Niru Village
Hidden deep in the mountains of Shangri-La in northwest Yunnan, Niru Village is a mysterious land and a dream destination for many explorers and travelers. This isolated ancient Tibetan village is difficult to reach and rarely visited for its inconvenient transportation. However, with the most pristine natural beauty in China, it is praised by the UNESCO experts as the ‘No.1 Village in the World’.
Other than natural beauty, there is also one of Shangri-La’s most beautiful hiking trails unknown to outsiders for a long time. To have a few days of intensive trekking to the pristine places that can only be reached by foot, chartering a car from downtown Shangri-La into the village is a good choice for the comparatively undeveloped local transportation.
Around Niru Village, you'll see nearly a thousand square kilometers of virgin forest, dotted with meadows, lakes and streams. You’ll marvel at the natural wonders such as the Nanbao Pasture, Dijitang Pasture, and Colorful Waterfall. You’ll find that the Tibetan people there are still living a leisurely life of working with sunrise and resting with sunset, as if in a wonderland undisturbed.
Route: Shangri-La → Niru Village → Colorful Waterfall → Selie Lake → Nanbao Pasture → Niru Village → Shangri-La
Hiking Distance: 42 km (26 mi)
Difficulty: medium ⭐⭐⭐
Altitude Range: 2,700 to 4,100 m (8,858 to 13,451 ft)
Opening Hours: All day long
Cost: There is no entrance fee for the Niru Village, so the cost of the trip is mainly from transportation, accommodation, food, and other personal expenses.
Travel Tips:
1. It is recommended that you arrive at Shangri-La one day in advance and have a good rest, so that you can reserve enough physical energy to successfully complete the arduous hiking in the following days.
2. This route passes through high-altitude areas, so you can prepare rhodiola or other medicines to ease altitude sickness. On the way, pay attention to walk slowly and avoid strenuous exercise.
3. Prepare hiking and camping equipment, including a backpack, a sleeping bag, a tent (optional), outdoor clothing, warm clothing, high-top waterproof hiking shoes, hiking poles, knee pads, gloves, sunscreen, rain gear, flashlight, food and water supplies.
4. Hire a Local Guide
The Niru Village is relatively primitive and densely forested. Many roads are hidden and difficult to find, and the signposts are not perfect. If this is your first time here, it is recommended that you hire a local guide to lead the way from day 2 to day 4 to ensure that you have a safe and smooth hike through the Niru Village. In addition, it is a high-altitude area, so guides are important for they are familiar with the local climate and can help you plan your route well and make your hike easier. The guide fee is usually CNY 300 for a day. If you need to rent a horse or a mule, it is about CNY 360 per day, including the guide fee.
Distance: 123 km (76 mi) by car
Altitude: 2,700 to 3,300 m (8,858 to 10,827 ft)
From downtown Shangri-la, you can hire a car to Niru Village. The single trip is about 123 km (76 mi), which takes 5 hours due to the rugged mountain roads. A car with a driver costs CNY 500 to 600. You can carpool and share the fare with others if you can find fellow travelers.
Alternatively, you can take a bus departing at 10:30 and 15:00 from the Shangri-La Bus Station to Luoji first. The bus takes 2.5 hours and costs CNY 35. Once in Luoji, you’ll need to hire a local car with a driver to cross the 38-km (24-mi) bumpy roads into the Niru Village in 3 to 4 hours at a cost of CNY 250 to 300.
Accommodation
Today you need to spend the night in a local guesthouse in the Niru Village. During the next few days of the hike, the only place to eat and sleep is the Niru Village. There are a few Tibetan-style guesthouses that can accommodate tourists. The condition is simple, but can generally meet the basic living needs. A standard room usually costs CNY 150 to 200 per night.
The breakfast is usually noodles served by the guesthouse owner, which generally costs CNY 15 to 20 per person. For dinner, you can return to the guesthouse and have simple stir-fried dishes or hot pot, which costs about 50 yuan per person. Lunch is usually eaten out in the open, so you need to prepare some packed food or lunch boxes in advance.
Hiking Distance: 15 km (9.3 mi)
Hiking Time: 8 hours
Altitude: 2,700 to 2,900 m (8,858 to 9,514 ft)
Today's trip is to hike back and forth to the Colorful Waterfall. After breakfast, leave at around 8:00, and on the way you’ll pass by the Xiadiaoge Pasture with a beautiful landscape of alpine forests and wildflowers. Four hours later, you would reach the Colorful Waterfall, which is located on the bank of the Niru River. The water roars out of a cave 100 meters above and falls down layer upon layer on the terraced pools. During sunny days, there is always a rainbow above the waterfall. The pool below the waterfall is crystal clear. Beside the pool are Mani stone piles made by the local Tibetans, which represent the blessings and prayers to their families.
After lunch and rest, you can return to the Niru Village by the same way to stay overnight.
