1. Introduction About Meili Snow Mountain
1.1 Geographical Location
Meli Snow Mountain, also known as the "Prince of Snow Mountains", is located between the Nujiang River and the Lancang River in the middle section of the Hengduan Mountains, about 10 kilometers northeast of Deqin County, Yunnan Province. There are 13 peaks with an average altitude of more than 6,000 meters, termed as the "Thirteen Peaks of the Prince". The main peak, Kawagebo Peak, has an altitude of up to 6,740 meters and is the highest peak in Yunnan. Meli Snow Mountain is famous all over the world for its majestic magnificence and mystery. As early as the 1930s, American scholars praised Kawagebo Peak as "the most beautiful mountain in the world", and there are continuous cirques and glaciers under this peak, like the extension of a jade dragon. Additionally, the ice and snow are dazzling and it is a rare marine modern glacier in the world. The Qudenggong Temple and Gunmading Temple at the foot of the mountain are temples where Tibetans worship the sacred mountain. Every year, Tibetans from Yunnan, Tibet, Sichuan, Qinghai, and Gansu come to worship, so it is featured in strong Tibetan customs and regarded as a holy place for tourists to explore.
1.2 Climatic Feature
Meili Snow Mountain belongs to the plateau climate with cold temperate, thus the temperature is relatively low throughout the year and the dry and wet seasons are distinct. It has the characteristics of strong solar radiation and significant vertical climate changes. Therefore, tourists need to pay attention to keeping warm and preventing altitude sickness.
1.3 Natural Resources
As one of the regions with the richest biodiversity in Yunnan, Meili Snow Mountain's ecosystem is very unique and it has a plant distribution spectrum from the tropical zone to the northern frigid zone.The vegetation here mainly includes various spruce forests and alpine meadows. In summer, wild flowers on the meadows compete for beauty, forming a beautiful picture. It is also the home for many endangered animals and plants, such as golden monkeys and black-necked cranes. On top of this, here is also a paradise for photography enthusiasts,as many beautiful sceneries can become materials for photography.
1.4 Historical And Cultural Stories
The main peak of Meili Snow Mountain, Kawagebo, means "the god of snow mountain" in Tibetan. In legend, Kawagebo is a handsome and battle-tested prince. Therefore, the group of peaks above 5,000 meters above sea level on both sides of Kawagebo is named "Thirteen Peaks of the Prince".The Tibetan also believe that Kawagebo Peak is the residence of their patron saint, once humans climb to the summit, the god will leave them. Without the protection of the god, disasters will befall. Because of this special folk culture and religious belief, Meili Snow Mountain is known as the only snow mountain that is prohibited from being climbed to the top due to cultural protection.
In addition, Meili Snow Mountain is also a pilgrimage site for Tibetans and it contains rich Tibetan Buddhist culture. Tourists can visit local temples and sacrificial sites together with experience the unique Tibetan culture, including wearing Tibetan clothes and hand-painted thangka etc.
2. Why Visit Meili Snow Mountain?
Dr. Rock, hailed by the West as "the pioneer of Naxi culture research", published ten articles on his travels in western China in National Geographic magazine from 1922 to 1935. One of them was about Meili Snow Mountain. In the article, it was written: "It is the most magnificent mountain peak I have ever seen with my own eyes. No wonder the Tibetans revere it so much and regard it as sacred. It is like a castle in a dream, an ice and snow palace in a fairy tale. So it is very worthwhile for tourists to experience the beauty of this extremely beautiful natural scenery."
3. Meili Snow Mountain Attractions & Highlights
The scenic spots of Meili Snow Mountain are composed of five major sections: the Jinsha River Grand Bay scenic area which is located in Yunnan protection area of the Three Parallel Rivers; the Wunongding Welcome Platform which is the best position to shoot the panorama; the Feilai Temple Viewing Platform which is an important hub to enter Meili Snow Mountain or Yubeng; the Yubeng scenic area where you can see the divine waterfall and ice lake; and also the Mingyong Glacier scenic area with low-latitude tropical monsoon.
