[2024 Deqin Attraction] Travel Guide for Kawagarbo (Updated Nov)
Mountains
Mountain Climbing
Snow Mountains
Address:
Main peak of Meili Snow Mountain, Mingyong Village, Deqin County
Opening times:
Open year round, 24/7Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-5 hours
Phone:
0887-8414949
7-Day Lijiang-Meili Snow Mountain-Shangri-La Tour
Dear travel experts! Here is a practical 7-day Lijiang-Meili Snow Mountain-Shangri-La travel guide, full of useful information! Follow the guide and enjoy the beautiful scenery of western Yunnan!
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🌍✈️ Itinerary:
**DAY1: Lijiang**
Get ready for the journey! Enjoy the charm of Lijiang. We recommend visiting Lijiang Ancient Town, Sifang Street, Waterwheels, Mufu Palace, Shuhe Ancient Town, and Jiuding Longtan.
**DAY2: Lashi Lake Wetland Park->Benzilan->Jinsha River->Baima Snow Mountain Pass->Feilai Temple->Meili Snow Mountain Observation Deck**
A vibrant day! Get close to nature and experience the adventure from the wetland park to Meili Snow Mountain.
**DAY3: Meili Snow Mountain National Park->Kawagebo Peak->Lancang River Meili Grand Canyon->Nanzheng Pass->Upper Yubeng**
From Meili Snow Mountain National Park to Kawagebo Peak, enjoy the beauty of the mountains.
**DAY4: Upper Yubeng->Xiaonong Base Camp->Ice Lake**
Hike from Upper Yubeng to Ice Lake and enjoy the cold and quiet beauty of the lake.
**DAY5: Upper Yubeng->Yubeng Scenic Area-Shenpu Waterfall->Lower Yubeng**
The stunning Yubeng Scenic Area and the spectacular Shenpu Waterfall are the highlights of the trip.
**DAY6: Lower Yubeng->Xidang Village->Baima Snow Mountain Pass->Benzilan**
Enjoy the rural scenery from Lower Yubeng to Benzilan.
**DAY7: Dukezong Ancient Town->Giant Prayer Wheel at Dafo Temple->Ganden Sumtseling Monastery**
On the last day, enjoy the history and culture of Dukezong Ancient Town and the temple atmosphere of Ganden Sumtseling Monastery.
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Must-see attractions:
🏯Ganden Sumtseling Monastery: A small Potala Palace and a wonderful Tibetan art museum!🎭
🏰Dukezong Ancient Town: Surrounded by mountains and rivers, the stone road has witnessed the vicissitudes of time. Worth a visit!⏳
🏞️Lashi Lake Wetland Park: A museum of ethnic minority villages in China, with beautiful scenery!📸
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Notes:
🍁November climate: The climate in Lijiang-Meili Snow Mountain-Shangri-La in November fluctuates greatly. It is sunny during the day and cold at night. Remember to bring warm clothes.
🍜Food: Don't forget to enjoy a big meal! Try the Tibetan-style roast lamb in Shangri-La, the chickpea jelly in Lijiang, and the pea flour in Ludian. You will love them.
📷Photo spots: The sunrise at Meili Snow Mountain and Pudacuo in Shangri-La attract many photographers. Pay attention to the composition and timing.
🚖Airport transportation: There are shuttle buses from the airport to the city. No matter which way you choose, don't forget to arrange it in advance.👌
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If you like my Lijiang-Meili Snow Mountain-Shangri-La travel guide, please like and follow me. Let's enjoy traveling and explore more beauty!🙌
Ward_~Ella
Mingyong Glacier and some scattered photos.
📍Mingyong Glacier and some scattered photos|||After reading the book about Meili Snow Mountain written by Lin Shangli and Guo Jing, I was eager to see the place where the bodies of 17 members of the China-Japan joint mountaineering team were buried. Unfortunately, the body of a Japanese team doctor (Shimizu Nagano) has not been found yet. I hope it will be found soon to give Mingyong Village a clean slate. The existence of Mingyong Glacier is a miracle in itself. As the main glacier of Kawagebo, it is the southernmost, lowest, and fastest modern glacier in China. However, with global warming, the glacier is melting at a rate of nearly 60 meters per year. Along the boardwalk of the scenic area, you can hear the sound of the glacier collapsing. In good weather, you can also see the main peak of Meili, Kawagebo. The scenic area is very mature, with boardwalks throughout. The phone can only capture one ten-thousandth of its beauty. The Tibetan compatriots burning incense and praying, the Prince Temple, the sound of bells from the Lotus Temple, and the scene of smoke curling up all make people deeply feel the mystery and uniqueness of this land. Sometimes I really think it is good to leave some places untouched by humans.
