4 Days Lijiang – Shangri La Hiking Group Tour to Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Village (Daily Departure with Chinese-speaking Group)

Lijiang + Meili Snow Mountain + Yubeng Village 4-Day, 3-Night Group Tour

Embark on a magical journey to the enchanting landscapes of Yunnan, where snow-capped peaks, sacred rivers, and secluded villages await. This 4-day, 3-night tour offers an immersive experience into the majestic Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山) and the hidden Yubeng Village (雨崩村), accompanied by professional guides and curated for comfort. Stay in upscale accommodations, indulge in local cuisine, and explore nature’s masterpieces while uncovering the mysteries of Tibetan culture.

Experience:

  • Luxury in the Wilderness: Stay in premium mountain-view rooms with air conditioning and modern amenities.
  • All-Inclusive Comfort: Enjoy breakfasts, a professional guide, basic photography services, and exclusive extras like Tibetan herbal foot baths and trekking poles.
  • Nature and Culture: Discover the pristine beauty of Meili Snow Mountain and the spiritual essence of Yubeng Village, home to breathtaking glaciers, forests, and sacred waterfalls.

Tour Highlights

1. A Unique Blend of Adventure and Comfort

  • Trek to Yubeng Village, a secluded haven nestled at the base of Mount Kawagebo (卡瓦格博), considered a sacred peak by Tibetans.
  • Cross the rugged terrain in comfortable off-road vehicles, ensuring a smooth journey into this remote paradise.

2. Natural Wonders of Yunnan

  • Marvel at the grandeur of the Three Parallel Rivers UNESCO World Heritage Site (三江并流), where the Jinsha River, Lancang River, and Nujiang River carve spectacular gorges.
  • Witness the stunning Moon Bay Scenic Area (月亮湾景区) and the icy splendor of the White Horse Snow Mountain (白马雪山).

3. Sacred Landscapes of Meili Snow Mountain

  • Visit Ice Lake (冰湖), a tranquil emerald-green lake formed by glacial melt, and Sacred Waterfall (神瀑), revered by Tibetan pilgrims for its spiritual cleansing power.

4. Immersive Tibetan Cultural Experience

  • Stay at premium mountain-view hotels in Yubeng Village and Feilai Temple (飞来寺).
  • Partake in traditional Tibetan herbal foot baths, designed to rejuvenate tired trekkers after a day of hiking.

5. Sunrise and Scenic Wonders

  • Enjoy the unforgettable sight of Sunrise at Meili Snow Mountain, where the peaks are bathed in golden light.
  • End the journey with a visit to the ancient Dukezong Old Town (独克宗古城) and the dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡), one of the deepest gorges in the world.

This tour blends the pristine beauty of nature with cultural exploration, providing an unforgettable journey into the heart of Yunnan’s most iconic destinations.

Day By Day Itinerary

Day 1: Lijiang Hotel Gather → Shangri-La Napa Sea Scenic Area → Baima Snow Mountain → Three Parallel Rivers (Moon Bay Scenic Area) → Xidang → Yubeng Village

Breakfast: Self-arranged | Lunch: Self-arranged | Dinner: Self-arranged

Accommodation: Yubeng Luxury Snow Mountain View Hotel (24-hour hot water, independent bathrooms, clean and tidy rooms with air-conditioning, latex bedding). Example hotel: No. 1 Meili Snow Mountain Villa.

Itinerary:

