First Encounter with Meili: Capturing the Golden Sunrise and Sunset Meteor

🏔️ About the Golden Sunrise 🌌 When we arrived at Jiexia Mountain Meili, thick clouds covered the entire mountain range. It was snowing that night, and we climbed to the rooftop terrace where we saw a sky full of stars and a fleeting meteor. 🌅 At six o'clock the next morning, we got up early. The weather forecast still predicted snow, and the mountain peak remained shrouded in clouds. However, before sunrise, the thick clouds dispersed, and Kawagebo peak was completely revealed. The golden sunrise appeared before our eyes without any warning. 🌄 In the evening, thick clouds covered the mountain peak again, and I thought we definitely wouldn't see the sunset glow. Suddenly, a ray of light appeared on Shennu Peak. Sunlight penetrated through the thick cloud layer, radiating from a heart-shaped opening. Not only did we see the golden sunrise, but we also witnessed an exceptionally special golden sunset. - 🛏️ About the Rooms We stayed at Jiexia Mountain Meili for two nights. The first day we stayed in "Chongluan" facing the Baima Snow Mountain, and the second day in "Muyun" facing the Meili Snow Mountain. I don't quite agree with the view that "the fourth-floor observation deck has great views so you only need to stay in the cheapest room." Each room has its own special design features, and watching the snow-capped mountains and sea of clouds from your own room is even more moving. Due to its geographical location, transportation and supplies are very inconvenient, and operating costs are high, so I don't think the room rates are excessive. There are indeed some shortcomings, such as the bathroom, which should be the warmest place, doesn't have floor heating; it's excessively dry in winter; and some areas appear a bit old. But overall, I think these minor flaws don't overshadow its merits. (We also visited the most expensive standalone room "Wunong Dingshang," but the viewing angle isn't great and the room is excessively large - not necessary at all 🙈) - 🏞 About the Environment The hotel's public spaces are full of wabi-sabi style, with every corner worth appreciating, not to mention the fourth-floor observation deck. Some people complain that the hotel's exterior looks like an earthy-colored small building similar to a guesthouse. I believe they must not have gone out to see the entire Wunongding Village. The hotel's exterior design is a simplified version of a Tibetan building, distinguishing itself from villagers' homes while incorporating a certain style. Wunongding Village is beautiful. If you're just going with the mindset of taking trendy photos of the golden sunrise through the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows and then completely dismiss it because you didn't get good weather, it's really not worth enduring hours of mountain roads and risking bad weather just for a check-in photo. On the contrary, if you truly love traveling, you can join the hotel's village hiking activities. This small village has much more to explore and experience. - 💁🏻 About the Service Based on our experience this time, all hotel staff, whether local Tibetans or Han Chinese employees, were very friendly and enthusiastic. They answered all our questions and helped solve all our needs. The enthusiastic management brother (reportedly the vice president?) took us to see the night view of Deqin County and even helped scrape frost off our car windows before we left. After staying for two days, it really felt like coming home. - With an optimistic attitude, all scenery you see is beautiful, while a critical eye can only see unpleasant flaws. -