5-Day Yubeng Pilgrimage & Sacred Waterfall

Lijiang to Feilaisi, under the Meili range

Departing Lijiang at 8. 00 am, you'll first pass through Xiaozhongdian, where vast grasslands are dotted with grazing sheep and cattle – a pastoral scene straight off a painting. Continuing on, you reach Shangri-La and stop at Napahai, where a viewpoint offers sweeping panoramas over this unique landscape that transforms from lush meadows in summer to a shimmering lake in winter. At midday, you'll arrive at Benzilan, a small riverside town where you can enjoy lunch on your own. After lunch, head to the famous Jinsha River Moon Bend – here, the golden river encounters a perfectly rounded, pyramid-shaped peak and flows around it in a textbook "Ω" curve, a striking natural wonder. The journey then climbs over the Baima Snow Mountain pass, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Around 5:00 pm, you'll reach Feilaisi and check in to your snow-view hotel, ready for the next day's adventure.

High-Altitude Tips

1. Altitude. Don’t drink alcohol and avoid strenuous exercise.

2. Outings. Always take a hotel card when going out - it’ll get you back.

3. Sun & Dryness. Drink lots of water, apply sunscreen, and protect your skin from strong UV.

4. Safety. Keep an eye on your valuables, and look after the elderly and children.

Sunrise on Meili, then into Yubeng

Feilaisi – Sunrise on Meili Snow Mountain – Ninong – Ninong Canyon Trek (15km, 5h) – Upper Yubeng

Ninong Canyon Trek – 15km, 5hrs, Max Alt. 3,200m

Set off for Feilaisi at around 7. 30 in the morning. Weather permitting, we'll be treated to the legendary "Golden Mountain" sunrise – the first light setting Meili's snow peaks ablaze in gold. Feilaisi offers one of the best vantage points, with a low sightline, unobstructed views, and a strikingly close perspective that makes the mountain feel as if it's rushing toward you. The thirteen peaks of Meili rise like thousands of poised arrows – majestic, towering, and breathtaking. Afterwards, we drive for about an hour along the Jinsha River valley to Ninong Village, the trailhead. Here, at the foot of the snow mountains, we enter primeval forests and a dramatic canyon, while the stream from the sacred waterfall in Yubeng descends all the way through the entire Ninong Grand Canyon. The scenery along the trail is so picturesque it's almost overwhelming. After roughly 5 hours of trekking, we arrive at Lower Yubeng, then continue on to Upper Yubeng, where we check into our hotel and call it a day.

Friendly Reminders

Travelers with high blood pressure, heart disease, or other conditions that may be triggered by physical exertion are advised to exercise caution when considering this tour. During the trip, if you experience any symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or difficulty breathing, please stop immediately, seek help from those nearby, and inform your tour guide at once.

Ice Lake

Upper Yubeng – Ice Lake Trek (14km, 8hrs) – Return to Upper Yubeng

Ice Lake Trek – 14km, 7hrs, Max Alt. 3,900m

We set off from our accommodation in Upper Yubeng at 8. 30 in the morning. Walking past the seabuckthorn grove at the village entrance, we enter a primeval forest where flocks of sheep and cattle graze, and friendly little squirrels approach without fear. Continuing deeper, we pass through a dense, enchanted woodland – almost like a scene from The Wizard of Oz – before emerging onto an open alpine meadow. Here stands Xiaonong Base Camp, once used by a Sino-Japanese expedition team attempting to ascend Kawagebo Peak, and now the only rest stop on today's route. We'll take a lunch break here to refuel. After resting, we push on to reach the Ice Lake, a jade-blue gem nestled in the mountain hollow, fed entirely by glacial meltwater. From its shore, we get an up-close view of the formidable General Peak of Meili Snow Mountain. When we've had our fill of the scenery, we retrace our steps all the way back to Upper Yubeng, arriving at our hotel to wrap up the day's adventure.

Friendly Reminders

During the hike, please do not touch any animals. Wild animals may carry viruses, so

keeping a safe distance is best for both you and them.

The Sacred Waterfall

Upper Yubeng – Lower Yubeng – Sacre Waterfall Trek – Upper Yubeng

Sacred Waterfall Trek – 14km, 6hrs, Max Alt. 3,700m

After breakfast, we set out from our accommodation in Upper Yubeng, crossing the Yubeng River and then trekking through untouched primeval forests and alpine pastures. As we continue, we arrive at the Sacred Waterfall, which cascades down from the melting snows of Meili Snow Mountain. Here, we are treated to sweeping views of the Goddess Peak and Five-Crest Peak in their full glory. More importantly, this is where pilgrims receive their spiritual purification – for only after being bathed by the holy waters can the pilgrimage be considered truly complete, cleansing both body and soul. We will return to Upper Yubeng around 4:00 pm.

Friendly Reminder

During the hike, please do not touch any animals. Wild animals may carry viruses, so keeping a safe distance is best for both you and them.

Out through Ninong canyon

Upper Yubeng – Ninong Canyon Trek (15km, 5h) – Ninong – Shangri-La – Return to Lijiang (tour ends)

After breakfast, we depart from our accommodation in Upper Yubeng and trek through the spectacular and rugged Ninong Grand Canyon, making our way out of Yubeng Village. We breathe in the crisp, pure mountain air and bid farewell to this hidden paradise. After emerging from the canyon, we enjoy a self-arranged lunch in Ninong Village, then transfer to our private vehicle and begin the journey back to Lijiang. Under normal traffic conditions, we are expected to arrive in Lijiang at approximately 8:30 pm, where the tour concludes.

Friendly Reminder

We recommend that you book your departing flight from Lijiang for the day after the tour ends. This allows ample buffer time in case of traffic delays or fatigue, and helps avoid the risk of missing a same-day flight.