9 Days Yunnan Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Village Hiking Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Lijiang Arrival

   Upon your arrival in Lijiang, your private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Lijiang Old Town. After checking in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace.

   Would like to dive into Lijiang's history? Then we suggest you visit the Dongba Museum. Get to explore the rich world of Naxi culture and their ancient pictographic scripts — it's like reading art that tells a thousand stories. And, wander leisurely in the heart of Lijiang Old Town. Hit the bustling Square Street, where shops spill onto stone bridges, canals whisper alongside, and cozy cafes invite you to slow down and take it all in.

   For a sweeping view of Lijiang's tiled roofs and twisting alleyways, climb the viewing platform on the Lion Mountain, and at the same time, the holy Jade Dragon Snow Mountain can be seen in the distance. Later on, walk along the streets of Lijiang Ancient Town that are lighted with lanterns at night.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
2. Day 2: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Adventure & Naxi Culture
   Lijiang’s Iconic Landscapes and the Living Traditions of the Naxi People

   Meet your Lijiang tour guide at the hotel this morning. You will be guided to explore the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Its thirteen snow capped peaks stretch endlessly, resembling a "giant dragon" soaring and dancing, hence it is called the "Jade Dragon". Your first stop in the scenic area is Ganhaizi Meadow, a natural meadow pasture with gentle and undulating terrainan backed by low pine trees and yaks - a perfect place for photographs. Next, enjoy the world-famous open-air show Impression Lijiang, performed at the foot of the mountain and directed by Zhang Yimou. It shows Naxi, Tibetan, and Bai traditions against an unforgettable natural backdrop.

   Afterwards, board the cable car to Spruce Meadow (Yunshanping), where you can see pristine spruce forests. It is said that this place is a holy land for Naxi youth to die for love. Continue to the turquoise waters of Blue Moon Valley, a highlight known for its clear terraced pools.

   

   Notes:

   • Booking cableway tickets for Glacier Park is quite difficult. If you are fortunate enough to visit Glacier Park, please prepare to queue for 2 hours.
   • The lunch options in the park are limited. You can bring some snacks or have a meal in the city after the visit.

   Leaving the mountain, travel to Baisha Village, one of the earliest Naxi settlements. Here you’ll visit a local Naxi family, gaining insight into their daily customs and traditional crafts. Last, capture the reflection of Yulong Snow Mountain at Black Dragon Pool. After all visits, drve you back you back to your hotel.

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   4-Star Hotel in Lijiang
3. Day 3: Drive from Lijiang to Shangri-La
   Explore Dramatic River Scenery before Entering the Ancient Heart of Shangri-La

   We plan to travel about one hour after having breakfast and then arrive at the First Bend of the Yangtze River. Imagine this - the Jinsha River, which is very powerful, suddenly makes a dramatic turn shaped like a V and you are able to see a stunning scene right there with mountains, water, and terraced fields all together. This is the first time you get to see Yunnan's wild and beautiful landscape today.

   Next, we will be driving for another hour to the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge. But this is not just a canyon, it is one of the deepest river gorges in the whole country. You can either walk on the viewing platforms or take one of the shorter paths to really experience the raw power of the river roaring underneath you. It is a sight, that honestly, just takes your breath away.

   After the visit, drive further on to Shangri-La and check in at your hotel. You will have the entire afternoon free for your own activities. We suggest a stroll through Dukezong Ancient Town, a place with a lot of old stone houses, prayer flags, and artists’ shops that rarely see tourists. Live the experience! If you still feel like it, ascend to Guishan Hill, where the largest prayer wheel in the world is located. Turn the wheel with the local people for luck, and then at the end of the day, delight yourself with a golden sunset view over the whole plateau.

   

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   3-Star Guesthouse in Shangri-La
4. Day 4: Shangri-La’s Highlights, Drive to Feilaisi
   Tibetan Spirituality and Unforgettable Himalayan Vistas

   Begin your Shangri-La trip at Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan Province and often called the "Little Potala Palace." The temple is constructed in such a way that it stretches along the mountain making it look like a piece of an ancient castle. It is the highest point of Tibetan plastic arts and is also referred to as "Tibetan Art Museum". Allow the guide to lead you through the magnificent prayer halls, visit the temples with golden roofs, and get to know the ancient religion’s heritage. Proceed to a neighboring village, where you will be invited to a Tibetan family’s house. You will see how they live and try the traditional yak butter tea they make.

