The Forbidden Peak of the Prince: The Sacred Magnificence of Kawagebo

The Crown of the Meili Range

Rising dramatically from the rugged terrain of Deqin County in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Kawagebo (also spelled Kagebo) is the main peak of the magnificent Meili Snow Mountain range. Standing at a staggering altitude of 6,740 meters, it holds the title of the highest peak in Yunnan Province,. Known locally as the "Prince of Snow Mountains," Kawagebo is renowned for its majestic, pyramid-shaped summit that pierces the sky, often shrouded in unpredictable clouds and mist,. Geographically, it sits on the border between Yunnan and Tibet, flanked by the turbulent Lancang River (Mekong) to the east and the Nu River (Salween) to the west, forming a critical part of the Three Parallel Rivers World Heritage Site,.

The Sacred God of War

1.In the spiritual world of Tibetan: Buddhism, Kawagebo is far more than a geological formation; it is a living deity. Ranked as one of the eight sacred mountains in Tibetan areas, it is revered as a "God of War" who protects the land and its people,. Legend says that Kawagebo was originally a ferocious god with nine heads and eighteen arms until he was enlightened by Padmasambhava and became a protector of the dharma,. For centuries, pilgrims have traveled thousands of kilometers to perform the "Kora" (circumambulation) around the mountain. This tradition reaches its peak during the Year of the Sheep in the Tibetan calendar, when tens of thousands of believers flock to the mountain to pay homage, believing that a pilgrimage during this time carries immense spiritual merit,,.

The Unclimbed Forbidden Peak

Kawagebo remains one of the world's most alluring yet unconquered virgin peaks. Its steep slopes, unstable glaciers, and unpredictable weather make it incredibly dangerous. The mountain is most famously known in the mountaineering world for the tragic 1991 Sino-Japanese expedition, where 17 climbers lost their lives in a massive avalanche, marking the second-worst mountaineering disaster in history at the time,. Following this tragedy and out of respect for the deep religious beliefs of the local Tibetan population—who believe that climbing the god's head is a sacrilege that invites disaster—climbing activities on Kawagebo have been officially banned,. It stands today as an eternal symbol of nature's power and the boundary between the human and the divine.

A Spectacle of Light and Ice

For travelers and photographers, the ultimate goal of visiting Kawagebo is to witness the phenomenon known as "Sunshine on Golden Mountain" (Richao Jinshan). At sunrise, the first rays of light hit the snowy tip of the peak, turning the cold white pyramid into a brilliant, glowing structure of gold, while the valleys below remain in shadow. This breathtaking sight lasts only for about 20 minutes and is considered a sign of great fortune,. Below the summit lies the Mingyong Glacier, a rare low-latitude, low-altitude monsoon glacier that descends like a silver dragon from the snow line down into the lush green forests at an altitude of 2,600 meters, creating a stunning contrast between ice and vegetation,.