Yunnan-Deqin-Feilai Temple-Meili Snow Mountain-Rizhao Jinshan

Yunnan-Deqin-Feilai Temple-Meili Snow Mountain

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Meili Snow Mountain-Rizhao Jinshan

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Xiayubeng Village

Xizang-Mangkang-Millennium Ancient Salt Field

Yunnan-Deqin-Baima Snow Mountain Pass-Baima Snow Mountain

Continue from the previous article,"Tips for Self-Driving Tour in Western Yunnan and Western Sichuan in October 2019 (2) Nujiang Prefecture in Western Yunnan-Fugong, Dulongjiang, Bingzhongluo"

D11 October 15 (sunny, 7-26 degrees) Bingzhongluo (Gongshan)-Deqin-Feilai Temple (Deqin)(170+20, 190 kilometers in total)

Yesterday, as the tour of Bingzhongluo came to an end, the tour of Nujiang Prefecture in western Yunnan also came to an end. Today, we will depart from Bingzhongluo and take the "Degong Highway" that was just opened this year to go straight to Feilai Temple in Deqin County, starting our journey to Diqing Prefecture in northwest Yunnan.

The "Degong Highway" is a new channel between Deqin in Diqing Prefecture and Gongshan in Nujiang Prefecture. According to reports, in the past, from Nujiang Prefecture to Diqing Prefecture, it was necessary to detour Dali, Lijiang and other places, which was nearly a thousand kilometers, which was very inconvenient. After more than ten years of hard work and overcoming difficulties by the builders, the 98-kilometer-long "Degong Highway" was finally opened this year. The opening of this highway has greatly facilitated the flow of people and materials between Nujiang and Diqing prefectures, and also played a decisive role in the development of local tourism.

In fact, the 98-kilometer "Degong Highway" only refers to the distance from Bandang Township in Gongshan County to Yunling Township in Deqin County. From Bingzhongluo, we had to drive more than 20 kilometers to the Bandang Bridge in Bandang Township. After crossing the bridge, we turned left before entering the "Degong Highway". After arriving in Yunling Township, you have to walk dozens of kilometers of provincial roads to reach Deqin County, and another 20 kilometers of National Highway 214 to reach Feilai Temple, where you stayed that night. The total journey of 170 kilometers takes 5 hours, and several sections of gravel roads (which should be about 10 kilometers in total) are still under construction due to landslides and other reasons. They are bumpy and extremely bumpy, and it is difficult to cross cars. There are also many falling rocks along the road, so you must drive very carefully, and at the same time, pay attention to allowing enough time and never rush at night.

On the way, you will pass through Kongque Mountain Pass (3882 meters above sea level) and Shengping Town, Deqin County (3250 meters above sea level). In other words, starting today, it will officially enter high-altitude areas.

Yunnan-Deqin-Degong Highway-Scenery along the way

Yunnan-Deqin-Deqin County-Shengping Town

Yunnan-Deqin-Deqin County-Shengping Town

Feilai Temple (3400 meters above sea level) is not only the name of a temple, but more importantly the name of the region. It is famous for being the best location to view the Meili Snow Mountain. Later, people built hotels and inns here, and also called the village around the temple Feilai Temple.

The Feilai Temple is now very well built, with hotels everywhere. Everything here exists and develops for tourists to watch the Meili Snow Mountain. Many newly built hotels can have great views and angles to view the Meili Snow Mountain from the balcony of the room or the rooftop of the hotel. Of course, the more convenient the location is to view the snowy mountains, the higher the price will naturally be.

Yunnan-Deqin-Feilai Temple-There are many hotels

Yunnan-Deqin-Feilai Temple-There are many hotels

Meili Snow Mountain belongs to the Hengduan Mountains and is located at the junction of Deqin County in Diqing Prefecture and Chayu County in Xizang. It is located in the world-famous "Three Parallel Rivers" area of the Jinsha River, Lancang River and Nujiang River. It is said that there are 13 mountain peaks, called Prince Thirteen Peaks. The main peak is Kawagbo Peak, with an altitude of 6740 meters, which is the highest mountain in Yunnan. Meili Snow Mountain is not only a sacred mountain in Tibet, but also a tourist resort. It is famous around the world for its majestic majesty and mystery.