_Nick_27
Yunnan | Meili Snow Mountain • Experience the Wild Mountains and Rivers
| Meili Snow Mountain • Experience the Wild Mountains and Rivers. In the distant depths of the Hengduan Mountains, where the three rivers flow together, Meili Snow Mountain stands majestically, like a silent guardian between heaven and earth. With its boundless magnificence, it tells the story of the vicissitudes of time and the mysteries of nature. The main peak, Kawagebo, with its proud height of 6,740 meters, leads twelve satellite peaks, together forming a breathtaking snow mountain panorama. They are not just peaks, but also the embodiment of soul and faith.
Exploring Meili, a sacred journey from multiple perspectives❗️❗️❗️
🌟 The Eye of Feilai Temple: At dawn, when the first ray of sunlight pierces through the clouds and gently brushes the eaves of Feilai Temple, you stand on the best viewing platform. Here, in this corner where time stands still, the full view of Meili Snow Mountain is revealed before you without reservation. At that moment, it feels as if the whole world consists only of you and this sacred snow mountain, conversing in the silence of millennia. If you are lucky, the spectacle of the golden sunlight on the mountain will unfold here, with golden rays illuminating the snow-capped peaks, creating a mesmerizing picture with nature's gentlest touch.
🌫️ The Secret of Wunongding: Trekking along the rugged mountain path to Wunongding, where thirteen towers and a viewing platform are hidden, along with a deeper reverence for Meili Snow Mountain. Although the journey is arduous, standing there, you witness not only the grandeur of the snow mountain but also a spiritual cleansing. Amidst the swirling clouds, the golden sunlight on the mountain appears and disappears, and each shutter click seems to capture fragments of time, freezing eternal beauty.
🏔️ Beside Kawagebo: Driving directly to the Kawagebo viewing platform, the closest place to the main peak. Standing here, gazing up at the unattainable summit, you will feel an unprecedented sense of insignificance and awe. Beneath the snow mountain, everything seems small, only the soul is elevated, as if you can hear the whispers in the wind, telling the ancient legends of Kawagebo.
🏡 The Tranquility of Yubeng Village: Entering Yubeng, whether it's the upper or lower village, feels like stepping into a secluded paradise. Here, you can closely feel the majesty of General Peak or capture the graceful silhouettes of Goddess Peak and Five Crown Peak. Every moment in Yubeng is filled with poetry and painting, making one forget the troubles of the world, wanting only to immerse in this tranquility and beauty.
The Journey to Meili, a Pilgrimage of the Soul
Meili Snow Mountain is not just a visual feast, but also a pilgrimage of the soul. Here, you can feel the craftsmanship of nature and understand the philosophy of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Embarking on this journey, remember to bring a heart of reverence, respect the local culture and customs, and let every pause and gaze become a baptism and elevation of the soul.
Transportation may be inconvenient, but it is this difficulty that makes Meili Snow Mountain more precious and sacred. Whether it's the freedom and spontaneity of self-driving or the convenience and safety of group tours, both will become unique ways for you to explore Meili and experience the beauty of nature. And when you stand at the peak of the snow mountain, looking back at the road you have traveled, you will find that all the hardships and efforts have turned into the most precious memories and insights in your heart.
You must see the sunlit Golden Mountain of Meili Snow Mountain at least once!
When the sunlight shines on the vast snow-capped mountains
When the peak of Kawagebo transitions from a light pink to golden and then to pure white
When all thirteen peaks of Meili gradually awaken from the sunlight
The emotions of that moment are truly indescribable
This is my fourth time in Deqin watching the sunlit Golden Mountain of Meili
Luckily, I've been able to see it every time
And this time, I saw it for three consecutive days
I checked in at some viewing spots
Let me share my genuine experiences~
📷6 Major Viewing Spots
1⃣Snow Mountain Awakening
2⃣Feilai Temple
3⃣Wunongding
4⃣A Single Tree
5⃣Kawagebo Viewing Platform
6⃣Meili Snow Mountain Viewing Platform
From the perspective of the view, the viewing experience, and the photo effects, I recommend the following👇
Snow Mountain Awakening > Feilai Temple > A Single Tree > Wunongding > Kawagebo > Viewing Platform
🏔Before Snow Mountain Awakening, I was intrigued by its name, and after experiencing it myself, I feel it's truly worthwhile! Every room, the 4th-floor viewing platform, and the restaurant all offer views of Meili Snow Mountain, with an unobstructed view, all thirteen peaks of Meili right before your eyes, and the distance to the snow mountain is also very close and direct! The oppressive feeling of facing the snow mountain is truly shocking! I recommend the 4th-floor viewing platform, whether it's the pool, the nearby installations, or the coffee shop, they are all perfect for taking photos!