3.1 Moon Bay 月亮湾
It is also known as the Jinsha River Grand Bay金沙江大湾, the Jinsha River Big Bend金沙江大拐弯, and the First Bay of the Jinsha River金沙江第一湾. Located in Benzilan Town, Deqin County, Diqing Prefecture, it is a beautiful "Ω"-shaped big bend. Standing on the viewing platform in Benzilan and looking around, it is extremely shocking, so it is also called "a world wonder".
Benzilan, which means "beautiful sand embankment" in Tibetan, is a must-pass on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. In 2003, it was included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO and called "Three Parallel Rivers Protected Area". Tourists can taste Tibetan characteristic cuisine, appreciate the magnificence of the Moon Bay of the Jinsha River or go to Dongzhulin Temple to feel the sacredness of Tibetan Buddhism.
3.2 Feilai Temple 飞来寺
It is also known as Auspicious Feilai Temple, originally built in the 42nd year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty and got its name because of the tale with"the pillars and beams flew and stood on their own". Now it consists of the Descendants Hall, Guansheng Hall, Haichao Hall, two side halls, two annex halls, and four auxiliary halls.
Feilai Temple, located by the Yunnan-Tibet line and it is considered a good place to photograph the panorama of Meili Snow Mountain and enjoy the views of "Sunshine on the Golden Mountain". Currently, it has become a tourist distribution center beside the Yunnan-Tibet line. There are inns and restaurants of all kinds for tourists to stay and a transfer station when they come to Meili Snow Mountain. In many inn rooms around Feilai Temple, visitors can clearly see the scenery with excellent views of this snow mountain. If tourists walk 1 kilometre along the road from Feilai Temple, they can reach "Mingzhu Laka", which is the location of the viewing platform of this temple as well as a place to offer incense to Kawagebo.
3.3 Wunongding 雾浓顶
It is named after being located in Wunongding Village, there are thirteen welcome towers, viewing platforms etc, opposite is the majestic Meili Snow Mountain. It is also one of the best places to watch and photograph the wonder of "Sunshine on the Golden Mountain". Additionally, there is a unique marriage system of "polygyny" in Wunongding Village, where people can see the unique traditional customs.
3.4 Mingyong Glacier 明永冰川
It is located under Kawagebo Peak, where it is a natural ice body with tens of thousands of years' history and stretches for several kilometres, named after being located in Mingyong Village, the local Tibetans call it "Mingyong Qia"(明永恰). As the largest, longest and valley glacier with the lowest terminal altitude in Yunnan Province, it develops on the main peak of Meili Snow Mountain, Kawagebo Peak, like a silver dragon descending from the sky and it extends to the Lancang River. The ice and snow on the top of Mingyong Glacier never melt all year round and the surrounding altitude is relatively low, fortunately, it is very suitable for tourists to hike and closely admire the main peak(Kawagebo ) of Meili Snow Mountain.
At the foot of the glacier, there is a Taizi Temple, the incense is always burning vigorously all year round and people turning prayer wheels are in an endless stream. Their pious postures will surely make you hold them in deep respect. Half an hour's drive from Taizi Temple, there is a Lotus Temple, a temple dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. It is located on the second-level viewing platform of Mingyong Glacier. Here, tourists will feel very close to the sky, the gods and their own souls.
3.5 Yubeng Scenic Area 雨崩景区
It is a mysterious ancient Tibetan village hidden in the snow mountain and located at the foot of the Wuzifeng of Meili Snow Mountain. In the past, it could only be entered on foot or by horse or mule. Now roads have been opened, but they are all mountainous roads which are relatively dangerous. In Yubeng Village, there are scenic spots such as the sacred waterfall, ice lake, and sacred lake. It is honored as a "fairyland outside the world", "paradise for hikers", and "the last secret place in Yunnan".
Yubeng sacred waterfall is a waterfall formed by the melting water of Meili Snow Mountain and it is also a holy place for Tibetans to bathe and purify their souls. Tibetans regard bathing under the Yubeng sacred waterfall as a spiritual practice to purify their souls. It is said that this waterfall is the holy water retrieved from heaven by the noble god Kawagebo, it can divine people's destinies and also eliminate disasters as well as bestow blessings on all living beings. Tibetan Buddhist believers worship this snow mountain and regard the sacred waterfall as holy water, they rush to bathe and drink it, even put it in bottles and take it home for worship. Tourists can walk around the waterfall for three times clockwise based on Tibetan traditions to pray for blessings.
