I. Core Preparation: Time and Transportation (tested information in 2025)
1. The best hiking time
•Golden time: May-June (the sea of azaleas is in full bloom, the temperature is 10-20°C, and there is less precipitation), September-October (autumn forests are all stained, high visibility, easy to see the golden mountains);
• Pit avoidance period: July-August rainy season (dense leeches, mountain roads are muddy and easy to landslide), November to April of the following year (high risk of sealing mountains with heavy snow, Shenhu Line / ice lake line requires ice claws + guides).
2. Transportation plan (only the Ninon line is available in the village, and Cordyceps line was closed in 2025)
Public transportation (cost-effective choice)
1 Lijiang → Deqin / Feilai Temple: Lijiang Passenger Terminal departs at 9:00 a day (only 1 flight), the fare is 141 yuan/person, and the drive is 6-7h; or go directly to Feilai Temple (159 yuan/person);
2 Shangri-La → Deqin: 18 shuttle buses per day, the fare is 62 yuan per person, 4h drive; direct to Feilai Temple 64 yuan per person;
3 Deqin → Ninong (the starting point for hiking): 6 shuttle buses a day, the ticket price is 20 yuan/person, and the journey is 45 minutes; if you miss it, you can share the car (30 yuan/person, **** can assist in arranging).
Carpooling / car chartering (flexible and efficient)
• Lijiang → Ninong carpooling: 230 yuan / person (7-9-seater business car, 4 people), 6h drive; 5-seater car 150-200 yuan / car, suitable for multi-person sharing.
3. Tickets and fees
• Avalanche environmental protection fee 55 yuan/person (including Jinsha River turn and foggy roof observation deck);
• Free observation deck of Feilai Temple (parking fee 10 yuan/time);
• Horse riding: 100-200 yuan/day (no motor vehicle in the village, no physical strength is optional).
II. Full analysis of the route: 5 core route difficulty and experience (with novice recommendation)
1. Route classification table (sorted by difficulty)
The total distance of the route is the highest altitude. The difficulty of climbing and hiking time. The star core experience is suitable for the crowd.
God Falls Line 12km3660m600m4-6h★★☆ Glacier Rongshui Waterfall, Cement Road is the main novice, parent-child, leisure player
Ninong Line 14km3100m600m3-5h★★Lancang River Canyon scenery, it is difficult to get out of the mountain and easy to get in and out of the village.
Nisse Line 13km3800m700m6-8h★★杉树林 + pasture + snowy mountains, vegetation-rich and basic hikers
Ice Lake Line 14km3900m800m8-10h★★★Merry Glacier Melting Lake, chance to meet a person with better physical fitness for squirrels
Shenhu Line 13km4500m1400m10-12h★★★ Full Climbing, Senior Hikers in the Secret Land of Snow Mountain Holy Lake (wizard required)
2. Key route details
• Divine Waterfall Line (preferred for beginners): In the first half of the cement road, the last 1km "desperate slope" is relatively steep. The endpoint divine waterfall can travel around three times clockwise to pray for blessings. It is recommended to leave early to avoid the flow of people;
• Ice lake line (the richest experience): The second half of the climb is steep, and you need to wear non-slip hiking shoes. The ice lake is a dark green glacier lake, and there is a virgin forest and squirrel interaction along the way;
• Shenhu Line (Challenge level): There is snow before June, and you must follow the guide (500 yuan/day, 4 people are more cost-effective), high inversion probability, and you need to adapt to altitude in advance.
3. Itinerary recommendation (5 days and 4 nights classic route)
• Day1: Lijiang → Feilai Temple (adapt to altitude, look at Rizhao Jinshan);
• Day2: Feilai Temple → Ninon → Avalanche Village (walking the Ninon Line 14km, live in an avalanche);
• Day3: Avalanche Village → Ice Lake → Avalanche Village (14km on foot, live in avalanche);
• Day4: Avalanche Village → God Falls → Avalanche Village (12km hiking, live in a rain avalanche);
• Day5: Avalanche Village → Ninon → Deqin → Lijiang (return).
III. Equipment list: Don't waste money! Must bring and avoid lightning
1. Core equipment (life-saving level)
• Shoes: high-top waterproof hiking shoes (70% muddy roads, protect your ankles from slipping), with 2 pairs of quick-dry socks;
• Clothing: storm jackets (windproof and waterproof, replace disposable raincoats), fleece jackets / thin down (large temperature difference between morning and evening, essential for high altitude), quick-drying clothes and trousers (avoid pure cotton, easy to catch a cold after wet);
•Auxiliary tools: mountaineering stick (rent 10 yuan/root at the foot of the mountain, saving 30% physical strength), thin touch screen gloves (anti-wear on the iron link of the divine waterfall line), headlight (standby, avoid going at night).
2. Replenishment and medicine
•Supply: chocolate,energy bars, functional drinks (village commissary can be replenished, but the price is higher);
• Drugs: Rhodiola (three days in advance, anti-high anti-reverse), plateau safety (standby after arrival), gastrointestinal medicine, Band-Aid, sunscreen (SPF50+, extremely strong ultraviolet rays).
3. Lightning protection reminder
•Don't bring too much luggage: the village is transported by hiking/horseback riding, and the load exceeds 10kg will collapse;
•Don't wear jeans / canvas shoes: wet in a rainy day, San Louis wrestling;
• No tents required: There are plenty of accommodation in Avalanche Village (200-3000 yuan/night), mainly wooden structure, and book high-season housing resources in advance.
IV. Accommodation and Safety: Pit Avoidance Guide
1. Accommodation options
• Upper avalanche village: the starting point of the ice lake line, with a wide view, suitable for panoramic view of snowy mountains;
• Rain Collapse Village: Close to the divine waterfall line, pastoral quiet and cost-effective;
• Recommended seat: Nuoba La View Homestay (excellably taking a panoramic view of avalanche).
2. Safety tips
• High-reaction pair: Adapt to altitude (3400m) in Feilai Temple 1-2 days in advance, slow down the pace when hiking, drink more water and eat high-carbon food; immediately withdraw from severe high reaction (crack headache, dyspnea), contact the avalanche health center (0887-8414949);
• Route safety: The Shenhu line / ice lake line needs a wizard (500-800 yuan/day, multi-person single cost-effective), do not deviate from the route; with ice claws in winter, anti-leeches in the rainy season (wear stockings, padded feet, spray insect repellent);
• Emergency preparedness: Bring cash (no signal in some areas), store **** and guide phones, and avoid going at night.
V. Cost budget (per capita reference)
• Transportation: Lijiang round trip is about 500 yuan;
•Ticket: 55 yuan;
• Accommodation: 200-3000 yuan/night (800-12,000 yuan per person according to 4 nights);
• Guide: Shenhu Line 500 yuan/day (125 yuan per person for 4 people);
• Catering + supply: about 500 yuan;
•Total: 1800-15,000 yuan per person (thrift by people).
The charm of avalanche hiking lies in "step by step", but safety always comes first. Beginners suggest starting with the divine waterfall line. Those with better physical fitness can challenge the ice lake line, and the divine lake line is reserved for senior players. Only by adapting to altitude and preparing equipment in advance can you immerse yourself in the beauty of the secret land under the snowy mountain in Meili.