Hiking Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 2,700 to 4,100 m (8,858 to 13,451 ft)
You can get up early for a walk and see the quiet village in the morning mist. After breakfast, leave at about 8:00 and hike along the Niru River. As you climb through the virgin forests, you'll pass a cow shed, which is already 3,500 m (11,483 ft) above sea level. Around noon you will pass the highest point of the day, a bealock at an altitude of 4,100 m (13,451 ft). Here you’ll start to descend to the Selie Lake. At 3,950 m (12,959 ft) above sea level, it is a freshwater alpine lake formed by the meltwater down from the snow mountains and also a habitat for migratory birds. After a simple lunch and a short break, hike about two hours to reach the Nanbao Pasture.
At 4,050 m (13,287 ft) above sea level, Nanbao Pasture is one of the best ranches in Shangri-La. Spring and summer are the most beautiful seasons of the pasture. On the endless meadow, wild flowers bloom, and flocks of cattle and sheep wander around, making an idyllic picture. There are seven glacial erosion lakes in the area, the two largest of which are the Nanbao Yellow Lake and the Nanbao Black Lake.
Tonight, you need to camp here. You can bring your own camping gear or use the tents provided by your guide.
Hiking Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
Hiking Time: 8 to 9 hours
Altitude: 2,700 to 4,050 m (8,858 to 13,287 ft)
Today you will return to the Niru Village, but the route you took the day before is not recommended. You are advised to leave at 7:30 and take another route, passing by the Dingru Lake. This way is longer, but you can see different scenery. The Dingru Lake is in the east of the Nanbao Pasture. It takes more than an hour to hike there. The road condition is good and the slope is gentle. Surrounded by virgin forest, the Dingru Lake is an alpine glacial lake with clear water and many yellow ducks and bar-headed geese. It is a sacred lake in the hearts of the local Tibetan people, so you can only drink the water, but can't wash your hands in the lake.
All the way down from the Dingru Lake, clusters of purple azaleas can be seen on the road in spring. There is a nearly 60-degree downhill slope over the meadow mountain. The winding path is full of gravel and pits. It requires a lot of physical strength, so you need to be very careful.
Tonight, you will return to the guesthouse in the Niru Village for dinner and stay overnight.
Distance: 123 km (76 mi) by car
Altitude: 2,700 to 3,300 m (8,858 to 10,827 ft)
After a good night's rest, it’s time to get back to downtown Shangri-La. You can choose to charter a car or carpool with your fellow travelers. After arrival, take a tour of the Dukezong Ancient Town in the afternoon.
Otherwise, if you're interested and have enough energy, you could hike to the Shudu Lake, which is part of the Potatso National Park. There you can take the park’s shuttle bus to the entrance, and then take a bus back to downtown Shangri-La in half an hour at a cost of CNY 15. Be careful not to miss the last bus at 17:00.
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| Niru Village |
Other than natural beauty, there is also one of Shangri-La’s most beautiful hiking trails unknown to outsiders for a long time. To have a few days of intensive trekking to the pristine places that can only be reached by foot, chartering a car from downtown Shangri-La into the village is a good choice for the comparatively undeveloped local transportation.
See Natural Wonders & Tibetan Village
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Plan of 5-Day Niru Village Hiking
Route: Shangri-La → Niru Village → Colorful Waterfall → Selie Lake → Nanbao Pasture → Niru Village → Shangri-La Hiking Distance: 42 km (26 mi) Difficulty: medium ⭐⭐⭐ Altitude Range: 2,700 to 4,100 m (8,858 to 13,451 ft) Opening Hours: All day long Cost: There is no entrance fee for the Niru Village, so the cost of the trip is mainly from transportation, accommodation, food, and other personal expenses. Travel Tips:1. It is recommended that you arrive at Shangri-La one day in advance and have a good rest, so that you can reserve enough physical energy to successfully complete the arduous hiking in the following days.
2. This route passes through high-altitude areas, so you can prepare rhodiola or other medicines to ease altitude sickness. On the way, pay attention to walk slowly and avoid strenuous exercise.
 |
| Niru Village Hikers |
4. Hire a Local Guide
The Niru Village is relatively primitive and densely forested. Many roads are hidden and difficult to find, and the signposts are not perfect. If this is your first time here, it is recommended that you hire a local guide to lead the way from day 2 to day 4 to ensure that you have a safe and smooth hike through the Niru Village. In addition, it is a high-altitude area, so guides are important for they are familiar with the local climate and can help you plan your route well and make your hike easier. The guide fee is usually CNY 300 for a day. If you need to rent a horse or a mule, it is about CNY 360 per day, including the guide fee.
Day 1 Travel from Shangri-La to Niru Village
Distance: 123 km (76 mi) by car Altitude: 2,700 to 3,300 m (8,858 to 10,827 ft)From downtown Shangri-la, you can hire a car to Niru Village. The single trip is about 123 km (76 mi), which takes 5 hours due to the rugged mountain roads. A car with a driver costs CNY 500 to 600. You can carpool and share the fare with others if you can find fellow travelers.
