Kawagarbo (卡瓦格博), the highest peak of the Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山) range at 6,740 meters, has been worshipped as a sacred mountain by Tibetan Buddhists for over 1,300 years. As one of the eight holy mountains in Tibetan Buddhism, it holds deep spiritual significance in the local Kagyu (噶举) tradition.

Early Historical Records

The mountain first appeared in historical texts during the Tang Dynasty (唐代) when Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo (松赞干布) designated it as a sacred Buddhist site. The 17th century saw the establishment of pilgrimage routes that continue to this day.

Mountaineering History

Despite its spiritual status, Kawagarbo (卡瓦格博) attracted mountaineering attempts:

• 1902: First recorded attempt by British expedition
• 1987-1996: Multiple Japanese-Chinese joint expeditions failed to summit
• 1991: Deadliest accident when 17 climbers perished in an avalanche
• 2001: Chinese government banned climbing to respect local beliefs

Cultural Significance

The mountain features prominently in:

• Tibetan Buddhist scriptures
• Local folklore and oral traditions
• Annual pilgrimage ceremonies like the Kangkar (转山) circumambulation

Natural Preservation

In 2019, the Diqing Prefecture (迪庆州) government established strict conservation measures to protect the mountain’s fragile ecosystem while respecting its cultural importance.

Modern Recognition

• 1986: Listed as a provincial nature reserve
• 2003: Included in the Three Parallel Rivers (三江并流) UNESCO World Heritage Site
• 2020: Officially recognized as a “Holy Mountain” under Chinese law

The history of Kawagarbo (卡瓦格博) reflects the harmonious coexistence of natural wonder, spiritual tradition, and cultural preservation in the Diqing (迪庆) region.

Sacred Mountain Worship

Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山), known as Kawagarbo (卡瓦格博) in Tibetan, represents:

• One of the most sacred mountains in Tibetan Buddhism
• The spiritual center of the Khampa (康巴) Tibetan culture
• A living cultural landscape where nature and faith intertwine

Religious Traditions

The mountain holds profound meaning in Tibetan Buddhism:

• Pilgrimage Culture: Annual kora (转山) circumambulation draws thousands of devotees
• Monasteries: Surrounding temples like Yongzhi Lamasery (永芝寺) serve as spiritual centers
• Prayer Flags: Colorful mantras blanket the mountain passes, carrying prayers to heaven

Ethnic Customs

Local Tibetan communities maintain unique traditions:

• Festivals: Gangkar (岗嘎尔) Festival celebrates the mountain deity each spring
• Oral Traditions: Epic poems recount the mountain’s creation myths
• Taboos: Strict prohibitions against pointing at or disrespecting the mountain

Artistic Inspiration

Meili’s grandeur has inspired:

• Thangka Paintings: Sacred depictions of the snow-capped peaks
• Folk Songs: Ballads praising the mountain’s beauty
• Literature: Numerous works by Tibetan and Han Chinese writers

Conservation Ethos

The local culture embodies environmental protection:

• Sacred geography beliefs prevent over-exploitation
• Traditional grazing practices maintain ecological balance
• Community-based tourism respects carrying capacity

UNESCO Recognition

The mountain’s cultural value contributed to:

• 2003 inclusion in Three Parallel Rivers (三江并流) World Heritage Site
• 2020 designation as National Park with cultural preservation components

This living cultural landscape continues to shape Tibetan identity while attracting respectful visitors seeking spiritual connection with nature’s majesty.

The mystery of the north slope of Meili snow Mountain is revealed for the first time In Tibet, there is a snowy mountain, which is still the virgin peak. Man has never reached the top, and never will (banned by law). On the night of January 3, 1991, 17 Chinese and Japanese climbers were engulfed by an avalanche.

The news shocked the world. As the world mourned, it remembered the name: The Meili snow Mountain (Kawa Gabo).

KawaGabo peak, the main peak of Taizi snow mountain(太子雪山主峰) and the first of the eight sacred mountains in Tibetan area, is located in the world famous “three rivers parallel flow” area, with an altitude of 6,740 meters. It is the highest peak in Yunnan province and is recognized as the most beautiful snow mountain in the world.

He is qualified as the “god of snow mountain”.

Over the years, people have come to Meili snow Mountain(梅里雪山) for various reasons. There are Tibetan believers, to the mountains, pilgrimage. In their hearts, Kawagabo was God, the god of the mountains. Geologist, zoologist, went to scientific research. Because of the extreme drop (nearly 5,000 meters), from tropical rain forests to alpine ice and snow, the equivalent of the earth from the equator to the arctic, has the most abundant plant and animal resources. There are outdoor explorers, go to merry, find yourself. Because it is the top ten most beautiful mountains in China.

The tibetans believer that each sacred mountain dominates the nature, while Kawagbo dominates the whole nature.

They even felt that, in the face of Kawagbo(卡瓦格博), even praise was superfluous and disrespectful.

For at the feet of Kawagabo, every word of praise sees only a tiny part of it and ignores the whole nature it rules. The so-called, the United States speechless, only heart respect.

Where is Meili secret?

When it comes to Meili snow mountain, we first think of Yubeng village(雨崩村).

A little attention, will find that rain collapse at the foot of the goddess peak, but is “prince thirteen peak”, the most left one. The Meili peaks, including the main peak, are still on the right.

Open Google map, it is more clear: rain collapse, in the southeast corner of the snow mountain group, large snow mountain glacier in the north and Tibet territory.

Passing by the temple, overlooking a row of big snow mountains, called “prince thirteen peak.”

People think that Meili snow mountain consists of 13 big snow mountains. In fact, in Meili hinterland, there are dozens of snow-capped mountains of different sizes, standing between the lancang river and the Nu River.

Now that the rain has collapsed, it’s very convenient to get there. There are many inns, restaurants and bars, which are developing towards Switzerland and are a good place for leisure tourism.

And the real Meili hinterland, but little-known, no one set foot in, can be called the secret.

梅里新秘境 Meili’s new secret

Today, I would like to share with you the location of the filming of the mystery of the sacred grass, which is located in the new mystery of the north slope of Meili: Pojun Camp(坡均营地). Pojun camp, which means in Tibetan, is the valley floor where the gods live.

A mountain separated from the Pojun Camp, there is another camp called Pojiang, which means: the high place where the gods live. One big glacial lake, five big glaciers, five big snow mountains, turn over the near snow mountains and stars, walk towards the Leo snow mountains, and you will get the magnificent lake… To be honest, I’m not worried that if it comes out, people will flock to it.

So called secret territory, because the journey is long, difficult, and without any conveniences. It is not prepared for the majority of people, only a few with the spirit of adventure, it is possible to approach the sacred mountain, witness the truth.

The fate of Pojun

It started three years ago.

That year, I met three surveyors in a mountain camp. They’re here to verify the place names.

Verifying place names is not easy. People do not need to verify, only desolate inhabited mountains, valleys, lakes, people need to verify.

