Photos & Text © 2003-2008 Haiwei Trails

The Dragon & Mekong Extended (003_5)
19 days*, Trek [Grade 2] & 4WD

*For a 14-day version of this trail go to The Dragon & The Mekong.

D1 Kunming   Hotel
D2 Lijiang   Flight, Hotel
D3 Yuhu village   Guesthouse
D4 Wenhai village   Trek (1+), Homestay
D5 Xuehua village   Trek (1+), Homestay
D6 Shanghai village   Trek (1+), Homestay
D7 Tiger Leaping Gorge   Trek (1+), GH
D8 Walnut Grove (TLG)   Trek (1+), GH
D9 Zhongdian   4WD, Hotel
D10 Xiao Weixi    4WD, Guesthouse
D11 Cizhong/Hongpo   4WD, Homestay
D12 Feilai / Deqin  4WD, Hotel
D13-16 Yubeng trek 4WD/Trek (2+), Camp
D17 Deqin   Trek (2+)/4WD, Hotel
D18 Zhongdian   4WD, Hotel
D19 Kunming   Flight, Hotel

D1 Kunming
Arguably the most open and relaxed of China's provincial capitals, befitting to a province that straddles so many cultures and civilisations. Dubbed the 'City of Spring' due to its yearlong great climate, it's long been a summer getaway destination for the savvier of China's political and economic elite. Nowadays, it only has traces of the old city and its semi-colonial French influences, but the reconstruction has gone well and it retains much of the atmosphere (if not the actual buildings!) of earlier times.

Pick-up from the airport followed by an initial orientation. If arriving early, whereby Kunming isn’t chock-a-block with traditional ‘sights’, it’s one of China's most pleasant cities, relaxed and great for wandering about. Visit the Bird & Flower market, sip tea by the lake, imbibe coffee at the pre-revolution era coffee house, etc. Accommodation is by Green Lake in the northwest of the city, a good place to use as a base for a rewarding stroll or two and a chance to kick the jetlag.
Hotel

D2 Lijiang
An early flight to Lijiang which at 2400 m provides an initial chance for altitude acclimatization. Lijiang is in many ways the capital of the Naxi minority, and despite being afflicted by the somewhat crass “authenticity” drive so popular amongst Yunnan local governments, remains one of the not-to-be-missed gems of SW china. An intriguing and beautiful old town - ancient canal system, thriving central market, traditional architecture, with abundant cafes in the centre.
Flight, Hotel

D3 Yuhu village
For early birds - if you’re interested in ornithology, there are at least 2 sites around town known for the large number of endemic (and oft endangered) species they attract. Getting up early is also a chance to see Lijiang at its most natural, before the tour groups kick into gear. After breakfast it’s a short drive to reach the village of Yuhu, a small village nestled on the lower slopes of Jade Dragon Mountain. Amongst other things this was the home of Joseph Rock - who was in parts an explorer, a plant collector, a scholar of Naxi language, and a bit of a master of fakery - who roamed SW China in the 20s, 30s and 40s. A quiet village and a delightful little guesthouse provide a great jumping off point for the beginning of the trek. Guided afternoon walk up the slopes of the hovering mountain is an option, after which it’s a home-cooked meal, and an evening of star gazing from the courtyard, before turning into clean, cosy rooms at this family-run guesthouse.
Guesthouse

D4 Wenhai village
Today it’s a 5-hour trek to Wenhai, another Naxi village several hundred metres up on the slopes of Jade Dragon. The site of a half-hearted attempt to impose eco-tourism, Wenhai has a slightly schizophrenic character - sometimes a quiet remote village struggling with the after effects of the ‘98 logging ban, sometimes playing host to large groups of ‘eco-tourists’ with cameras and heels. Either way the views of the snow peak to and from Wenhai are beautiful and the trek, though up, relatively undemanding. A pleasant first day.
Trek (1+), Homestay

D5 Xuehua village
A short day’s trekking along the slopes to Xuehua, a much poorer Yi village and a chance to relax for the afternoon and check out a little local life. Interestingly Xuehua is also the home of one of the few 'bimo' of the area, an Yi shaman-like figure steeped in a ritualistic history infinitely longer and more complex than its newcomer counterpart amongst the Naxi - the ‘Dongba priest’. Whether or not you’ll get the chance to meet him is moot, but it does give some indication as to the depth of tradition in this village.
Trek (1+), Homestay

