5D4N Yubeng Trekking Adventure

Dongzhulin Monastery, a grand Tibetan Buddhist sanctuary in Yunnan. Delve into the rich history and culture of Tibetan Buddhism as your guide narrates stories behind the intricate murals, statues, and thangkas.

Baima Snow Mountain: Drive along the Lancang River, relishing breathtaking views of the sacred Baima Snow Mountain. Pause at an observation deck to capture photos of snow-capped peaks and possibly spot yaks, monkeys, and eagles.

Continue driving to Feilai Temple Scenic Area, offering a distant glimpse of the majestic Meili Snow Mountain. Check in at your hotel, unwind, and later, take a leisurely stroll to the Feilaisi Observation Deck. Witness the enchanting sunset over Meili Snow Mountain and marvel at the 13 white Tibetan pagodas against the backdrop, symbolizing the 13 peaks of the Meili range.  Accommodation: Near Feilaisi Observation Deck

Day 2: Feilai Temple (3400m) → Lancang River → Ninong Grand Canyon (1900m) → Upper Yubeng Village (3160m)

Get up at about 6:30am in the morning to watch sunrise. See the holy Meili Snow Mountain turn golden as the morning sun rolls and surges on the snow-capped mountain top like a thin veil flying, sometimes golden like foil, sometimes orange-red like fire.

Meili Snow Mountain

After breakfast, we will take an approximately 1 to 1.5-hour drive to Ninong Village, along the Lancang River.  Once we arrive, we will begin our long walk through Ninong Grand Canyon, which is a human and horse caravan road for villagers to walk out of Yubeng for generations. Walking here through the forest, sometimes through cliff-hanging paths, sometimes through village pastures and along streams and wooden bridges, with the distant white snow-capped mountains, the nearby canyon streams and waterfalls, all this will make you feel the first day of trekking is a lot more bearable.  We will reach Upper Yubeng Village after about 7 hours of hiking, before settling into our accommodation for the night.

This quaint Upper Yubeng Village, home to around 20 households, boasts a simple yet charming lifestyle. Surrounded by verdant forests and snow-capped peaks, it provides a mesmerizing backdrop with a clear view of the Kawagebo Peak—the pinnacle of the Meili range, revered and considered sacred. Immerse yourself in the tranquility and spirituality of this Tibetan village.  Upon arrival, check in to your guesthouse and spend the rest of the day exploring the enchanting beauty of Upper Yubeng Village. Take leisurely strolls through the village, engage in friendly conversations with the welcoming locals, or pay a visit to the nearby Yubeng Monastery.  Accommodation: Upper Yubeng Village

The hiking distance on this day is about 16 km (around 6 hours) with an ascent of 1260 m.  Optional: Hiking a first stretch, an upward trail, of about 7.5-8km (takes average of 2-3 hours) from Ninong to this place called Dajier 达吉尔（大金农), followed by a 2nd stretch, another 8km or so, where there is the availability of a jeep service (98RMB/pax with 1 piece of backpack luggage each) for about 30mins, to Upper Yubeng Village (White Stupa).

Today, we will hike from Upper Yubeng Village to Lower Yubeng in the morning. Then continue through a forest, enjoying the alpine fir forests, prayer flags and milky streams along the way to the holy waterfall.  Prayer flags hang in throngs near the waterfall showing the reverence of the local Tibetan people. Along the way, encounter picturesque spots such as the Big Stone, the Sacred Lake, and the Yak Meadow. Marvel at the sight of rare and exquisite plants and flowers, including rhododendrons, azaleas, and orchids.

Waterfall: Located on the south side of the main peak of Meili Snow Mountain, Kawagebo Peak, there is a waterfall pouring down from the hanging rock, known as the “Rain Avalanche Waterfall”, and the Tibetans take a bath under the Rain Avache Waterfall as a kind of cultivation to purify the soul. Legend has it that the rain avalanche waterfall is the holy water that the god Kawagebo takes back from the heavens, can divinate the fate of people, but also eliminate disasters and avoid difficulties, and give grace to all beings, Tibetan Buddhist believers worship Meili Snow Mountain, must bathe in the rain avalanche waterfall.

Following your visit to the Sacred Waterfall, trek back to Upper Yubeng Village, then descend to the equally enchanting Lower Yubeng Village. This scenic hike covers approximately 4 km, taking around 2 hours to complete. Traverse the trail, cross a wooden bridge spanning a river, and savor panoramic views of the valley and peaks along the way.  After check into your guesthouse in Lower Yubeng Village, the rest time is free for you to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the village.  Accommodation: in Lower Yubeng Village

The hiking distance on this day is about 5.4KM one way, 5-6 hours return. with an ascent of 560 m (1,800 ft) and a descent of 630 m (2,100 ft)

Day 5: Lower Yubeng Village → Ninong Grand Canyon → Shangri-La → Lijiang

After an early breakfast, we will leave Lower Yubeng Village. Descend the Yubeng River and hike back to Ninong Village along Ninong Grand Canyon. Traverse Ninong Valley, a narrow gorge adorned with a roaring river and lush vegetation, witnessing waterfalls, caves, and rock formations.  About 3-4 o’clock in the afternoon, we will arrive at the village of Ninong along the Lancang River, where we will continue to drive back to Shangri-La.  From Shangri-La, it is another 1.5 hours drive on the highway back to Lijiang

The hiking distance on this day is about 16 km (around 4 hours) with an descent of 1190m.

Lower Yubeng Village