Around fire, said one of the surveyors, was so beautiful that one could not have believed it if one had not seen it with one’s own eyes.

‘yes, yes,’ said the other, ‘so many places, it’s very beautiful, very beautiful!

What is the secret of Po jun?

1, Avalanche

Why are avalanches so common?

Because it is near the snow mountain! In pojun, snow mountain is in front of us, glacier is close at hand.

2, Collection and life

Here, not a tourist area, not scenic spots, even outdoor travelers have not come, just a collection camp.

What is a gathering camp?

It is since ancient times, people go up the mountain to collect medicine, the distance is too far, have to eat and live on the mountain, years and years, formed a camp.

History tells us that man went from gathering, to farming, to today’s industrial society.

In the depths of Meili, people still lived by gathering. Chop wood, carry water, burn fire, roast meat. Coming here, you can appreciate how human childhood is spent.

3.The face of the everlasting earth.

4, The recent sunshine Meili

Walk alone in the wilderness. Overhead clouds, accompanied by the wind, looked up and saw the rising sun jinhui, landed on top of the snow mountain.

5, The starry galaxy

The twinkling stars, like a snow peak punctured the sky, light from the sky leakage.

6, All kinds of rare flowers and wild animals.

 高山勺兰Alpine scoop of LAN

雪山报春花 Snow mountain primrose

雪莲Snow lotus

白唇鹿 The white-lipped deer

On the pass of the mountain, the village chief and I met a particularly beautiful big white Wolf. Pure white as the sky, unfortunately, I could not take a photo. It is always patrolling its territory, the village chief said, and it is the owner of the camp.

狮子座神山 Lion sacred mountain

Surrounded by huge snow-capped mountains, locals don’t know the names. I went down to study the map and found that on the oldest map of Deqin, some snow mountains had names.

ChuGui LaKa (no head peak/粗归腊卡（无首峰）) : 5,993 meters above sea level, Tibetan meaning above the round lake peak, peak shape, like a black bear claw.

NaiRi DingKa(奶日顶卡): 6,379 meters above sea level, meaning “holy mountain top” in Tibetan.

MangKuang LaKa(芒框腊卡): altitude 6400 meters, meaning unknown, may be “white Wolf in the sky” meaning.

To the right of the glacier lies a lion, known locally as the Lion snow mountain(狮子座雪山).

The top of the mountain ice lake

Besides, I have to mention, a mysterious frozen lake.

Next to the camp, there is a “goddess water”.

The so-called goddess water is in thousands of meters of cliff, flowing a white water. Up above the white water, there is a huge frozen lake.

No one dares to go to the frozen lake.

Some people climb up, see a lot of dead trees across the inside, down a short time, was broken by wood waist. Some people climb up, see a lot of bones at the bottom of the lake, the results of the mountain seriously ill, thin bones before death.

It sounds very heresy, mountain people think, go to the glacial lake will offend the mountain god.

This is not a legend, but a real event. Many times, I tried to climb it, but I was discouraged.

In the view of the mountain people, the head of the frozen lake, became a god.

My friend flew up in a plane. In aerial photo video, we see a huge area of snow, at the neck of the snow mountain, high above the glacier.

The frozen lake has been covered with snow, leaving it white and barren.

How to get to the secret place?

First of all, declare that without the local people accompanying you, do not enter rashly!

It’s not just over cliffs and glaciers, it’s a dangerous way. There are frequent incidents of large black bears being mauled and maim. Also, when you live in a camp, you need someone to cut wood, carry water, and guard against wolves. Without experience in the wild, it’s very dangerous.

There are some mountain roads that, at certain times of the year, you should never walk on. The avalanche came down and they were gone

The starting point of hiking is yagong village, foshan township, deqin county.

Yagon village from deqin county, about 70 kilometers, bus, drive past, about 2 hours.

From deqin, follow national highway 214 to Tibet. Drive to 51 bridge, cross bridge, at bridge head, see a big stone, write: yagon village.

Leave the national road, along this road, has been winding mountain up, about 15 kilometers, then arrived at Yagon village(亚贡村).

Hiking Tour Itinerary;

Day 1: Shangri-la collection; Visit the largest temple in Yunnan. Songzanlin temple, known as the little potala palace, supplies at the market in the afternoon and stays at the four-star shangri-la hotel

Day 2: Nixi Black pottery, Benzilan, Baima Snow Mountain, Deqin fly temple: Over night fly temple.

Day 3: see Meili snow mountain in the morning, fly temple to burn incense and pray, arrive at Yagon village by car about 70 kilometers in the afternoon, live the local houses

Day 4: Yagong starts to hike to the first stop, Zhao Yin,  to camp

Day 5: Zhao Yin hiked to Pojun(坡均营地), the second stop, and camped

Day 6: Po jun tour day, stay and camp

Day 7: Po jun hiking Po jiang to ZhuSe Buden(主色布登营地), live camp 】

Day 8: Zhuse Buden – Yagon Village(亚贡村) – fly temple – Cizhong, live in ci zhong village

Day 9: Cizhong – Tong le village(同乐村) – Weixi – Ta cheng – lijiang. live in lijiang

Day 10: Lijiang fly Kunming over!

Transportation of Kunming to Meili Snow Mountain is mainly by bus. Being a holy place for Buddhism and regarded as the one of the Four Holy Mountains of Tibetan Buddhism, Meili Snow Mountain is located about 10 kilometers north-east of Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province. It is 849 kilometers away from Kunming. It is mostly accessible from Deqin County by road. But the condition of the road between Meili Snow Mountain and Shangri-la is quite steep.

How to Get to Meili Snow Mountain from Kunming

Kunming-Shangrila-Deqin-Meili Snow Mountain

Usually more tourists will combine the visit to Meili Snow Mountain with a Shangri-la tour.There are two ways getting to Shangrila from Kunming: by plane or by coach. Please refer to Kunming-Shangrila Transportation.

There is only one road from Shangri-La to Meili Snow Mountain and no direct bus heading to Meili Snow Mountain. Visitors should take the bus departing from Shangri-La City to Deqin County first. There are only 4 long-distance buses every day.

Shangri-la – Deqin County Coach Schedules

Departure	Duration	Tickets Price
7:20, 8:20, 9:20, 12:00	7-9h	CNY62

Deqin County -Shangri-la Coach Schedules

Departure	Duration	Tickets Price
08:50, 10:30, 12:30, 14:40	7-9h	CNY62

Shangri-la Bus Station
Add: Xiangbala Road, Shangri-la,  Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
Deqin Bus Station
Add: Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Then visitors can change to a taxi or minibus to reach Feilai Temple, which is the Viewing Platform of Meili Snow Mountain, which takes 20 minutes.

