2024 Meri Snow Mountain Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)

The Hike to Ice Lake - Yubeng

Getting There - From the Upper Yubeng Village, it is about two hours’ hike to reach Yakou with an alititude of 3,700 meters. Then you will pass through a primitive forest to reach the Base Camp. From there, it’s another one hour’s hike to reach the Ice Lake. I hiked from upper Yubeng village to the Iced Lake for less than three hours one way and honestly the views along the way were absolutely stunning - having traveled to quite some places I have never seen anything like that in the entire world. It is literally out of the world. When you reach the Iced Lake, you will see that it is a dark green lake that is formed by the melting snow water from the Meili Snow Mountain. The blue glaciers and the green lake complement each other, as melt water from the glaciers and snow falls from the cliff constantly replenishing the lake. #hiking #yunnan #naturalwonders #nationalpark #wintergetaway #awesomepic

The Hike to Sacred Waterfall - Yubeng

Getting There - The trail to Sacred Waterfall from Yubeng village is one of the three main hiking trails that travelers explore in Yubeng. From upper Yubeng village, the hike takes around four hours (three in my case) depending on your speed but it is definitely at beginners’ level as the trail is already well paved. Along the way you will see primitive forests, wild animals roaming freely, colorful prayer flags, stones piled up for prayers, and of course a beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail. I finished the hike on the same day after I hiked from Xidang village to Upper Yubeng village so it was around 40km in total for that day. And I did it only because this trail is really easy. For anyone at beginners’ level I highly recommend this trail as it’s beautiful and overall relaxing if you are not carrying big backpacks. #hiking #naturalwonders #tigeryear2022 #nationalpark #wintergetaway #awesomepic #

Sacred Waterfall(神瀑)

Sacred Waterfall is about 6kms from lower Yubeng Village. There is already a paved trail leading to the Sacred Waterfall, so don't worry that you will get lost or sth. First you will walk through the forest along the stream with many 玛尼堆s piled up. There are also several pavilions you can rest a bit. But if the squirrels see you, they will run over or jump on you for food. In the middle, there is a store selling yak milk which was pretty yummy and snacks. The boss also raises some lovely and docile horses, I can't help touching them though I was a little bit afraid😅 It took me around 3 hours to reach the top with a wild area of prayer flags. Unfortunately, it was winter time, so no waterfall, instead of some ice fall But it's a stunning view, the colorful prayer flags waving in the white snow. It's said your dream will come true if you pray under the waterfall sincerely. So if you go there, do remember to make a wish! I wanna go back again in May or June when it's green with flowers, as well as falling waterfall. #momentsmission #hikingtrails #hike #waterfalls

Yubeng Village（雨崩村)| An Idyllic Land

Yubeng Village is an idyllic land of 3000m altitude with only 2 available roads from Xidang Village or Ninong direction. It takes 6-8 hours to hike into the village from Xidang Village or 1 hour drive (cost 200 RMB, other cars are not allowed to drive into the village as it's really difficult to drive). It was stunning all along not only because of the virgin forest with snow, but also the amazing snow mountains, which you will feel so close to. The village is seperated as upper village and lower village with 900m altitude difference, takes 35-40 minutes to reach. Staying in upper village, you can enjoy two snow mountains: 神女峰 & 五佛峰, and a nice view of lower village, closer to the Icy Lake(冰湖). While in lower village, there is a temper and small lake with the reflection of the snow mountain, feels like a drawing, it's closer to Sacred Waterfall（神瀑）and Sacred Lake（神湖）and the Ninong valley. In the morning, you can enjoy morning bell ring of the cows, early sunrise reflecting on the snow mountains; enjoy the forest or stream at noon, and sunset in lower village. What else can we ask for!? #momentsmission #vacation

