NorthErN Yunnan Walks
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
In our first episode of a new series on hiking in Northern Yunnan, we visit Yak Meadow just below the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain outside Lijiang in Yunnan province, China. It’s day one of nine days of hiking, so we take it as a chance to acclimatize with a 5-km walk at around 3,500 meters and just 200 meters of elevation during the hike. It’s easy on the legs but heavy on the eye, with stunning panoramas, a blue moon lake, and a chance to learn a little of the mountain culture in this area.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/
Baoshan Stone Village Pt. 1
In our second hiking episode from northern Yunnan we are following a little known section of the Jinsha (Yangse) in the first of two parts. We find the ancient trail from Shangyangliu to Baoshan to be perilous in parts as the dusty path hugs steep cliffs, but the views it offers are amongt the best we have ever seen. The path is being worked on so check back with a local guide as until word gets out this could be one of the best kept secrets in Yunnan.
Baoshan Stone Village Pt. 2
Haba Snow Mountain
In our fourth hiking episode for northern Yunnan, we start in a Yi Minority village homestay at the foot of Haba Snow Mountain and set off on a grueling but rewarding hike up to a viewpoint over a lake surrounded by rugged snow-capped mountains. Climbing to 4,200 meters is no walk in the park, but the alpine views and beautiful forests make the effort all worthwhile.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
In our fifth hiking episode for northern Yunnan we start at Tina’s Guest House, climb 300 meters onto the high trail and make our way slowly south. The 11 km hike takes in some of the best views of Tiger Leaping Gorge as well as iconic landmarks like the toilets at the Halfway House. To finish the day we drop down to the river where we get to see the rock fabled to have been the place the tiger made its famous leap.
Abuji Lake
This hike is short but not easy. At 9 km and only 600m gain you may think it an easy stroll but above 4,000 meters any exercise requires twice the effort. But the rewards are plentiful, with a ring of glacial peaks around you and two crystal clear lakes at the top this has to rank as one of China’s most spectacular hikes.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit…
Thousand Lake Mountain
This is one of the easiest hikes on this trip and a great acclimatization walk if you are based in Shangri-La. Fifty kilometers south of the town lies a high altitude plateau with a multitude of lakes among a flat pastureland. Add to that spectacular yellow, red, and white rhododendrons in the spring and deep red autumnal colors in the fall and you find a landscape photographer’s dream. Not bad too for hikers.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edi…
Yubeng Village
They say getting there is half the fun, and this hike holds true to that. Yubeng is a charming farming village that is transitioning to a back packers haven. When we did it the only way in was a 12 km hike up 1,200 m of elevation, but a road will be arriving soon which might change everything. The hike will still be there though for those who want the challenge and the reward of walking up steep gorges with rushing water below.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edi…
Sacred Waterfall
Tibetan Buddhists believe that prayers spoken at the Sacred Waterfall in Yubeng will be answered. We made the 5km hike up to it with a 500-meter altitude gain to go find out. This was the last in our Yunnan hikes and one that made a fitting end to what has been an amazing experience.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edi…
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