Kunming-Deqin-Meili Snow Mountain

At Kunming West Bus Station(昆明西部客运站), tourists can take the coach to Deqin county. and then move on to Meili Snow Mountain. There is only one coach departing at 19:00. The whole journey will take about 23.5 hours and cost about CNY 258.  The bus which is running from Deqin County to Kunming can not buy online. Tourist can chose to take local coach to get to Kunming. 

Kunming West Bus Station
Add:No.18, Yining Road, Xishan District, Kunming city, Yunnan Province

Transportation in Yunnan:

Yunnan Travel by Air

• Airlines in Yunnan
• Flights to Yunnan
• Airport Transfer
• International Flights to Yunnan
• Airports in Yunnan

Rail Transport in Yunnan

• High-speed Rail in Yunnan
• Railway Stations in Yunnan
• Railways in Yunnan
• Trains to Yunnan
• Trans Asia Railway
• Metro in Yunnan

Roads in Yunnan

• Bridges in Yunnan
• Freeways in Yunnan
• Highways in Yunnan
• Roads to Yunnan
• Trans-Asia Roads
• National Roads in Yunnan

Meili Snow Mountain, also known as Prince Snow Mountain, is located 10 kilometers northeast of Deqin County of Yunnan Province. It is mostly accessible from Deqin County by road. But the condition of the road between Meili Snow Mountain and Shangri-la is quite steep. Here we introduce you the transport means of getting to Meili Snow Mountain from Shangrila.

How to Get to Meili Snow Mountain from Shangri-La?

By Bus

Bus is the main means of transportation for locals and tourists to get around in Shangrila. There are regular buses from Shangri-La to Deqin County every day with the fare of 68 CNY and duration of 5- 6 hours. Then you can change bus to Meili Snow Mountain. Buses are available in Deqin County to go to and return from Meili Snow Mountain. 

By Charted Car

Renting a car is suitable to gain a flexible and comfortable travel. If there are enough people in your group to share the expenses, it is better for you to rent a car with an experienced drive and a tour guide. If you want to have more fun on the way, renting a car is highly recommended. On the way, there are famous attractions like Nixi Village, Benzilan, Great Bend of Jinsha River, Baima Snow Mountain, Dongzhulin Monastery, Feilai Temple, etc. the driver of chartering car can stop for you to enjoy the scenery and take photos.But a tourist bus will not stop on the way. Yunnan Exploration Travel can provide car-rental service, please contact us. Email: contact@YunnanExploration.com Tel: +86-871-63511469.

Transportation in Yunnan:

Yunnan Travel by Air

• Airlines in Yunnan
• Flights to Yunnan
• Airport Transfer
• International Flights to Yunnan
• Airports in Yunnan

Rail Transport in Yunnan

• High-speed Rail in Yunnan
• Railway Stations in Yunnan
• Railways in Yunnan
• Trains to Yunnan
• Trans Asia Railway
• Metro in Yunnan

Roads in Yunnan

• Bridges in Yunnan
• Freeways in Yunnan
• Highways in Yunnan
• Roads to Yunnan
• Trans-Asia Roads
• National Roads in Yunnan

Location Map of Meili Snow Mountain

Tourist Attractions Map of Meili Snow Mountain

Yubeng Village (雨崩村) is a remote and culturally rich destination located in the heart of the Meili Snow Mountain National Park (梅里雪山国家公园) in Yunnan Province (云南省), China. It sits at the foot of Shennu Peak (神女峰), one of the 13 peaks of Meili Snow Mountain (梅里十三峰). This village, nestled at an elevation of approximately 3,200 meters, is known for its stunning natural beauty and Tibetan cultural heritage.

Where is Yubeng Village?

Yubeng Village (雨崩村) is situated in Yunling Township (云岭乡), Deqin County (德钦县), in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州). The village is approximately:

• 60 kilometers from Shengping Town (升平镇)
• 10 kilometers from Xidang Village (西当村)
• The total area of Yubeng Village is about 31 square kilometers (约31平方千米).

Geographic Coordinates:

• Latitude: Approx. 28.17° N
• Longitude: Approx. 98.98° E

Surrounding Areas

Yubeng Village is located amidst several significant mountains and peaks:

• To the north, Shenhu Mountain (神湖山) and Xiuxing Mountain (修行山)
• To the east, Bendun Mountain (本墩山) and Nianda Baizong Mountain (念打白松山)
• Surrounding sacred mountains include Miancimu (缅茨姆), Kawalangda (卡瓦让达), and Kawagebo (卡瓦格博), which hold great importance in Tibetan culture and Buddhism.

The village is surrounded by steep, majestic peaks, which contribute to its breathtaking views and remote, peaceful atmosphere.

Geographical Features

The Yubeng Village (雨崩村) area is known for its:

• High-altitude terrain: Situated at an average altitude of 3,200 meters, the village is surrounded by high mountains, making it a popular destination for trekkers and adventurers.
• Diverse landscapes: The area features a combination of rugged mountain landscapes, pristine forests, rivers, and lakes.
• Sparse population: Yubeng is a small, tranquil village, with very few residents, offering a peaceful environment for travelers seeking both nature and cultural immersion.

Notable Attractions

Yubeng Village is renowned for both its natural beauty and Tibetan culture. The village attracts trekkers and cultural explorers with its variety of notable attractions, including:

1. Libeng Temple (里崩寺)

A sacred Tibetan Buddhist site, Libeng Temple is an important destination for those interested in Tibetan spiritual practices.

2. Yubeng Sacred Waterfall (雨崩神瀑)

A beautiful and significant natural landmark, the Sacred Waterfall is considered a holy site in Tibetan culture, drawing visitors for both its stunning beauty and cultural significance.

3. Yubeng Ice Lake (雨崩冰湖)

This picturesque ice lake is a favorite spot for trekkers and nature lovers, providing stunning views of the surrounding peaks and the tranquil landscape.

These sites make Yubeng Village (雨崩村) a must-visit destination for anyone interested in nature, culture, and adventure.

Overview

Wuguan Peak (五冠峰), also known as Jiariren-an (吉娃仁安), is one of the prominent peaks of the Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山) range, standing at an impressive elevation of 5,470.5 meters (17,956 feet). This majestic mountain is located to the north of the Meizimu Peak (梅子姆峰) and is often referred to as the Five Buddha Peak (五方佛峰) due to its unique shape resembling a crown.

Geographic Location

Wuguan Peak is situated on the southern side of Kawa Karpo Peak (卡瓦格博峰) in Deqen County (德钦县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省), China. Locally, it is known as Jiariren-an, and it holds significant cultural importance in Tibetan mythology.

Cultural Significance

In Tibetan legend, Jiariren-an is considered the close attendant of Princess Meizimu (梅子姆), representing beauty and strength. The distinctive five peaks of Jiariren-an create a breathtaking silhouette against the skyline, offering a striking contrast to the surrounding landscape. This remarkable formation is not only visually stunning but also reshapes perceptions of mountain beauty.

