Overview
Snowy peaks and wooded walks
Yubeng is one of the most renowned trekking destinations in China, located in the heart of the Meili Snow Mountain area.
There are several trekking routes, each showing a different view on the beauty of the region. Whether you’re a seasoned mountaineer or a nature lover, this is a rewarding trek through picturesque landscapes. Over the 5 days course, you’ll have the chance to explore diverse terrains, immerse yourself in the area’s natural wonders, and discover why Yubeng is a must-visit destination for trekking enthusiasts.
Highlights
Follow established hiking routes in the Meili Snow Mountain area, taking you through forests, canyons, rivers and valleys.
Watch the sunrise and sunset over Meili Snow Mountain from Feilai Temple.
Hike to Ice Lake with views of Kawagebo Peak.
Visit the Sacred Waterfall fed by meltwater from Meili Snow Mountain and a sacred site for Tibetan people.
Spend time in Yubeng Village, a small mountain village known for its serene beauty.
Itinerary
08:30
Begin your tour when you get picked up from your hotel in Shangri-La. On the way, enjoy a distant view of the vast Napa Grasslands, before reaching the majestic Yangtze Grand Canyon. A stop at Benzilan, a town along the ancient Tea Horse Road, offers a glimpse into its rich history.
Dong Zhu Lin Monastery
Don’t miss the Dong Zhu Lin Monastery (East Forest Monastery), a century-old religious site brimming with culture and tranquillity.
18:00 Meili Snow Mountain
Finally, arrive in Deqin, where a sunset view of the majestic Meili Snow Mountain awaits you at the platform of Feilai Temple. The accommodation for this night is in the grounds of the Tibetan Buddhist temple.
Pick-up time:
Around 08:30
Drop-off time:
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
2500m – 3300 m
Traveltime
5 hrs (170 km)
Additional information
- Bring warm layers and sun protection: temperatures can change significantly between lower and higher elevations
- The Meili Snow Mountain sunset is weather-dependent and not guaranteed
08:30
Start your day with a breathtaking sunrise view of Meili Snow Mountain. After breakfast, you will be driven to Ninong, where your adventure begins (15 kilometres, about six hours of hiking).
Ninong Canyon
This tour takes you through the Ninong Canyon and into the heart of a primeval forest, following a winding path along the Lancang River.
18:00 Yubeng Village
As you make your way through this untouched wilderness, you’ll finally arrive at the serene Yubeng Village, nestled at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain. Known as a miniature Shangri-La, Yubeng offers an idyllic escape into nature, with its tranquil landscapes and pristine beauty.
Pick-up time:
Around 08:30
Drop-off time:
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
2000 m – 3000 m
Traveltime
6 hrs (15 km)
1 hrs (35 km)
Additional information
- Sunrise at Meili Snow Mountain is weather-dependent
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery
08:30
After breakfast, get ready for a challenging day at Ice Lake (14 kilometres return trip). Ice Lake offers a variety of rest stops and scenic viewpoints along the paths. Ideal for visitors with good physical stamina, this trail takes you through diverse terrains, ranging from gentle slopes to challenging steep sections.
Meili Snow Mountain
The journey culminates at the Ice Lake viewpoint, where you may rest with breathtaking views of Meili Snow Mountain, particularly the majestic Kawagebo Peak. Throughout the hike, you’ll experience the raw beauty of nature, making this a must-do route for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Pick-up time
Around 08:30
Drop-off time
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
3000 m – 3900 m
Traveltime
7hrs (14 km)
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slippery
- The Ice Lake viewpoint offers views of Kawagebo Peak, weather permitting
08:30
Today will take you deep into a picturesque valley. Starting from Yubeng, follow the signs as you take an uphill trek up to Sacred Waterfall in about 4 hours, reaching an elevation of 3650 meters. The waterfall is fed by the melting snow from Meili Snow Mountain.
Waterfall
In spring and summer, the increased snowmelt makes the waterfall stronger and more dramatic, while in other seasons, it cascades gently down the mountainside. Revered by Tibetans as a sacred site, the waterfall is a place for spiritual cleansing and many come here to bathe under its waters to purify their souls.
