This is by far the most amazing

This is by far the most amazing place in China. Located between the Mekong River (Lancang jiang), Salweeen River (Nu Jiang) and the Tibetan border in northwestern Yunnan, Mount Meili (Kawagebo or Kawakarpo) reaches an astonishing 22,112 feet (6740 meters). Kawagebo is the second holiest mountain in Tibetan Buddhism, which draws tens of thousands of pilgrims who spend 2-3 weeks slowly circumambulating (circling) Kawagebo's gigantic base. Often the first pilgrimage stop while circling Kawagebo is Yubeng, which sits at 14,000ft and consists of an upper and lower village area. Both villages are traditionally Buddhist focusing on agricultural, grazing and non-timber products (wild medicinal plants and mushrooms). The setting is spectacular with MT. Meili towering above and the deep gorge valley where Yubeng rests. Hiking to Yubeng is a ethno botanists paradise and a biologically diverse adventure. Beginning along side the upper Mekong River the desert like environment quickly leads to dense coniferous (pine) forests. The ancient path leads up trough rhododendron speckled slopes into a rare cloud forest. After crossing a low pass the trail descends towards a deep river cut valley where upper and lower Yubeng are beautifully perched. Kawagebo itself has never been climbed successfully, and in 1991, a team of Japanese mountaineers attempted the feat but were all killed in a mass avalanche. Since then the Chinese government has declared Mt Meili a holy Tibetan site and now it is illegal to try and summit the mountain. However, the trek to the base camp area, rarely attempted by the rushed traveler, is an incredible journey through original growth rain forests followed by a talus plain sprawling into a massive glacier face. Base camp is located on the edge of Bing Hu (Frozen Lake) whose waters are in a liquid state for only a few weeks of the year. The view of Mt. Meili from the base camp is breathtaking. The "sacred geography" (a Nature Conservancy Term) is best observed from the base camp area. Another day trek from Yubeng (lower) is to the famous holy waterfall. Yet another spectacular journey to an ancient Tibetan pilgrimage site. Accessing MT. Meili is easy for those who have time to spend a week in northern Yunnan. One can either fly into Sangri-la (zhong dian) or bus it from Kunming. Busing it from Kunming passes through Dali ancient city, Lijiang, Sangri-la and Diqin. The roads are in excellent condition and the roadside view is often breathtaking. If you are interested in visiting MT. Meili or Yubeng village area please contact us at info@yehs.org. We can arrange different levels of travel, the backpacker approach or by more comfortable means. YEHS can help purchase plane, train and bus tickets, reserve rooms for lodging, and provide every level of need while traveling to these unique areas.

Meili Snow Mountain

A potential trip to Yunnan's secret Yubeng village would look like this: Day 1: Arrive in Sangri-la (Zhongdian) and spend one day seeing sites of attraction around the Sangri-la area. Day 2: Travel by jeep over the White Horse Snow Mountain pass (12,000ft) to Fei Lai Temple Lodge in Diqin. Day 3: After a breathtaking sunrise early morning travel to the quant town of Xi Dang (perched above the upper Mekong river) where we begin the 4-5 hour hike to upper Yubeng Village. Day 4: Hike to the Frozen Lake base camp and back to Yubeng. Day 5: Hike to a Tibetan holy waterfall. Day 6: Hike back to Xidang and then by car to Diqin. Day 7: Drive back to Sangrila/Zhong Dian where you can either depart by airplane or onto your next Yunnan adventure. For those with more time there are plenty of interesting spots around the Sangrila/Zhong Dian and Deqin areas. We can accommodate special needs and work out unique trips for those interested in spending more time in Yunnan. If you have any questions or are interested in setting up a trip feel free to contact us at info@yehs.org.

YEHS can provide all your travel needs in China. We specialize in off the beaten track travel spots; popular spots can be arranged upon request. Our Diqin prefecture trips are our gift to the traveling world. Diqin travel destinations include Yubeng (Mt. Meili Nature Conservancy village), Mingyong (Mt. Meili glacier), Yanjing (salt springs and hot springs just over the border into Tibet on the Yunnan-Tibet highway), Fei lai si (Tibetan Buddhist temple near Diqin), Peacock Pass (trek from Mekong (lancang jiang) to the Salween (nujiang) just south of Mt. Meili, the entire upper and middle sections of the Mekong, Weixi (ethnic minority and botanical center), and Mt. White Horse (bai ma xue shan) among others. We also offer down hill and extreme mountain biking trips; descend on your mountain bike from a 5000 meter pass to the 2000 meter riverside. These are just some of the travel options we can arrange for you. If you're interested please feel free to contact us at info@yehs.org.

Mt. Meili Yubeng Village Trip

Regional Information

Peacock pass is located between the Mekong and Salween rivers attached to the southern ridge of Mt. Meili. At its peak the pass rises to 5000 meters before it descends into the Salween (nu jiang) river valley. Accessed either from Gongshan (upper nu jiang/Salween river) or down to Ci zhong from Diqin via Sangri-la. This trip needs 8-9 days in total (including arrival and departure days. from For more information please contact us at info@yehs.org.

Tibetan Salt Spring and Hot Spring

Yanjing (salt spring) or si zu ka is the first village on the Yunnan-Tibet highway across the border into Tibet. Famous both for its salt springs and hot springs, Yanjing is perched above the upper Mekong river. Traditional Tibetan houses lay nestled in walnut groves at the foot of the Tibetan Himalayas. The ancient terraced salt spring refining process is an amazing site. Sitting in the healing hot spring pools under the Tibetan stars beside the Mekong river is a truly amazing experience. For more information please contact us at info@yehs.org.

**For other Yunnan travel destinations close to Diqin and Mt. Meili please visit our Travel page.**

Specialty Mountain Biking Trips

YEHS now offers specialty mountain biking trips. We have trips for all skill levels, from vehicle assisted mountain pass downhill biking (on roads) to extreme 5000 meter (3000 meter decent) Himalayan mountain pass downhill trail biking.

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