The Thirteen Peaks of the Prince

Wuguan Peak, along with the main peak of Kawa Karpo (卡瓦格博) and Meizimu, collectively known as the Thirteen Peaks of the Prince (太子十三峰), showcases the rich cultural tapestry of the region. Each peak has its own story and significance, deeply rooted in local traditions.

Admission Information

• Ticket Price: Admission to Wuguan Peak is included in the ticket for the Meili Snow Mountain Scenic Area (梅里雪山景区).
• Opening Hours: Open all day.

Location

• Address: Southern side of Kawa Karpo Peak, Deqen County, Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China.

How to Get There

• From Kunming: Travelers can take a flight or a bus from Kunming (昆明) to Deqen County. The nearest airport is Diqing Shangri-La Airport (迪庆香格里拉机场).
• Local Transportation: Once in Deqen, local taxis and shuttle services can be hired to reach the Meili Snow Mountain area, including Wuguan Peak.

Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: The ideal seasons for visiting are spring (春季) and autumn (秋季) when the weather is pleasant and the views are unobstructed.
• Altitude Awareness: Due to the high altitude, visitors should acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness. It’s advisable to stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activities during the first few days.
• Photography: Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for photography, offering softer light and stunning views of the peaks.
• Respect Local Customs: As this area is culturally significant, be mindful of local customs and traditions, especially when interacting with the local Tibetan communities.

Why is Wunongding Viewing Platform So Special?

Wunongding Viewing Platform is the best place to shoot a panoramic view of Meili Snow Mountain.

Where is Wunongding Viewing Platform?

Wunongding Viewing Platform is located in Wunongding Village, Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province.

Overview

The Wunongding Viewing Platform (雾浓顶观景台), also known as the Shisan White Pagoda Welcome Platform (十三白塔迎宾台), is located in Wunongding Village (雾浓顶村), approximately 23 kilometers from the Baima Snow Mountain Pass (白马雪山垭口) and 8 kilometers from Deqin County (德钦县) in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). This platform is renowned for its panoramic views of the stunning Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山), making it a premier destination for photographers and nature lovers.

Key Features

Scenic Views

• Breathtaking Panoramas: The platform offers a sweeping view of Meili Snow Mountain, a sacred site in Tibetan culture. Visitors can capture stunning photos of the mountain range, particularly at sunrise and sunset, when the peaks are illuminated in golden light.
• Diverse Foregrounds: The area around the platform provides various foregrounds, including the picturesque Feilai Temple Village (飞来寺村) and the scenic river valley. This variety allows for creative compositions, enhancing the beauty of photographs.
• Surrounding Peaks: To the northeast, visitors can spot Baima Snow Mountain (白马雪山), while to the south, they can see the smoke rising from Wunongding Village, adding a unique touch to the landscape.

Unique Local Culture

• Marriage System: Wunongding Village is known for its distinctive marriage practice of “one husband, multiple wives” (一夫多妻), offering insight into the local customs and traditions that enrich the cultural experience of visitors.
• Cultural Significance: The area holds great importance in Tibetan culture, as Meili Snow Mountain is considered sacred. The viewing platform serves not only as a tourist attraction but also as a site of cultural reverence.

Accessibility

• Convenient Location: Located just a short distance from Deqin County, the viewing platform is easily reachable, making it a popular stop for tourists exploring the region.

Visitor Information

• Chinese Name: 梅里雪山雾浓顶观景台
• English Name: Wunongding Viewing Platform of Meili Snow Mountain
• Location: Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China (云南省迪庆藏族自治州德钦县)
• Climate: The area experiences a monsoon-influenced climate with distinct wet and dry seasons, featuring vertical climate zones that contribute to its biodiversity.
• Opening Hours: Open year-round, Monday to Sunday, from 08:00 to 16:00.
• Attraction Level: AAAA
• Admission Price: 150 CNY for the ticket package.
• Notable Attractions: Meili Snow Mountain, Shisan White Pagoda (十三白塔), and the captivating sunrise over the mountains.

Travel Tips

• Duration of Visit: Allocate 1-3 hours for your visit to fully appreciate the views, take photographs, and explore the area.
• Best Viewing Times: Early morning and late afternoon are ideal for photography, as the lighting enhances the scenery. The sunrise creates a spectacular view known as “Golden Mountain” (日照金山).
• Weather Considerations: Check weather conditions prior to your visit. Fog can obstruct views, so consider visiting on clear days for optimal visibility. If conditions are poor, the Feilai Temple Viewing Platform, located closer to the mountains, may offer better views.
• Accommodation: While Feilai Temple has more lodging and dining options, Wunongding offers fewer choices. It’s advisable to book accommodations in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.
• Safety Precautions: Dress in layers, as temperatures can vary significantly throughout the day. Wear sturdy footwear for exploring the area, and bring a camera to capture the stunning scenery.

Visitor Information

• Chinese Name: 梅里雪山雾浓顶观景台
• English Name: Wunongding Viewing Platform of Meili Snow Mountain
• Location: Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China (云南省迪庆藏族自治州德钦县)
• Climate: The area is influenced by monsoons, with distinct wet and dry seasons and varying vertical climate zones.
• Opening Hours: Open year-round, Monday to Sunday, from 08:00 to 16:00.
• Attraction Level: AAAA
• Admission Price: 150 CNY for the ticket package.
• Notable Attractions: Meili Snow Mountain, Shisan White Pagoda, and the spectacular sunrise over the mountains.

How to Get to Wunongding Viewing Platform?

You should get to Feilai Temple, then trek to Wunongding Viewing Platform. How to get to Feilai Temple?

►By plane: Fly directly to Shangri-la city (Zhongdian), and then take a local bus to Feilai Temple in Deqin County.

►By scheduled bus: There are regular bus routes to Feilai Temple from a number of nearby destinations: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang (albeit, via Shangri-la), and Shangri-la itself.

►By charter bus: One of the easiest ways to get to Feilai Temple is to take a charter bus. A number of even easier ways to get to Feilai Temple is to hire a minibus, a car, or a cross-country jeep – they are available everywhere.

• By Car: The viewing platform is located 23 kilometers from the Baima Snow Mountain Pass and 8 kilometers from Deqin County. It is recommended to drive or hire a vehicle. After passing the Baima Pass, look for the 13 white pagodas on the left to reach the viewing platform.
• Public Transport: Local transportation options may be limited; hiring a vehicle is often the most convenient way to visit.

Travel Tips

• Duration of Visit: Plan to spend 1-3 hours at the platform to fully enjoy the views and take photographs.
• Best Viewing Times: For optimal photography, consider visiting during early morning or late afternoon when the light is softer.
• Weather Considerations: Check the weather forecast before your visit, as fog can obscure views. On clear days, both Wunongding and Feilai Temple Viewing Platforms are worth visiting for different perspectives of Meili Snow Mountain.
• Accommodation: While Feilai Temple offers more lodging and dining options, Wunongding has fewer choices, so plan accordingly.