18:00 – Yubeng Village
According to Tibetan tradition, you may walk clockwise around the waterfall three times to receive blessings and good fortune. After soaking in the serene beauty and spiritual energy of the site, you will return to Yubeng Village.
Pick-up time
Around 08:30
Drop-off time
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
3000 m – 3650 m
Traveltime
7-8 hrs (12 km)
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slippery
- The Sacred Waterfall is fed by snowmelt from Meili Snow Mountain, with stronger flows in spring and summer
09:00
Today is an easy trekking day. The road follows a gentle downhill route and views of canyons, rivers and meadows, passing through the primitive forest along the way. Ending at Ninong Village via Ninong Grand Canyon to wrap-up your Yubeng Trekking. You will be driven back to Shangri-La to conclude this adventure.
Pick-up time
Around 08:30
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
3000 m – 3300 m
Traveltime
4 hrs (12 km)
4 hrs (180 km)
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slippery
- The trek ends at Ninong Village, marking the final section of the Yubeng hiking route
Accomodation
At each destination, Wonders of Yunnan offer four tiers of accommodation for our travellers: economy, comfort, superior and luxury.
Inclusions & Exclusions
This is always the same – don’t change. (remove this instruction before you publish)
- 9 nights of economy, comfort, superior or luxury accommodation, shared room with breakfast
- Transportation: gas, tolls, parking fees and any additional pick-ups and drop-offs
- High-speed train tickets from Kunming to Dali and Shangri-La to Kunming (2nd class seats)
- Local experienced English-speaking tour guides
- Meals as listed in the itinerary: 9 breakfasts
- 2 half-liter bottles of drinking water per person per day
- Entrance tickets to the attractions listed
- Supplement for the meals for the tour guide and driver
- 24/7 English-speaking customer service
- Government taxes
- Chinese visa
- International and domestic flights
- Meals not listed in the program (lunch, dinner)
- Dynamic Yunnan Show discount tickets (please mention which category you prefer if you are interested: VVIP = USD 100, VIP = USD 77, Luxury = USD 59, Standard = USD 44, Budget = USD 33)
- Additional days caused by unexpected nature disasters, for instance, land slides or flooding.
- Single room supplement if the guest requests a private room in the hotel (If you prefer a private room or if there is no one else in your group to share with, a single room supplement will apply.
- Possible surcharges for upgrades from standard twin-bed rooms to double-bed rooms
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips for drivers and guides (highly appreciated but not requested)
- Anything not listed in inclusions
Frequently asked questions
The trek is best suited to travellers who are comfortable with several hours of hiking at high altitude. The Ice Lake and Sacred Waterfall routes include steep and uneven sections, so they may be challenging for young children or travellers with limited mobility.
There are approximately 41 km of trekking across the tour, including the Ninong–Yubeng, Ice Lake and Sacred Waterfall routes.
Bring sturdy hiking shoes, warm layers, rain protection, sunscreen, water and a small backpack for daily essentials.
Important information
- Single Supplement. The price listed is for two people sharing one room. If you require a private room or if there is no one else in the group to share a room with, a single room supplement will apply. The single supplement fee is outlined in our price list.
- Driver and guide working hours. The daily working time for driver and tour guide during this tour is maximum 10 hours per day. Overtime working hours will be charged extra.
- Tipping drivers and tour guides is custom in China. We recommend giving 50-80 RMB (7 – 10 USD) per day to the driver and 80-130 RMB (10 – 15 USD) per day to your tour guide.
- Weather. During the summer months (June to September) Yunnan has a rainy season. It won’t be raining 24/7, but we recommend bringing a small umbrella that fits in a backpack.
- Accommodation. The hotels in the itinerary are the recommended hotels, if they are fully booked during your travel period, we will book alternative hotels in the same price/quality range. We book different hotels on request too, but a surcharge might be needed.
- Children & Accommodation. Please note that except for luxury hotels, in many hotels family rooms only have space for one child, but it could be possible to book an extra mattress in some hotels. Please contact us for more information when travelling with a family.
- Meals. Lunches at authentic, quality local restaurants are not included. Your guide can recommend quality authentic places for you. If you have preferences or dietary requirements such as vegetarian, halal, kosher, vegan or gluten-free, please tell your tour guide in advance. Your tour guide will normally not order spicy food or meat/fish with bones unless asked for.