Yunnan-Deqin-Feilai Temple-Pearl Laka Observation Deck

Yunnan-Deqin-Feilai Temple-Meili Snow Mountain Main Peak and Mingyong Glacier

Yunnan-Deqin-Feilai Temple-Pearl Laka Observation Deck

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Meili Snow Mountain

It was only around 3 o'clock in the afternoon that I arrived at the hotel where Feilai Temple stayed. After taking a short rest and tidying up, we came to Meili Snow Mountain National Park (Meili Snow Mountain Scenic Area, Three Rivers Parallel World Natural Heritage), Feilaisi Scenic Area (Feilaisi National Forest Park), Feilaisi Pearl Laka Observation Platform (altitude 3400 meters) and other places not far from the hotel.

Taking advantage of the sunny weather, first buy a ticket and enter the Feilaji Pearl Laka Observation Deck to watch the Meili Snow Mountain; then drive along the 8-kilometer ring mountain road in the Feilaji Scenic Area (Feilaji National Forest Park). Take a look at the scenery (the entrance is on the left side of the parking lot inside the Pearl Laka Observation Deck). There are 3 observation decks in the middle, which can overlook the Baima Snow Mountain, Biluo Snow Mountain and Meili Snow Mountain respectively. Not many people know about this round-trip route, so there are very few tourists on this route.

Stay late in Deqin Tengyue. Meili Snow Mountain Resort Hotel is opposite the Meili Snow Mountain in Feilai Temple Scenic Area. You can clearly see Meili Snow Mountain from the balcony of the hotel room. A recently opened hotel with a great location, a great balcony and easy parking.

Today's weather is so good that the store owner said that there is a high chance that he will see the "Rizhao Jinshan" landscape at sunrise tomorrow morning. Everyone was very happy to hear the good news. They hoped that good luck would come and they could see the "Rizhao Jinshan" of Meili Snow Mountain tomorrow morning.

Yunnan-Deqin-Feilai Temple Scenic Area

Yunnan-Deqin-Feilai Temple-Meili Snow Mountain

D12 October 16 (sunny, 5-22 degrees) Feilai Temple (Deqin)-Xidang (Deqin)-Yubeng (Deqin)(40 kilometers)

In the early morning, the beautiful "Golden Mountain of Rizhao" on Meili Snow Mountain arrived as scheduled. I was really lucky. The balconies, rooftops, and observation decks of various hotels are filled with tourists. Everyone opened their eyes wide or pressed the shutter frequently, watching and recording this rare scenery that lasted only a few minutes. According to reports, due to the changeable weather in the local area, especially in the mountains, the Meili Snow Mountain is surrounded by clouds and fog all year round. Some people have come many times, but have not even seen what Meili Snow Mountain looks like, let alone the "Rizhao Jinshan". Therefore, the probability of seeing the "Golden Mountain of Sunshine" depends on the season, weather, and luck. But it is more likely to see it from October to March every year, and it turns out that this is the case. During our three days in Feilai Temple and Yubeng Village (the small Tibetan village under the Meili Snow Mountain), we had the honor to visit Rizhao Jinshan several times in a row.

Yunnan-Deqin-Feilai Temple-Meili Snow Mountain-Rizhao Jinshan

Yunnan-Deqin-Feilai Temple-Meili Snow Mountain-Rizhao Jinshan

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Meili Snow Mountain-Rizhao Jinshan

After seeing Rizhao Jinshan, I had breakfast and checked my luggage in the hotel. If I want to be a "fake donkey" today and tomorrow, I will go to Yubeng by car rather than on foot. It is also a first-hand try and experience a little bit of what travel friends always say,"If you don't go to heaven, you will go to the rain." Because it is said that a rainbreak hiking is like a journey of the soul.