Icy Lake(冰湖)| Stunning Hike

The Icy Lake near Yubeng Village is about 3800m height, which takes 4-5 hours to arrive and 3 hours to go back. It's my first snow hiking trail, kinda of super excited. First we will come across a farm, then all the way up into the forest with more and more snow piling up. It's unbelievable how those lovely and bold those squirrels are. They just came into us and even jump onto us for food, eat and carry some back to their home. There is a platform where we can have a quite open view of the icy lake, and forest decorated with snow, what a Christmas vibe! Coming down from the platform, here comes my favourite part：super thick snow in the forest! Can't help laying down and have fun, while other people have a snowball fight! Hahaha~ After 1.5 hours hike through another farm, and a small peak, we finally arrived the gorgeous Icy Lake covered in white, with some glaciers on the top. Beautiful as it is, but watch out when you walk around the lake as there are constantly icy bricks or rocks falling down. Here are some photos! #momentsmission #hikingtrails #hike #hikingadventures

Glacier hiking in Yunnan ❣🙏

I spent two nights in Deqin of Shangri-la County in Yunnan, mainly to visit the Meili Snow Mountain. Unfortunately the clouds around the mountain range never fully cleared up but anyhow I found another highlight which was the hike up to the Mingyong Glacier. The Mingyong Glacier is just below the main peak of the 6,740m high Kawagebo. From the hotel it took a bit more than an hour by car to get to Mingyong Village, where I paid about US$12 for a ticket to visit the glacier. From the ticket office, I had to drive another 10 minutes or so to get to the park entrance. The path up to the top observation deck was about eight kilometers and an ascendance of more than 1000 meters. To get to the top observation deck, one could take the elevated wooden pathway running parallel to the old unpaved dirt road which used to be the only way up until a few years ago. The dirt road is still in use by construction workers and their donkeys which hauled heavy building materials up the mountain. If you want to challenge your physical capability you can try the dirt road – there are ample opportunities for you to get back to the wooden pathway. However, you may want to save your energy for the last stretch of the climb. The wooden pathway was reasonably well built, but the hike took me about two hours, partly because I often stopped to take photos but also because walk up at high altitude area was quite an exhausting exercise. Finally, I came to a small plateau where there was a Taizi (crown prince) Temple. From this point onward, the climb became much more steep and it felt like never ending 🤣. I did get to the top observation deck and I really enjoyed the view of the scenery around me. The glacier shrinks quite significantly every summer (presumably because it is located in low latitude as well as in low altitude). Therefore parts of the lower Glacier is very dark due to rocks and dirt which is quite natural but a good reminder to humanity that we need to preserve our nature! At Taizi Temple, the old dirt road continues upward to the Lianhua (Lotus) Temple at an elevation of 3,470m (quite a bit higher than the top observation deck at a mere 3,150m). I'm luckily I brought my childhood snack, Snickers, with me so I sat down at the top and enjoyed the quietness of my surrounding and interestingly I even heard the nearby ice cracking. #themepark#nationalpark#lakes

Yubeng village, the hide village

there are 2 ways to get there, both arrive in Xidang （西当), then you can choose to hike till Yubeng which it's taking about 6-7 hours, or use the car which the cost is 200 rmb per person. there are 3 main hikes to do it: the glacier lake, will take around 8-9 hours go and back, it's super nice, the hike is pretty hard for the water falls, it takes 5 hours, the path is made complete by concrete so not so good, the water falls are nice, you can walk under them and drink the water. the third one, I didn't do so I can't say how it is. both the hikes I did, unfortunately there's rubbish around even if there are rubbish bin and behind the house where you can buy water, it's very dirty. there are many hotels to choose, depends on your budget, some are in construction, I stayed whole the time in upper Yubeng which from my point of view has better view. #waterfall#beautifulsunsets#naturalwonders#hiking#nationalpark#lakes

Hike to Glacial Lake at 3600m!

Getting There -  Start this hike from Upper Yubeng Village Attractions - Many prayer flags and sites along the way. The trail is marked with red flags and a great viewing platform half way. It’s quite steep in some parts. I completed this hike in 5 hours. Hotels - I stayed in Upper Yubeng village at Gap Time. Food & Restaurants - There’s some noodles and water available at base camp but I recommend bringing your own. #naturalwonders#summervacation#hikingtrails

