Things to do in Deqin

After having a Tibetan meal in Dukezong Ancient Town, I saw some scenic views online and on a whim, my partner and I decided to drive there. It was winter, so the road conditions were quite dangerous. Because it was night, the roads were covered in black ice and snow. We didn't encounter many vehicles along the way, so it felt rather deserted, but thankfully we made it safely. We were also incredibly lucky to witness the sunrise over the sacred mountains—a sight I'd never seen before. I definitely want to see those sacred mountains again someday!

My first hike was supposed to be easy, but it took me four and a half hours to get to the village, a total elevation gain of 1700 meters. At an altitude of over 3000 meters, it gave me courage. The next day, I hiked 26km from the sacred waterfall to the village. Now I'm not afraid to climb any mountain on the plains anymore. The scenery after entering the village was unbeatable. However, with the road now open, I won't have to go through Ninong to get to the village anymore; I don't want to go through that ordeal again.

This is the closest place to view Meili Snow Mountain. The viewing platform has a wide open space, and the 13 peaks of Meili Snow Mountain are right in front of you. You can't help but hold your breath and fully appreciate the beauty of the snow mountain. You won't want to leave for a moment!

The scenic area boasts a beautiful environment, stunning natural scenery, a well-defined tour route, comprehensive facilities, and friendly staff, making for a relaxing and enjoyable overall experience. It's definitely worth visiting again.

I've visited Meili Snow Mountain three times. Last July, when I first visited with my son, it was my first time to see the snow-capped mountains face to face—the awe I felt is still vivid. We stayed at Feilai Temple, fully anticipating a full view the next day. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't favorable. All night, fog and rain enveloped the snow-capped mountains, obscuring even their outlines. Filled with regret, I had to leave in a hurry. This past April, I made plans with friends to visit again, hoping to rekindle that lingering memory. This time, we stayed at Wuzhongding, and in the evening, we were treated to a breathtaking sunset glow. The golden glow shrouding the snowy peaks was breathtakingly beautiful. But the next morning, the fog was thick again, and I was left with a sense of loss. Perhaps it was fate that, at the urging of a friend, I took my child on a hike to Yubeng. When Meili Snow Mountain once again came into view, it suddenly felt as if it were calling me from afar. This time, the clouds and mist dissipated, and the grandeur of the golden mountain in the sun and the holiness of the endless snow-capped peaks all lay clearly before my eyes - finally, it was what I had dreamed of.

白马雪山香格里拉去往德钦有一条老路，虽名气不及梅里雪山高，但她它独有的魅力在于人烟稀少和每个转角都近距离欣赏到壮丽的雪山景色。·老路的路况会受到季节和天气的影响，一般来说，除了冬季，其它季节的气候较为稳定，老路的路况不如新修的隧道道路好，特别是雨季的时候，有落石，行驶时需要注意安全，如遇恶劣天气或者路况不好，尽量避免前往。老路的路程会比走新路隧道多出一个小时左右。从香格里拉出发，导航到“德钦”，在快进入白马雪山隧道前，从道路右后方有一条岔路口进入236省道，翻越完4292垭口后，会重新汇入214国道上。

Meili Snow Mountain, a dialogue between the soul and nature The moment I stepped into Meili Snow Mountain, it was as if I had entered another world. The peaks towered into the clouds and blended with the blue sky, and the shock hit my heart directly. This time, I was very lucky. I was fortunate to encounter the golden mountain in the mist. When the first ray of light fell on the snow mountain, the whole mountain was instantly lit up. The golden light seemed to cover the snow mountain with a sacred coat, and the surrounding clouds were also dyed with gorgeous colors, like a dream. Standing on the observation deck, I was so excited that tears filled my eyes, and the tourists around me were also shocked by the beautiful scenery, and they all exclaimed in surprise. Feilai Temple is also a check-in point not to be missed. The prayer flags there fluttered in the wind, set off against the snow mountain, and the religious atmosphere was strong. Here, I not only felt the magnificence of nature, but also appreciated the unique charm of Tibetan culture. As for travel, we shared a car from Shangri-La. Although the journey was a bit long, the scenery was picturesque along the way. The driver also stopped at some viewing platforms for us to take pictures. For accommodation, I chose a hotel in Wunongding. The room has an excellent view. You can see the snow-capped mountains while lying in bed. The price is also reasonable. The hotel service is also very considerate. The staff is warm and thoughtful, and will help provide travel suggestions. Meili Snow Mountain is really a place where people can forget their troubles and purify their souls. I strongly recommend everyone to come here to feel the magic and magnificence of nature. I believe that you will be deeply impressed by the beautiful scenery here like me, and gain an unforgettable travel memory.

The restaurants in Lower Yubeng Village have a rather artsy vibe. We arranged to have dinner with the owner that evening – roasted milk by the snow mountain – which is quite close to the Sacred Waterfall route. Hikers in the silver-tonnage range might consider this route. It's quite beautiful; remember to bring wafers to feed the squirrels. In winter, it's easy to see the golden sunrise on the mountains.

The stunning scenery of the Jinsha River's Great Bend is well worth the journey. Beyond its visually stunning natural landscape, hiking along the Jinsha River offers a rare juxtaposition of snow-capped mountains and the river. Nearby, the Haba and Meili Snow Mountains are worth adding to your itinerary. The soon-to-disappear Benzilan Mountains and the Helong Iron Bridge are worth a quick visit to experience Tibetan culture and customs.

Comprehensive comments on Wunongding Observation Deck and Wunongding Village: First of all, Wunongding is Tibetan. This area is foggy, especially in summer. It is indeed very large, but it is not the literal meaning in Chinese. The original meaning is: "The place where Buddha was born". 1. Wunongding Observation Deck 1. Scenery: Not inferior to Feilai Temple Observation Deck. Feilai Temple Observation Deck is closer to the snow mountain, and can only see part of the snow mountain peaks (including the main peak). Wunongding Observation Deck can see the panoramic view of the 13 peaks of Meili, and can also see the Baima Snow Mountain and the 13 White Pagodas. The 13 White Pagodas of Wunongding is a filming location for the movie "Youth". The valley below is the county river valley (a tributary of the Lancang River). 2. Fun: Here you can see the snow mountain, which is not much different, but Feilai Temple has more life atmosphere and is a small town. There are often RVs camping on the platform. 3. Cost-effectiveness: 🌟 Cost: Wunongding does not charge (maybe there is a new hotel construction next to it), but Feilai Temple charges 40 yuan/person. 🌟Scenery: Wunongding > Feilai Temple (about the same) 🌟Accommodation: There are more hotels of different price levels in the Feilai Temple area. There are high-end mountain villas. Wunongding currently has: Jixiashan, room prices are 2000-6888. Runjing, room prices are 800-2000 yuan. Fragment Wuxiang, 800-2000 yuan. It is estimated that the mooring will be opened in 2023. The price is estimated to be about the same as Jixiashan. In addition, the night view of Deqin County is also worth seeing. There is an open county viewing platform near Wunongding. When the weather is clear, you can see the vague snow-capped mountains and the bright starry sky. But don't go too late, and you must go out with many people (at night, especially in the early morning, there may be small animals coming down from the mountain). 2. Wunongding Village Wunongding Village is the best-preserved traditional Tibetan structure village in Deqin County. There are 22 households in total, most of which are still rammed earth structures, and the folk customs are simple, warm and friendly. After going down the mountain, the hotel can organize a free hike to the village to learn about the local customs of the Tibetan village and visit the old Tibetan house. I don't know if other hotels have this project. If there is a "tour guide" with you, it is still very interesting.