Back from Yubeng Village, my spending habits are shattered

### **Yubeng Village Travel Guide: A Hiker's Paradise, Hidden Gem Beneath Meili Snow Mountain** **📍 Best Season**: **May-October** (Autumn is ideal, with stable weather and clear mountain views). --- ### **🚗 Transportation Guide** 1. **Entry Points to Yubeng**: - **Xidang Village** (Entry fee: ¥55, accessible by hiking or off-road vehicle). - **Ninong Village** (No entry fee, but the trail is steeper, suitable for experienced hikers). 2. **How to Reach Xidang Village**: - **From Shangri-La/Lijiang**: Take a bus to **Deqin County**, then transfer to **Xidang Hot Springs** (Off-road vehicle to the village costs ¥200-260/person). - **Self-drive**: Park at Xidang Hot Springs parking lot, then switch to scenic area vehicles for entry. --- ### **🏞️ Classic 3-Day Hiking Route** **Day 1: Xidang Village → Upper Yubeng Village** - **Hike/Off-road vehicle** into Yubeng (Hiking takes ~6 hours, crossing a 3,700m pass). - **Accommodation**: Upper Yubeng Village (Recommended: "Butter Tea Guesthouse," with stunning mountain views). **Day 2: Upper Yubeng → Ice Lake → Lower Yubeng** - **Ice Lake Trail** (8 hours round trip): Trek through primeval forests to **Xiaonong Base Camp**, ending at **Ice Lake** (3,800m altitude). - **Accommodation**: Lower Yubeng Village (convenient for the next day's Sacred Waterfall hike). **Day 3: Lower Yubeng → Sacred Waterfall → Exit Village** - **Sacred Waterfall Trail** (5 hours round trip): A Tibetan pilgrimage site with a majestic waterfall; you can circle it for blessings. - **Exit Options**: - **Hike through Ninong Grand Canyon** (~4 hours, featuring cliffside trails and Lancang River scenery). - **Off-road vehicle back to Xidang Village** (¥200/person). --- ### **🌟 Must-Visit Attractions** 1. **Ice Lake**: An emerald lake formed by glacial meltwater from Meili Snow Mountain, the ultimate goal for hikers. 2. **Sacred Waterfall**: A sacred site in Tibetan Buddhism; the waterfall's flow varies by season and may freeze in winter. 3. **Ninong Grand Canyon**: A classic exit route with breathtaking cliffs and river valleys. --- ### **🍽️ Local Delicacies** - **Yak Meat Hotpot** (Essential for staying warm in high-altitude cold). - **Butter Tea + Tsampa (Barley Pancakes)** (Tibetan breakfast staples). - **Matsutake Mushroom Chicken Stew** (Seasonal, available during rainy months, rich and fragrant). --- ### **💡 Practical Tips** 1. **Altitude Sickness**: Prepare oxygen bottles and glucose; avoid intense activity in the first two days. 2. **Gear**: Waterproof hiking boots, windproof jacket, trekking poles, sunscreen (strong UV rays). 3. **Eco-Friendly**: Carry out all trash; no pollution at the sacred mountain's base. 4. **Accommodation**: Book in advance; village guesthouses are basic but offer unbeatable views. --- **📌 Summary**: Yubeng Village is a hiker's paradise, blending snow-capped peaks, forests, waterfalls, and Tibetan culture. The 3-day route covers the highlights. **"Body in hell, eyes in heaven"**—are you ready for the challenge?