What to See at Wunongding Viewing Platform?

You can see the panoramic view of Meili Snow Mountain.

Best Time to Visit Wunongding Viewing Platform

The ideal seasons to visit Wunongding Viewing Platform are in the winter and spring periods between October and May. The best season is after the end of October, when you can view the Meili Snow Mountain because of the nice weather, clean air and the high transparency there.

Accommodate at Wunongding Viewing Platform

There is no accommodation around Wunongding Viewing Platform. But There are many guesthouses and hostels around Feilai Temple, which next to the Wunongding Viewing Platform.

Recommended Visiting Route

2 Days Kawa Karpo Meili Snow Mountain Tour from Shangri-La

7 Days Shangrila Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Village Trekking Tour

10 Days Lijiang and Shangrila Exploration Tour with Meili Snow Mountain and Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve

12 Days Yunnan Three Parallel Rivers Overland Tour with Biluo and Meili Snow Mountains

Nearby Attractions

Meili Snow Mountain

Meili Snow Mountain is one of the most sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism. In the 1930s, they were praised by American scholars as the most beautiful mountains in the world. Meili Snow Mountain boasts numerous snow-clad ridges and peaks, thirteen of which are more than 6,000 meters above the sea level.

Yubeng Village in Deqin County, Shangrila

Yubeng is a secluded small Tibetan village tucked away at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain in Deqin county, the northwestern corner of Yunnan Province. It is only accessible by foot or horse/mule. But the trip, however arduous, is worth it.

Feilaisi Temple, Deqin

Feilai Temple, the best place to watch goden peaks of Meili mountain at sunrise. So if you plan to watch sunrise, it’s absolutely a good idea to live at Feilai temple the night before. But actually it is unusual to see the goden peaks. The peaks of the mountains are often surrounded with clouds due to the high altitude they are. And this makes more interesting for Meili.

Useful Travel Tips

► Check with the hotel or guesthouse whether there is water for shower before checking in it for its lack of water in this area.

► The ultraviolet rays are strong and you may need to bring something anti-sunburn.

► It is difficult to see the mountain in its entirety during summer and autumn, due to heavy cloud cover or mists.

Yunnan is a microcosm of China in the areas of minority affairs and nationality relations. The province has 25 minority groups, nearly half of the countries total ( 56 ethnic groups ). With such ethnic diversity it is important to ask the question: what criteria are used to determine minority status and classification? Basically, there are five ways: Race , Language, Culture, Religion, History. Except 25 minorities mentioned in Yunnan, there are three kinds of the Peoples, for the reason of they are not the really a kind of minority in China . But they are the certain branches of the minorities. The three Peoples have the special customs which are quite different with their original nations and very interesting in the recent days for their names in tourism of Yunnan. 

Highlights:

• Experience the profound history and splendid culture of diverse ethnic groups.

• Discover the ancient ethnic towns and villages.

• Enjoy their traditional festivals and fantastic activities.

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Brief Itinerary:

• Day 1 Arrival Kunming
• Day 2 Kunming-Shilin County
• Day 3 Shilin-Luliang-Luoping
• Day 4 Luoping 
• Day 5 Luoping-Qiubei-Puzhehei
• Day 6 Puzhehei-Bamei
• Day 7 Bamei-Babao
• Day 8 Babao-Yanshan-Jianshui
• Day 9 Jianshui-Yuanyang
• Day 10 Yuanyang
• Day 11 Yuanyang-Jiangcheng
• Day 12 Jiangcheng-Zhengdong-Mengla
• Day 13 Mengla-Jinghong
• Day 14 Jinghong
• Day 15 Jinghong-Jingmai
• Day 16 Jingmai-Ximeng
• Day 17 Ximeng-Shuangjiang-Cangyuan
• Day 18 Cangyuan
• Day 19 Cangyuan-Zhenkang
• Day 20 Zhenkang-Mangshi
• Day 21 Mangshi-Wanding-Ruili
• Day 22 Ruili-Tengchong
• Day 23 Tengchong
• Day 24 Tengchong-Fugong
• Day 25 Fugong-Bingzhongluo
• Day 26 Bingzhongluo
• Day 27 Bingzhongluo-Gongshan-Cizhong
• Day 28 Cizhong-Feilaisi
• Day 29 Feilaisi-Shangrila
• Day 30 Shangrila
• Day 31 Shangrila-Lijiang
• Day 32 Lijiang
• Day 33 Lijiang-Lugu Lake
• Day 34 Lugu Lake-Lijiang
• Day 35 Lijiang-Shaxi-Dali
• Day 36 Dali-Dalin
• Day 37 Dalin-Dali
• Day 38 Dali-Kunming
• Day 39 Departure from Kunming

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Detailed Itinerary

Take one day tour to Ganlanba Morning Market, Dai Ethnic Garden, Mengle Temple.
In the morning visit Ganlanba Morning Market, water Dai villages, Burmese temple and rubber garden on the way. Visit Dai Ethnic Garden, located in the Ganlan Basin in Menghan County, proudly holds a national 4A rating as one of China’s top scenic spots.  Within the Dai Ethnic Garden, five Dai villages – Manjiang, Manchunman, Manting, ManZha, and Manga – cover an area of 3.36 square kilometers and consist of 309 families, or 1487 individual villagers.

Transfer back to Jinghong in the afternoon and pay a visit Mengle Temple. Mengle Great Buddha Temple was built to memorize a beautiful Dai Minority queen who was a pious Buddhist during Ming dynasty (1368-1644), which was destroyed during a war in 1848 and what we see today was rebuilt in 2007. Notable for its peculiar shape which resembles a sitting Buddha, Mengle Great Buddha Temple, the largest Theravada Buddhist temple in China, is the most sacred and important religion site of Dai people.
Visit Manting Park which is a modern park that measures about 30 acres in Jinghong in Xishuangbanna. It has a large new Buddhist temple called Zongfo Si. There is a display of ethnic architecture, and people entertain themselves by water fights during the Dai Water Splashing Festival each year. Entertainment is presented in the evening.

Lancang Huimin tourist town(惠民旅游小镇)(60 Kilometer about 1-hour’s drive) — Jingmai Mangjing Scenic Area(18.7Kilometer about 33-minutes’ drive), including Dapingzhang ancient tea garden, Nuogan water village of Dai, the ancient village of Wengji Blang, Tea Ancestor Temple, — Menglian Xuanfu Sishu(孟连县宣抚司署) — Menglian Golden Pagoda, Menglian Nayun Ancient Town (111 Kilometer about 3-hours’ drive) — Ximeng Mengsuo Longtan Lake (60 Kilometer about 2-hours’ drive) — Muyiji Holy Valley (5 Kilometer about 34-minutes’ drive).

After breakfast, head to Icelandic village from Shuangjiang village to experience making tea by hand. Then after lunch, back to Mengku tea shop to enjoy tea-tasting and visit farmer’s tea-making process.

