Yubeng Holy Massif Hikes
The top hiking route for snowy mountains in Yunnan Province must be the Yubeng Village trek — it's even better than Tiger Leaping Gorge!
Yubeng Village is a paradise hidden in the interior area of the holy Meili Snow Mountains massif. For hundreds of years, villagers have worshiped the 13 virgin (unclimbed) peaks and the holy mountains are believed to protect the village.
How lucky we are that we can visit this place more easily, which could only be accessed by very long treks in the past! And how much respect we should pay when walking this land "chosen by the gods"!
During this 4-day hiking tour, you can enjoy snow-capped peaks, glaciers, forests, lakes, and waterfalls.Explore a holy land "where gods and mortals live together" in seemingly unbreakable harmony.
Important Update: The road from Xidang Village to Yubeng Village is closed until late June 2025. Consequently, reaching Yubeng Village requires a strenuous 13km hike, lasting 5-7 hours from Ninong. To avoid this strenuous trek, it's best to wait until the road is reopened.
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Yunnan tour with China Highlights
This visit to Yunnan was 10 days long with stops at Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La and Kunming. We had 4 different guides - Dali with Daisy, Shangri-La with Peter, Lijiang with Li and Kunming with Doyle. Our guides, Daisy, Peter and Doyle was outstanding in their service. They were sensitive to our needs, flexible when we wanted any changes and did their job with enthusiasm and pride. The measure of how good a travel agency provides their service is not only in the planning of the itinerary but the follow through with good guiding service. Daisy, Peter and Doyle were exemplary in this regards! Well done, China Highlights for having guides of this quality. more
Mar 2025, Michel Siew Ngo... F
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Unforgettable 7 Day Travel Experience in Yunnan
Our 7 days Yunnan trip with China Highlights started at Kunming then took us all the way to Dali, Lijiang and Shangri La. Visiting Yunnan in December during winter time was interesting, less crowded and most importantly enable us to see Yunnan in a different landscape. A special mention to our fantastic guides, May (in Kunming) and Sunny (in Dali) and their respective drivers who were personable and shared a wealth of knowledge and insights of the places we visited. They spoke good English, helpful with our requests and ensured that we were comfortable and satisfied with our tours. We will not hesitate to use China Highlights again for our next trip to China! more
Jan 2025, Jess W
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Lijiang- family trip Dec 2024 Eleanor
My family really enjoyed our time with Eleanor in Lijiang. She was able to pass on a lot of knowledge about her city which made the trip lots more interesting! We enjoyed having her guide us to amazing places. She was really attentive when one of us were feeling sick at the top of the mountain and provided us all with adaquete preparation for the 4000km+ altitude ascension. more
Jan 2025, Nicole L
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Tour 'Wow' Points
The Sacred Meili Snow Mountains Will Stir Your Soul
Indulge in incredible views of the 13 holy snowcapped peaks. Let reverence for the icy mountains and white pagodas purify your heart.
Feel Solemn Tranquility at Kawagarbo's Base Camp and Ice Lake
Hike through primitive pine forests to Ice Lake past the base camp where the China-Japan Mountaineering Team stayed before the holy peak claimed all their 17 lives.
Admire Life-Giving Kawagarbo Snowmelt Waterfalls
The snow on top of inviolable Kawagarbo (main peak) remains untouched by humans. But the sparkling waterfalls from Kawagarbo's snow are a source of spiritual strength as well as sustenance supporting the local Tibetans.
Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Drive for about 4 hours from Shangri-La to reach Deqin. Enjoy the Tibetan Plateau scenery along the way.
Stop at a platform for a great view of the Big Bend of the Jinsha River, which is the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Then continue on to visit the Dongzhulin Monastery, which is located on the side of a mountain.
Go on up to Wunongding Viewing Platform for the classic panoramic view of the Meili Snow Mountains.
Visit Feilai Lamasery, which also faces the peaks of the Meili Snow Mountains.
Drive from Feilai Lamasery to Xidang Village, and then change to a SUV to get to Yubeng Village.
On the first day of the hiking, you will visit Ice Lake at an altitude of 3,800 m (12,000 ft).
Starting from Yubeng Village, you will hike through dense primordial forest to Xiaonong Base Camp, used by the ill-fated China-Japan Mountaineering Team in 1991. Have a rest in the base camp and then continue hiking for another 1½ hours to Ice Lake. The blue lake surrounded by snowy peaks is so pure and peaceful.
Return by the same path to Yubeng. The hiking distance on this day is about 16 km (10 miles) with an ascent of 900 m (3,000 ft).
Hike from upper Yubeng Village to Lower Yubeng in the morning. Then continue through a forest to the holy waterfall. Prayer flags hang in throngs near the waterfall showing the reverence of the local Tibetan people.
Take the same way back to Yubeng Village and stay overnight there.
The hiking distance on this day is about 14 km (9 miles) with an ascent of 560 m (1,800 ft) and a descent of 630 m (2,100 ft)
Say goodbye to Yubeng Village and hike along the spectacular Ninong Canyon to Ninong Village. Your driver will pick you up there and transfer you to Shangri-La.
The hiking distance on this day is about 13 km (8 miles) with a descent of 950 m (3,100 ft).
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: zd-3