Shangri-La Secret Journey｜Encounter Meili Snow Mountain and Balagezong in One Day

Do you have a dream of chasing a golden light? 🌅
If your group is no more than 2 people; if you want to save money and time; if you want 3⃣ amazing experiences in just 15 hours (eyes in heaven, body in hell)—
👇👇👇 This guide is perfect for you 👇👇👇

⏰ Duration: 3:30 AM - 8:00 PM
🚐 Carpool Route:
Shangri-La → Feilai Temple (sunrise at Meili Snow Mountain) → Balagezong
📱 Book one day in advance
💰 Price: ¥180/person (for reference)

🌸🌸 1st Experience 🌸🌸 Golden Sunrise Over Snow Mountain
Check your luck before departure ☀☀☀
🖥 Visit "MOUNTAIN FORECAST" website
🔎 Search "KAWAGEBO"
🖱 Select 3000m
▶️ Check the weather for your date (available only 2 days prior, refresh around 3 PM to confirm)
❤️ CLEAR ❤️ means perfect conditions!
Itinerary 1
📌 Stargazing opposite Baima Snow Mountain
Itinerary 2
📌 Feilai Temple Viewing Platform → 🌅 Golden Sunrise 🌅
• Rush to the platform and set up your camera
• Best shooting time: 20 minutes before and after sunrise
• Make a wish when you see the "Golden Sunrise" (locals say it’s a blessing from the sacred mountain)

🌸🌸 2nd Experience 🌸🌸 Faith in the Sacred Mountain
💡 Balagezong → Once a hidden village missing from maps, it was connected to the world by an extraordinary man, Sinadingzhu, who spent 10 years and took on ¥1.5 billion in debt to build this road to heaven 💪💪💪
📍 First Leg: Balagezong Scenic Area
🎟 ¥160 (discounted price on Gaode, original ¥170～includes shuttle bus)
🚌 Route: Goddess Mountain → Balazhuomalakang (museum) → ❤️ Echo Wall ❤️ → Balag Village → Grand Canyon (rafting available for ¥120)
📍 Second Leg: Balagezong → Buddha Stupa (assess your physical condition)
🎟 ¥75 (buy at the ticket office or at Echo Wall if you feel okay with altitude)
📌 1:30 PM 🚌 Transfer at Echo Wall to Buddha Stupa
🏔 Over 4000m altitude, 10+ consecutive hairpin turns, 40-minute ride proves the pilgrimage is tough (a bit uncomfortable 😣)
❤️ The bus stops for 30 mins—enough time to approach the snow mountain for photos
💡 The stupa is a sacred mountain, also called "Little Mount Kailash"
😍 A day filled with powerful energy!!

🌸🌸 3rd Experience 🌸🌸 Be a Brave Explorer
📌 3:40 PM Return to Echo Wall for a hike (2.8 km round trip, 40-50 mins)
This is where you truly feel the majesty of Balagezong’s cliffs and valleys—highly recommended!!
⭕️ Walk along sheer cliffs overlooking a 3000m-deep canyon
⭕️ At the trail’s end, choose your "brave" challenge:
✅ Open-grate walkway ✅ Glass sky platform (¥1 for shoe covers)
✅ High-altitude suspension bridge (¥120)

——⚠️ Practical Tips ——
1️⃣ Altitude Sickness: Avoid showers on the first day, carry headache meds (tested! Works even at 4000m)
2️⃣ Clothing: Large temperature swings—light down jacket + windbreaker is best
3️⃣ Transport: From Lijiang/Dali, hire a driver (ours knew all the best photo spots)
4️⃣ Hidden Gem: Ask the driver to take you to Balag Village—the hidden village is breathtaking

Honestly, when the first light of dawn touches Kawagarbo’s peak, you’ll suddenly understand why Tibetans prostrate before sacred mountains...