Mengku Icelandic village ( “Bingdao” in Chinese) in Shuangjiang County, the famous ancient tea village, rich and famous for its large leafed Iceland tea, is one of the county’s first place for cultivating tea. Iceland tea is the main part of the famous Mengku large leafed tea and Icelandic village is the main birthplace of Mengku Tea. This kind of tea has a long history. There are written records during the Ming Dynasty (around 1485), or earlier than Ming period according to the storied unwritten records. As to the origin of the Iceland tea, some believe it was introduced from Xishuangbanna ancient mountain by local Chieftain, while others believe it was introduced from other places.

After breakfast, head to visit Cangyuan Cliff Painting. Lincang rock painting is located in the north of Menglai town, Cangyuan county and famous for the 3500- year old rock painting. Up to now, there are 11 pieces of rock paintings found in batches in 1965, 1978 and 1981, mainly distributing in Mengsheng township(勐省乡) and Mengyuan township(勐来乡) , which vividly show the Wa’s activities of hunting, herding, dancing and sacrificing, rich in content and unique in style. So far, Cangyuan rock painting is one of the oldest rock paintings found in China. According to the determination of drawing age,
the rock paintings were measured in the late Neolithic period which is more than 3,000 years ago. On June 25, 2001, Cangyuan rock painting, as a Neolithic relic, was included by the State Council of China in the list of the fifth batch of national relic protection units.

Visit Thousand-Meter Gallery of Chinese painting in the afternoon. Located in the middle part of the scenic area, the mural is about 3 kilometers long, 80-180 meters high and the highest 280 meters. Some cliff surfaces are uneven densely covered with honeycomb dissolved pore, some are smooth just as being cut by a knife or axe, and some are similar with terrace dotted to be colorful by impurities and climbing plants. It is like a giant mural painting, which depicts the vicissitudes of the old earth.

This morning, drive to Rehai Hot Spring. Tengchong is one of China’s three major geothermal areas, known as “Land Abounding in Geothermal Resources”. There are plenty of springs of hot water and hot vapour, called “Hot Sea”. There are quite a number of hot fields as well. Tengchong is a resort where people can travel, take a bath and have medical treatment. The Hot Sea, with an area of 9 square kilometers, lies 20 kilometers away southwest of the county seat and in the center of the geothermal area. There are over 80 springs of hot water and hot vapour, of which there are 14 spring whose temperature reaches 90¡ãC. The spring can be regarded as a rarity as far as their number and geothermal energy are concerned. The most magnificent view is the boiling pool with a temperature of 97¡ãC, so it is called “the Big Boiling Pot” by the local people. There are dozens of big springs of vapour with a temperature of 94¡ãC at the mouths of the springs, where you can steam food.

After that, drive to Beihai Wetland Park.  The wetland is surrounded by mountains, located in a special geographical position, and is a typical subtropical volcanic lava barrier lake marsh wetland. The reserve features a “floating blanket style” marsh, complex biodiversity and high productivity. The reserve is not only a garden of national protected plants like Brasenia schreberi and wildwater chestnuts, but it is also a paradise for water birds.

In the afternoon, arrive in Heshun Ancient Town in Tengchong County in the late afternoon, you will be free in Heshun Ancient Town and enjoy the relax life after the wonderful Three Parallel River Grand Canyons adventure tour. Walk around Heshun Old Town, pay a visit to Clothes-Washing Pacillion, Heshun Library,Wenchang Temple and the Anti-Japanese War Museum as well as the local ancient houses.

Drive from Bingzhongluo to Gongshan. Stop to visit the First Bend of Nujiang River. Continue the driving along Nujiang Valley to Gongshan County 

Drive along the newly built road from Gongshan County to Cizhong,the road is bumpy but the scenery is so fantestic because the view of Mekong River and Nujiang River grand cayons as well as the Biluo Snow Mountain. 

Biluo Snow Mountain is located at Lanping churchyard which I continuous 145KM. There are 15 snow mountains, which stand 4000 meter above sea level. The Laowo Mountain is the most beautiful a highest mountain than the others, which is 4500 meters above sea level. It is 3200 meters higher compared with the Lantsang. The original ecosystem has been preserved. The climate changes unconventionally in the mountain. The flowing waterfall is densely 6 covered, edelweiss and lakes are gathered, and it is called the mountain with thousand waterfalls and thousand lakes.

This morning, drive to visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. With 34 rapids of the Yangtze River, it is called the Jinsha in this area because you can find gold in the river. Start the hiking tour of the Tiger Leaping Gorge from the 14KM Point to Halfway Guesthouse in Bendiwan Village for lunch,you will enjoy the wonderful view of Tiger Leaping Gorge and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from the balcony of Halfway Guesthouse. Trek 1 hour to the Guanyin Temple and Bamboo Forest, and then continue the hiking down to Tinas Hostel in the middle part of the gorge.Meet our driver and transfer to Shangrila.

Then drive to the First Bend on the Yangtze River with imposing gorge scenery, visit the Iron Chain Bridge, the Red Army’s Long March Memorial Monument in the Shigu town. The town of Stone Drum got its name from a large, cylindrical, marble tablet shaped like a drum. The scenery is magnificent as the road running through the Lijiang valley which is filled with wheat fields and drying haystacks.   

In the late afternoon, transfer to Lijiang for overnight.

Enjoy the sunrise of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lijiang Ancient Town in the morning, drive about 30KM to Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M), you will take the sightseeig bus for a short visiting through the Baishuihe River, take the chairlift up to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The cableway will be arranged according to the condition of the mountain. You will hike around1 hours in the original forest in Spruce Meadow (3200M).

After lunch, you will enjoy the Impression Lijang Ethnic Show directed in Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M). A cultural show demonstrating the traditions and lifestyles of the Naxi, Yi and Bai peoples of the area. The show takes place inside Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Park at 3500m in an outdoor theater specifically designed to showcase the mountain which is used as a backdrop. The production itself was designed by Zhang Yimou, Fan Yue and Wang Chaoge, a cast of over 500 people, and a number of horses. In the afternoon, you’ll stroll through Baisha Village, which is an enchanting traditional Yunnan village. Visit the Baisha Mural about 600 years old, which is one part of the World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO 1997.

–Jade Dragon Snow Mountain stretches a length of 35 kilometers (22 miles) and a width of 20 kilometers (13 miles). Looking from Lijiang Old Town in the south which is 15 kilometers (nine miles) away, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The highest peak named Fan Peak (Shanzidou in Chinese) which is about 5596 meters above sea level. There are three cablecars in the mountain, the fist to the Glacier Park(4500M),the second to Spruce Meadow(3200M), the third to Yak Meadow(3700M).

In the morning, dive 4-5 hrs on the spectacle mountain road to visit the mysterious Lugu Lake. On the way, enjoy the beautiful view among the huge mountains and rivers.
 