Yubeng Village

Yubeng is one of the best places to hike in China (in my opinion). The 11kish hike from Xidong is a pleasant one and there are 3 main hikes from Yubeng Village. the Sacred Waterfall and Glacier Lake. both are lovely but the lake is a much tougher hike. There are 2 parts to Yubeng… upper and lower. upper is where you start the lake hike and the waterfall is from lower. leaving the village you can either hike to Ninong ( I would advise this) or back to Xidong. you can find buses from Ninong back to Deqen or Shangri La. #summervacation

Outdoor trek at sacred Tibetan site

Sacred Waterfall hike in Yubeng Getting There - Start your hike at either Lower or Upper Yubeng. Stone path leads the way to the waterfall! Attractions - Many sacred sites and colorful prayer flags along the way. The first half of the hike follows the river 💦 Hotels - Many options in Lower and Upper Yubeng - I liked Gap Time Hostel Food & Restaurants - Small shop just before the summit for water and snacks but I recommend bringing your own I completed this hike in about 3 hours. #naturalwonders#summervacation#hikingtrails

Glacier Lake - Yubeng

Another of Yubengs epic hikes. This one is more difficult than sacred waterfall. There is a nice easy trail in the approach to the forest. Then the incline begins. There is a rough track and you mostly covered by the forest for about 2km. This was the most challenging part of the hike. From here you move out of the forest to a plateau. There is a straight forward walk towards the lake. The final 800m are quite tough. You will stop a lot for rests. The plateau scenery is fantastic. The 3n half hr hike is worth it when you see the glacier lake. The hike down is easy in the dry , unfortunately it rained and we descended slowly as it’s dangerous when it rains. Fantastic experience overall . #naturalwonders#summervacation#hikingtrails

Yubeng Sacred Waterfall hike

One of 4 hikes offered in the Yubeng area this one is probably the easiest. The trek begins in lower Yubeng with a nice stroll into the forest. You can here the river flow beside you as you walk. The first 3k are easy and then the walk gets steeper. It’s concrete steps all the way and when you reach the waterfall you won’t be disappointed. There is one place to get snacks along the way but you should bring your own. It took us 2 n half hrs from upper Yubeng to reach the summit. Decending is fine. Fantastic hike overall. No need to hit it that early as there is limited things to do in the evening in Yubeng. #summervacation#hikingtrails

Wunongding Viewing Platform

Great view of Meli mountains. This viewing platform is located in the heart of downtown deqen. The lady at the entrance assured us that the reasonable 40rmb entrance was for 3 days and made sure we knew to be there at 6:38 in the morning. Across the road there is a westernish cafe although it’s expensive you can sit out and see the mountains with a coffee. #summervacation#hikingtrails

Spiritual roll

On our visit to Yunnan ancient town in Shangrila, situated in Deqen, we suddenly got bumped into this serene buddha temple. Although I know there's a huge bell or drum sort of thing in Yunnan, we never searched about it🥸. So luckily in Deqen, on our night market exploration we found this beauty. Also the speciality of this temple is with the female buddha👸, which is quite rare to find as far as my travel in China. The huge tower like structure that you see here, will be rolled by people and you make a wish💫. From this place, you also have the whole view of the market, which is fantastic🎉🍾. #shangrila #ancienttowns #maydaytrip#urbanexplorer#happylaborday

Yunnan Hike: Yubeng Village

Yubeng Village: A secluded and unknown place in an alphine valley mere kms from the Tibetan border. It was never discovered and not accesible by road. You can either trek in on your own or ride a mule to go to the village. Everyone may have heard of tiger leaping gorge or Jade Dragon Snow Mountain but not many people have heard of this small village - A village that is situated 3000m above sea level. Day 1: Yubeng Village 13-16km Day 2: Sacred waterfall 14-18km DAY 3: Glacier lake trek 18km Glacier lake formed by snow water from Meili Snow Mountain and the main water resource of Yubeng Village. Absolutely intimidated by the snowmelt point and the narrow path along the way and the trek itself was no easy feat mainly due to the uninvited visitor AMS at 3.6ft. As we ascend and descend so quickly for the first 3-4km, the AMS symtoms started showing when i was at 3.6 and above. But i conquered the entire trail and managed to reach to the top (3.8ft above sea level). #urbanexplorer #mydestinations #hikes #mountainview #yunnantravel

Stunning view of glaciers ND mountains around Yubeng Village on our hike to lake of god. #yubengvillage #glaciers #yunnantravel #unforgettableexperiences #hiking

My favorite hotel of the trip!

