Wild Ninong Adventure

Today, let's venture into a secret canyon blessed by sacred mountains—Ninong Gorge! 📍Located in the southeast of Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain, it is a primitive wild trail connecting Yubeng Village with the outside world. The elevation drops steeply from 2700 meters to 2100 meters, spanning about 12 kilometers, and is known as "the purgatory and paradise for hikers" 🏔️💧 This was once a hidden passage for herders and pilgrims. On both sides are towering cliffs and jagged rocks, with a narrow strip of sky overhead and the roaring tributary of the Lancang River rushing below. The creek water is as green as jade, carving out deep pools and terraced waterfalls among the stones 🌊🌿. In spring and summer, alpine rhododendrons bloom all over the mountains, with wild peach and wild pear trees dotting the cliffs; in autumn and winter, red leaves dye the valley, sunlight slants on the snowy peaks, casting golden light over the gorge, as if divinely inspired 🌅✨. Along the way, dense primeval forests hang with moss, wild goats occasionally leap over ridges, birds sing in the empty valley, and the silence is so profound you can hear your heartbeat. Those who have walked this path say: "Half climbing in hell, half walking in heaven." — This is the charm of Ninong: wild, magnificent, challenging, yet rebirthing. 📅 Itinerary: 1 day 1 night | light trekking crossing + canyon light and shadow photography + stay at Yubeng entrance 💰 Total budget: under 500 RMB (about 490 RMB per person) 🚗 Transportation | ¥230 From Shangri-La Bus Station take a shuttle to Xidang Village ¥80 (final stop) - Hike or horseback ride from Xidang Village to Ninong entrance ¥0 (free on foot | horseback about ¥100 negotiable) 🥾 Trekking advice | 6–8 hours one way | medium to high intensity ✅ Recommended reverse route: Xidang → Ninong Gorge → Upper Yubeng Village (the latter part is gentler and safer) 🏡 Accommodation | ¥90 ✅ Upper Yubeng Village hostel bed ¥90/person (includes breakfast | dormitory | hot water provided) 🍽️ Meals | ¥170 Day 1 dinner: butter tea + tsampa + potato stew ¥45 Day 2 breakfast: porridge + steamed bun + egg ¥15 Supplies: mineral water ¥10 | energy bar ¥20 | self-heating meal ¥30 - Lunch: bring your own dry food to eat on the trail ¥50 📷 Highlights | Be a canyon explorer! ✅ Depart in the morning, follow the creek downstream, check in at the narrow sky slit, giant stone formations, and waterfall clusters 📸💦 ✅ Choose safe spots midway to shoot deep canyon views with snowy mountain backgrounds ✅ After crossing, arrive at Yubeng Village and reward yourself with a hot bowl of noodles 🍜 ✅ Overnight in Yubeng: gaze at the starry sky free of light pollution, feel the tranquility after trekking ✨ ✅ Total cost breakdown: Transportation ¥230 + Accommodation ¥90 + Meals ¥170 = ¥490 Best seasons: May–June | September–October (stable weather | moderate water flow | high visibility) Essentials: trekking poles, non-slip shoes, windbreaker, headlamp, sufficient water, cash Note: Some sections are slippery and dangerous; those afraid of heights should proceed with caution; respect the ecology and leave no trace! When I stepped out of that narrow gap, sunlight poured down—I knew I was no longer the same me.