Meili Snow Mountain in Diqing

Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山) is located in Deqin County (德钦县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), within the core area of the Three Parallel Rivers World Natural Heritage Site. It is regarded as the foremost of the Eight Sacred Mountains of the Tibetan region. Its main peak, Kawagarbo Peak (卡瓦格博峰), rises to 6,740 meters and is the highest peak in Yunnan Province. It remains a virgin peak that is strictly prohibited from climbing. The mountain range consists of 13 snow-capped peaks around 6,000 meters above sea level, collectively known as the “Thirteen Peaks of Meili Snow Mountain.” Stretching between the Lancang River (澜沧江) and Jinsha River (金沙江), Meili is home to rare low-latitude maritime glaciers. It is a sacred mountain in the hearts of Tibetan communities and a world-renowned destination for snow-mountain photography and pilgrimage.

Main Highlights

The Golden Mountain at Sunrise (日照金山) is the most famous spectacle at Meili Snow Mountain. At dawn, the first rays of sunlight illuminate the pyramid-shaped summit of Kawagarbo Peak, covering the snow-white mountain in brilliant golden light. The scene is brief yet breathtaking. The Feilai Temple (飞来寺) Viewing Platform faces the main peak directly and is one of the most popular places to watch and photograph the Golden Mountain at Sunrise. The Wunongding (雾浓顶) Viewing Platform offers a broader panorama, with 13 white pagodas in the foreground, allowing photographers to capture the full panorama of the Thirteen Peaks of Meili Snow Mountain in a single frame.

Mingyong Glacier (明永冰川) descends from Kawagarbo Peak toward the forest zone and is one of China’s major glaciers reaching a relatively low elevation. Taizi Temple (太子庙) and Lotus Temple (莲花寺) are located below the glacier, offering relatively close views of the main peak and its glacial landscape.

Yubeng Village (雨崩村) lies beneath Mianzimu, also known as Goddess Peak (神女峰/缅茨姆), and is divided into Upper Yubeng and Lower Yubeng. Surrounded by alpine meadows, mountain streams, and traditional Tibetan houses, the village is a classic destination for exploring the hidden landscapes of Meili Snow Mountain. From here, hikers can trek to Yubeng Sacred Waterfall (雨崩神瀑) and Ice Lake (冰湖).

Sinong Glacier (斯农冰川) is even more pristine and less visited than Mingyong Glacier. Along the route, the Great Bend of the Jinsha River, also known as Moon Bay (金沙江大拐弯/月亮湾), is a popular stop before entering the Meili Snow Mountain circuit. During the annual Tibetan-calendar pilgrimage season, large numbers of devotees come to circumambulate the sacred mountain and pray for blessings. The outer kora covers approximately 240 kilometers, while the inner pilgrimage route centers on Yubeng Sacred Waterfall. The mountainsides are covered with alpine rhododendrons, which burst into bloom in spring and summer, creating a striking contrast with the snow-covered peaks.

Practical Information

The scenic area is part of Meili Snow Mountain National Park (梅里雪山国家公园). Feilai Temple and the Wunongding Viewing Platform require separate admission tickets, while Mingyong Glacier and Yubeng Village have their own entrance fees. From Shangri-La City (香格里拉市), it takes approximately 3.5 hours to drive to Feilai Temple in Deqin.

A 2–4 day itinerary is recommended for a more complete experience. A typical route includes watching the sunrise at Feilai Temple, combined with either a visit to Mingyong Glacier or a hiking trip to Yubeng Village.

The best travel period is October to May of the following year, when clear days are more common and cloud cover is lighter, giving you a higher chance of seeing the Golden Mountain at Sunrise. From June to September, the region enters its rainy season, with heavier cloud and mist that can make it difficult to see the complete snow peaks, although the valleys become exceptionally lush and green. Meili Snow Mountain can also be combined with Baima Snow Mountain (白马雪山), Balagezong Grand Canyon (巴拉格宗大峡谷), and Potatso National Park (普达措国家公园) to create a scenic road-trip circuit from Shangri-La to Deqin.

Travel Tips

Meili Snow Mountain is a sacred mountain in Tibetan culture. For religious and safety reasons, climbing Kawagarbo Peak is officially prohibited by the Chinese authorities. Do not attempt to climb the summit.

Feilai Temple and Wunongding are located at around 3,400 meters above sea level, while Yubeng Village and Mingyong Glacier reach even higher elevations. Altitude sickness is possible, so keep a slow pace, avoid strenuous running or sudden exertion, and carry oxygen cylinders if necessary. Highland weather can change rapidly, and temperatures may drop sharply or snow may fall even in summer. Bring a windproof and waterproof jacket, and wear sturdy, non-slip hiking shoes for trekking.

Respect Tibetan religious traditions. When passing Mani stones, prayer flags, and white pagodas, walk around them clockwise. Do not step on Mani stones or pull, touch, or damage prayer flags. Protect the fragile highland environment by taking all rubbish with you and never picking wild plants.

China National Highway G214, which forms part of the Yunnan–Tibet route, has numerous cliffside bends, and roads can become icy in winter. If driving yourself, drive with extreme caution and check road conditions in advance. Seeing the Golden Mountain at Sunrise depends heavily on weather conditions, and there is no guarantee that the entire snow range will be visible. Keep expectations flexible and enjoy the experience even when the peaks are partially hidden by clouds.