Jixiashan Meili | As beautiful as Meili Snow Mountain, worth staying at again and again My favorite hotel of the trip. Although I didn't see the golden sunrise on the snow mountain due to the weather, this hotel is worth flying over to stay at. Due to limited time, I arranged to stay at Yuyu in Yubeng the next day, and only stayed at Jixiashan Meili for one night. When checking out, my travel companions all felt it was a pity and didn't want to leave. The two hotels are not comparable in any way, especially in terms of service. To put it bluntly, it's the difference between a regular army and a guerrilla force. The hotel structure cannot be fully presented on a phone. You can check out other photos on xx. The real thing is even more beautiful. Since I arrived on the first night, and it was cloudy the next day, I didn't see the light and shadow of the hotel. I hope to have good weather next time. The hotel food is also very good. The yak meat for dinner is very tender. The chopped chili eggplant is very spicy and perfect for those who like spicy food. It's a great dish to go with rice. The tofu is also very fresh and fragrant. My Australian friend who doesn't eat spicy food ate it all with rice. The breakfast is also very rich, and the wine at the bar on the fourth floor is also very affordable and reasonably priced. The view of Meili Snow Mountain from the fourth floor is also very good. Even if you don't see the golden sunrise, the snow mountain is still very beautiful. If I come to Shangri-La again, I will definitely stay at this hotel again. I didn't get enough of the view or the stay. The souvenir I received when I left was also very beautiful, and I immediately hung it on my backpack.

Yubeng Mountain Circumambulation Festival.

Hiking enthusiasts, help! I have to recommend an amazing hiking trip to you - Yubeng Hiking! 🌈 First, let's talk about the introduction of this hiking trip! Yubeng Hiking is located in beautiful Shangri-La, Yunnan, where there are stunning natural scenery and rich ethnic culture. There are various hiking routes, so whether you are a beginner or an experienced hiker, you can find a route that suits you. 🚶‍♀️ Speaking of appearance, the scenery of Yubeng Hiking is breathtaking! From snow-capped mountains to meadows, from lakes to waterfalls, every place is a masterpiece of nature, beautiful and refreshing. Moreover, the weather here is changeable, and you can often see a fairyland shrouded in mist, which is a visual feast! 🌄 Here comes the advantage! The biggest advantage of Yubeng Hiking is its natural scenery and ethnic culture. You can feel the magnificence of nature and the enthusiasm of the ethnic groups during the hike. Moreover, the accommodation conditions here are getting better and better, allowing you to enjoy the local food and culture after the hike. 🏡 Of course, everything has two sides, and Yubeng Hiking also has some things to pay attention to. For example, the weather here is unpredictable, so be sure to make full preparations before traveling. Also, you may encounter some difficulties during the hike, so you must have enough physical strength and perseverance. 💪 Yubeng Hiking is really a hiking trip worth trying!

Mingyong Glacier and some scattered photos.

📍Mingyong Glacier and some scattered photos|||After reading the book about Meili Snow Mountain written by Lin Shangli and Guo Jing, I was eager to see the place where the bodies of 17 members of the China-Japan joint mountaineering team were buried. Unfortunately, the body of a Japanese team doctor (Shimizu Nagano) has not been found yet. I hope it will be found soon to give Mingyong Village a clean slate. The existence of Mingyong Glacier is a miracle in itself. As the main glacier of Kawagebo, it is the southernmost, lowest, and fastest modern glacier in China. However, with global warming, the glacier is melting at a rate of nearly 60 meters per year. Along the boardwalk of the scenic area, you can hear the sound of the glacier collapsing. In good weather, you can also see the main peak of Meili, Kawagebo. The scenic area is very mature, with boardwalks throughout. The phone can only capture one ten-thousandth of its beauty. The Tibetan compatriots burning incense and praying, the Prince Temple, the sound of bells from the Lotus Temple, and the scene of smoke curling up all make people deeply feel the mystery and uniqueness of this land. Sometimes I really think it is good to leave some places untouched by humans.

