Deqin hiking guide for four days and three nights! Medium difficulty! Worth the challenge!

Theme: Deqin Meili Snow Mountain Pilgrimage Hiking + Yubeng Village Secret Exploration Best season: April to June (alpine azalea season) / September to November (beautiful autumn colors) Difficulty: Moderate (some physical strength is required, some sections are 3000-3800 meters above sea level) Equipment recommendations: Jacket, hiking shoes, trekking poles, sunscreen, thermos bottle, common medicines, and a light backpack. Day 1: Shangri-La→Deqin→Xidang Village→Yubeng Upper Village Highlights: First sight of Meili Snow Mountain, hiking into the secret area of ​​Yubeng - morning: - Take a bus from Shangri-La Bus Station to Deqin (about 4 hours), or charter a car (3.5 hours) for more flexibility. - Stop at Baima Snow Mountain Pass to take photos and overlook the snow-capped mountains. - afternoon - Take a local car from Deqin to Xidang Village (1 hour) and start hiking into Yubeng. - Hiking route: Xidang Hot Spring → Nanzong Pass (3729 meters above sea level) → Yubeng Upper Village, about 12 kilometers, takes 4-6 hours. - Arrive at Yubeng Upper Village in the evening. After checking in, head to the Snow Mountain Observation Deck to wait for the sunset. - Accommodation recommendations - The view rooms at Yubeng Youle B&B face the snow-capped mountains and provide floor heating. - Meili Past Inn: Tibetan style, the owner is familiar with the hiking route. - Dining recommendations: - Must-order Tibetan dishes at the inn: yak beef hotpot, chicken stewed with matsutake mushrooms, and highland barley cakes. - Butter tea🍵 can relieve altitude sickness, it is recommended to drink it in small amounts and multiple times. Day 2: Yubeng Upper Village → Ice Lake → Yubeng Upper Village Highlights: Pilgrimage to the heart of Meili and hike in the primeval forest - Full day hiking: - After breakfast, we will set out with light luggage. The round trip is about 14 kilometers and takes 6-8 hours. - Passing by Xiaonong Base Camp (site of the 1991 Sino-Japanese Mountaineering Team), passing through fir forests and alpine meadows, we arrive at Ice Lake (3,800 meters above sea level). The lake water is as green as emerald green, and the reflection of the snow-capped mountains is beautiful. - Tips - There are no supply points along the way, so bring your own meals (energy bars, chocolate, beef jerky). - The gravel roads around the glacier lake are slippery, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and travel with a companion. - Dinner recommendation🥗 - Barbecue in the inn's fire pit, try Tibetan pork belly, paired with local buckwheat beer. Day 3: Yubeng Upper Village → Shen Waterfall → Yubeng Lower Village Highlights of the trip: circumambulate the mountain to pray and experience Tibetan Buddhist culture - Morning hike: - Go to [Shen Waterfall] (3657 meters above sea level), round trip is about 12 kilometers, 4-5 hours. - Along the way, you will pass by Mani piles and prayer flag forests. Tibetans regard the Shen Waterfall as holy water, and you can walk around the waterfall three times to pray for blessings (bring a waterproof raincoat). - afternoon: - Hike to Yubengxia Village, free time after check-in, recommended: - Visit the White Pagoda and communicate with local Tibetans. - Watch the night view of [Wuguan Peak] from the terrace of the inn. - Accommodation recommendations: - Yubeng Shenpu Inn: convenient location, rooms facing the snow-capped mountains. - YEYU Yubeng Wild View Hotel: with a strong sense of design, suitable for tourists who seek comfort. - Dining recommendations [Awesome] - Try the inn's Tibetan yogurt with wild honey, or the buckwheat noodle soup. Day 4: Yubengxia Village → Ni Nong Canyon → Deqin → Return Highlights of the trip: steep canyons and different landforms - Morning hike: - From Yubengxia Village, follow the [Ninong Canyon] out of the mountain, about 14 kilometers, 3-4 hours. - The path is steep and there is a cliff on one side, so you need to walk slowly and carefully, but the scenery is stunning (be careful during the rainy season as there may be falling rocks). - afternoon: - Take a bus from Nicun Village back to Deqin. On the way, you can stop at Feilai Temple to take a panoramic view of the Thirteen Peaks of Meili. - Take the bus from Deqin Bus Station back to Shangri-La or Lijiang. - Deqin Dining Recommendations: - Juechu Butter Tea House: Tibetan noodles, butter tea and tsampa, experience the local breakfast. - Meili specialty hotpot restaurant: cured pork ribs hotpot with plateau potatoes, warms the heart and stomach. ⚠️Notes⚠️ 1. Altitude sickness: Do not do strenuous exercise on the first day and prepare glucose oral solution or oxygen cylinder. 2. Environmental protection: There are no trash cans along the entire hiking route, so please bring your own trash bags to take away the waste. 3. Weather: The climate in the mountains is changeable, so it is best to wear a jacket + fleece + quick-drying clothes in layers. 4. Transportation: You can rent a mule to carry your luggage from Xidang Village to Yubeng (about 200 yuan/trip), and it is easier to hike with light luggage.