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Meilixueshan Conservation Area

© Ron Geatz/The Nature Conservancy
Prayer Flags below Meili Mountain

Partner
Deqin County Government

Location
Northwest Yunnan Province, China.  Approximately 2 hour flight from Kunming to Zhongdian plus 6 hour drive from Zhongdian to Deqin

Site Description
Rising above the Mekong River on the Yunnan-Tibet border, the Meilixueshan mountain range is a land of extraordinary topographic extremes — from arid canyons to snow-capped peaks — which have led to the area’s significant biodiversity.  Kawagebo, the highest peak in all of Yunnan at 6,740 meters, is a holy mountain in Tibetan Buddhism; a traditional pilgrimage route circumnavigates the mountain.  Meilixueshan possesses some of the region’s highest levels of botanical endemism and diversity (including rhododendrons and azaleas) and also provides habitat for many wildlife species such as red pandas, wolves, musk deer, Asiatic black bears and the illusive snow leopard.  More than 75 percent of the plants used in traditional Tibetan medicine are represented.  On the slopes of Kawagebo, Mingyong Glacier extends to 2,640 meters elevation and is regarded as the lowest elevation glacier in China.

Principle Ecotourism Attractions

  • Majestic views of the Meilixueshan mountain range and Kawagebo peak
  • Trekking through primary forest and traditional Tibetan villages
  • Glaciers and waterfalls along a Tibetan pilgrimage route
  • Tibetan cultural and religious heritage

Peak Season
September through November and March through May.  Rainy season from June through August makes trail accessibility muddy and difficult. 

Guide Availability
Local Tibetan guides will be trained by the Conservancy.  English-speaking Tibetan partner guides available from Deqin/Zhongdian. 

Tour Options
Ecotourism options in Meilixueshan include guided multi-day treks with accommodations in Tibetan-run guesthouses or homestays.  Horse-support is available.  From Deqin, a minimum of 3 days is recommended.

View our map of ecotourism sites in the Asia-Pacific