Yubeng Village Ethnic Culture

Yubeng is a remote but mysterious and beautiful village at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain. Yubeng Village is a sparsely populated region where there are just about 20 households, and most of the inhabitants are Tibetans. Except for beautiful scenery, Yubeng is full of strong religious atmosphere, and a pilgrimage site for Buddhist believers.

Legend about Yubeng Village

Legend has it that for centuries Yubeng Village was unknown to the outside world. One day, an old man arrived in Xidang Village near Lancang River (the Mekong River) and tried to borrow highland barley from the villagers there. No one knew where he came from, so some of the villagers followed him when he left, but on the way over the mountain the old man disappeared.

Later, the old man came back to Xidang to borrow grain again. This time, villagers told him "We aren't going to lend you highland barley or wheat, but just some millet." When they loaded the millet for the old man, one of the villagers made small holes on the bags. After he started his journey back home, the old man was followed again. He didn't realize that the holes on the bags, so the millet had spilled along the way. However, when reached a huge rock, the old man disappeared. They are so curious that they pried up the rock and Yubeng Village was discovered.

Religious Culture

Kawagarbo is the head of the eight sacred mountains in the Tibetan region and is known as the "mountain god ". It is the most famous place before entering Yubeng Village. In addition to the spectacular sunlight wonders and strong religious atmosphere, the inability to conquer and the famous mountain disaster also put a mysterious and awe-inspiring veil on Kawagarbo. The whole mountain suddenly emerges from behind the cliff, conveying its beauty and majesty to the deepest depths of the heart.

Pilgrimage

Sacred waterfall of Yubeng Village and its nearby Meili Snow Mountain have always been a holy place for Tibetan Buddhism to pilgrimage. Every year, thousands of believers from Tibet, Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu have come to worship.

The biggest event should be the Inner Pilgrimage and the Outer Pilgrimage. Pilgrimage is the custom of Tibetan people, it's an act of religious observance and respect for nature, undertake a pilgrimage on foot around some sacred places like a mountain, a lake or a temple. Each year multitudes of pilgrims spare no efforts and travel long to conduct their Buddhist Circumambulating to Holy Mountains and Lakes for good luck and ascending to the paradise after death.

Inner Pilgrimage

Inner pilgrimage takes Yubeng village at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain as the center. Pilgrims will make pilgrimage to Sacred Waterfall, Ice Lake and Sacred Lake respectively. The route usually start from Xidang Village and ends at Ninong Village. It usually takes 3-5 days.

Outer Pilgrimage

The outer pilgrimage refers to walk around the entire Meili Snow Mountain, and it usually takes 8-11 days. The Tibetan people believe that the Kora is to follow the footsteps of God and guide themselves. The pilgrimage for walking around the whole Kawagarbo can wash away the sins of a lifetime. For ordinary outdoor enthusiasts, the inner pilgrimage is enough to understand the beauty of this mysterious land.

Traditional Lifestyle

Yubeng is a picturesque Tibetan village at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain. Tibetan Villages there have maintained the traditional way of life of farming and animal husbandry for hundreds of years. Wooden bungalows, fencing built with hillstones, and cattle, sheep and mules walking leisurely on the dirt and stone roads, all show the isolation and tranquility of this village. Like Tibetan people in other places, they eat Tsampa and drink buttered tea. Here you will experience purer Tibetan culture.

Keep Reading

• Shangri-la Culture
• Deqin County Culture
• Weixi County Culture