What to Visit in Weixi County of Diqing Prefecture

（图：@云南白狼）

Nine breathtakingly beautiful lakes are scattered across the region’s most sacred mountains — their forgotten, mesmerizing landscapes of lakes and peaks are stunning enough to leave you spellbound.

（图：@范特稀）

Scattered wild fruits and encounters with the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey — as famous as the panda — all reveal a deep sense of harmony with nature.

（图：@范特稀）

An ancient village visited by only 80 people each year, preserving its original beauty and simplicity.

（图：@木周易天）

Traditional festivals and ancient folk songs and dances exude a unique charm.

（图：@地文视界）

This hidden paradise, just a 5-hour drive from Lijiang, is none other than the little-known gem of Weixi.

Weixi County is under the jurisdiction of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province and is located in the heart of the “Three Parallel Rivers” region. Snow-capped mountains, alpine meadows, lakes, and pastures… This almost-forgotten place holds countless breathtaking sceneries and allows you to check off must-visit destinations like Shangri-La, Deqin, and Lijiang all in one trip!

Alpine lakes, sea of forests, and lush meadows
Here lies a stunning secret realm hidden deep within the mountains.

Tucked away in northwestern Yunnan, Weixi remains remote and difficult to access. Many areas are still rarely visited by humans. Its alpine lakes, rhododendron forests, snow-capped peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, rivers, and rare wildlife all come together to create a place of perfect natural beauty.

|| Nine Lakes and One Mountain – each lake has its own story.

（图：@观止）

（图：@观止）

In Luotong Village of Badi Mountain, there is a rare and remarkable trekking route — the ascent of Mount Nongbugqie, a sacred mountain revered by the locals. Though it takes a full day and night to reach the summit, the journey is more than worth it. Along the way, you’ll encounter nine mysterious alpine lakes scattered around the sacred mountain, and from there, you can even gaze upon the summit of Meili Snow Mountain — making every step of the journey worthwhile.

（图：@观止）

（图：@观止）

Each uniquely shaped lake carries its own legendary tale! The crystal-clear White Lake, like a giant mirror, reflects the surrounding peaks and forests. It is also regarded as the guardian of livestock by the locals — cattle, sheep, and horses all graze happily around its shores. Then there’s the mysterious Black Lake, known by villagers as the “Strange Lake.” It is said that if you shout nearby or throw a stone into it, rain will immediately follow. At the foot of the mountain lies Heart Lake, filled with romantic charm. Its heart-shaped form makes it the most beautiful of the nine lakes, and legend has it that if you propose here, success is guaranteed!

|| Nanjiluō — a hidden paradise rarely touched by human footsteps

（图：@云南白狼）

（图：@云南白狼）

Nanjiluo is located on the Biluo Snow Mountain, across from Badi Township in Weixi County. Tucked away in a remote and hidden area, it remains known to only a handful of people to this day. Reaching Nanjiluo is no easy feat — the roads are extremely steep, narrow, and treacherous. Only off-road or 4WD vehicles can make the journey, making it a true challenge even for seasoned adventurers.

（图：@云南白狼）

When you finally cross mountains and valleys to reach this hidden sanctuary, the deep green hills and tranquil lakes reveal a true paradise untouched by time. On clear days, Nanjiluo looks just like an oil painting — especially in autumn and winter, when the emerald-green leaves turn golden, adding vibrant splashes of color to the landscape, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty. When rain falls over Nanjiluo, the atmosphere becomes even more ethereal — mist swirls around the lakes, meadows, and primeval forests, blending together like a naturally formed ink painting.

|| Chabudoga — the highest peak in Weixi

Chabuduogai is located on the west bank of the Lancang River in Yezhi Town. It is the highest place in the whole county and also the summer alpine pasture for several villages. In the Lisu language, Chabuduogai means “the place where Chabu hunts”, and it got its name because in ancient times, a famous hunter named Chabu often hunted here.

