Overview
For strong hikers used to mountain terrain.
The Meili North Slope trek in Yunnan’s Deqen County offers a rare combination of alpine grandeur and solitude. Beginning in Yagong Village, the route traverses pristine forests, glacial valleys, and high meadows, with sweeping views of peaks such as Lairi Gongka (6,300m), Nairi Dingka (6,379m), and Kawagarbo II (6,509m). Trekkers cross two dramatic passes: Ciding Pass (4,770m), with panoramic glacier views, and Dian–Tibet Pass (5,200m), the trek’s highest point marking the Yunnan–Tibet border. Campsites at Pojun and Pojiang provide front-row views of glaciers and sunrise over Meili’s snow-capped range. The trail’s elevation (2,700–5,200m) supports diverse flora such as rhododendrons and larch, while its relative accessibility reduces the risks of high altitude. Sacred to Tibetan Buddhists, this once-secluded herding route is today a vanishing frontier—where glaciers retreat year by year, yet the peaks remain wrapped in myth and legend.
Highlights
- Witness the Golden Sunrise over the Thirteen Peaks of Meili Snow Mountain and marvel at star-studded night skies.
- Trek through pristine bamboo groves, alpine forests, and highland meadows alive with vibrant autumn colours.
- Camp beneath glaciers, with panoramic views of Nairedingka, Mangkuanglaka, and Meili’s northern face.
- Conquer Ciding Pass (4,770 m) for sweeping vistas of glaciers and snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
- Traverse secluded herding trails and ancient forests before returning to Yagong and Feilai Temple.
