Yubeng Village: A Sacred Trek Beneath Meili Snow Mountain (Level 3/5)

Arrive in Lijiang and make the confirmed transfer to the hotel. Use the afternoon to settle in, acclimatize, and inspect personal hiking equipment before the mountain journey.

Attend the evening trek briefing, covering altitude, trail conditions, luggage, clothing, water, and the long walking days ahead. Rest early after the briefing before the full road journey toward Meili Snow Mountain.

Leave Lijiang after breakfast and travel toward Shangri-La through Xiaozhongdian’s high meadows and village landscape. Pause in Shangri-La for lunch before continuing northwest on the old Tea Horse Road corridor.

Stop at Moon Bend, where the Jinsha River curves through a deep mountain valley, then cross Baima Snow Mountain toward Deqin. The road reveals changing vegetation, river gorges, and increasingly high alpine terrain.

Arrive near Feilai Temple and visit the viewing platform facing the full Meili Snow Mountain range. Rest after the long road day before the early start into Yubeng.

Rise early at Feilai Temple for sunrise over Meili Snow Mountain. After breakfast, descend by road through the Lancang River Gorge to Ninong Village, the starting point for the trek into Yubeng.

Follow the river through Ninong Canyon for approximately seven kilometres, then begin the steady ascent toward Yubeng. Forest, exposed rock, and mountain streams mark the transition from the gorge into the higher valley.

Reach Yubeng Village in the afternoon after approximately 14.5 kilometres of walking and settle into the confirmed guesthouse. The day includes a long sustained climb, so the pace is adjusted to altitude and trail conditions.

Set out from Yubeng Village and pass through a sea-buckthorn grove before entering high-altitude forest and rhododendron thickets. Climb toward Shangnazong La Pass, where General’s Peak comes into view above the valley.

Descend to the Yubeng River and continue through pine forest to Xiaonong Base Camp, a historic staging point beneath Kawagebo. Pause for the packed lunch confirmed for the hiking day before continuing toward Ice Lake.

Reach the glacial lake in the afternoon, take time to observe the surrounding peaks, and retrace the trail to Yubeng Village. The complete out-and-back hike covers approximately 13 kilometres and requires a steady pace at altitude.

Walk from Lower Yubeng Village through primeval forest and alpine meadow toward the Sacred Waterfall. The gradual climb reveals Meili Snow Mountain from different angles before the trail reaches the glacial-water cascade.

Spend time at the waterfall and learn why Tibetan pilgrims regard the site as the spiritual heart of the Yubeng valley. The customary circuit and contact with the waterfall spray are approached respectfully and according to current local guidance.

Retrace the trail to Lower Yubeng Village after approximately 14 kilometres of walking. Return to the guesthouse for the evening and prepare for the following day’s descent through Ninong Canyon.

Leave Lower Yubeng Village and descend through the Yubeng Valley toward Ninong Canyon. The trail passes rivers, forest, meadow, and steep gorge walls before reaching Ninong Village around midday after approximately 14.5 kilometres of walking.

Continue by road to Napa Lake near Shangri-La. Walk the accessible wetland area and look for black-necked cranes in season while learning about the pastoral landscape used by local Tibetan herders.

Resume the road journey through Shangri-La and continue to Lijiang, the fixed endpoint of the itinerary. The late arrival time is confirmed before travel so the final transfer and any onward arrangement can be planned clearly.