Things about Meili Snow Mountain in Shangri-La that tourists don't know...

I'm so lazy, but I finally decided to write a guide to Shangri-La! Keep these tips in mind! (After coming down from Meili, I heard from other tourists that a car went up the mountain in the early morning two days ago, rolled down the mountain, and everyone died 😭😭😭 So scary. I also went up the mountain at 3 am.) I was scared when I thought about it! - About Shangri-La: Drive to Shangri-La Ancient Town in the afternoon (visit the ancient town and eat delicious food). Drive to Feilai Temple at 3 am the next day to see Meili Snow Mountain. Go down the mountain at 2 pm (check in at Napa Sea and take photos). Return on the third day. 1⃣️ ⬆️Meili Snow Mountain It's actually quite dangerous to go up the mountain in the early morning. 150 km, 4 hours on the road. Most carpooling costs CNY 160 per person (9–11 people). We were lucky to get a ride with a guy driving an Audi, 4 seats. Since I just heard about the car rolling down the mountain, I still recommend that you go up the mountain during the day and stay at Feilai Temple for safety. If you really want to see the beautiful scenery, talk to the driver more when you take the car in the early morning to avoid the driver dozing off! 2⃣️ About the itinerary I drove from Lijiang to Shangri-La (the scenery along the way is beautiful). If you have enough time, you can drive and pass by Tiger Leaping Gorge (if you have time, you must hike once). Homestays are very cheap in the off-season! CNY 200–300 The homestays near Napa Sea have great views, but they are remote and difficult to get to. Food: The prices are very affordable, CNY 80 per person. Yak meat hot pot is about CNY 100, with a lot of meat! The soup is super fresh! Total: Excluding transportation, 3 days, about CNY 600 per person.

Yunnan | Meili Snow Mountain • Experience the Wild Mountains and Rivers

| Meili Snow Mountain • Experience the Wild Mountains and Rivers. In the distant depths of the Hengduan Mountains, where the three rivers flow together, Meili Snow Mountain stands majestically, like a silent guardian between heaven and earth. With its boundless magnificence, it tells the story of the vicissitudes of time and the mysteries of nature. The main peak, Kawagebo, with its proud height of 6,740 meters, leads twelve satellite peaks, together forming a breathtaking snow mountain panorama. They are not just peaks, but also the embodiment of soul and faith. Exploring Meili, a sacred journey from multiple perspectives❗️❗️❗️ 🌟 The Eye of Feilai Temple: At dawn, when the first ray of sunlight pierces through the clouds and gently brushes the eaves of Feilai Temple, you stand on the best viewing platform. Here, in this corner where time stands still, the full view of Meili Snow Mountain is revealed before you without reservation. At that moment, it feels as if the whole world consists only of you and this sacred snow mountain, conversing in the silence of millennia. If you are lucky, the spectacle of the golden sunlight on the mountain will unfold here, with golden rays illuminating the snow-capped peaks, creating a mesmerizing picture with nature's gentlest touch. 🌫️ The Secret of Wunongding: Trekking along the rugged mountain path to Wunongding, where thirteen towers and a viewing platform are hidden, along with a deeper reverence for Meili Snow Mountain. Although the journey is arduous, standing there, you witness not only the grandeur of the snow mountain but also a spiritual cleansing. Amidst the swirling clouds, the golden sunlight on the mountain appears and disappears, and each shutter click seems to capture fragments of time, freezing eternal beauty. 🏔️ Beside Kawagebo: Driving directly to the Kawagebo viewing platform, the closest place to the main peak. Standing here, gazing up at the unattainable summit, you will feel an unprecedented sense of insignificance and awe. Beneath the snow mountain, everything seems small, only the soul is elevated, as if you can hear the whispers in the wind, telling the ancient legends of Kawagebo. 🏡 The Tranquility of Yubeng Village: Entering Yubeng, whether it's the upper or lower village, feels like stepping into a secluded paradise. Here, you can closely feel the majesty of General Peak or capture the graceful silhouettes of Goddess Peak and Five Crown Peak. Every moment in Yubeng is filled with poetry and painting, making one forget the troubles of the world, wanting only to immerse in this tranquility and beauty. The Journey to Meili, a Pilgrimage of the Soul Meili Snow Mountain is not just a visual feast, but also a pilgrimage of the soul. Here, you can feel the craftsmanship of nature and understand the philosophy of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Embarking on this journey, remember to bring a heart of reverence, respect the local culture and customs, and let every pause and gaze become a baptism and elevation of the soul. Transportation may be inconvenient, but it is this difficulty that makes Meili Snow Mountain more precious and sacred. Whether it's the freedom and spontaneity of self-driving or the convenience and safety of group tours, both will become unique ways for you to explore Meili and experience the beauty of nature. And when you stand at the peak of the snow mountain, looking back at the road you have traveled, you will find that all the hardships and efforts have turned into the most precious memories and insights in your heart.

