with weak knees or mobility issues.
6️⃣ The ascent took us 3 hours (with lots of photo stops); descent was quicker at 1 hour.
7️⃣ Key stops along the trail: Prince Temple and the final destination, Lotus Temple.
8️⃣ The glacier view from Lotus Temple is breathtaking, with the towering Kawagarbo looming overhead—an indescribable sight.

If you plan to visit Mingyong Glacier, check the weather first. Clear days are ideal; otherwise, clouds may obscure the peaks, diminishing the views and making the trek harder.