D6 Shanghai village
Another relaxed day’s trekking under the snow peak to Shanghai, a relatively affluent Naxi village and the last stop before heading east away from Jade Dragon. By now those muscles should be flowing!
Trek (1+), Homestay

D7 Bendiwan (Tiger Leaping Gorge)
The day starts off with a 2-hour trek to the road and a pick-up (by mini-bus or 4WD) for the short drive to the trailhead of the Tiger Leaping Gorge hike. The gorge, while by no means as some claim the deepest gorge in the world, is still a sight worth beholding. The start of the Tiger Leaping Gorge hike is a slightly grueling series of switchbacks, but once that’s accomplished, road evens out a bit and you can begin to really admire your surroundings. Bendiwan is a small village on the upper path of the gorge, and it offers simple but cosy and friendly accommodation.
Trek (1+), Guesthouse

D8 Walnut Grove (TLG)
A great trek initially continuing along the upper road, the gorge and rushing Yangtze far below making their inimitable impression. Trail then descends down to lower road, where the night's lodging is a clean and very hospitable guesthouse offering ‘gorge-side’ accommodation, taking meals on the veranda. As today’s walk is a shorter one, for those with a surfeit of energy, it’s possible to take a small trail which ends at the river’s edge, giving you an up close and personal view of the force of these waters which carved their way between Haba and Yulong mountains.
Trek (1+), Guesthouse

D9 Zhongdian
Meeting up with the 4WDs this morning, the trail exits the gorge and winds along the foothills of Haba Mountain (Yunnan’s 3rd highest at 5396m) through Yi, Naxi, Tibetan and Lisu areas and passing the limestone terraces of Baishuitai before breaking out onto the edge of the eastern Himalayas, to Zhongdian. In Zhongdian (now optimistically renamed Shangri-La), staying at a hotel at the bottom of Songzanlin monastery. This sprawling and, in historical terms, very key monastery was commissioned in the 17c by the DL5, and was the central monastery in the Gelukpa order’s south-eastern expansion. In the evening eat dinner at a neighbourhood DIY grill house, then for those who want, off to the Natural Bridge hot springs for a soak under the stars.

Since the retreat of the Tibetans from the Lijiang area in the 19c, Zhongdian (Tib. Gyalthang) has pretty much marked the south-eastern border of Kham Tibet in Yunnan. Up until a few yeas ago, it had the rough reputation of a classic frontier town - but now things have calmed down, and its markets and the old town make for a fruitful afternoon stroll.
4WD, Hotel

D10 Xiao Weixi
After an initial foray north-west the trail heads south down to follow the Yangtze as it meanders along a wide valley bottom (upstream from TLG) before cutting east. Mostly Naxi country with the occasional Bai village. Meeting up with the Mekong, trail follows the river upstream a little ways to Xiao Weixi, a mostly Naxi village with some Lisu and Tibetan people. Catholic church here, started by a French Catholic priest in the late 1800s.
4WD, Guesthouse

D11 Cizhong or Hongpo
From Xiao Weixi moving north through a series of small market towns towards Cizhong, amongst other places worth a stop is the monastery of Shouguo Si, one of 13 Kagyüpa monasteries in the region, dating back to the 17c and 18c. To get there follow a side road running sharply up the side of the valley. Shouguo Si has gone through hard times with the coming of the missionaries, the expansion of the Gelukpa school in northwest Yunnan, and last but not least, the Cultural Revolution. Still it hangs on in there, full of history if not treasures! Further along is Cizhong, site of a large Catholic church and vineyards initially planted by the French. Situated on the side of the Mekong, the village (Naxi) these days is prosperous, though isolated.

