Escape the city! Head to Nanjiluo, a 4000-meter snowy mountain lake in the south, and heal all your inner struggles
Hidden in Biluo Snow Mountain, Nanjiluo features 12 glacial colorful lakes, primeval forests, alpine meadows, and sea-of-clouds waterfalls all gathered in one place. It remains pristine and uncommercialized. This 2-day light hiking trip lets you check in to a secret western Yunnan paradise comparable to Iceland.
Basic Travel Information
📍Location: Badi Township, Weixi County, Diqing, Yunnan (Core area of the Three Parallel Rivers)
⏰Best time to visit: June to October; June for rhododendron blooms, September to October for clear lake waters
🏞Core altitude: Hiking start point 3800m, highest pass 4396m
🎫Park policy: No entrance fee, daily limit of 300 visitors, local off-road vehicle + guide required to enter the mountain
Complete 2-Day Itinerary (Departing from Shangri-La Airport)
Day 1: Shangri-La Airport → Badi Township (Altitude acclimation day)
1. Transportation Details
1. Airport transfer: Private car from Diqing Shangri-La Airport directly to Badi Township
· Cost: 900 RMB per vehicle (225 RMB per person for 4-person carpool)
· Duration: 3.5-4 hours, scenic views along Lancang River canyon and alpine meadows
· Public transport alternative: Taxi to Shangri-La Bus Station, 80 RMB bus to Weixi County, then 25 RMB village minibus to Badi Township; total 6 hours, limited schedules, not recommended for solo travelers
2. Upon arrival at Badi Township: Register at Achidaga Village checkpoint and book next day’s off-road vehicle and guide
2. Lunch Recommendation (First meal upon arrival in Badi Township)
Yuxiangyuan Food Stall
· Dishes: Cured pork rib hotpot, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, local wild vegetables
· Cost: 45 RMB per person, Sichuan-Yunnan fusion flavors, hearty portions to replenish carbs and protein before hiking
3. Accommodation Options (3 tiers, choose as needed)
1. Best value: Badi Yiju Inn
· Price: Standard room 150 RMB/night, includes free breakfast
· Advantages: Owner can book off-road vehicle and guide, 5-minute walk to all township restaurants, 24-hour hot water, free parking
2. Comfortable highland option: Milang Sangbu Hotel (newly built)
· Price: Standard room 280 RMB/night, some rooms equipped with oxygen machines
· Advantages: Good soundproofing, floor heating, suitable for those sensitive to altitude sickness, restaurant downstairs
3. Authentic experience: Achidaga Village Homestay (near mountain entry checkpoint)
· Price: Standard room 100 RMB/night, dorm bed 40 RMB/person
· Advantages: Lisu ethnic wooden house, fire pit experience, no early rush next day, simple bathroom not recommended for cleanliness-sensitive guests
4. Dinner Recommendation
Lisu Clay Pot Chicken Restaurant
· Signature dishes: Local free-range chicken clay pot, highland barley cakes, butter tea
· Cost: 60 RMB per person, freshly slaughtered chicken, warms the stomach and relieves altitude discomfort, owner offers homemade wild honey
Day’s Schedule
14. 00 Arrive at Badi Township and check in
15. 30 Leisurely walk in Achidaga Village, visit Lisu ethnic houses, acclimate to 2800m altitude (no vigorous running)
18:30 Purchase next day’s hiking snacks (chocolate, beef jerky, energy bars, thermos with hot water)
21:00 Early bedtime, avoid washing hair or bathing to prevent altitude sickness
Day 2: Badi Township → Nanjiluo Core Hiking (Full day highlight)
1. Mountain entry transportation (strictly regulated, no outside vehicles allowed)
· Meeting point: Achidaga Village checkpoint
· Vehicles: Local 4WD off-road vehicles, round trip 300 RMB/person, 1.5-hour drive over 43 rocky switchbacks