Apart from that, there is a Yubeng ice lake in this scenic area, which is also called the "the camp of ice lake" with an altitude 3800 meters approximately. The ice lake is the main water source of Yubeng Village and is known as the heart of Kawagebo. The water of the ice lake is emerald green, contrasting with the deep blue glacier, and it is so beautiful that it takes one's breath away.
4. Best Locations To View Meili Snow Mountain
There are several ideal places for viewing Meili Snow Mountain. The first one is the snow mountains around National Highway 214. Here, visitors can see the panorama of Meili Snow Mountain, but the highway is too narrow to stay for a long time.
The second one is Wunongding viewing platform. On National Highway 214 entering Deqin from Zhongdian, it is about 15 kilometers away from Deqin County, there are 13 white pagodas built here and the terrain is open and quite spectacular.
The third one is the incense-burning platform of Feilai Temple. It is sited on National Highway 214 from Deqin to Tibet, about 11 kilometers away from Deqin County. Local Tibetans and passing travelers all burn incense and pray for blessings here, which end up with an excellent place to watch the sunrise and sunset.
Feilai Temple and Wunongding viewing platform are the two best locations for photographing Meili Snow Mountain. However, there is a distance of more than 20 kilometers between the two places. Compared with Wunongding, Feilai Temple has more accommodation choices.
Now, the incense-burning platform of Feilai Temple has become a fully functional tourist destination with restaurants, accommodation, and bars. The vast majority of tourists stay here to watch the sunrise and sunset. Moreover, it is also the most convenient place to go to Yubeng Scenic Area.
5. Trekking In & Around Meili Snow Mountain
5.1 Five Main Hiking Routes In Yubeng
The hiking routes mainly include Sacred Waterfall Route, Ice Lake Route, Nise Route, Ninong Route, and Sacred Lake Route. Each route has different levels of difficulty and scenery, suitable for hikers with different needs.
Sacred Waterfall Route: The whole journey is about 13.6 kilometers, it is of low difficulty and suitable for beginners. There are flagstone roads along the way, the whole journey is paved with cement and stone steps, but the scenery is extremely beautiful, so it is a good choice to experience Meili Snow Mountain.
Ice Lake Route: The whole journey is about 14.5 kilometers, it is of moderate difficulty. Along the way, you will pass through sea buckthorn forests and fir forests and there are rich natural landscapes such as pastures, streams, and piles of rocks.
Nise Route: The whole journey is about 13 kilometers. It is of high difficulty, fewer people hike on this route. It requires good physical strength and endurance.
Ninong Route: The whole journey is about 14 kilometers. It is of low difficulty and it is suitable for leaving the village on the last day. It is all downhill, but some sections are relatively slippery and steep, thus it is not recommended to walk on rainy days.
Sacred Lake Route: The whole journey is about 10 kilometers. It is of high difficulty and requires a climb of 1400 meters.Consequently, it is suitable for hikers who want to challenge themselves.
Suggestions for itinerary planning:
Day1: Start from Lijiang, pass through Shangri-La and arrive at Feilai Temple.
Day2: From Feilai Temple to Yubeng Upper Village, and start hiking on the Sacred Waterfall Route or Ice Lake Route.
Day3-Day4: Continue hiking on the Sacred Waterfall Route or Ice Lake Route to explore the ice lake or sacred waterfall.
Day5: Start from Yubeng Village, leave the village through the Ninong Route, and return to Lijiang.
5.2 Mingyong Glacier Classic Hiking Routes
The main starting point of Mingyong Glacier hiking route is Xidang Village, and the end point is Ninong Canyon. This route is suitable for first-time hikers as it is relatively flat and easy to adapt to the plateau environment. The entire hiking process takes about 5 to 6 hours, including climbing stairs and rest time.
During the hiking process, you will pass some major scenic spots and challenges. To begin with, you need to hike 12 kilometers from Ninong Village to Yubeng Village. This section is relatively difficult but with beautiful scenery. Along the way, you will pass the Lancang River and cross the Kawagebo Bridge.Then you will reach the Taizi Temple, where there are simple supply and rest facilities. Finally, you will reach the Mingyong Glacier, which is a modern marine glacier with a low-latitude and tropical monsoon climate. In winter, the glacier tongue can extend to an altitude of 2800 meters.
