The Sacred Lake (Shenhu) of Yubeng Village in Meili Snow Mountain, Diqing

 ? Overview

Tibetan Name: Yongzhong Tso

Location: Below Meili Snow Mountain’s sacred Goddess Peak (Miancimu)

Altitude: ~4,500 m

Status: Highest, most remote, and most mysterious of Yubeng’s Three Sacred Sites (Sacred Waterfall – Ice Lake – Sacred Lake)

Sacred Rule: “To be admired, not touched” — strictly no bathing or swimming

Visitor Numbers: <1,000/year — the ultimate “body in hell, eyes in heaven” destination

? Location & Coordinates

Admin: Yubeng Village (Lower Yubeng), Yunling Township, Deqin County, Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Route: Lower Yubeng entrance → right turn after cement bridge → forest trailhead → Cuoka Meadow → 4,500 m mountain pass → Sacred Lake

Key Elevations:

Lower Yubeng: 3,080 m

Cuoka Meadow: 3,900 m

Sacred Lake: 4,500 m

Single-day gain: ~1,420 m

? Trek Data

? Route Breakdown

0 km · 3,080 m – Lower Yubeng entrance, cross cement bridge, turn right, pass “Unopened Area” sign
3 km · 3,600 m – Steep old-growth forest, mossy trunks, fallen logs, muddy slopes
6 km · 3,900 m – Cuoka Meadow, summer flowers, optional camping (bring your own gear)
8 km · 4,500 m – Rocky mountain pass, panoramic view of Goddess Peak glacier
10 km · 4,500 m – Sacred Lake: 200×100 m, gemstone blue, strictly no washing or entry
Return via same route — control pace downhill to protect knees

? Essential Gear

25 L lightweight daypack

Waterproof high-ankle boots (+ crampons after Oct)

2 L hydration bladder + 1 L electrolyte drink (no water en route)

1,000 kcal snacks (energy gels, beef jerky, chocolate)

Shell jacket & pants, fleece, down vest

Trekking poles, knee supports, headlamp, rain jacket, sunhat

First-aid kit (altitude meds, bandages, plasters)

Offline GPS map (Two Steps / Ovi Track #1000039)

⚠ Risk Warnings

Altitude Sickness: Gain >1,400 m/day — stay 1 night in Yubeng to acclimatize

Navigation: Heavy fog above treeline — hire local guide (¥300–400/day)

Weather: Sudden snowstorms possible — descend by 14:00 latest

Fitness: Only attempt if you have 10+ km high-altitude trekking experience

Environment: Sacred site — no washing, littering, or disturbance; locals may turn violators back

? Accommodation & Supplies

Lower Yubeng:

Sacred Lake Guesthouse — Dorm ¥120, set meals ¥40

Youlan Guesthouse — Twin ¥380, snow mountain view

Cuoka Meadow: Summer camping only (bring -10 °C sleeping bag)

No food or drink en route — carry your own lunch and hot water

? Permits & Fees

Yubeng Scenic Area ticket: ¥55 (buy at Xidang)

Off-road vehicle to village:

Xidang → Upper Yubeng ¥200

Xidang → Lower Yubeng ¥260

Or hike 18 km in

Guide: ¥300/day

Packhorse: ¥400 one-way (Yubeng section only)

⏱ Suggested 2D1N Itinerary (Challenge Mode)

D1 – Shangri-La 08:00 → Deqin 11:30 → Xidang 13:30 → Jeep to Lower Yubeng 14:30 → acclimatization & gear check
D2 – Depart 05:30 → Cuoka Meadow 09:30 → Sacred Lake 12:00 → Descend 13:00 → Lower Yubeng 17:30 → Celebration yak hotpot 19:00 → next day jeep out

? One-Sentence Call to Action

At 4,500 m, the lake will never bow to everyone — it rewards only those who dare measure the earth with their own steps. ?