Help! The Yubeng trek is truly the pinnacle—3 days and 2 nights of breathtaking beauty that makes you willingly walk 10,000 steps

Who understands, family! After trekking countless routes, Yubeng remains my top favorite! This Tibetan village is tightly embraced by Meili Snow Mountain, and every step on the trail feels legendary—the babbling streams in the primeval forest, the sacred snow-capped mountains reflected in the ice lake, rainbow blessings under the divine waterfall, and the night sky filled with the Milky Way overhead. Recently, after the rain cleared, the mist wrapped the snow mountains like a veil, stunningly speechless~ Here’s a super detailed guide from my third visit, even beginners can confidently go for it! 📍 Classic 3-day 2-night small loop (a must-see for beginners, packed with unique Tibetan experiences) Day 1: Xidang Village → Yubeng Upper Village (12km, 1000m ascent) - Lazy person’s blessing✨: Take an off-road vehicle for the first part (200 RMB/person, 1 hour direct to the midway supply station), then hike 3 hours through the primeval forest for the latter part, saving energy without missing the scenery~ I always choose this way, so I can enjoy the trekking fun without getting too tired to quit. - Surprise moment: Stop at the top of “Despair Slope,” look back to see layers of lush forest and distant snow mountains; when mist swirls, it feels like entering a fairyland. Before entering the village, you’ll pass a barley field—take panoramic shots of the village at sunset, with Tibetan wooden houses arranged neatly, guaranteed to get tons of likes on social media! - Pitfall tips: Wear quick-dry clothes and anti-slip hiking shoes, as the trail is slippery after rain; bring a trekking pole (can borrow from guesthouses), which saves half your effort; don’t carry heavy luggage—guesthouses in the upper village can help transport it (50 RMB/item), traveling light is super comfortable. Day 2: Yubeng Upper Village → Ice Lake → Yubeng Upper Village (14km, 600m ascent) - Legendary section🌊: Follow the stream upstream, passing rhododendron forests draped with moss; the higher you go, the closer you get to the snow mountains, with the air filled with the fresh scent of snowmelt and vegetation~ Midway, you’ll cross a rocky beach where sunlight filters through leaves, creating beautiful dappled light—perfect for photos. - Must experience: Sit quietly for 10 minutes by the Ice Lake! This deep blue lake formed by Meili Snow Mountain’s glacier meltwater is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, sacred and healing; at the Smile Farmer’s base camp, drink butter tea freshly brewed by Tibetans (10 RMB/pot), paired with Tibetan biscuits—warming and filling. The Tibetan aunties will chat with you warmly, very friendly. - Photo tips: Wear bright yellow or red jackets to create strong contrast with the blue lake and white snow mountains; use a drone to capture panoramic views of the ice lake, showing the glacier connecting to the lake—every time I take dozens of shots and can’t bear to delete any. Day 3: Yubeng Upper Village → Divine Waterfall → Ninong Canyon → Ninong Village (18km, 1200m descent) - Soulful experience🌈: Circle the Divine Waterfall clockwise three times to pray for blessings. The water cascades down a cliff dozens of meters high, and under sunlight, you can see double rainbows—such an atmospheric moment~ I was lucky to experience this last time! - Surprise section: Trekking through Ninong Canyon! Walk along the cliffside plank road, with a rushing stream on one side and steep cliffs on the other. The whole way is downhill and very easy. At dusk, the sunset sparkles on the water, creating a golden shimmer—every casual photo looks like wallpaper. - Hidden fun: On the way, you’ll pass a small Tibetan village where the villagers’ apples are super sweet, 10 RMB per jin, freshly picked and eaten on the spot; you can also buy some wild honey as souvenirs, pure and natural with no additives, much more fragrant than what you buy in the city. 