🏔Feilai Temple has a broader platform than Wunongding, can accommodate more people, and is closer to the snow mountain. Facing the snow mountain directly, with an unobstructed view, the photo effect is better, but there will be more people, so you need to occupy a spot early
🏔A Single Tree is located about 500 meters down the road below Wunongding, on a small path to the left, a less popular spot. Feilai Temple is in the foreground, and the view is also good, not too crowded, recommended for self-driving, but there is a lot of dust from passing vehicles
🏔Wunongding Viewing Platform is not large, but the central view is very good, with Feilai Temple as the foreground. However, a pavilion on the left will block the view, and on the right, there is a white pagoda where smoke from morning rituals can be heavy, affecting both the view and photography. You need to arrive early to secure a spot in the middle, which is more suitable for guests staying in nearby hotels, who can enjoy the view directly from their rooms
🏔Kawagebo Viewing Platform is past Feilai Temple, requires self-driving, and is closer to Kawagebo, with relatively limited access
🏔Meili Viewing Platform is now abandoned, closer to the snow mountain compared to Feilai Temple, but the overall view is more towards Miancimu Peak, so it's recommended to take photos of Miancimu along this road
⚠The above spots are just my personal perspective as an ordinary user~
⚠The temperature is very low in the morning, so it's advised to prepare down jackets, hats, gloves, and heated insoles
⚠Do not set out at dawn! The road often has snow or ice, and there are many curves and tunnels, which can be quite dangerous
⚠Check the weather in advance, the chances of seeing the sunlit Golden Mountain are higher
Let's see the sunlit Golden Mountain you've captured~
SamuelMcKay28
The place closest to heaven in China is 'Shangri-La'
Shangri-La, Yunnan, is located on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, at the northern end of the Hengduan Mountains, in the hinterland of the 'Three Parallel Rivers', forming a unique landscape integrating snow mountains, canyons, grasslands, alpine lakes, primitive forests and ethnic customs, and is a multifunctional scenic spot.
The snow peaks in Shangri-La are continuous, with the highest peak in Yunnan Province, Kawagebo Peak, and others majestic. Only within Shangri-La, there are 470 snow mountains above 4,000 meters above sea level, deep-cut canyons, the most famous of which are the Jinsha River Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lancang River Canyon and other large canyons, as well as vast alpine grassland pastures, vast primitive forests and scattered alpine lakes, making the natural landscape of Diqing magical, dangerous and quiet.
Climate, best travel time
Suitable for all seasons, green grass in spring and summer, rhododendrons bloom from March to May; autumn colors in autumn, wolfsbane flowers bloom from September to October; snow in winter
Suggested number of days to play, location
Moonlight Ancient City
It is an ancient city called 'Dukezong' by Tibetans, which was built according to the ideal country of Shambhala in the Buddhist scriptures. The ancient city is built according to the mountain, the road surface is uneven, those are some old stones paved according to the natural terrain, so far, there are still deep horseshoe prints on the stone road.
Songzanlin Monastery
The largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province, and one of the famous large monasteries in Kang District, has a pivotal position in the entire Tibetan area, known as the 'Little Potala Palace'. The temple is built on the mountain, the shape is like an ancient castle, the culmination of Tibetan modeling art, also known as the 'Tibetan Art Museum'.
Pudacuo National Park
Pudacuo National Park has mirror-like alpine lakes, beautiful grassy pastures, blooming wetlands, and primitive forests where birds and beasts often appear. Zhang Jie and Xie Na held their wedding here.
Napahai
This is the largest grassland in Zhongdian County, and one of the most plateau-characteristic scenic spots. Due to the careful care of the Tibetans, many birds visit here when autumn comes, such as black-necked cranes, yellow ducks, and spot-billed geese flying high and low over the grassland, which is quite heartwarming.
Shika Snow Mountain
Shika Snow Mountain is the place described in the novel 'Lost Horizon'. It is a seasonal snow mountain with snow in autumn and winter. In Shika Snow Mountain, you can appreciate the infinite scenery of Shangri-La's alpine belt above 4,000 meters above sea level and the natural ecology of alpine flowing stone beaches, and feel the magical charm of mountain culture and temple mountain culture.
Suggested number of days to play: 3 days this day
CAMDEN ADKINS
Kawagebo - Namjagbarwa
🚗🚗🚗Travel route:
Day1: Shangri-La Dukezong → Feilai Temple
Day2: Feilai Temple → Shuo Da Village - Xueda Lake → Wunong Peak
Day3: Wunong Peak → Bingzhongluo → Chawalong Township
Day4: Chawalong Township → Chayu County
Day5: Chayu County → Ranwu Town → Laigu/Yalong Glacier
Day6: Ranwu Town → Lulang Dongba Cai Village → Baifeng Platform
Day7: Dongba Cai Village → Suosong Village → Dalin Village
Day8: Suosong Village → Milin Airport / Lhasa