Meili Snow Mountain in Diqing
Attractions Overview
There are 13 peaks with an average altitude of over 6,000 meters on Meili Snow Mountain, referred to as the 13 prince peaks.
Chinese name: 梅里雪山
English Name: Meili Snow Mountain
Type: Mount Benri, Moerduo Mountain, Kawagebo Peak of Meili Snow Mountain, the Aemye Ma-chhen Range, Mount Kailash, Gaduojuewo, Yalxiangbo and the Himalayas
Seasons: between October and March
Recommended Visiting Time: 2~4 hours
Opening Hours: Open all day
Tickets: ￥0
Address:Meili Snow Mountain is located about 10 kilometers north-east of Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province.
Travel Tips
Meili Snow Mountain, also named as Prince Snow Mountain, is located 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) northeast of Deqin County of Yunnan Province. It sits on the border of Yunnan Province and Tibet. The three famous rivers Jinsha River, Mekong River (Nu River) and Salwen River(Lancang River) flow through the area.
The best time to visit Meili Snow Mountain
Good season to visit Meili Snow Mountaion is from Ocotober to next May, but the best time is after the end of October, where it is sunny with clean air. It is clear to see the main peak frequently. If you tavel in other season, it will depend on luck to see the peak clearly. It is easier to see the beautiful snow mountaion when the sun comes out in the morning.
However, the weather at Meili Snow Mountaion Area is constantly changing. Tourists seldom see Kawagebo Peak. But, it is easier to see the Kawagebo Peak at about 8-9 o’clock in the morning at the end of autumn and the beginning of spring.
Ideal spots to see the snow mountain
- On the State Highway No 214, from where tourists could see a panoramic view of Meili Snow Mountain. As the road is narrow, tourists should not stand there for a long time.
- Wunongding Viewing Platform. It is along State Road No 214 from Shangri-la to Deqin, about 15 km from the county of Deqin. There are 13 white pagodas at Wunongding Village. It is open to see spectacular view of the snow mountaion.
- Feilai Temple. Feilai Temple is located about 11km from the county of Deqin, on thw way from Deqin to Tibet along State Road No. 214/ The local Tibetans and pedestrains often burn incense and pray in this temple. It is the best place to view the sunrise and sunset of Meili Snow Mountain. The temple has already been developed to a fully-functional tourist destination, where tourist could find guesthouse or inn, restaurants, bars. Most tourists choose to stay at Feilai Temple for viewing the sunrise and sunset or going to Yubeng and Mingyong Glacier more conveniently.
How to get to Meili Snow Mountain
There is no direct train to Meili Snow Mountain. You can transfer at Kunming, Lijiang or Dali if you travel by train. Then take a bus to Deqin County, where you can change to another bus to Meili Snow Mountain.
There are buses from Shangri-la to Deqin at 07:20, 08:20, 09:20 and 12:00 every day. It takes about 5 hours for driving. When you reach Deqin, you could rent a taxi or mini-van to Feilai Temple where you could see Meili Snow Mountain.
Inner Pilgrimage and outer Pilgrimage of Meili Snow Mountain
The biggest event around Meili Snow Mountain should be the Inner Pilgrimage and the Outer Circumambulating Pilgrimage. Pilgrimage is the custom of Tibetan people, it’s an act of religious observance and respect for nature, undertake a pilgrimage on foot around some sacred places like a mountain, a lake or a temple. Each year multitudes of pilgrims spare no efforts and travel long to conduct their Buddhist circumambulations to Holy Mountains and Lakes for good luck and ascending to the paradise after death.
There are two trekking route, one is outer circumambulation,another one is inner circumambulation. The Inner Circumambulation is easier hiking route which will cost about 6 days, And the Outer Circumambulation would take 7-15 days.
The Route of Inner Pilgrimage
- Xidang Village- Ninong Village- Lower Yubeng(Sacred Waterfall and Sacred Lake)-Upper Yubeng- Xidang Spring
- Xidang Village- Upper Yubeng(Ice Lake)- Lower Yubeng(Sacred Waterfall and Sacred Lake)- Ninong Village- Xidang Spring
The Route of Outer Pilgrimage
Deqin County Center- Yunling Town- Yangla Village(1950)- Yangza Suspension Bridge- Yongjiu Village(northwards) or Yongzhi Village(southwards) – Yongshitong- Dekangyading- Duokeyaka- Shusutong- Qienatong- Abing- Lakangya(near Nu River, at an altitude of 1700m)- Zhana- Longbu- Damuyaka- Gebu- Daguya(4100m)- Gezaya(4300m)- Meijiubugong- Shuoya(4828m)- Dulongyong- Meilishui(near Lancang River)- Adong River- Deqin
Note: the entrance fee for the Yubeng area has recently changed from 80 yuan to 230 yuan per person. This is due to the forced purchase of a package ticket. There is a student discount (120RMB), but only for students under the age of 25 and with a valid student card.