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Meili Snow Mountain

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Shangyubeng Village

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Xiayubeng Village

Rain breaks, and there is a small Tibetan village at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain called "Xanadu". Surrounded by mountains on all sides, there is only one post road connected to the outside world. It is the paradise that the world yearn for. Because it is located deep in the mountains, far away from market towns, inconvenient transportation, and simple folk customs, it is known as the epitome of the true "Shangri-La". It is divided into two villages: Shangyubeng and Xiyubeng. Xianyubeng lies quietly in the mountains and canyons, with cattle and horses grazing leisurely and pristine; Shangyubeng is built against the mountains, with small white houses scattered in a scattered manner, especially when painted with beautiful snowy mountains, it is even more wonderful.

In the past, when I went to Yubeng, I could only go in on foot. An 18-kilometer mountain road, including 12 kilometers uphill and 6 kilometers downhill, generally takes 5-8 hours to walk. After the rain, you can stay for three or more days, including Binghu, Xiaonong Base Camp (about 8-9 hours round trip), Shenwaterfall (about 5-6 hours round trip), and Shenhu (about 7-8 hours round trip). There are 3 hiking routes in different directions to choose from. For people who love hiking, the main purpose of coming here is to enjoy the fun of hiking.

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Xiayubeng Village

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Xiayubeng Village

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Xiayubeng Village

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Meili Snow Mountain-Rizhao Jinshan

Now it's better. Since the second half of last year, you can ride an operating off-road vehicle into the village. As long as you are willing to spend 260 yuan (the cheaper return trip is 200 yuan, which is both very expensive) and 50 minutes, it is okay, which saves both energy and time. This may be contemptuous to hikers and young people who like to hike, but for many people, especially those who are older and want to see it, it is undoubtedly a great boon. Meeting many people waiting in line is the best example. Therefore, when we went to Yubeng, we were just "fake donkeys".

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Village Path

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Village Path

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Village Path

Follow National Highway 214 from Feilai Temple to Mangkang, Xizang for about 20 kilometers. Turn at a viewing platform to the highway to Xidang. Continue for 20 kilometers and you will reach the parking lot (there are two or three parking lots, buy tickets and get on the bus next to the top parking lot). During this period, on the way to Xidang, you can overlook the Mingyong Glacier and have a close view of the Meili Grand Canyon on the Lancang River, and then reach the ticket gate (ticket is 55 yuan). Several kilometers of road are unpaved, and the rest of the road is acceptable.

Yunnan-Deqin-Lancang River Meili Grand Canyon

Yunnan-Deqin-Lancang River

Riding an off-road vehicle to Yubeng is thrilling and extremely bumpy. Arriving at the evening accommodation at around 1 p.m., Yubeng Impression Boutique Inn in Yubeng Village (located between Yubeng Upper Village and Lower Village) was already past lunch time, so he hurriedly asked the store owner to make egg noodles for lunch. Then we began to visit the Yubeng Village Scenic Area, slowly strolling from Xiayubeng Village (3050 meters above sea level) to Shangyubeng Village (3150 meters above sea level). We watched and took photos while walking. It took more than 3 hours to return to the inn. The weather in the mountains is changeable. One moment the sun shines, another moment the dark clouds block the sky, and another moment it starts to rain sporadic rain. The original plan to watch the sunset and starry sky at night fell through due to weather changes.

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Meili Snow Mountain

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Xiayubeng Village

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Shangyubeng Village

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Shangyubeng Village

Yunnan-Deqin-Yubeng-Xiayubeng Village

D13 October 17 (sunny, 3-23 degrees) Rainfall (Deqin)-Xidang (Deqin)-Yanjing Millennium Ancient Salt Field (Mangkang)-Feilai Temple (Deqin)(110+110 in total 220 kilometers)

It rained last night, and the weather became very good again in the morning. I saw Rizhao Jinshan up close again in Yubeng Village. After breakfast, we took a bus to leave Yubeng and returned to Xidang to end the full and particularly interesting one-day trip to Yubeng by the "fake donkey".