Must go. Nice view with snow mountain

Meili snow mountain

#dreamdestination #Meilisnowmountain #china มุมไหน ตรงไหนก็สวยยยยยย

Exploring the stunning Meili Snow Moutain

#fallishere Amazing Meili Snow Moutain tour while we experiencing LiJiang . We were here by the join in group tour it was amazing as the tour guide will explain everything to while inside the pass and when you at the venue . A must photo stop in the scenic spot , the view is amazing and if you lucky enough you can see the snow Moutain. You could spend more time to have a nice photo at the scenic spot. Overall a good experience and we suggest to come with a group tour . Highly recommended 👍🏻 #couplestrip #awesomepic

The Hike to Upper Yubeng Village

Getting There - Yubeng is a Tibetan village at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. There is only one road linking the village to the outside world and taking a local transport (very expensive at around 300RMB one way per person) or hiking are the main ways to get to it. Xidang village is the most popular starting point for Yubeng hiking. From Xidang, it takes about four hours to reach the Upper Yubeng Village where all kinds of choices of accommodation are readily available these days. Before the hike I left most of my stuff and my camping gears with the hotel at Feilaisi outside Xidang village as I was told that the hike is gonna be tough. But actually the hike turned out to be very manageable despite the steep ascent in the beginning part of the trail. The views along the way are also beautiful. I absolutely enjoyed hiking to upper Yubeng village instead of taking the transport. 💯 recommended! #backpacking #naturalwonders #hiking

Yunnan trip of a life time

Getting There - 4 hours drive from shangri-la to xidang, and then 40min drive in the forrest Attractions - hiking to glacier lake and sacred waterfall Amazing place, as if you were going to see fairies and unicorns there. Beautiful #couplestrip#hiking

On the rain collapse - ice lake - rain collapse rain collapse on DAY2 , we depart from the rain and go to the icy lake scenic area, this is the most classic route of the rain collapse, the whole journey is about 16 kilometers, morning It is very difficult to get off at 9 o'clock and arrive at a rain collapse at 6 o'clock in the evening. But I personally like this route very much, because this hiking route includes all the natural scenery of glaciers, rivers, snow mountains, forests, grasses, etc. It is very lucky to meet small squirrels. Experience.

- on foot DAY1, 10:00 West Hot Springs departure, arrive at Shangyu Bing Inn at 5 pm, the whole journey is 15 kilometers, 7 hours to complete the journey. On the rainfall, there are only two routes, Xidang and Nylon. The choice of Xidang i

Shangri-La Mingyong Glacier rain collapse before the stop, I came to the Mingyong Glacier from Feilai Temple. It is really the first time I saw the snow-capped mountains and glaciers at a close distance. It was a surprise. Mingyong Glacier is located in the Shangri-La area of Diqing, Yunnan Province. It is also the largest and lowest valley glaciers in Yunnan. Here you can see the holy mountain god Shenshen Lake and the very chronological temples. The path along the path is full of prayers, which may be the highest belief in the hearts of Tibetans. Tips

The rain-breaking village in my eyes is a ray of sunshine after the rain. It is a refreshing breeze. This is located in the village of Yunling Township, Yudeqin County, Shandong Province, and it is only 30 households. Because of the surrounded mountains and unique landforms, the village with an altitude of 3,000 meters has become a paradise. So, I came and saw such a peerless place.