The Lower Yubeng Village in Deqin County, Diqing

Why is Lower Yubeng Village So Special?

Yubeng Village is known for the beautiful valley it lies in and beautiful day treks which depart from it. It’s divided into two parts: the Upper Yubeng Village and Lower Yubeng Village, about 1 km between the two parts. From Lower Yubeng, you can find the paths to the Sacred Waterfall, and if you are a hardcore hiker, Holy Lake, which from a higher vantage point, has an unobstructed view of the Kawa Karpo Peak (6,740 meters), and most of the rest of the mountain range. Lower Yubeng village is in a vast valley, full of wheat fields, a bit more of a farm village feel.

Where is Lower Yubeng Village - Location

Yubeng is a Village in Northwestern Yunnan, situated at the foot of the Wuzi Mountain Peak of Niancimu Mountain Peak on Meili Snow Mountain, Yunling Country, Deqin County. Walking from Xidang and climbing through a pass you will arrive first in Upper Yubeng Village. Continue hiking about 1 km(40 minutes) and you will arrive at Lower Yubeng Village.

How to Get There

Due to no highway to access Yubeng village, one can only get there by trekking or mule-riding for 18 kilometers from Xidang Village, and crossing over a pass for 3700 meters. After arriving at Upper Yubeng Village, continue hiking about 1 km(40 minutes) and you will arrive at Lower Yubeng Village. Tourists can take buses running from Shangri-la to Deqin or rent a car to.

What to See?

Sacred Waterfall
Apparently best seen in the morning to catch rainbows. 4-5 hour hike. The path starts by crossing lower Yubeng, and turning right near the stupa. There are green trash cans along the path. There is a tea shop about 2/3 of the way to the waterfall. In the summer, the tea shops also provide basic lodgings and bedding if you want to stay overnight in the mountains.

Holy Lake
A high mountain lake south of Yubeng. 10 hour hike. Begin in Lower Yubeng, crossing the bridge to the left of the stupa and then taking an immediate right up a steep trail through a wooded mountainside. This part of the hike is slippery in parts and could be difficult in wet weather. After around 3 hours the trail contours round a slope into a meadow at 4300 m which has a partial shelter. This is followed by a relatively shallow ascent over rocky (and snowy) ground to the lake. Once at the lake it's possible to go a little further towards the peak.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Yubeng Village is from May to July in late spring and early summer; from September to October in autumn. Flowers bloom from may to July. From September to October, the scenery is charming. Large temperature difference between these two seasons and you'd better bring enough warm clothes when you travel.

Accommodate at Lower Yubeng Village

There are more than a few guesthouses at Lower Yubeng Village. If you want to hike to the sacred waterfall, stay at Lower Yubeng village is a better choice. If it’s not the beginning of October (1–3) you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a place and try to bargain your rate down or get a private room for cheap!

Recommended Visiting Route

The two must-see attractions of Yubeng are sacred waterfall and holy lake. Few people know about Holy lake and it requires a day's hiking. Sacred waterfall is the place most people choose to go, which needs half day's walking. Tourists can hire horses to the sacred waterfall.

Route 1. Lower Yubeng Village - Scared Waterfall - Lower Yubeng Village(3.5 hours)
Route 2: Lower Yubeng Village - Holy Lake - Lower Yubeng Village(7.5 hours)

Useful Travel Tips

► The most practical local delicacies are buttered tea and instant noodles. Yak butter tea is the best food to supply physical strength and prevent altitude sickness on the plateau.
► Before entering the village, be sure to leave your big luggage at the inn and pack light with your necessities.
►Due to the inconvenience of transportation, the supplies here are more expensive than the outside, so bring some food that can supply physical strength such as dried meat, chocolate and so on.
► It takes a certain amount of physical strength and perseverance, and remember to bring waterproof and warm clothes and waterproof hiking shoes. An alpenstock is very useful.
► Respect the local custom. The sacred lake is so sacred to local Tibetans that they can only drink and cannot be used for washing anything.
► The mobile phone may be out of signal on the way.