To better prepare for this hiking trip, it is recommended that you bring necessary water and food, especially high-calorie and easy-to-carry food. Since the hiking route involves a certain altitude change (about 600 meters), you'd better bring some basic supplies such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats to deal with the strong ultraviolet rays on the plateau. For travelers who are not used to walking on the plateau, they can consider bringing an oxygen cylinder, although it may not be necessary for people who have adapted to the plateau.
5.3 In-depth Hiking Experience To Yubeng Village
What is Yubeng hiking?
Yubeng hiking route is one of the top ten classic outdoor routes in China. Centered around Yubeng Village, it takes you to appreciate the magnificent scenery of Meili Snow Mountain and feel the magical charm of nature.
🚗Transportation guide:
Yubeng is located in a remote mountain area and there is no direct bus. You can start your hiking journey by transferring from Lijiang or Shangri-La.
🗺️Recommended hiking routes:
1️⃣Sacred Waterfall Route: The whole journey is about 11 kilometers and takes about 6-8 hours. Along the way, prayer flags and mani piles accompany you, feeling the mysterious religious atmosphere.
2️⃣Ice Lake Route: The whole journey is about 14.5 kilometers and takes about 8 hours. You can occasionally encounter wild animals such as little squirrels and have close contact with nature.
3️⃣Sacred Lake Route: Challenge yourself and climb 1400 meters. You need to ask a guide to lead the way. Climb over the Sacred Lake col and face the Goddess Peak directly, which is shocking!
📅Suggestions for itinerary planning:
Day 1: Gather in Lijiang and make full preparations before departure!
Day 2: Visit beautiful sceneries such as the First Bay of the Yangtze River and Moon Bay. Stay at Feilai Temple at night and enjoy the sunset of Meili Snow Mountain.
Day 3: Hike over Nanzong Col and arrive at Yubeng Upper Village.
Day 4-Day 7: Go deep into Yubeng Village and explore scenic spots such as Xiaonong Base Camp, ice lake, and sacred waterfall.
Day 8: Go to Balagezong, Baishuitai, Tiger Leaping Gorge and other places, and finally return to Lijiang and disband.
🏠Accommodation recommendation:
In Yubeng Upper Village, there are mainly inns, there are gathering places for internet-famous homestays and cafes in the lower village. No matter where you choose to stay, you can always enjoy a comfortable accommodation experience and delicious local cuisine!
👚Dressing suggestions:
Essential equipment such as mountaineering backpacks, mountaineering shoes, and trekking poles are indispensable! At the same time, bring warm items such as cotton socks, windproof and warm coats to deal with the cold weather in high mountains.
6. Best Time To Visit Meili Snow Mountain
The best time to go to the snow mountain is from October to May of the following year.
From October to May of the following year: During this period, the weather is sunny with very little rain or snow. The air is pure and fresh, and the visibility is extremely high. The main peak, Kawagebo Peak, can be clearly seen. In addition, the probability of seeing the appealing sunshine on the golden mountain during this period is relatively high. It is said that appreciating the sunshine on the golden mountain of Meili Snow Mountain will bring you good luck in a whole year.
From April to October: Although it is the peak season and the weather is sunny in most time, which is suitable for viewing the beautiful snow-capped mountains, but it is the rainy season in Yunnan from June to September, it is basically cloudy and rainy every day so that it is not conducive to viewing the snow-capped mountains during this period.
From November to March of the following year: This period is also one of the best times to view the snow-capped mountains. Especially for tourists seeking to see the whole view of Meili Snow Mountain and experience the "sunshine on the golden mountain" or "sunset on Meili", although patience is required, there is a chance to see the rare and magical sight.
To sum up, although April to October is a good time to view Meili Snow Mountain,it is the best time to view the beautiful snow-capped mountains and experience the sunshine on the golden mountain from October to May of the following year.
7. How To Get To Meili Snow Mountain
There are mainly the following transportation methods to Meili Snow Mountain: bus, self-driving, plane and train.