查布朵嘎

This place is located in a remote area, rarely visited by people. Scattered around the mountains are numerous glacial lakes, like sapphires embedded between the folds of the mountains. The largest lake, Julong Lake, is formed by ten waterfalls converging, cascading down like white khatas hanging on the mountainside.

|| Dian Golden Monkey National Park – Close Encounter with Wild Golden Monkeys

（图：@肖育文）

Dian Golden Monkey National Park is located in Tacheng Town, within the Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve. Due to the high mountains and dense forests in other areas, it is extremely difficult to access, making this the only place in the world where you can witness and have close encounters with wild Dian golden monkeys.

（图：@动画人）

（图：@kunyuan_99）

A short hike into the scenic area leads to a monkey observation zone, where the national treasure, the Dian golden monkey, sits leisurely among the branches. Its black, white, and gray fur gleams golden in the sunlight. The Dian golden monkey has the most human-like face, with crimson “sexy” lips, and when it eats, it pinches its food just like an old woman with no teeth.

An ancient village, with scattered well-constructed wooden houses in the well-known “well-head” style.

Here lies a beautiful, yet little-known ancient village.

Located in a remote area with inconvenient transportation, this ancient village deep in the mountains of Weixi remains unknown to many, but this has helped preserve the most traditional architecture and authentic local customs. For centuries, multiple ethnic groups such as the Naxi, Tibetan, and Lisu have lived here, leading an idyllic life of self-sufficiency that many envy.

|| Qibie Village – A Thousand-Year-Old Ginkgo Village

（图：@极微细色）

（图：@极微细色）

Qibie Village is a settlement surrounded by mountains, located in Tacheng Town. Upon entering the village, you will see an ancient ginkgo tree, with a large stone tablet beside it inscribed with the words “Qibie Thousand-Year-Old Ginkgo Village.” This thousand-year-old ginkgo tree is regarded as a sacred tree by villagers from near and far. In the past, it was a place for the villagers to offer sacrifices to the heavens. Beneath the tree is a popular spot for the villagers to relax, chat, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of daily life.

（图：@极微细色）

（图：@极微细色）

In Qibie Village, one of the must-see experiences is to enjoy an authentic performance of the Shenchuan Reba Dance. The Reba Dance was originally performed by Tibetan wandering artists known as “Reba” and was created to honor the gods and pray for blessings. After thousands of years of tradition, its original charm remains, and it now possesses its own unique appeal and grace.

|| Tongle Village – Distinctive Well-Constructed Wooden Houses

（图：@范特稀）

Tongle Village is located deep in the mountains, and without a local guide, it is difficult to find this beautiful place. Though small, the village has a unique charm. Built along the mountain slopes, the village is made up entirely of well-constructed wooden houses in the “well-head” style, arranged in a staggered manner, layer upon layer, resembling a perfect painting.

（图：@范特稀）

（图：@范特稀）

A stay in Tongle Village is a must. The mountain-side wooden villas are fully equipped, with each room costing no more than 300 yuan. In the morning, when you open the door, the view will surely surprise you. In the early morning, Tongle Village, shrouded in mist, looks dreamlike and enchanting, like a fairyland. When the sun rises and the mist disperses, the village bathed in sunlight transforms into a warm and pleasant scene.

|| Luotong She – A Place Visited by Only 80 People Each Year

洛通社

Luotong She, a Tibetan village hidden deep in the mountains, is located in Luoyi Village, Badi Township, Weixi. This mysterious and beautiful land is unknown to many people in Shangri-La. Each year, only 80 people have glimpsed its beauty. Since it was discovered by outsiders in 2005, fewer than 1,000 people have visited this place in the past 13 years.

（图：@观止）

（图：@观止）

Luotong She, with only 42 households, is backed by snow-capped mountains and faces a deep gorge. The entire village is surrounded by over 1,000 walnut trees. No one can clearly say how many years of history this ancient and natural village has, but the walnut trees, with their several hundred years of age, seem to silently tell mysterious and ancient stories.

||Pantian Pavilion – The Highest Altitude Rice-Producing Area

（图：@洋光摄客）

（图：@洋光摄客）

Pantian Pavilion Township is located in the northwest of Weixi County, 30 kilometers from the county seat. Pantian Pavilion was originally a marsh, but during the late Qing Dynasty, the Luoshuidong Drain was dug to drain the water, transforming Pantian Pavilion into a flat plain. Over time, farmland was gradually developed, and more people began to settle here. Today, it has become a large community of 16 different ethnic groups. Pantian Pavilion not only preserves a rich traditional culture but also boasts the title of the “highest altitude rice-producing area.” The rice cooked with “Old Black Valley” rice is fragrant and delicious.

