West Yunnan Hiking to Meili Snow Mountain & Yubeng

► Route: Kunming → Baoshan → Gongshan → Dimaluo → Biluo Snow Mountain → Cizhong → Meili Snow Mountain → Deqin → Yubeng Village → Sacred Waterfall → Base Camp → Ice Lake → Mingyong Village → Deqin → Shangri-La → Kunming

Day 1 Kunming to Baoshan

On the first day, take a coach from Kunming West Passenger Station to Baoshan, and then stay at a local hotel.

► Bus Schedule: 8:30 – 22:30
► Frequency: 30 to 60 minutes
► Distance: 476 km (296 mi)
► Duration: 6 to 7 hours
► Fare: CNY 169 – 207

Day 2 Baoshan to Liuku & Gongshan

On the second day, take a coach from Baoshan Bus Station to Liuku first.
► Bus Schedule: 7:30 – 17:00
► Frequency: 30 to 60 minutes
► Distance: 106 km (66 mi)
► Duration: 2 to 3 hours
► Fare: CNY 50 – 54

After lunch in Liuku, take a coach from Liuku Bus Station to Gongshan. Stay overnight in a hostel in Gongshan.
► Bus Schedule: 7:00 – 13:00
► Frequency: 40 minutes
► Distance: 255 km (158 mi)
► Duration: 5 to 6 hours
► Fare: CNY 71

Day 3 Forest Hiking from Gongshan to Dimaluo

On the third day, trek north from Gongshan to Dimaluo Village. It takes one day for the trek and this route will almost allow you to hike along the river and in the forest.

► Hiking Time: 7 to 8 hours
► Distance: 29 km (18 mi)
► Altitude: 1,600 to 2,200 meters (5,249 to 7,218 feet)
► Accommodation Suggestion: Stay at a local villager's house in Dimaluo.

Day 4 Biluo Snow Mountain Hiking

Biluo Snow Mountian

Today’s route will start from climbing up the Biluo Snow Mountain (4,652 meters / 15,262 feet) which rises between the Nu and Mekong Rivers.

You will pass the Baihanluo Village and a Catholic church along the way. Climb over the highest peak, Balagong Pass with an altitude of 3,900 meters (12,795 feet) and go down to the Balagong Ranch to finish today’s hiking.

► Hiking Time: 9 hours
► Distance: 21 km (13 mi)
► Altitude: 2,200 to 3,900 meters (7,218 to 12,795 feet)
► Accommodation Suggestion: Camp at the Balagong Ranch.

Day 5 Biluo Snow Mountain to Diwazhaduo Ranch

On the fifth day, trek to the valley bottom first, and then go up across the Shelalaka Peak of Biluo Snow Mountain with an altitude of 4,300 meters (14,108 feet). Climb down the mountain to reach the Diwazhaduo Ranch, and stay overnight.

► Hiking Time: 8 hours
► Distance: 26 km (16 mi)
► Altitude: 3,500 to 4,300 meters (11,483 to 14,108 feet)
► Accommodation Suggestion: Camp at the Diwazhaduo Ranch.

Day 6 Hiking to Cizhong Village

Climb down the mountain and around noon, you should begin the final section of ascent and reach Zhanala Mountain. Climb down the mountain and reach the Cizhong Village on the bank of the Mekong River.

► Hiking Time: 5 to 7 hours
► Distance: 30 km (19 mi), all downslope
► Altitude: 1,960 to 3,500 meters (6,430 to 11,483 feet)
► Accommodation Suggestion: Stay overnight in Cizhong Village.

Day 7 Meili Snow Mountain & Feilai Temple

Meili Snow Mountian and Yubeng Village

Get up early in the morning, and view the sunrise over the Meili Snow Mountain. Take a coach running 1.5 hours from Cizhong Village to Deqin which is 70 km (43 mi) away. Then take a bus or hire a local car to visit the Feilai Temple which is 10 km (6.2 mi) away from Deqin Bus Station. Stay overnight at a guest house near the temple. Many guesthouses there have rooms with a view of the Meili Snow Mountain.

► Opening Hours: 7:00 – 16:00
► Ticket Price: CNY 150 for Combo Ticket 1, including Jinsha River Bay, Wunongding Sightseeing Platform, and Feilai Temple Sightseeing Platform; CNY 228 for Combo Ticket 2, including all sites of Ticket 1 with an additional entry to Mingyong Glacier; CNY 230 for Combo Ticket 3, including all sites of Ticket 1 with an additional entry to Yubeng Village.

Day 8 Hiking Deep into Yubeng Village

In the morning, take a bus for 1.5 hours from the Feilai Temple to Xidang Hot Spring. Start trekking for about 5 to 6 hours via Nanzong Pass to reach the Upper Yubeng Village. Continue to walk for about half an hour to reach the Lower Yubeng Village.

► Hiking Time: 6 hours
► Distance: 11 km (6.8 mi)
► Altitude: 2,230 to 3,730 meters (7,316 to 12,238 feet)
► Accommodation Suggestion: Stay overnight in a hostel in Lower Yubeng Village.

Day 9 Sacred Waterfall – Upper Yubeng Village

Upper Yubeng Village in Winter

Today, start a hike of about 8 km (5 mi) via the mountain road, to visit the Sacred Waterfall. The round trip for this trek is about 5 hours.

After you get back to the Lower Yubeng Village, walk for about half an hour along the country road to the Upper Yubeng Village.

► Hiking Time: 6 hours
► Distance: 14 km (8.7 mi)
► Altitude: 3,090 to 3,800 meters (10,138 to 14,467 feet)
► Accommodation Suggestion: Stay overnight in a hostel in Upper Yubeng Village.

Day 10 Base Camp – Ice Lake – Xidang Village – Mingyong Village

Get up early in the morning, walk 2 hours to the Xiaonong Base Camp, and then walk 1.5 hours to visit the Ice Lake. Continue to hike for 3.5 hours to return to the Upper Yubeng Village, and then another 4 hours to arrive at Xidang Village via Nanzong Pass. Take a bus for one hour to Mingyong Village.

► Hiking Time: 11 hours
► Distance: 25 km (16 mi)
► Altitude: 2,230 to 3,800 meters (7,316 to 14,467 feet)
► Accommodation Suggestion: Stay overnight in Mingyong Village.

Day 11 Visit Mingyong Glacier & Bus to Deqin

Trek from Mingyong Village to Mingyong Glacier. Visit the Prince Temple and the Lotus Temple, and return to Mingyong Village. This trek takes about 5 hours, then take a bus for 2 hours to Deqin and stay overnight.

► Opening Hours of Mingyong Glacier: 7:00 – 18:00; last entry at 16:00
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 3 hours
► Ticket Price: CNY 228 for Combo Ticket including Jinsha River Bay, Wunongding Sightseeing Platform, Feilai Temple Sightseeing Platform, and Mingyong Glacier.

Day 12 Bus to Shangri-La & Flight to Kunming

In the morning, take a coach from Deqin Bus Station to Shangri-la.
► Bus Schedule: 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 12:00
► Distance: 160 km (100 mi)
► Duration: 3 to 4 hours
► Fare: CNY 43 – 50

You can fly back to Kunming in the afternoon or evening. The flight takes about 70 minutes. Or you could spend the night in Shangri-La and head back to Kunming the next day.

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Kunming Side Trip: 3 Days of Kunming - Mt. Jiaozi - Kedu - Kunming
Kunming Natural Spots Tour: 3 Days of Kunming - Lujiang - Luoping - Kunming

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