14 Days Shangri-la - Deqin County - Yongjiu Village - Yongxitong - Zishutong - Qunatang - Abing Village - Quzhu - Zhana - Longna - Gebu - Duoku - Laide - Zhaxi - Deqin

On the first day, take a coach at Shangri-la to Deqin County. The earliest one departs at 7:20 and every one hour thereafter. This is a long journey of 6-7 hours and costs CNY33. Stay overnight at Deqin.

Deqin County in the valley, Yunnan

On the second day, for CNY14 take a 3-hour shuttle bus ride to Yunling Township. From the suspension bridge to the Yongjiu Village on foot, you will spend 2-3 hours. Ask for a night's lodging at a local resident's house. 

The third day will be a tough day. Get up early. Today you climb over two mountains, get across the Duokela Pass and go through a virgin forest. You will reach the first meadow which is called Youngxitong on your route after 11 hours. There is a simple tavern named “Heifeng Tavern” where you stay for the night.

On the fourth day, spend 4 hours climbing up the Duokala Pass where you will reach the boundary between Yunnan Province and the Tibet Region. Do not miss the wonderful sight on the way. Zishutong sits just on the foot of the mountain. Camp out in the open.

The elevation of the journey on the fifth day does not rise and fall a lot, but the distance is quite far. The road is difficult to follow since marshes are almost everywhere. After you are across a pass, you will get to Qunatang after 6 hours. Spend your night here.

Hiking over the Duokela Pass

Climb over the Xinkangla Pass (3740 meters-12270 feet- above sea level) on your sixth day. The winding mountain road is time-consuming and laborious. It will take you about 10 hours to arrive at Abing Village where you will stay over.

The seventh day will be easy. Scale the rocks along the glacier run-off to get to Quzhu in about 3 hours. The Shequ River disgorges itself into the Nujiang River here and the view is magnificent.

Start to climb over the Nujiang Valley on your eighth day. You will also go through the most dangerous slope on your route. There are rolling stones from the top sometimes, so you have to travel in company. This breathtaking road section will take you 9 hours to arrive at Zhana. Find accommodations here.

On the ninth day, you will spend only about 2 hours to reach Longna. Rest and refresh yourself here.

You are expected to cross over a pass with an elevation of 3,300 meters (10,826 feet) on your tenth day. The road down the mountain is tough, almost marshes everywhere. After descending the mountain, you will meet a charming thorp. After 10 hours, reach the Gebu Village and lodge here.

The imposing Nujiang Gorge

On your eleventh day, cross Gebula Pass at an elevation of 4090 meters (13,418 feet). Hike along the cliff and descend the mountain to reach the river bank rapidly. Cross the river and you will be at a small village named Duoku. It will take you about 11 hours en route. Put up at a local Tibetan's house.

Spend 3 hours to reach Laide Village on the twelfth day. On your way you will have a great visual angle of Kawakarpo Peak.

On the thirteenth day, climb for 6 hours to reach a pass of 4380 meters (14,370 feet) above sea level. Then take about 2 hours to descend the mountain. Refresh yourself at Zhaxi Meadow.

On the last day, continue to descend the mountain along a river of glacier run-off and you will get to the highway after 4 hours. Pray in the church at the roadside, if you are inclined.  Take a car back to Deqin and your hiking ends.