Wunongding Viewing Platform of Meili Snow Mountain in Deqin, Diqing
English Name: Wunongding Viewing Platform
Chinese Name: 雾农顶观景台
Attraction Type: Snow mountain, trekking
Best Time to Visit: From October and May
Recommended Visiting Time: 2 Days
Open Hours: All Day
Admission Fee: 60 RMB
Location: Wunongding Village, Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province
Why is Wunongding Viewing Platform So Special?
Wunongding Viewing Platform is the best place to shoot a panoramic view of Meili Snow Mountain.
Where is Wunongding Viewing Platform?
Wunongding Viewing Platform is located in Wunongding Village, Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province.
Overview
The Wunongding Viewing Platform (雾浓顶观景台), also known as the Shisan White Pagoda Welcome Platform (十三白塔迎宾台), is located in Wunongding Village (雾浓顶村), approximately 23 kilometers from the Baima Snow Mountain Pass (白马雪山垭口) and 8 kilometers from Deqin County (德钦县) in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). This platform is renowned for its panoramic views of the stunning Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山), making it a premier destination for photographers and nature lovers.
Key Features
Scenic Views
- Breathtaking Panoramas: The platform offers a sweeping view of Meili Snow Mountain, a sacred site in Tibetan culture. Visitors can capture stunning photos of the mountain range, particularly at sunrise and sunset, when the peaks are illuminated in golden light.
- Diverse Foregrounds: The area around the platform provides various foregrounds, including the picturesque Feilai Temple Village (飞来寺村) and the scenic river valley. This variety allows for creative compositions, enhancing the beauty of photographs.
- Surrounding Peaks: To the northeast, visitors can spot Baima Snow Mountain (白马雪山), while to the south, they can see the smoke rising from Wunongding Village, adding a unique touch to the landscape.
Unique Local Culture
- Marriage System: Wunongding Village is known for its distinctive marriage practice of “one husband, multiple wives” (一夫多妻), offering insight into the local customs and traditions that enrich the cultural experience of visitors.
- Cultural Significance: The area holds great importance in Tibetan culture, as Meili Snow Mountain is considered sacred. The viewing platform serves not only as a tourist attraction but also as a site of cultural reverence.
Accessibility
- Convenient Location: Located just a short distance from Deqin County, the viewing platform is easily reachable, making it a popular stop for tourists exploring the region.
Visitor Information
- Chinese Name: 梅里雪山雾浓顶观景台
- English Name: Wunongding Viewing Platform of Meili Snow Mountain
- Location: Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China (云南省迪庆藏族自治州德钦县)
- Climate: The area experiences a monsoon-influenced climate with distinct wet and dry seasons, featuring vertical climate zones that contribute to its biodiversity.
- Opening Hours: Open year-round, Monday to Sunday, from 08:00 to 16:00.
- Attraction Level: AAAA
- Admission Price: 150 CNY for the ticket package.
- Notable Attractions: Meili Snow Mountain, Shisan White Pagoda (十三白塔), and the captivating sunrise over the mountains.
Travel Tips
- Duration of Visit: Allocate 1-3 hours for your visit to fully appreciate the views, take photographs, and explore the area.
- Best Viewing Times: Early morning and late afternoon are ideal for photography, as the lighting enhances the scenery. The sunrise creates a spectacular view known as “Golden Mountain” (日照金山).
- Weather Considerations: Check weather conditions prior to your visit. Fog can obstruct views, so consider visiting on clear days for optimal visibility. If conditions are poor, the Feilai Temple Viewing Platform, located closer to the mountains, may offer better views.
- Accommodation: While Feilai Temple has more lodging and dining options, Wunongding offers fewer choices. It’s advisable to book accommodations in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.
- Safety Precautions: Dress in layers, as temperatures can vary significantly throughout the day. Wear sturdy footwear for exploring the area, and bring a camera to capture the stunning scenery.