Bus: It is one of the most common transportation methods. Start from Shangri-La Passenger Transport Terminal and then take a bus directly to Feilai Temple. The journey takes about 4 hours. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. When returning, get on the bus at the boarding point in Feilai Temple, which is convenient and fast. In addition, the fare from Lijiang Bus Station is about 150-200 yuan per person and the journey takes about 4-6 hours. The specific price fluctuates according to the vehicle type and ticket purchase time.
Self-driving: It is also a popular choice, especially for travelers with ample time and proficient driving skills. The self-driving route usually starts from Lijiang and passes through Lining Highway and National Highway 214. The whole journey is about 200 kilometers and the road conditions are generally good, but altitude sickness, safe driving, together with the road conditions should be attached much importance so as to boost the travel experience.
Plane: It is the fastest way, but flying from Lijiang to the airport near Meili Snow Mountain requires a transfer, so it is time-consuming process and suitable for travelers in a hurry.
Train: It is also an option although a transfer is required, you can enjoy the Yunnan scenery along the way and it is very suitable for tourists who want to experience long-distance travel.
7.1 Plan Your Itinerary With A Very Short Holiday
Day 1 Shangri-La - Ganden Sumtseling Monastery- Benzilan - Baima Snow Mountain - Feilai Temple.
Day 2 Feilai Temple - Sunshine on the Golden Mountain - Thirteen Welcome Towers - Benzilan - Yila Grassland - Shangri-La.
In addition to seeing Meili Snow Mountain, you can also visit the popular scenic spots in Shangri-La such as Ganden Sumtseling Monastery and Yila Grassland along the way.
If you want to travel independently but chartered cars are too expensive, you can choose our boutique travel line team, it saves your money and arrange your itinerary more systematically, finally help you get an unforgettable travel experience!
7.2 In-depth Tour Of Meili Snow Mountain
Yubeng Village Hiking Route:
Day 1 Arrive at Feilai Temple of Meili Snow Mountain from Lijiang or Shangri-La.
Day 2 Watch the sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain - Xidan - Nanzong Col - Upper Yubeng.
Day 3 Upper Yubeng Village - Alpine col - Xiaonong Base Camp - Ice Lake - Lower Yubeng Village.
Day 4 Lower Yubeng Village - Primeval forest - Rest camp - Sacred Waterfall - Lower Yubeng Village.
Day 5 Lower Yubeng Village - Ninong Grand Canyon - Ninong parking lot - Deqin County- Baima Snow Mountain - Shangri-La.
Niche Route Loop Tour For Meili Snow Mountain:
Day 1 Shangri-La - Jinsha River Grand Bay - Baima Snow Mountain Col - Meili Snow Mountain.
Day 2 Watch the sunrise of Meili Snow Mountain - Hike Mingyong Glacier - Cizhong Church.
Day 3 Cizhong Church - Tacheng Yunnan Golden Monkey National Park.
Day 4 Tacheng Yunnan Golden Monkey National Park - Shangri-La.
7.3 Start From Lijiang With The Following Routes
Four-day Tour Route Of Meili Snow Mountain:
Day 1 Start from Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Yi ethnic village - Xiaozhongdian Grassland - Dukezong Ancient City.
Day 2 Dukezong Ancient City - Ganden Sumtseling Monastery- Benzilan - Baima Snow Mountain - Feilai Temple.
Day 3 Feilai Temple - Sunshine on the Golden Mountain - Thirteen Welcome Towers - Benzilan - Yila Grassland - Shangri-La.
Day 4 Potatso - Return to Lijiang.
Six-day Tour Route To Yubeng In Meili Snow Mountain:
Day 1 Lijiang Ancient City - The First Bay of the Yangtze River - Xiaozhongdian Grassland - Moon Bay - Baima Snow Mountain - Feilai Temple.
Day 2 Meili Snow Mountain viewing platform - Xidan - Nanzong Col - Upper Yubeng.
Day 3 Upper Yubeng Village - Alpine col - Xiaonong Base Camp - Ice Lake - Lower Yubeng Village.
Day 4 Lower Yubeng Village - Primeval forest - Rest camp - Sacred Waterfall - Lower Yubeng Village.
Day 5 Lower Yubeng Village - Ninong Grand Canyon - Ninong parking lot - Deqin County- Baima Snow Mountain - Shangri-La.