Today there is also the option of continuing on to Hongpo monastery - continue along the road as it starts to climb higher and higher from the Mekong as it parallels the Meilixueshan range that peaks with Kawagebo (6740m). Then, situated situated up a steep, slightly nail-biting switchback at 3200m in an extremely beautiful and secluded valley with a bustling Tibetan village at its head is Hongpo. Possibly a highlight of this route.
4WD, Guesthouse or Homestay

D12 Feilai / Deqin
After knocking around the monastery and village, from the main road continue another 2-3 hours over high passes, again with the snow peaks of the Kawa Karpo (Meilixueshan) range to the left, before dropping down to the Deqin area. Staying the night a few kilometres outside of Deqin at Feilai, the nearest viewing point from Deqin of the Meili snow mountain range. Once the site was marked by just a lot of prayer flag-covered chörtens and a little shop across the street; these days there are a few guesthouses and restaurants catering to those who want the possibility of waking up to a snow-covered mountain vista.
4WD, Hotel

D13-16 Yubeng trek
Make an early start for the 2-hour drive to the trailhead at Xidang. The first leg of this trek goes through pristine old growth forest, with views of some of the Kawa Karpo peaks to entice! But don’t let the pretty scenery fool you - the trail climbs a thousand metres before dropping down to the little Tibetan village of Yubeng, set at the foot of Kawagebo. Being as it is located on the pilgrim’s circuit around sacred Kawagebo (the ill-fated Sino-Japanese mountain climbing team of ‘96 followed a route through Yubeng; the bodies were found 8 years later on the other side, and locals say the mountain grabbed them from one side and threw them down the other), the villagers are used to their fair share of visitors. Targeted by The Nature Conservancy as an eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation site, they’re also gaining a certain familiarity with foreign visitors as well. However, it’s still a very traditional village.

Yubeng is a great base to stage overnight treks form, offering many opportunities to fill up on views of glacial lakes and dense forest. The most likely configuration is to start with an initial day-trek to the nearby sacred waterfall, which attracts pilgrims from as far as central Tibet. Those more local will make it a point to come more often (once a year), collecting the water in bottles so to give to others to wash and bless and sip... Following this, a two-night trek into a secluded valley - a pretty meadow, glacial pool, views of the glacier - off limits in the winter and spring, as chunks of ice rocketing off the glacier make the situation a bit too unstable!

Unlike most other places in China which are totally devoid of wildlife, early risers in Yubeng have a fair chance of seeing wild animals about. Excursions from Yubeng are accompanied by a local guide - aside from safety concerns for us, locals have been given reason to be concerned about people taking valuable plants (usually orchids), or trying to summit the mountain (like all Tibetans, they believe sacred mountains are not meant to be ‘conquered’).
4WD & Trek (2+), Guesthouse/Camp

D17 Deqin
Heading back down to meet the jeeps in Xidang, expect to reach Deqin by late afternoon. Deqin is interesting more for its position - as the last stop before the passes on the old trading route into central Tibet - than what’s in it, but it’s worth a walk around. Of course the comfortable beds, hot showers and other creature comforts will be very welcome after a few days spent trekking, as will one of the best hot pots this side of Chongqing!
Trek (2+)/4WD, Hotel

D18 Zhongdian
Although backtracking, the extra time available for stops on the way down means this is a day’s travel well worth the effort. Out of Deqin the road climbs back up to heights of 4500m+ as it heads southeast. Given the right weather, picnic at one of the passes so to say goodbye to the peaks before dropping slightly to have a look at a couple of monasteries - Dongzhulin and Shusong (a nunnery - a much rarer animal indeed). Both sub-monasteries of the huge Songzanlin in Zhongdian, both remote but active teaching gompas. Then the trail drops down to the Tibetan village of Benzilan on the banks of the Yangtze, facing Sichuan on the opposite side, for centuries another important stop on the old trading route into Tibet. Indeed in central Tibet, imported Chinese tea was often known as ‘Benzilan tea’! From here it’s a two-hour drive back to Zhongdian.
4WD, Hotel

D19 Kunming
Extremely early birds can browse the morning market. Then it’s a morning flight to Kunming, and a final meal together, which may just hold its own surprise!
Flight, Hotel

 

A 5-day extension which, by adding a trek on the slopes of Mt Kawagebo, combines the trails of Yunnan Heights and The Dragon & The Mekong to come up with a comprehensive and multi-faceted sweep of NW Yunnan, its landscapes and minorities. The focus ultimately is on trekking, with 10 of the days being spent on foot - but by inserting the overland leg in the middle it makes for a fascinating and active journey. Brain and body food both!