  • 7:00 AM Departure from Lijiang: Depart for Shangri-La (香格里拉). Along the way, enjoy the vast prairie scenery of Xiaozhongdian (小中甸) and the Napa Sea Scenic Area (纳帕海), a serene highland lake offering stunning views of wildlife and grasslands. Continue your journey and enjoy lunch at Benzilan (奔子栏), with a meal featuring Jinsha River (金沙江) wooden bucket fish.
  • Three Parallel Rivers (三江并流) World Heritage Site: Visit the Moon Bay Scenic Area (月亮湾景区), part of the UNESCO Three Parallel Rivers heritage, which is one of China’s largest natural heritage areas. It spans over 170 kilometers where three major rivers—Jinsha River (金沙江), Lancang River (澜沧江), and Nu River (怒江)—run parallel to each other through the northwest of Yunnan. These rivers flow through four major mountain ranges: Gaoligong Mountains (高黎贡山), Nu Mountains (怒山), Yunling Mountains (云岭), and Snow Mountains (雪山), showcasing the most dramatic mountain gorge landscapes in the world.
  • Baima Snow Mountain Viewpoint (白马雪山): Stop at the viewpoint to admire the stunning view of Baima Snow Mountain. Continue the journey to Xidang Village (西当村), where you’ll switch to off-road vehicles that will take you to Upper Yubeng Village (上雨崩村).
  • Evening at Yubeng Village: Check into your Luxury Snow Mountain View Hotel in Yubeng. After dinner, enjoy a special Tibetan herbal foot soak (藏药木桶泡脚) to relax and rejuvenate after the day’s trekking.

Day 2: Yubeng Village → Hike to Ice Lake → Return to Yubeng Hotel

Breakfast: Included | Lunch: Self-arranged | Dinner: Self-arranged

Accommodation: Two nights at Yubeng Luxury Snow Mountain View Hotel. Example hotel: No. 1 Meili Snow Mountain Villa.

Itinerary:

  • 8:00 AM: After breakfast at the hotel, begin the hike to Ice Lake (冰湖).
    • Hiking Details: The hike will take approximately 7 hours, covering 12 kilometers with an elevation gain of 700 meters.
    • Start at Yubeng Village, cross through Sea Buckthorn Forest (沙棘林), and enter the Primitive Forest (原始森林). The hike will lead you to Xiaonong Base Camp (笑农大本营), which was once the base for the joint Chinese-Japanese expedition to climb Kawagebo Peak (卡瓦格博峰).
  • Ice Lake: The lake is formed by the melting snow of Meili Snow Mountain and is known as a sacred lake for Tibetan Buddhists. The water is exceptionally cold and deep green, resembling jade, and the surrounding glaciers form an ethereal winter landscape when frozen in winter.
  • Return to Yubeng: Around 4:00 PM, return to your hotel in Yubeng for some rest. After dinner, enjoy another Tibetan herbal foot soak (藏药木桶泡脚) to relax and prepare for the next day’s trek.

Day 3: Yubeng → Hike to Sacred Waterfall → Return to Yubeng → Scenic Area Off-road Ride to Feilai Temple

Breakfast: Included | Lunch: Self-arranged | Dinner: Self-arranged

Accommodation: Feilai Temple Snow Mountain View Hotel. Example hotels: Deqin Meili Snow Mountain Boutique Inn or Deqin Mingzhu Laka Snow Mountain View Hotel.

Itinerary:

  • 7:30 AM: After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the Sacred Waterfall (神瀑), a 6-hour hike covering 14 kilometers and an elevation gain of 700 meters.
    • Start by crossing the Yubeng River (雨崩河) and passing through Lower Yubeng Village (雨崩下村), where the green mountains and clear waters stretch before you. Continue through the untouched Primitive Forest and High Mountain Pasture (高山牧场) before reaching the magnificent Sacred Waterfall, formed by the waters of Meili Snow Mountain cascading down from a height.
  • Sacred Waterfall’s Significance: The waterfall is where pilgrims (朝圣者) come to receive a sacred baptism. For them, this spiritual experience completes their pilgrimage and purifies both the body and soul.
  • Return to Yubeng: Around 2:30 PM, return to the hotel to pack your belongings. You’ll then board off-road vehicles to leave Yubeng Village and head toward Feilai Temple (飞来寺), where you will stay in a hotel with views of Meili Snow Mountain.

