Yubeng is an isolated village surrounded by the holy peaks of Meili Snow Mountain. Many travelers who have more time would like to spend 2 to 4 days trekking around Yubeng Village. What attracts numerous travelers to reach here is not only the charming natural views but also its mystery. This place belongs to the “kora site” where you can see colorful flying prayer flags, white pagodas, and prayer stones in piles.

Before 2012, there is no road to Yubeng and hence it got a mysterious legend. Legend has it that for centuries Yubeng Village was unknown to the outside world. One day, an old man arrived in Xidang Village and tried to buy highland barley from the villagers there. No one knew where he came from, so some of the villagers followed him when he left, but on the way over the mountain the old man disappeared. Later, the old man came back to Xidang to buy food again. The villagers objected and told him “we aren’t going to sell you barley or wheat, but just some millet.” When they loaded the food for the old man, one of the villagers made small holes in the bags. After he started his journey back home, the old man was followed again. He didn’t realize that the holes in the bags had spilled the millet along the way. However, when he reached a huge rock, he disappeared. So the villagers pried up the rock and Yubeng Village was discovered. 

Yubeng Village is situated at the foot of the Meili Snow Mountain Range. The village has 2 halves, Upper and Lower Yubeng, separated by a gorge; it takes about 20 minutes to walk from one to the other. From Upper Yubeng, trekkers have access to the Base Camp, and Ice Lake hikes (8 hours round trip). From Lower Yubeng, you can find the paths to the Sacred Waterfall (6 hours), and if you are a hardcore hiker, Holy Lake, which from a higher vantage point, has an unobstructed view of the Kawa Karpo Peak (6,740 meters), and most of the rest of the mountain range.

Here are the main attractions of Yubeng:

Holy Waterfall. Rumored to cure all ills for people who bathe under it. The water is cold as it is snow runoff. Most visitors opt to circle the fall three times and drink the water. Apparently best seen in the morning to catch rainbows. 4-5 hour hike. The path starts by crossing lower Yubeng and turning right near the stupa. There are green trash cans along the path. There is a tea shop about 2/3 of the way to the waterfall. In the summer, the tea shops also provide basic lodgings and bedding if you want to stay overnight in the mountains.

Base Campand Ice Lake. Beautiful glacier-fed lake above a meadow. 5-8 hour hike. The path starts after passing through upper Yubeng - locals can point you in the direction. Along the path there are green trash cans - just follow them. The first part of the trail is flat and goes through a forest where you will cross a small stream. After, there is about a one-hour ascent to the top of a mountain pass. The path upstarts quite easily but gets progressively steeper. You may have to do a bit of scrambling over rocks and trees to reach the top. After the pass, there is a small climb downhill along with some rocky steps, until you reach a flat bit of woodland and a river. After crossing the river, it's another short walk to a clearing, where you will find Base Camp, where it's possible to buy a bowl of rice (20RMB) or refreshments. In the summer, it is also possible to stay at Base Camp - there are basic communal lodgings and bedding provided. From Upper Yubeng to Base Camp take about 3 hours. From the base camp to the lake is about another hour. 

Holy Lake. A high mountain lake south of Yubeng. 10-hour hike. Begin in Lower Yubeng, crossing the bridge to the left of the stupa and then taking an immediate right up a steep trail through a wooded mountainside. This part of the hike is slippery in parts and could be difficult in wet weather. After around 3 hours the trail contours around a slope into a meadow at 4300 m which has a partial shelter. This is followed by a relatively shallow ascent over the rocky (and snowy) ground to the lake. Once at the lake it's possible to go a little further towards the peak. 

Here are some tips for you: Trekking into and out of Yubeng cost a day each. Each sight in Yubeng (of which there are 3: Holy Waterfall, Ice Lake, and Holy Lake) takes a day. Therefore, a typical trek at Yubeng takes 3-5 days round trip from Feilai Temple.

Reference：Wikitravel

Photo Resource: Internet

If there's any copyright issue involved, please contact us to delete.