（图：@极微细色）

（图：@极微细色）

If you’re lucky, you might catch the Pumi ethnic group’s Long Street Feast. Every household in the local Pumi community brings out their ingredients, cooking tools, tables, and chairs, setting them up on the main street. Villagers gather on the long street to eat, drink, and chat, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Ancient traditional festivals, primal religious beliefs.

Here, you’ll experience a cultural feast woven together by multiple ethnic groups.

Weixi is a gathering point for the “Tea Horse Caravan” trade in northwest Yunnan, home to many ethnic groups including the Lisu, Naxi, Tibetan, Bai, and Han. Different ethnic cultures intertwine here, yet each group has preserved its ancient traditions, maintaining a unique charm. Walking into Weixi, you can experience a rich and colorful folk cultural feast.

|| Ancient and Rich Festivals – The Interweaving of Various Ethnic Cultures

（图：@CocoHu）

（图：@CocoHu）

Weixi is a land where ethnic minorities live in harmony. The cultural customs of various ethnic groups blend here, including the Tibetan Shaman Festival, Horse Racing Festival, and Danba Festival; the Naxi’s February 8th Festival and Guci Festival; the Lisu’s Kuo Shi Festival, Knife Pole Festival, and Harvest Festival… Ancient and rich festivals, along with traditional folk songs and dances, can all be witnessed here.

（图：@CocoHu）

（图：@CocoHu）

The annual Weixi Harvest Festival is a lively event. Unlike the golden autumn harvest season we typically associate with harvest time, December is considered the most significant harvest season by the locals. Every village in Weixi holds various sizes of Harvest Festivals to express gratitude for nature’s gifts. The Harvest Festival in Tacheng is the grandest, where every year, guests from around the world are invited to share a cultural feast. Performances of intangible cultural heritage works, such as the “Toasting Song” and “Tacheng Reba,” captivate the audience, fully showcasing the locals’ love for singing and dancing.

高原玫瑰酱

The harvest season is naturally accompanied by various特色 local delicacies, including the sweet taste of raw chestnuts, pesticide-free and all-natural bitter melon wine, and the fragrant highland rose jam…

|| Primitive Religious Beliefs – The Most Famous Dharma Patriarch Cave

（图：@申小璐728）

In Weixi, Tibetan Buddhism, Catholicism, and Christianity coexist, and most of the ethnic minorities still preserve their original religious beliefs. Various religions and sects live harmoniously together here.

（图：@申小璐728）

（图：@申小璐728）

Weixi, with its diverse religious beliefs, is home to many temples, among which the most famous is the ethereal and serene Dharma Patriarch Cave. Located atop the towering Dharma Mountain, it is surrounded by ancient trees and lush greenery. Established in 1151 AD, Dharma Temple was built as a meditation retreat for the Patriarch’s Cave, with stone steps leading up to the cave. From a distance, it appears to hang precariously over a sheer cliff, with its exquisite craftsmanship leaving visitors in awe.

|| Lisu Ethnic Cuisine – Experience the Comfortable Life of the Locals

（图：@于Rum）

（图：@于Rum）

The unique Lisu dish “Huo Shao Ba Ba” (Fire Roasted Cake) is a representative of Lisu fire pit culture. Its name “Three Blows and Three Strikes” comes from the traditional process, which involves blowing and striking three times during preparation. Despite its unassuming appearance, the outer shell is crispy while the inside is soft and fragrant. It is not only loved by the locals but also popular among visitors. In the early mornings, Lisu families often prepare a few “Three Blows and Three Strikes,” brew a pot of fragrant oil tea, and roast some authentic Lisu-style fire-roasted meat. The family gathers together to eat, drink, and chat, marking the start of a pleasant day.