Alternatively, you can take a bus departing at 10:30 and 15:00 from the Shangri-La Bus Station to Luoji first. The bus takes 2.5 hours and costs CNY 35. Once in Luoji, you’ll need to hire a local car with a driver to cross the 38-km (24-mi) bumpy roads into the Niru Village in 3 to 4 hours at a cost of CNY 250 to 300.
Accommodation |
| Tibetan People in Niru Village |
Today you need to spend the night in a local guesthouse in the Niru Village. During the next few days of the hike, the only place to eat and sleep is the Niru Village. There are a few Tibetan-style guesthouses that can accommodate tourists. The condition is simple, but can generally meet the basic living needs. A standard room usually costs CNY 150 to 200 per night.
The breakfast is usually noodles served by the guesthouse owner, which generally costs CNY 15 to 20 per person. For dinner, you can return to the guesthouse and have simple stir-fried dishes or hot pot, which costs about 50 yuan per person. Lunch is usually eaten out in the open, so you need to prepare some packed food or lunch boxes in advance.
Day 2 Hiking from Niru Village to Colorful Waterfall
Hiking Distance: 15 km (9.3 mi) Hiking Time: 8 hours Altitude: 2,700 to 2,900 m (8,858 to 9,514 ft)Today's trip is to hike back and forth to the Colorful Waterfall. After breakfast, leave at around 8:00, and on the way you’ll pass by the Xiadiaoge Pasture with a beautiful landscape of alpine forests and wildflowers. Four hours later, you would reach the Colorful Waterfall, which is located on the bank of the Niru River. The water roars out of a cave 100 meters above and falls down layer upon layer on the terraced pools. During sunny days, there is always a rainbow above the waterfall. The pool below the waterfall is crystal clear. Beside the pool are Mani stone piles made by the local Tibetans, which represent the blessings and prayers to their families.
After lunch and rest, you can return to the Niru Village by the same way to stay overnight.
Day 3 Niru Village – Selie Lake – Nanbao Pasture
Hiking Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi) Hiking Time: 6 hours Altitude: 2,700 to 4,100 m (8,858 to 13,451 ft)You can get up early for a walk and see the quiet village in the morning mist. After breakfast, leave at about 8:00 and hike along the Niru River. As you climb through the virgin forests, you'll pass a cow shed, which is already 3,500 m (11,483 ft) above sea level. Around noon you will pass the highest point of the day, a bealock at an altitude of 4,100 m (13,451 ft). Here you’ll start to descend to the Selie Lake. At 3,950 m (12,959 ft) above sea level, it is a freshwater alpine lake formed by the meltwater down from the snow mountains and also a habitat for migratory birds. After a simple lunch and a short break, hike about two hours to reach the Nanbao Pasture.
 |
| Nanbao Pasture |
At 4,050 m (13,287 ft) above sea level, Nanbao Pasture is one of the best ranches in Shangri-La. Spring and summer are the most beautiful seasons of the pasture. On the endless meadow, wild flowers bloom, and flocks of cattle and sheep wander around, making an idyllic picture. There are seven glacial erosion lakes in the area, the two largest of which are the Nanbao Yellow Lake and the Nanbao Black Lake.
Tonight, you need to camp here. You can bring your own camping gear or use the tents provided by your guide.
Day 4 Hiking Back to Niru Village
Hiking Distance: 16 km (10 mi) Hiking Time: 8 to 9 hours Altitude: 2,700 to 4,050 m (8,858 to 13,287 ft)Today you will return to the Niru Village, but the route you took the day before is not recommended. You are advised to leave at 7:30 and take another route, passing by the Dingru Lake. This way is longer, but you can see different scenery. The Dingru Lake is in the east of the Nanbao Pasture. It takes more than an hour to hike there. The road condition is good and the slope is gentle. Surrounded by virgin forest, the Dingru Lake is an alpine glacial lake with clear water and many yellow ducks and bar-headed geese. It is a sacred lake in the hearts of the local Tibetan people, so you can only drink the water, but can't wash your hands in the lake.
All the way down from the Dingru Lake, clusters of purple azaleas can be seen on the road in spring. There is a nearly 60-degree downhill slope over the meadow mountain. The winding path is full of gravel and pits. It requires a lot of physical strength, so you need to be very careful.
Tonight, you will return to the guesthouse in the Niru Village for dinner and stay overnight.
Day 5 Return to Shangri-La
Distance: 123 km (76 mi) by car Altitude: 2,700 to 3,300 m (8,858 to 10,827 ft)After a good night's rest, it’s time to get back to downtown Shangri-La. You can choose to charter a car or carpool with your fellow travelers. After arrival, take a tour of the Dukezong Ancient Town in the afternoon.
Otherwise, if you're interested and have enough energy, you could hike to the Shudu Lake, which is part of the Potatso National Park. There you can take the park’s shuttle bus to the entrance, and then take a bus back to downtown Shangri-La in half an hour at a cost of CNY 15. Be careful not to miss the last bus at 17:00.
- Last updated on Nov. 21, 2024 by Zoey Gong -