Late afternoon, you will take the canoes to visit Liwubi Island and Heiwawu Island in Lugu Lake. Pay a visit to Mosuo Culture Museum and learn the Mosuo ethnic custom in the museum. Enjoy the sunset wonder of Luguhu Lake in Luoshui Village. In the evening, take part in Mosuo Bonfire Party with ethnic dance and singing performance. You will dance and sing with Mosuo boys and girls around a big bonfire in the outdoors theatre.

Morning , pick up from your hotel in Lijiang , drive to visit Shibaoshan Mountain. Located 25 km southwest of Jianchuan County, the Shibao (Stone Treasure) Hills are also called the Shizhong (Stone Bell) Hills. Built during the Tang and Song Dynasties, it is considered an official historical site.

Later go ahead to visit Shaxi Old Town The remains of an ancient market town and once an active trade stop on the Southern Silk Road that connected Tibet and China with Southeast Asia and on to Europe. This Road is actually older than the more famous Silk Road (in the North), predating it by at least 300 years. Shaxi has been listed by the World Monuments Fund as one of the world’s 100 most endangered sites. 

After the tour , drive to Dali. Visit Dali Old Town. Walk around the Foreigner Street and enjoy the relax time with local people. After climbing up to the City Wall of Dali, you will have panoramic view of the Erhai Lake.

This morning, drive to Weishan County. You will visit Donglianhua Village first. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, they became involved in trade as caravan leaders on the Tea and Horse Road (茶马古道). The courtyards and mansions of village of Donglianhua (东莲花) shows how successful these Chinese Muslims traders were. The Muslims of Weishan (巍山) region in Yunnan (as well as other Chinese regions) belong to the Hui ethnic group (回族). The ancestry of the Hui varies. Some are the descendants of intermarriages between Muslim men of Middle-eastern or Central Asian origins and local women, others are the descendants of Han-Chinese who converted to Islam.

Then transfer to Weishan Old Town. Weishan Old Town is located at the foot of Ailao Mountain. It is a historical and cultural city known as the cradle of Nanzhao Kingdom. First built in Yuan Dynasty, Weishan Old Town has been changed to the brick city and remained the style and features until today. As the place that carry out Tusi System for the longest time in Yunnan, the long history of Weishan breeds numerous temples, echoing with the natural landscape at the diatance.

In the late afternoon, drive back to Dali.

Recommended Hotels

Destination	5 Star	4 Star	3 Star	Hostels
Kunming	Sofitel Hotel	Kunming Jinjiang Hotel	Kunming Longteng Hotel	T&T Story Hotel
Shilin	Days Hotel and Suites Tongce Shilin of Wyndham	Bosheng Holiday Hotel	Ashima Business Hotel	Local Hostel
Luoping	/	/	/	Local Hostel
Puzhehei	/	/	/	YI DA Inn
Bamei	/	/	/	Local Hostel
Jianshui	Tinziyun Resort	Lin’an Hotel	Hongmantian Hotel	Local Hostel
Yuanyang	The Twelve Manor Terraces Hostel	Yunti Hotel (Yuanyang Shengcun)	Yunshuijian Guesthouse	Local Hostel
Jinghong (Xishuangbanna)	Jinhong Qixi Hotel	Jinghong Ninty-Seven Daiyun Theme Hotel	Fanyin Shuyuan Hotel	Jinghong Daixiang Vocational Hotel
Lincang	/	Hetang Yuechun Hotel	Yuncheng Hotel	Local Hostel
Dehong	Mangshi Hotel	Jingcai Hotel	Huangjia Hotel	Local Hostel
Tengchong	Tengchong Guanfang Hotel	Tengchong Empark Grand Hotel	Tengchong Dongfang Xuanyi Holiday Hotel	Local Hostel
Bingzhongluo	/	/	/	Local Hostel
Cizhong	/	/	/	Songtsam Lodges Cizhong
Feilaisi	Guanjing Tiantang Hotel	Mingzhu Hotel	Mingzhu Hotel	Local Hostel
Shangrila	Tianju Shangri-la	E-outfitting Boutique Hotel	Bodhi Boutique Inn	Wu Fu South Yunnan Boutique Inn
Lijiang	InterContinental Hotel	E-outfitting Boutique Hotel in Shuhe	Baisha Holiday Hotel	Local Hostel
Lugu Lake	Sealily Lugu Lake Angyue Boutique Hotel	Sealily Lugu Lake Honeymoon Solu Boutique Holiday Hotel	Sealily Travel Hotel	Local Hostel
Dali	Hilton Dali Resort And Spa	Dali E-outfitting Boutique Hotel	Taiheju Hotel	Dali Fengxue Gucheng

Service Included:

• Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
• Meals as listed in the itinerary;
• Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
• Private English-speaking tour guide;
• Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
• Service charge & government taxes;
• Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
• Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Service Excluded:

• Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
• Chinese visa fees;
• Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
• Single room supplement;
• Tips to guides and drivers;
• Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
• Personal travel accident insurance;
• All optional programs.

Travel Tips:

• Visitors are advised to always carry changes of clothing due to the large variations in temperature between day and night.
• The climate is relatively dry, so drink more water every day.
• Protecting oneself from strong UV radiation at high altitude.
• Protecting oneself from altitude sickness. Lessen the effects of altitude sickness, avoid strenuous exercise and have plenty of rest. 
• Respect local customs , habits, and religious beliefs.

Inquiry

Why is Sinong Glacier So Special?

The Sinong Glacier(斯农冰川) is in behind of Sinong Village. It is a glacier in the mountains of Meili Snow Mountain. Undeveloped Sungong Glacier attracts a lot of tourists to trek.

Where is Sinong Glacier?

Sinong Glacier is located in Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province. It is on the Meili Snow Mountain and behind of Sinong Village.

How to Get to Sinong Glacier?

First, you should get to Feilai Temple, then hiking to the Sinong Glacier.

►By plane: Fly directly to Shangri-la city (Zhongdian), and then take a local bus to Feilai Temple in Deqin County.
►By scheduled bus: There are regular bus routes to Feilai Temple from a number of nearby destinations: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang (albeit, via Shangri-la), and Shangri-la itself.
►By charter bus: One of the easiest ways to get to Feilai Temple is to take a charter bus. A number of even easier ways to get to Feilai Temple is to hire a minibus, a car, or a cross-country jeep – they are available everywhere.

What to See at Sinong Glacier?

The splendid glacier is worth to visit.

Best Time to Visit Sinong Glacier

The best time to visit Sinong Glacier is in summer。 At that time, the weather is not so cold and tourists can spend the night in the mountain.

Accommodate at Sinong Glacier

There is no accommodation around Sinong Glacier. But there are several guesthouses and hostels with basic condition around Sinong Village.