八盘四大碗

“Ba Pan Si Da Wan” (Eight Platters and Four Big Bowls) is a traditional banquet specialty in Weixi. The eight platters include large stewed liver and intestines, three-silk blow liver, braised lily, Three Rivers papaya chicken, flower oil rolls, lotus flower ham slices, yam stewed pig’s feet, and boiled wood ear mushrooms. The four big bowls consist of cap noodles, red braised meat, crispy meat, and dumplings. Nowadays, it’s usually ten dishes plus a soup, and the big bowls are no longer served. “Ba Pan Si Da Wan” remains a cherished memory of childhood for many older generations.

Located in the Heart of the “Three Parallel Rivers” Area

Shangri-La, Deqin, and Lijiang – One-Touch Check-ins

Weixi is located in the heart of the “Three Parallel Rivers” UNESCO World Heritage Site, not far from Shangri-La and Deqin, making it easy to explore the beautiful surroundings. A 4-day driving tour along the Western Loop is a great choice:
D1: Shangri-La to Balagezong Grand Canyon, where you can capture the stunning views of the canyon, snow-capped mountains, and sunsets.
D2: Balagezong Grand Canyon to Shengping Town, with stops at the primitive Tibetan scenery of Benzilan and the magnificent bend of the Jinsha River.
D3: Shengping Town to Tacheng, passing by snow mountains, canyons, and picturesque villages.
D4: On the final day, drive along the Xiangwei Highway from Tangman River to Nixi, and return to Shangri-La.

|| Balagezong – Known as the Last Pure Land of Shangri-La

（图：@临夜的向阳花）

（图：@小森林-春）

Balagezong, known as the last pure land of Shangri-La, is a place where the pristine ecological environment is well-preserved. It features a variety of geological landscapes, the legendary history of the Kamba tribe spanning thousands of years, and the millennium-old Phoenix Bodhi tree, believed to grant one’s wishes.

|| Jinsha River Big Bend – The Spectacular “Three Cliffs Surrounding Two Rivers”

（图：@御姐控的贵）

Located at the junction of Yunnan and Sichuan, the Jinsha River Big Bend, also known as Moon Bay, sees the waters of the three rivers merging into the embrace of the Jinsha River. At the confluence of the waters, the spectacular “Three Cliffs Surrounding Two Rivers” scene is formed.

|| Bigu Heavenly Lake – Rhododendron Sea

（图：@山窝窝）

Bigu Heavenly Lake is the outdoor filming location for Chen Kaige’s movie “The Promise.” Located at the Bigu pasture, it is named Bigu Heavenly Lake. The lake is neither large nor deep, but the surrounding vast primeval forests, lush green pastures, and grazing cattle and sheep enhance the tranquil beauty of the crystal-clear lake, making it even more enchanting.

（图：@神之悟之）

（图：@山窝窝）

What is even more captivating are the rhododendrons by the lake. From May to August each year, the rhododendron sea blooms, making Bigu Heavenly Lake even more dazzling.

|| Nixi – Experience the Unique Black Pottery Craftsmanship

尼西黑陶

Nixi is a Tibetan village in Shangri-La County, Yunnan Province, and was once an essential stop on the ancient Tea Horse Road. The village is renowned for its traditional pottery-making techniques, which have been passed down for over 2,000 years. Nixi’s black pottery is elegant and distinctive, setting it apart from other Chinese black pottery. It is widely used in Northwestern Yunnan and Tibetan areas, with food cooked in these pots having a unique earthy flavor. Before returning to Shangri-La, experiencing the black pottery craftsmanship here is truly a rare and unforgettable experience!

Practical Information

◆ Best Season: With its mild climate, Weixi is a great destination year-round. However, if you’re planning to visit nearby attractions as well, the most beautiful time is from May to June. From late May to early June, the rhododendron flower sea is in full bloom (though the timing may vary depending on the weather). In mid-June, you can also enjoy the wildflower fields, including species like irises.

◆ Local Languages: Lisu, Yunnan Dialect

◆ Transportation: Many attractions here are not easily accessible by public transport, and private car hires can be expensive. It is recommended to travel by self-driving car or rent a car to get around.

https://travel.ifeng.com/a/20180518/44995746_0.shtml