Day 6 Shangri-La - Dukezong Ancient City - Ganden Sumtseling Monastery - Xiaozhongdian Grassland - Lijiang Ancient City.
For such a long journey, if you drive by yourself, you will be very tired. If you charter a car, the cost will be high, especially when there are fewer people traveling. If you want a relaxed, happy, and affordable journey, you can choose our boutique small group with business cars for more relaxation and recreation.
8. Meili Snow Mountain Opening Hours &Tickets
The tickets for Meili Snow Mountain are divided into the following three levels. The opening hours are all from 08:00 to 16:00 and the admission ticket is ranging from 150 yuan, 228 yuan to 230 yuan. For most tourists who come to Meili Snow Mountain, they will choose Package 2 for two days. In addition, all tickets can be purchased separately.
Package ticket of 150 yuan: Jinsha River Grand Bay (60 yuan), Wunongding Viewing Platform (60 yuan), Feilai Temple Viewing Platform (60 yuan).
Package ticket of 228 yuan: Jinsha River Grand Bay (60 yuan), Wunongding Viewing Platform (60 yuan), Feilai Temple Viewing Platform (60 yuan), Mingyong Glacier (78 yuan).
Package ticket of 230 yuan: Jinsha River Grand Bay (60 yuan), Wunongding Viewing Platform (60 yuan), Feilai Temple Viewing Platform (60 yuan), Yubeng Village (80 yuan).
9. What To Eat & Where To Stay
9.1 Food Suggestions
Yak hot pot: Yak meat is the special food that can only be tasted on the plateau in Tibetan areas. The beef is fragrant, crisp and soft, and the soup is pure and delicious, thus it is a delicious food that cannot be missed.
Cured pork ribs hot pot: It is the famous Naxi dish "Three Layers of Water". Generally, it can only be eaten when there are respected guests or during the Spring Festival and it is a very local-style stewed hot pot. Generally, there are two kinds of pots, one pot is for meat, including cured pork ribs, ham, native chicken, yak meat, and beef offal. The other pot is for stewed matsutake. It tastes extremely delicious.
Stewed native chicken with matsutake: Matsutake in Meili area is large, strong in flavor with tight flesh and smooth taste. Stewed native chicken with matsutake is visually appealing and very nourishing to body.
Highland barley cake: Made by mixed and baked highland barley flour, it is a daily diet on the Sichuan-Tibet line. It tastes quite chewy and has the unique sweetness of highland barley. Since you have come to Tibetan areas, you must definitely try it.
Butter tea: Many people are not used to drinking butter tea for the first time, since they are not used to the salty and oily smell. Because of long storage, butter tea is very fishy and sour. However, butter tea can quickly replenish energy and resist the cold. It is also a ritual item for Tibetan people to worship gods and entertain guests. In any case, experience it and then you will know whether you will love it eventually!
Rose honey: It is a special delicacy of Meili Snow Mountain. You can buy it at the homes of local villagers or buy some to take back as souvenirs and give to relatives and friends.
Mint dried beef: This is a relatively typical Yunnan dish and it combines with stir-mint leaves and dried beef, the dried beef is particularly chewy, spicy and fragrant, so it can be both a dish and a snack, many tourists said that they couldn't resist its unique flavour.
9.2 Accommodation Suggestions
Feilai Temple is a relatively mature tourist distribution center, because the hotels and inns of different grades are gathered here. The prices range from 100 yuan to 500 yuan. The catering industry is also relatively developed, so tourists can freely choose different consumption grades.
Many tourists who go to Meili Snow Mountain will choose to hike in Yubeng. The accommodation conditions in Yubeng are relatively not as good as those in Feilai Temple, but they are all Tibetan dwellings built of wood with unique styles, therefore, it is worth experiencing.
Tips: Stay in Mingyong Village for the reason that you can spot the moon and stars very closely and feel the nature glamour.
If you think it is very troublesome to make a choice, contact the customer service staff on our website, they will provide you with a more comfortable accommodation choices.