Today, I will visit Yanjing, a thousand-year-old salt field, Yanjing (2300 meters above sea level) in Mangkang County, Xizang. Drive 20 kilometers from Xidang back to National Highway 214, and make a special trip for more than 200 kilometers to visit the thousand-year-old salt fields. National Highway 214 follows the Lancang River for easy viewing of the Lancang River Canyon. The road conditions along the way were very good and there were not many vehicles coming and going.

Yunnan-Deqin-National Highway 214-Scenery along the way

Xizang-Mangkang-Millennium Ancient Salt Field

Xizang-Mangkang-Millennium Ancient Salt Field

Xizang-Mangkang-Millennium Ancient Salt Field-Tibetan Women Selling Self-Made Salt

Yanjing thousand-year-old salt field is located on the east and west sides of the Lancang River in Yanjing Town, and has a history of more than 1300 years. It is the largest salt-producing area in Xizang and the only place in my country that maintains the most primitive manual salt-drying method. It still retains relatively complete ancient salt-making methods in my country. Dark brown artificial salt fields measuring more than ten to dozens of square meters form the spectacular salt pond terraces, which are in sharp contrast to the blue sky and white clouds and the mountains on both sides of the Lancang River. This is a place and epitome that reflects the hard work and wisdom of the Xizang people. It is also a good scenic spot with good landscapes and insights. It is said that the local area has started the process of applying for World Heritage, and it is definitely worth making a special trip to have a look.

I will continue to stay at Deqin Tengyue at night. Meili Snow Mountain Resort Hotel.

Xizang-Mangkang-Millennium Ancient Salt Field

Xizang-Mangkang-Millennium Ancient Salt Field

Xizang-Mangkang-Millennium Ancient Salt Field

D14 October 18 (sunny, 3-25 degrees) Feilai Temple (Deqin)-Baima Xueshan Pass (Deqin)-Benzilan (Deqin)-Balagzong (Shangri-La)(55+35+40 in total 130 kilometers)

Today's destination is Balagzon in Shangri-La. Along the way, we visited Feilai Temple, Wunongding Yingbin Terrace Scenic Area (it is said that there was a charge before, but when we went there no longer charged), Shengping Town, Deqin County, Baima Snow Mountain Pass (4292 meters above sea level), Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, Baima Snow Mountain Alpine Rhododendron Forest, Three Rivers Parallel National Scenic Area, Jinsha River Gorge and Jinsha River Bay (Moon Bay), Benzilan, etc. The weather is good and the scenery is beautiful. Enjoy the beautiful scenery all the way, and I feel good all the way.

Starting from Feilai Temple, take National Highway 214 and go to Shengping Town, Deqin County to see this mountain city between two mountains. Continue for about 30 kilometers to the fork leading to the Baima Snow Mountain Pass. Be sure to pay attention to the old National Highway 214. Because three tunnels in Baima Snow Mountain have been built now, National Highway 214 no longer has to cross mountains and ridges to pass through the Baima Snow Mountain Pass. Arriving at the pass on the mountain, a 4292 landmark monument (4292 meters above sea level) was built, overlooking the Baima Snow Mountain.

Yunnan-Deqin-Baima Snow Mountain Pass

Yunnan-Deqin-Baima Snow Mountain Pass-Scenery along the way

This area belongs to the Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve and is also the main area of the Baima Snow Mountain alpine rhododendron forest. I saw too many mountain rhododendrons along the way, many of which grew like big trees. If the rhododendrons are in full bloom in May and June, they will be extremely beautiful.

This old national highway is about 20 kilometers long and has picturesque scenery. At present, most of the road conditions are still good, and there are very few vehicles passing by, making it convenient to park at any time to enjoy the scenery and take photos. And there is no need to turn back, and when you reach the front, you will join the new National Highway 214.

