The Secluded Paradise at the Foot of the Holy Mountain: Hiking and Pilgrimage in Yubeng Village

The Hidden Shangri-La

1.Deep within the Meili Snow: Mountain range in Deqin County, Yunnan, lies a village so secluded that for centuries it had no road access. Yubeng Village is often described as a real-world "Shangri-La" or "Peach Blossom Spring," a place cut off from the outside world by towering snow peaks and dense primeval forests. Located at an altitude between 3,000 and 3,200 meters, the village sits directly at the foot of the sacred Kawagebo Peak and its surrounding mountains, such as the Goddess Peak and the Five Crown Peak. Because of its unique geographical location and lack of modern transport links for much of its history, Yubeng has preserved a pristine ecological environment and a traditional Tibetan way of life that feels suspended in time,,.

Upper and Lower Yubeng

2.The village is divided into two distinct sections: Upper Yubeng (Shang Yubeng) and Lower Yubeng (Xia Yubeng). Upper Yubeng is situated on the mountain slopes and offers spectacular panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks, making it an ideal base for photographers and those heading to the Ice Lake and the Xiaonong Base Camp. Lower Yubeng lies closer to the river valley and serves as the starting point for the pilgrimage hike to the Sacred Waterfall. The two villages are connected by a path that winds through fields of barley and buckwheat, passing white stupas and prayer wheels that spin in the clear highland streams. The architecture consists of traditional stone and wood structures that blend harmoniously with the rugged landscape,.

A Hiker's Paradise

Yubeng is widely regarded as a "hiker's paradise" in China. To reach the village, travelers traditionally had to hike or ride mules from Xidang Village, crossing the Nazongla Pass at an altitude of 3,700 meters (recently 3,900m in some accounts), a journey that passes through rich virgin forests filled with spruce, fir, and rhododendrons,,. Once inside the valley, the hiking routes lead to some of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the region. The trek to Ice Lake (Binghu) takes visitors through ancient forests to a glacial lake formed by the melting snow of the main peak, offering a close encounter with the raw power of the glacier. Another key route leads to the Sacred Waterfall (Shenpu), a holy site where pilgrims bathe in the freezing water to cleanse their sins and pray for blessings,.

Spiritual Sanctuary

3.For the local: Tibetans, Yubeng is not just a home but a spiritual sanctuary guarded by the mountain god Kawagebo. The village is an integral part of the "inner kora" (circumambulation) route for pilgrims worshipping the Meili Snow Mountain. Every year, especially during the Year of the Sheep in the Tibetan calendar, thousands of believers flock here to pay homage. The atmosphere in Yubeng is imbued with this devotion; the sight of colorful prayer flags fluttering against the white snow and the sound of chanting create a profound sense of peace. Whether you are trekking through the challenging terrain or simply sitting in a teahouse watching the clouds drift over the golden peaks, Yubeng offers a rare connection between humanity, nature, and the divine,,.