Embark on a 4-day adventure to the Yubeng Village from Shangri-La. Admire the Tibetan Plateau scenery, visit the Dongzhulin Monastery, and see the Meili Snow Mountains. Hike to the Ice Lake and the Holy Waterfall, and walk along the Ninong Canyon.
On the first day, drive for about 4 hours from Shangri-La to reach Deqin. Enjoy the Tibetan Plateau scenery along the way. Stop at a platform for a great view of the Big Bend of the Jinsha River, which is the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Then continue on to visit the Dongzhulin Monastery, which is located on the side of a mountain.
Go on up to Wunongding Viewing Platform for the classic panoramic view of the Meili Snow Mountains. Visit Feilai Lamasery, which also faces the peaks of the Meili Snow Mountains. Drive from Feilai Lamasery to Xidang Village, and then change to an SUV to get to Yubeng Village.
On the second day, visit Ice Lake at an altitude of 3,800 m (12,000 ft). Starting from Yubeng Village, hike through dense primordial forest to Xiaonong Base Camp, used by the ill-fated China-Japan Mountaineering Team in 1991. Have a rest in the base camp and then continue hiking for another 1½ hours to Ice Lake. The blue lake surrounded by snowy peaks is so pure and peaceful. Return by the same path to Yubeng. The hiking distance on this day is about 16 km (10 miles) with an ascent of 900 m (3,000 ft).
On the third day, hike from upper Yubeng Village to Lower Yubeng in the morning. Then continue through a forest to the holy waterfall. Prayer flags hang in throngs near the waterfall showing the reverence of the local Tibetan people. Take the same way back to Yubeng Village and stay overnight there. The hiking distance on this day is about 14 km (9 miles) with an ascent of 560 m (1,800 ft) and a descent of 630 m (2,100 ft).
On the final day, say goodbye to Yubeng Village and hike along the spectacular Ninong Canyon to Ninong Village. Your driver will pick you up there and transfer you to Shangri-La. The hiking distance on this day is about 13 km (8 miles) with a descent of 950 m (3,100 ft).