Overview of Snong Glacier

Location and Background

Snong Glacier is located in Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, bordering Tibet. It is one of the glaciers in the Meili Snow Mountain range, the foremost of the Eight Sacred Peaks of Tibet, on the northern slope of Kawagebo. In 1991, a Sino-Japanese joint expedition attempted to climb Snong Glacier but failed and later shifted to the Yubeng route. Snong Glacier remains undeveloped and is hidden behind the village of Snong, a natural Tibetan village that has preserved its original purity for thousands of years.

Exploration Experience

Upon learning that our expedition was assigned to Snong Glacier, I searched extensively for information but found very little, which only heightened my longing to visit. Despite the difficulty in adjusting my schedule, I managed to allocate time for Snong Glacier. On November 8, after returning from Niuba Glacier, I spent a day adjusting in Feilai Temple, resupplied, and arrived in Snong village with my team in the evening, ready to experience the mystique of this ancient village.

Journey and Experience

Route

We traveled along National Road 214, passing through Yubeng and Mingyong Glaciers. Mingyong Glacier is now a developed tourist site with paved roads, but the road to Snong is only half-constructed and unpaved due to a project that was abandoned when the contractor ran away. Snong village currently has over 70 households, with buildings in traditional Tibetan style. At the village entrance, a prayer wheel turns as Tibetan elderly ladies spin it devoutly and greet us warmly.

Accommodation and Cultural Exchange

We stayed at the village chief’s house. We bought yak meat and eggs in Deqin and cooked a meal at the chief’s house, making it the most luxurious meal of our trip. We enjoyed drinking and chatting with the village chief, experiencing his joy and concerns. After a few rounds of drinks and various dishes, the village chief’s song “Legend of Kawagebo” deeply moved us. What charm does this snow mountain hold that has made pilgrims circle it for over eight hundred years?

November 9

Morning

At 7:00 AM, while it was still dark, our guide, Lurong Nima, a cheerful Tibetan young man, arrived at the chief’s house. The motorcycle team transported our luggage to the pass because the road to the pass is treacherous, a narrow, rugged path with deep ravines on one side and sheer cliffs on the other. We slowly ascended the winding path to the pass, where the motorcycle team picked us up and took us to Shui Tou (the source of mountain spring water, the life-giving spring for Snong village). Once at Shui Tou, we strapped on our heavy gear and began our trek to Snong Glacier.

Hiking Process

We followed a narrow path north, climbing from an altitude of 2364 meters through deep valleys, past fields of barley, highland barley, walnuts, and rare tree species like yew and tofu dregs trees. Nima introduced the animals of Snong Glacier, including snow leopards, bears, wolves, wild goats, and monkeys, as well as valuable medicinal herbs like ginseng, fritillary bulbs, and caterpillar fungus. He explained various plant characteristics, which was very informative.

At an altitude of 3000 meters, we crossed the pass and finally saw the majestic Snong Glacier. The glacier at the base was adorned with prayer flags. Nima explained that a large avalanche in April of this year had destroyed the original wooden bridge, and all the men from the village volunteered to rebuild it, covering it with prayer flags to offer blessings to the sacred mountain.

Reaching the Camp

We continued our ascent, resting at an altitude of 3446 meters. “Standing on the slope, leisurely looking down, my greatest wish at this moment is to find a bed.” After adjusting, we proceeded along the river valley, passing through a debris area from the April avalanche. The snow had not completely melted, and the fallen trees lay chaotically on the snow, which was quite alarming. We left the valley and moved onto the right ridge at an altitude of 3761 meters, where Snong Glacier appeared before us. The ice towers sparkled with a blue light against the blue sky—a rare natural spectacle! Our team leader set up the drone to capture this vibrant scene.

On November 9, at 3:45 PM, we arrived at the campsite at an altitude of 4000 meters, where three small wooden huts offered a 360-degree view of the snowy landscape. The terrain varied from valleys and pastures to primitive forests and ancient glaciers, with an altitude increase of 1600 meters from 2400 meters to the base camp, marking the limit for high-altitude, heavy-load trekking. All team members were in good condition with no altitude sickness or delays.

The weather was not ideal, with light rain falling, raising concerns about completing the filming the next day. The team leader decided to fly the drone within manageable limits to capture the footage. At 4:40 PM, we set up camp, and a campfire was lit in the wooden hut, creating a beautiful scene of snow-capped mountains, forests, wooden huts, and rising smoke.

Features and History of Snong Glacier

Snong Glacier’s icefall is a distinctive feature, a rare low-latitude, low-altitude modern monsoon mountain glacier with enormous ice masses hanging on high mountains, frequently breaking due to high temperatures and intense sun exposure. The active nature of Snong Glacier makes it suitable for long-term time-lapse photography to record glacier movement. The Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have not yet established a glacier monitoring station here. Currently, only informal monitoring stations can be set up. Establishing a glacier observation point is crucial for recording climate changes, snow and glacier interactions, and calculating annual glacier movement speed to provide valuable data for glacier research.

Past Stories

Chatting with Nima in the wooden hut, he shared stories about the construction of the hut, the villagers of Snong, and the 1991 plane crash. Nima recalled that when the Sino-Japanese expedition first arrived, the villagers were unaware of their plan to climb the sacred mountain. Initially, they helped transport supplies at a low price, only later realizing the expedition’s goal was to climb Kawagebo. The villagers prayed for snow every day.

As we sat quietly, immersed in the serene, primeval forest and the slightly bluish glacier, we set aside fatigue and fear to simply enjoy the moment. The next morning, after a night of rain and snowfall, visibility was too poor for filming. Nima warned that if we didn’t descend soon, heavy snow would soon block the mountain, making descent more difficult. After discussion, we decided to retreat, leaving many regrets behind.

Descent and Conclusion

The descent was quick, and by 2:20 PM, we returned to Snong village. There was no rain or snow at the base. On the way down, I saw extensive vineyards, which have been cultivating and brewing grapes for over 100 years, introduced by European missionaries in the 19th century. Wild fruits and pomegranates grew along the roadside, and everything in Snong village was so beautiful!

Nearby Attractions

Feilai Temple Viewing Platform

It’s the perfect place to take a panoramic view of 13 peaks and enjoy the sunrise and sunset view, which is always the first stop for travellers to the snow mountains.

Wunongding Viewing Platform

This deck is located 15 kilometers south of Deqen County seat on the G214. There are 13 white towers and an open valley against the backdrop of the snow mountains.

Yubeng Village in Deqin County, Shangrila

Yubeng is a secluded small Tibetan village tucked away at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain in Deqin county, the northwestern corner of Yunnan Province. It is only accessible by foot or horse/mule. But the trip, however arduous, is worth it.

Useful Travel Tips

► Check with the hotel or guesthouse whether there is water for shower before checking in it for its lack of water in this area.

► Please keep in mind that in the mountains, do not yell or shout, that would offend the God of the Mountains. Tibetans there is always very quiet and respectful. Believe it or not, at least we do as the Romans do or show the courtesy.

► The trekking road is very dangerous, so bring enough equipment and be careful.