· Guide fees: Small loop 300 RMB/group (up to 4 people), large loop 500 RMB/group, full accompaniment for navigation and emergency rescue, essential in no-signal areas
· Departure time: 07:00, must descend before 15:00, no lighting on mountain roads after dark, extremely dangerous
2. Two hiking loops to choose from
① Beginner small loop (90% of visitors choose this, 3-4 hours, 6 km)
Route: Off-road vehicle drop-off (Lake No. 3) → Lake No. 5 “Heaven’s Eye” → alpine meadow waterfall → return same way
Key highlights:
1. Lake No. 3: Heart-shaped emerald lake with perfect snow mountain reflection, excellent for aerial photography
2. Lake No. 5 (popular Heaven’s Eye Lake): Tiffany blue gradient water, surrounding rhododendron sea, cliff waterfalls, photogenic all day
3. Tianshen Pasture: Cattle and horses grazing by streams and meadows, wildflowers bloom June to August
② Advanced large loop (for hiking enthusiasts, 7-8 hours, 13 km)
Route: Lake No. 3 → Lake No. 5 → Lake No. 7 → 4396m scenic pass → Twin Lakes No. 9 → return
Additional highlights: Lake No. 7 cliff lake, China-shaped lake, panoramic views of Meili Snow Mountain sea of clouds from the pass, Qianpu Gorge multi-tiered waterfalls
3. Food arrangements
· No shops or supplies on the mountain, bring high-calorie snacks and a thermos with hot water
· Dinner after descent: Badi Township Wild Mushroom Hotpot Restaurant, 55 RMB per person, seasonal wild mushrooms to relieve hiking fatigue
4. Return schedule
16:30 Return to Badi Township for rest and meal
19:00 Private car back to Shangri-La Airport or Lijiang, end of trip
Estimated total cost (per person for 2 days)
1. Airport round-trip private car: 225 RMB
2. Off-road vehicle mountain round trip: 300 RMB
3. Guide cost shared: 75 RMB (4-person small loop)
4. One night accommodation: 150 RMB (budget inn)
5. Meals + hiking snacks: 200 RMB
Total: Approximately 950 RMB per person
Important Notes
1. Altitude sickness prevention: Hiking starts at 3800m, no bathing or running on arrival day; carry glucose and oxygen bottle; descend immediately if headache or nausea occurs
2. Booking rules: Peak season (July-October) requires booking mountain entry 3 days in advance through homestay; daily limit 300 people; no booking means no entry
3. Communication signal: No mobile signal in the mountain, must stay close to guide, no solo departures allowed
4. Ecological protection: Leave no trace, carry out all trash, no picking rhododendrons, no trampling meadows, no littering lakes
5. Weather gear: Highland has four seasons in one day; must bring waterproof jacket, down jacket, waterproof hiking boots, double trekking poles, rain poncho; strong UV rays require sunglasses, high SPF sunscreen, and hiking hat
6. Seasonal cautions: July-August rainy season with fog and muddy roads; November to April heavy snow closes the park, no entry allowed
7. Local customs: Do not step on mani stones or prayer flags, avoid close-up photos of locals, respect Lisu sacred mountain beliefs
Practical Travel Tips
1. Minimal gear list: 25L backpack, trekking poles, waterproof shoes, layered warm clothing, sun protection kit, thermos, small amount of cash (no mobile payment in the mountains)
2. Best photography times: 8-10 AM for perfect lake reflections with no wind, 2 PM highest chance of sea of clouds
3. Drone tips: Turbulent winds in valleys, launch away from cliffs, be cautious flying at passes with strong winds
4. Carpool saving tips: Shangri-La Airport and Badi Township inns can arrange online carpool or private car sharing, save 100+ RMB per person
5. Emergency plan: In case of heavy rain or fog, guides may stop hiking; partial refunds negotiable, safety first
6. ID required: Carry ID for the entire trip, real-name registration required at mountain entry