📝 Advanced deep route (for those with trekking experience) - Yubeng Lower Village → Divine Lake (10km, 1300m ascent) Almost nobody goes here! The Divine Lake at 4600m altitude is hidden deep in the snow mountains, with emerald green water surrounded by alpine meadows. So few people that you can enjoy the entire scenery alone~ On my second visit, I challenged this route and saw alpine rhododendrons (blooming May-June) and rare plants along the way. The ecology is very pristine. Sitting quietly by the Divine Lake, meditating, all worries just disappear~ Photo tips: Bring trekking poles and crampons (some sections have snow), those sensitive to altitude should prepare oxygen in advance; wear a windproof jacket as it’s windy at the summit. Capture the Divine Lake and snow mountains in one frame for a pure, stunning effect. 🍜 Must-try Tibetan food (energy boost for trekking, tested and reliable) - Tibetan fragrant pork hotpot: 80 RMB/person, firm and not greasy meat, paired with wild mushrooms and vegetables. The hot soup warms your whole body, super healing after trekking. I always eat two meals of this every trip! - Butter tea: 10 RMB/pot, salty and rich, helps relieve altitude sickness and fatigue. It might take some getting used to at first, but the more you drink, the more addictive it becomes. The butter tea brewed at Tibetan homes is more authentic than in restaurants. - Tibetan fried rice: 30 RMB/serving, rice mixed with diced beef, carrots, and barley, very filling and perfect for a mid-trek snack. - Wild mushroom stewed chicken: 120 RMB/pot, local fresh wild mushrooms and native chicken stewed together. The broth is incredibly flavorful and nutritious, perfect for replenishing energy after trekking. 🚗 Transportation + Accommodation Guide (practically tested) ▪️ Transportation: - External transport: Shared car from Shangri-La to Feilai Temple (50 RMB/person, 2.5 hours), then shared car to Xidang Village (30 RMB/person, 1 hour); alternatively, take a bus from Lijiang to Shangri-La (3 hours, ticket 58 RMB). - Internal transport: Off-road vehicle from Xidang to Yubeng Upper Village 200 RMB/person (one way); no vehicles inside Yubeng village, all on foot; from Ninong Village, shared car back to Shangri-La (80 RMB/person, 3 hours). ▪️ Accommodation recommendations: - Yubeng Upper Village: Yubeng Impression Guesthouse (150 RMB/person, viewing platform directly faces snow mountains, 24-hour hot water + heating, very enthusiastic owner who also plans routes for you). - Yubeng Lower Village: Divine Waterfall Guesthouse (120 RMB/person, close to the Divine Waterfall trailhead, offers free butter tea, strong Tibetan wooden house atmosphere). - Tips: Book at least 1 week in advance during rainy season (June-September), some guesthouses close in winter; rooms with shared bathrooms offer better value and stable hot water supply. 💡 Trekking essentials + practical tips (learned from hard experience!) 1. Gear list: anti-slip hiking shoes, quick-dry clothes, shell jacket, trekking poles, sun hat, sunglasses, waterproof bags, power bank, altitude sickness medicine, oxygen tank (available in the upper village, 50 RMB/bottle), band-aids. 2. Altitude sickness management: Yubeng is over 3000m altitude. Avoid strenuous exercise upon arrival, drink plenty of warm water, don’t trek on an empty stomach, and if altitude sickness is severe, contact the guesthouse owner to descend. I had mild altitude sickness the first time and felt much better after drinking butter tea. 3. Weather notes: Bring rain gear during rainy season; trails are slippery after rain. In winter, crampons are needed due to snow, and some sections may be closed. 4. Respect customs: Remove hats when entering temples, don’t casually photograph Tibetans, don’t step on prayer flags, and pray clockwise at the Divine Waterfall. 5. Best times to visit: May-June (rhododendron bloom), September-November (clear autumn weather), December-February (stunning snow scenes). Don’t miss the misty snow mountains right after rain clears! The beauty of Yubeng is a healing experience measured by your footsteps~ Here, there’s no city noise, only snow mountains, forests, streams, and Tibetan smiles. Every trek is a dialogue with yourself~ If you love hidden gems and want to challenge trekking, quickly save this guide and head straight here on your next holiday!