Visitor Information
- Chinese Name: 梅里雪山雾浓顶观景台
- English Name: Wunongding Viewing Platform of Meili Snow Mountain
- Location: Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China (云南省迪庆藏族自治州德钦县)
- Climate: The area is influenced by monsoons, with distinct wet and dry seasons and varying vertical climate zones.
- Opening Hours: Open year-round, Monday to Sunday, from 08:00 to 16:00.
- Attraction Level: AAAA
- Admission Price: 150 CNY for the ticket package.
- Notable Attractions: Meili Snow Mountain, Shisan White Pagoda, and the spectacular sunrise over the mountains.
How to Get to Wunongding Viewing Platform?
You should get to Feilai Temple, then trek to Wunongding Viewing Platform. How to get to Feilai Temple?
►By plane: Fly directly to Shangri-la city (Zhongdian), and then take a local bus to Feilai Temple in Deqin County.
►By scheduled bus: There are regular bus routes to Feilai Temple from a number of nearby destinations: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang (albeit, via Shangri-la), and Shangri-la itself.
►By charter bus: One of the easiest ways to get to Feilai Temple is to take a charter bus. A number of even easier ways to get to Feilai Temple is to hire a minibus, a car, or a cross-country jeep – they are available everywhere.
- By Car: The viewing platform is located 23 kilometers from the Baima Snow Mountain Pass and 8 kilometers from Deqin County. It is recommended to drive or hire a vehicle. After passing the Baima Pass, look for the 13 white pagodas on the left to reach the viewing platform.
- Public Transport: Local transportation options may be limited; hiring a vehicle is often the most convenient way to visit.
Travel Tips
- Duration of Visit: Plan to spend 1-3 hours at the platform to fully enjoy the views and take photographs.
- Best Viewing Times: For optimal photography, consider visiting during early morning or late afternoon when the light is softer.
- Weather Considerations: Check the weather forecast before your visit, as fog can obscure views. On clear days, both Wunongding and Feilai Temple Viewing Platforms are worth visiting for different perspectives of Meili Snow Mountain.
- Accommodation: While Feilai Temple offers more lodging and dining options, Wunongding has fewer choices, so plan accordingly.
What to See at Wunongding Viewing Platform?
You can see the panoramic view of Meili Snow Mountain.
Best Time to Visit Wunongding Viewing Platform
The ideal seasons to visit Wunongding Viewing Platform are in the winter and spring periods between October and May. The best season is after the end of October, when you can view the Meili Snow Mountain because of the nice weather, clean air and the high transparency there.
Accommodate at Wunongding Viewing Platform
There is no accommodation around Wunongding Viewing Platform. But There are many guesthouses and hostels around Feilai Temple, which next to the Wunongding Viewing Platform.
Recommended Visiting Route
2 Days Kawa Karpo Meili Snow Mountain Tour from Shangri-La
7 Days Shangrila Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Village Trekking Tour
12 Days Yunnan Three Parallel Rivers Overland Tour with Biluo and Meili Snow Mountains
Nearby Attractions
Meili Snow Mountain is one of the most sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism. In the 1930s, they were praised by American scholars as the most beautiful mountains in the world. Meili Snow Mountain boasts numerous snow-clad ridges and peaks, thirteen of which are more than 6,000 meters above the sea level.
Yubeng Village in Deqin County, Shangrila
Yubeng is a secluded small Tibetan village tucked away at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain in Deqin county, the northwestern corner of Yunnan Province. It is only accessible by foot or horse/mule. But the trip, however arduous, is worth it.
Feilai Temple, the best place to watch goden peaks of Meili mountain at sunrise. So if you plan to watch sunrise, it’s absolutely a good idea to live at Feilai temple the night before. But actually it is unusual to see the goden peaks. The peaks of the mountains are often surrounded with clouds due to the high altitude they are. And this makes more interesting for Meili.
Useful Travel Tips
► Check with the hotel or guesthouse whether there is water for shower before checking in it for its lack of water in this area.
► The ultraviolet rays are strong and you may need to bring something anti-sunburn.
► It is difficult to see the mountain in its entirety during summer and autumn, due to heavy cloud cover or mists.
