Yubeng Village

Yubeng sits in a bowl beneath the Meili peaks at about 3,200 metres, split into an upper and lower village, and until a rough road and shuttle arrangement appeared it could be reached only by a hard climb over a pass from Xidang or a longer walk up the valley from Ninong. From the village, day walks lead to the Ice Lake below the glacier, to the Sacred Waterfall that pilgrims walk behind three times as a rite, and down the gorge toward the Mekong. Guesthouses are simple and run by villagers. The setting, ringed by snow peaks with almost no development, is the reason people make the effort.

What you actually see

• The village bowl - upper and lower hamlets under snow peaks.
• The Ice Lake - a glacial lake below the Meili ice, reached on foot.
• The Sacred Waterfall - the pilgrimage fall walked behind three times.
• The gorge walk - the descent toward the Mekong at Ninong.

When to go

April to June and September to November; summer brings rain, mud and leeches on the trails, winter deep snow that closes the passes. Cloud often hides the peaks whatever the season.

Honest expectations

Getting in still involves a hard walk or a rough shuttle ride. Guesthouses are basic, cold and often full in season. Altitude and steep trails make the day walks demanding.

Nearby

Feilaisi and Meili lie across the valley; Deqin is north.