Day 4: Feilai Temple Scenic Platform → Shangri-La Dukezong Ancient Town → Tiger Leaping Gorge → Return to Lijiang

Breakfast: Included | Lunch: Self-arranged | Dinner: Self-arranged

Itinerary:

  • Feilai Temple Scenic Platform:
    If the weather permits, you will enjoy a visit to one of the best viewing platforms of Meili Snow Mountain at Feilai Temple (飞来寺), where you can witness the breathtaking sunrise on the snow-covered peaks. The 13 peaks of Meili Snow Mountain rise like arrows ready to be launched, towering and awe-inspiring in their majesty.
  • Shangri-La (香格里拉): Afterward, proceed to Shangri-La, passing by Dukezong Ancient Town (独克宗古城), which remains one of the best-preserved Tibetan settlements in China. The town is built according to the mythical Shambhala (香巴拉), featuring steep cobblestone streets and traditional Tibetan architecture.
  • Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡): Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and narrowest gorges in the world. The gorge, situated between Haba Snow Mountain (哈巴雪山) and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山), has a depth of over 3,000 meters, which is 1,500 meters deeper than the Grand Canyon in the United States. The landscape here is truly awe-inspiring.
  • Return to Lijiang: After the gorge tour, head back to Lijiang (丽江). You can opt to fly from Shangri-La Airport (香格里拉机场) back to your departure city after 12:00 PM. You are expected to arrive in Lijiang around 7:00 PM and complete the tour.

Note: You may choose to fly from Shangri-La after 12:00 PM, and if you prefer, you can take a late flight after 8:00 PM from Lijiang.


This 4-day group tour offers an unforgettable experience of nature, culture, and adventure. From the majestic Meili Snow Mountain to the tranquil beauty of Yubeng Village, and the spiritual pilgrimage to the Sacred Waterfall, you will immerse yourself in the natural beauty and Tibetan heritage of this remarkable region.

Service Included:

Accommodation

  • 3 nights of accommodation:
    • Two nights in upgraded luxury mountain-view hotels in Yubeng Village.
    • One night at a premium snow mountain-view hotel in Feilai Temple.

Transportation

  • Private vehicle: Transportation for 4 days, with one seat per person. Vehicle type is arranged based on the group size.
  • Off-road village entry vehicles: Transportation between Xidang Village and Yubeng Village (in and out).
    • Note: If off-road vehicles for village entry/exit are unavailable or guests choose to hike out of the village via Ninong, a refund of ¥350 per person will be provided (¥200 for entry and ¥150 for exit).

Admission Fees

  • Tickets to the listed attractions, including Moon Bay, Yubeng Village, and Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Tour Guide

  • Full-time, dedicated tour guide service for the entire journey.
    • For groups of fewer than 8 participants, a driver-guide will be provided, who will accompany guests throughout the hike.

Insurance

  • Comprehensive travel accident insurance with a coverage amount of ¥500,000.
    • Note: In case of injuries caused by traffic accidents, compensation will be provided by the insurance company per the “Road Traffic Accident Handling Measures.” The tour operator assumes no additional liability.

Complimentary Items

Special Offers for Early Bookings

  1. Free Stay: One night of economy accommodation in Lijiang for guests who book three months in advance (on the arrival day).
  2. Airport Pickup Service: Complimentary airport transfer for groups of three or more arriving on the same flight (for bookings made three months in advance).

Memorabilia and Extras

  1. Memorabilia: One commemorative certificate and one medal per participant.
  2. Mountaineering Gear: Includes one trekking pole, one bottle of mineral water, one disposable raincoat, and one multifunctional scarf.
  3. Breakfast: Two breakfasts at Yubeng Village.
  4. Tibetan Herbal Foot Bath: Two Tibetan herbal foot baths at the Yubeng Village hotel (valued at ¥60).

Note: Complimentary items are non-refundable if not utilized.

Service Excluded:

Transportation

  • Travel to and from Lijiang from other locations.

Meals

  • All meals are self-funded and shared on an AA basis. The travel manager will recommend local specialties (approximate cost of ¥40 per meal per person).

Personal Expenses

  • Any personal expenses outside the itinerary.