   After lunch, take a 4-hour drive through the scenic route to Feilaisi Temple, whence you get to see the Meili Snow Mountain the best. Make a stop at the dramatic Great Bend of the Jinsha River during your trip; there the river makes a huge loop by cutting up steep canyons. At Feilaisi, check into your hotel and if the weather allows, experience the incredible sunset that lights up the snow mountains.

   

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   3-Star Guesthouse in Feilaisi
5. Day 5: Hike to Yubeng Upper Village from Ninong Village
   Sunrise Over Meili Snow Mountain & Scenic Trek to Yubeng Village

   Wake up early this morning to witness the beautiful sunrise over Meili Snow Mountain. The first golden light very gradually lights up the holy mountains. After this moment, head to Ninong Village by car, where today’s hike begins. You’ll have a 7-kilometer trek through narrow valleys, forested paths, and sections that open to canyon scenery. The hike takes around 3 hours at a comfortable pace. For the remaining distance, you will transfer to a local car that brings you directly to Upper Yubeng Village (3150m).

   Upon arrival, check into your guesthouse and take the rest of the day to explore the village freely (no tour guide to accompany you). Wander past wooden homes draped in prayer flags, listen to the sound of glacial streams... This is an ideal time to acclimatize to the higher altitude.

   

   Travel tip: If you prefer not to carry your luggage during the hike, local motorcycle transport can deliver your bags to your Yubeng hotel.

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   3-Star Guesthouse in Yubeng
6. Day 6: Trek to Glacier Lake
   Hike to a Pristine High-altitude Lake Surrounded by Untouched Himalayan Wilderness

   Ready for the real trek? After you grab some breakfast, you're in for a full day of hiking to the awesome Glacier Lake. You will climb to about 3,800 meters! This lake is thought of as special because it comes from melted snow. The water is super cold and a dark green color, kind of like jade. The whole trip is about 12.5 kilometers there and back, and you'll be going up around 850 meters in total. You'll hike through thick woods with fir trees and bright rhododendrons, go by fast-moving streams, and walk across open fields where you'll see prayer flags blowing in the wind.

   As you go up, the land gets tougher. When you reach Glacier Lake, chill and enjoy the blue water. All around, there are steep cliffs and nature that's never been touched. This secluded alpine lake is revered by locals. Have a good lunch during your hike!

   In the afternoon, follow the same path back down to Lower Yubeng Village, where you’ll spend the night in a cozy guesthouse.

   

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   3-Star Guesthouse in Yubeng
7. Day 7: Trek to the Sacred Waterfall
   Hike through Pristine Valleys to Spiritually Important Sites

   The trek in Yubeng after breakfast will commence today with the Sacred Waterfall visit, which is about 3,700 meters high. The entire trip will take about 5 to 6 hours round trip. The pristine woods, soft riverside areas and extensive alpine meadows that are surrounding by snow-capped mountains will be experienced during your hiking trail. Not only that but also during your trekking you will spot yaks, prayer flags and smell the pines that grow at high altitude.

   The Sacred Waterfall is a place of great cultural importance in Tibetan Buddhism. Its flowing water changes with the seasons: powerful and thundering during spring and summer, misty and delicate in autumn and winter, and often glowing with rainbow halos on sunny days. When you arrive at the spot, you can join the local pilgrims in going around the waterfall three times and also dip or gently wash in the water - which is claimed to cleanse the spirit and grant luck.

   After spending time enjoying the refreshing spray, follow the same scenic trail back to Yubeng Village. Have a good rest.

   

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   3-Star Guesthouse in Yubeng
8. Day 8: Descend to Ninong Village & Return to Shangri-La
   Follow the Riverside Trail out of Yubeng

   This morning, bid farewell to Yubeng and hike down the riverside trail. The route takes you through woods, over bridges, and by streams of crystal-clear water. Three and a half to four hours of steady walking will finally bring you to the village of Ninong (2,100 m) where your driver is going to be waiting for you. Allow yourself a minute to unwind and sip something. From here, drive for 4 hours back to Shangri-La for a well-deserved rest.

   

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   3-Star Guesthouse in Shangri-La
9. Day 9: Departure from Shangri-La

   This is the end of your 9-day Yubeng village hiking tour. After breakfast, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and then transfer you to the airport. Thank you very much for choosing China Xian Tour. Hope to see you again on your next trip to China!

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