Just imagine, aren't all places vigorously developing tourism now? If this section is managed and maintained well, and some tourist facilities are added to the mountains, it will become a great scenic spot. There are too many examples where after the tunnel is built, the road leading up the mountain and through the Yakou will be abandoned or blocked. "Infinite scenery is on the dangerous peak"! Think about it's a pity.

Yunnan-Deqin-Baima Snow Mountain Pass-Scenery along the way

Yunnan-Deqin-Baima Snow Mountain Pass-Scenery along the way

Continue walking forward and come to the National Scenic Area of Three Rivers Parallel Rivers and the Greater Bay of Jinsha River (Moon Bay). The scenic spot is right next to the main road, and parking is convenient. It takes more than half an hour to go in and see the Greater Bay of the Jinsha River. But you have to enter the scenic area to see the full picture of the Greater Bay, which is quite spectacular and unique.

Then walk from National Highway 214 to Benzilan Town, then turn into a trail that is more than 20 kilometers and has good road conditions to Balagzon. You come to the night accommodation, Shangri-La Balagzon, which is located diagonally opposite the Tourist Reception Center of Balagzon Scenic Area. Tibetan Ecological Hotel.

Yunnan-Deqin-Benzilan-Jinsha River Bay

Yunnan-Deqin-Benzilan-Jinsha River Bay

Yunnan-Deqin-Benzilan Town

D15 October 19 (cloudy, 5-22 degrees) Balagzon

When I came to Balagzon, I saw the introduction of "Shangri-La of the World, the Magic Balagzon" on TV, and I felt good; secondly, I had been out for more than ten days and wanted to find a place to rest and rest. The altitude here is not high and it is just right; Third, and most importantly, I saw on the Internet that the hotel here is making a promotion advertisement. The VIP suite of about 70 square meters is less than 3 discount, which is extremely cost-effective. When I came to the hotel, I found that the room was really tall. It was the best hotel I stayed in this trip, but the room price was not very high. I even stayed for two consecutive nights. Why not?

Today is a one-day trip to Balagzong Scenic Area (Shangri-La Canyon National Park, 2,700 - 4,050 meters above sea level). Because I live at the gate of the scenic area, I have more time and a relatively easy trip, which is in line with the need to stroll and rest here. Before entering the gate of the scenic spot, we first went to see the Horse Horse Post Road, then purchased a ticket to enter the scenic spot and took a bus, and then visited the Balazang Cultural Experience Center (Balazhomarakang), the Echo Wall, the Glass Plank Road Observation Deck, the Thousand Years Ancient Village Bala Village, Shangri-La Grand Canyon (Balagzong Canyon, Birong Canyon), Gangqu River, Tongtian Gorge and other attractions, and then back to the entrance of the scenic spot to see the Millennium Bodhi Tree.

Yunnan-Shangri-La-Balagzong-Scenery along the way

Yunnan-Shangri-La-Balagzong-Bala Village

Yunnan-Shangri-La-Balagzong-Bala Village

The scenic spot bus, attractions and times are all arranged at fixed times. It happened to arrive in Bala Village at noon, where there is a place to eat. Visiting scenic spots in this way is indeed not very convenient and comfortable for tourists, but it is just convenient for the managers themselves. It took more than 5 hours to end the tour and return to the hotel to rest.

Balagzong Scenic Area has a lot of advertising and publicity, and it is indeed a good place for leisure and vacation. However, as a tourist walking through in a hurry, it is not a good choice because of the average scenery.

Go to the following "Tips for Self-driving Tour in Western Yunnan and Western Sichuan in October 2019 (4) Ganzi Prefecture in Western Sichuan-Daocheng, Aden," Three Shenshan Mountains ""

Yunnan-Shangri-La-Balagzong-Shangri-La Grand Canyon

Yunnan-Shangri-La-Balagzong-Shangri-La Grand Canyon

Yunnan-Shangri-La-Balagzong-Glass plank road

Yunnan-Shangri-La-Balagzong-Glass plank road