Deqin and Meili Mountain
ABC’s of Deqin
Deqin, the highest county in Yunnan Province, with an average altitude of 3000, is located in the northwest of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. One side of Deqin County is Baima Snow Mountain and the other is Meili Snow Mountain. The location is very unique, so many hiking trips are based on the town because, for those suffering from altitude sickness, it sometimes takes a few days to stay here to adapt to the elevation.
More than 10 kilometers from the town，beside the Lancang River, the magnificent Meili Snow Mountain stretches for 30 kilometers. It is also known as “Prince Snow Mountain” and has 13 peaks exceeding 6,000 meters above sea level. The most splendid view is the main peak, Kawagebo, the highest in Yunnan Province rising 6,740 meters. So far, no one has climbed up to the summit. Thus, Meili Snow Mountain is a challenge for mountain explorers from home and abroad.
More special, Meili Snow Mountain is a holy place for pilgrimage of Tibetan Buddhism. Every year from the end of autumn to the beginning of winter, believers from Gansu, Qinghai, Tibet, and the locals came to worship Meili Snow Mountain in large numbers, the scene was breathtaking. (In 2001, formally legislated to protect this Holy Mountain and no longer allow climbing activities in Meili).
Hiking areas
Hiking from Yubeng Village to Shenpu(holy waterfall) is a more classic route. After arriving at Shenpu, tourists can walk around the waterfall clockwise three times according to Tibetan tradition to pray for blessings.
Ideal seasons
The best time to visit Deqin is from May to June, and September to November. It was still cold from December to April.
July and August are the rainy seasons in Yunnan.
Trips and Tours Ideas in Meili Snow Mountain and Yunnan
Trek of Tiger Leaping Gorge and Mount Kawa Karpo
15 days | Lijiang, Dali, Shangri-La, and Mount Kawa Karpo
A moderate level hike to discover the beautiful landscapes of the highlands and the most authentic villages of Yunnan.
Trek from Lugu Lake to Mount Kawa Karpo
15 days | Lijiang, Lugu Lake, Shangri-La, and Mount Kawa Karpo
A high-strength hike to discover the beautiful landscapes of Lijiang and Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
Deep Exploration of Yunnan (With Deqin & Tacheng)
17 days | Meili Snow Mountain
A journey from Kunming to Shangri-La via Lijiang with small detours in intimate Yunnan. Magical natural sites and meeting of minorities on the borders of Tibet.
