Meili Snow Mountain

Nature · Yunnan · 梅里雪山

Meili Snow Mountain

Shangri-La

Meili Snow Mountain · ChinaMazing

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Core Sights

The essential sights — what they are, and when to go.

Kawagarbo Peak

Sight 1

Kawagarbo Peak

卡瓦格博峰

Kawagarbo Peak is the main summit of the Meili Snow Mountains, standing at 6,740 meters, and remains unconquered to this day. As one of the eight sacred mountains in Tibetan Buddhism, it holds immense reverence in the hearts of local people. The summit is covered with snow year-round, often shrouded in clouds and mist, and the breathtaking spectacle of the golden mountain under the sun is truly awe-inspiring. At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight touch the peak, the golden snow-capped mountain against the blue sky creates a perfect moment for photography and pilgrimage. The surrounding trekking routes are well-established, offering close encounters with snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and plateau ecosystems. It is a shining pearl along the Yunnan–Tibet route.

Mingyong Glacier

Sight 2

Mingyong Glacier

明永冰川

Mingyong Glacier. Located beneath Kawagebo Peak, the main summit of Meili Snow Mountain, Mingyong Glacier is a low-altitude glacier whose ice tongue extends into the forest belt, presenting a spectacular sight. Visitors can hike along the boardwalk or ride horses to get a close-up view of glacial wonders such as icefalls and crevasses, while also enjoying panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks along the way. Renowned for its dramatic elevation drop and rapid movement, this glacier is one of the world's rare low-latitude, low-altitude marine glaciers, offering outdoor enthusiasts a unique plateau glacier experience.

Yubeng Village

Sight 3

Yubeng Village

雨崩村

Yubeng Village

Feilaisi Temple

Sight 4

Feilaisi Temple

飞来寺

Feilai Temple. Located along the Yunnan-Tibet Highway, Feilai Temple is the best vantage point for viewing Kawagarbo, the main peak of Meili Snow Mountain. This Tibetan Buddhist temple has a history spanning several centuries and remains an important pilgrimage site for local devotees to this day. At dawn, the magnificent sight of the golden sunlight bathing the snow-capped peaks is truly awe-inspiring. In front of the temple stand rows of white stupas, with prayer flags fluttering in the wind, together forming a classic tableau against the snow mountain peaks. Admission is free, and visitors are welcome to explore at their leisure, but please respect local religious customs and refrain from touching ritual objects. Self-driving or hiring a car is the most convenient way to get there, and along the way you can enjoy the scenic views of the Lancang River Gorge.

Holy Waterfall

Sight 5

Holy Waterfall

神瀑

Ice Lake

Sight 6

Ice Lake

冰湖

Ice Lake. Nestled deep within the Meili Snow Mountain range, Ice Lake is a high-altitude alpine lake known in Tibetan as "Cuona," meaning "Black Lake." Fed by glacial meltwater, its waters shift in hue with the changing light—now deep blue, now ink-green. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks on all sides, a glacier tongue extends nearly to the shore, where massive rocks and moraines intermingle in a vast, tranquil landscape. Reaching Ice Lake requires trekking through primeval forests and alpine meadows, offering close-up views of Kawagarbo Peak along the way and an immersive experience of the pristine plateau ecosystem. It is a sacred lake in the hearts of pilgrims and a classic destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking the raw beauty of snow mountains.