10. Surrounding Attractions
10.1 Dongzhulin Monastery 东竹林寺
It was built in the sixth year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1667). Its reputation is second only to Ganden Sumtseling Monastery in Shangri-La, it means the temple by the Crane Lake. In the early days of its construction, there were only 16 monks. Later, it merged with seven small temples and was renamed "Gaden Dongzhulin Monastery"噶丹东竹林, which means a temple that achieves "benefiting oneself and others". Later, its scale continued to expand. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, the number of resident monks had developed to more than 700, and there were 10 Living Buddhas. Until now, Dongzhulin Monastery has become one of the thirteen major temples in Kham region and it is a treasure trove of Buddhist culture for pilgrims. Visiting Dongzhulin Temple can allow tourists to better understand Tibetan Buddhism, but Tourists should note that the shuttle bus from Shangri-La to Deqin County will pass by Dongzhulin Temple but will not stop. It is recommended to go by chartered cars.
10.2 Tacheng Yunnan Golden Monkey National Park 塔城滇金丝猴国家公园
The Yunnan snub-nosed monkey is a national first-class protected animal. This "national treasure animal" in China, which is as famous as the panda, has scarlet "sexy" lips and a face that most resembles a human being, with a rosy complexion. This national park is one of the "three major" national parks in Diqing Prefecture. It is extremely rich in tourism resources. In addition to the Yunnan golden monkey, many national rare animals and plants can be seen in the protected area. There are national first-class rare plants such as Onychium jaspideum, Kingdonia uniflora, Yunnan yew, and Emmenopterys henryi. Second-class plants include Psammosilene tunicoides and Picea brachytyla var. complanata. Apart from that, many national first-class protected animals also inhabit here, such as the clouded leopard and golden eagle, second-class protected animals include black bears, macaques, golden pheasants, etc, the ticket price is 100 yuan.
(Tips: You should go to watch the Yunnan golden monkeys in the morning, because it is the time when forest rangers feed them from 9:00 to 9:30 every day. After 11:00, the monkey groups will gradually go deep into the mountains and forests for foraging, if you come in the afternoon, you basically won't see them.)
In addition, it should be noted that Tacheng Yunnan Golden Monkey National Park is located in Tacheng Town, Weixi County. You can take the shuttle bus from Shangri-La to Weixi and get off at Tacheng. The shuttle buses from Shangri-La to Weixi depart at 09:00, 10:30, 12:00, and 14:00 every day. Tourists can choose a suitable travel time in accordance with their needs.
10.3 Cizhong Church 茨中教堂
It is situated at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain and combines the characteristics of Basilica and Romanesque churches. The main building faces east and is of brick and stone structure. There is a tall bell tower on the front, crosses are erected at the top and the end of the church, the upper part of the bell tower is a Chinese-style pavilion and all the roofs are Chinese-style eaves and tiled roofs. Surrounding the church is a large vineyard and here are planted French rose honey grapes, the grapes are small and plump, plus the taste is sweet and sour, so tourists would like to come here and taste them.
11. Travel Tips
Large temperature difference: It is recommended to wear a long-sleeved coat even in the morning and evening of summer. In December, January, and February, you can wear the down jackets, thick cotton-padded clothes, and windbreakers which are all necessary; Since the hiking journey is long and the mountain area is slippery and steep, travelers should equip with the raincoats, non-slip hiking shoes, knee pads, trekking poles. For convenient washing and changing, visitors can prepare more disposable underwear. The plateau climate is changeable, especially in the morning and evening when the temperature is low, consequently, sweaters and thermal underwear must be prepared. When doing outdoor activities, the tourists should pay attention to wearing sunglasses and a hat to prevent ultraviolet damage.
Food: Prepare more high-energy, easy-to-carry convenience foods and high-calorie and easy-to-digest foods, such as chocolate, beef jerky, Red Bull and other dry food in the hiking routes. Care should be taken not to overeat to avoid increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and putting pressure on the heart and lungs especially at dinner without causing chest tightness and palpitations.
In addition, the ultraviolet rays are relatively strong in plateau areas, so sun protection work needs to be done very well,it is recommended to bring sun hats, sun umbrellas, and high sunscreen. Apart from that, you can bring some commonly used outdoor medicines in case of emergencies. Since the local sanitary conditions are limited, so you can bring some dry and wet tissues. Also the local power resources are insufficient, a small flashlight and a power bank will be necessary in the tour.
