Meili Snow Mountains [Diqing]

"One of Top Ten Most Beautiful Mountains in China"
Ranked by China National Geoegraphy Magazin

Meili Snow Mountains between in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province and Zayu County, Nyingchi Area of Tibet Autonomous Region: Guard of honor for the snow God

The Meili Snow Mountain are located of the border between Deqing County in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan and Zayu County in Tibet, lying deep in the Hengduan Mountain where the three waters of the Jinsha, the Langcang and the Nujiang riverw converge. It is a holy place of pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists, and the first of the eight great divine mountains in the Tibetan region. They Connect with Mount Adongeni to the north and with Biluo Snow Mountain to the south.

At this place, 13 peaks average elevations over 6000 meters. Among of them, the Kawagebo (Tibetan call it) peak with 6740 meters high above the sea level is the highest one in Yunnan Province. Kawagebo in Tibetan is the God of Snow Mountain where is the sacred place for Buddhists. Nearby Kawagebo, 13 peaks line up, like a guard of honor for the God. During the period of the end of autumn and the beginning of the winter, a great number of devotees would come here to worship without thinking of how long the ways they have to go. It was admiring to see that they crawled to go up the high mountain gradually. In October 1989, the tenth Panchen Lama, Great Master of Tibetan Buddhism, held a grand religious meeting in front of Kagebo Peak, and now a stone tablet and a pagoda stand there welcoming tourists. In addition, at the foot of it, there are continuous glaciers and cirques known as the Modern Glaciers in the low latitude.

The four seasons in the snow-caped Meili are distinctly. Between the foot and the summit are several systems of plant distribution, transitioning from the tropical zone to the northern frigid zone. Above the snowline, there are steep snow-capped peaks encircled by clouds and mist, but below it are evergreen vegetation and flowers in full bloom. Glaciers are widely distributed in the Meili. Here low-latitude and high-altitude monsoon modern marine glaciers have developed. They wind down along the valley, their ice tongues stretching down to the 2,700 meter forest area, just over 800 meters away from the waters of the Lancang River. The natural proto-ecology around the glaciers is well preserved, representing the diverse natural and geographical characteristics of the xerothermic valley of the Lancang River.

The complex geology of the Hengduan Mountain and the changeable climate in the low-latitude snow mountains mean that the Meili are fraught with fatal dangers. Violent glacier movements have aggravated fissures in the mountain body still further, giving rise to suspended glaciers, hidden ice crevices, ice avalanches and snow avalanches.

Because of the precipitous massifs and perpetual snow, there are snow slides, dense fogs, heavy rain and fierce wind, and it is still a 'virgin peak" which none has conquered. However, it is most magnificent!

Best time to go
Spring and Summer especially from January to May.
The yearly average temperature is from 40.46F to 61.7F in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The hottest temperature is 77.18F and the coldest temperature is -17.32F.

Ticket
No ticket but cost much more. RMB 63/person (including Mingyong Glaciers, Yubeng Holy Waterfall and insurance)

Around Landscape
Meili Canyons, Three Parallel Rivers, Baima Snow Mountain Azalea Forest, Hutiao Gorge, Haba Snow Mountain, Gedan Songzanlin Temple, Pudacuo National Park, Napa Sea Natural Preserve, Mingyong Glaciers, Feilai Temple, etc.

Local Snacks and Specialties
Qingke-Wine, Milk Sediment, Yak Meat, Silver product, Wood product, Carpet, Butter Sculpture and Tangka, etc.

Travel Tips
Much more cost! Much more danger and difficulty! Much more challenge!
Avoid getting AMS. Be sure to respect local customs and traditions.
Do not forget register if you want to sightsee Meili Snow Mountain again tomorrow.
Sun block, sunglasses and waterproof shoes are necessity.
Please take enough highly caloric foods.

Distance
Beijing (3183 km) Kunming City (774 km) Deqing County (50 km) Meili Snow Mountains
Beijing (3183 km) Kunming City (584 km) Shangeri La County (190 km) Deqing County (50 km) Meili Snow Mountains
Beijing (3183 km) Kunming City (580 km) Lijiang City (280 km) Deqing County (50 km) Meili Snow Mountains