The writer at the Tiger Leaping Gorge in China. — Photos: JOSH NG
I have always been passionate about climbing mountains around the world. Earlier this year, I completed both the Tiger Leaping Gorge and Meili Snow Mountains treks in China, in just six days and five nights.
It is a significant milestone for me as I believe not many people can do both trails in such a short time.
I arrived in Lijiang via high-speed train from Kunming, spending the night there in preparation for the journey ahead. The next morning, I walked to the southern entrance of Lijiang Ancient Town, where I boarded a bus heading to the Tiger Leaping Gorge trailhead.
The journey included a brief stop where I stored my luggage and had breakfast, before boarding a van that took me directly to the starting point of the trek.
I started with a 1.5km “warm-up” hike heading to the infamous “28 Bends” section, which is a gruelling ascent to the highest point of the trail (2,670m). It was winter, and the path consisted of rocky and dusty terrain, making the climb physically demanding.
The first half of the day was spent trekking through forests, while in the second half, there were numerous breathtaking cliffside trails. After 6km, I reached the Tea Horse Guesthouse, a popular resting spot for trekkers. There, I met some friendly Malaysians who cheered me on and wished me luck on my journey.
I made my way toward the middle gorge, covering another 6.2km along the cliffs. The day’s journey ended at a guesthouse, where I saw a mesmerising sunset over Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
The following morning, I was fortunate enough to witness the stunning “golden sunlight” effect on Haba Snow Mountain. I continued my way to the middle gorge, known for its waterfalls and breathtaking cliffside pathways.
The highlight of the day was experiencing the lower gorge, where trekkers must cross suspension bridges and walk through rocky pathways near the Jinsha River.
The trek into the lower gorge involved some steep metal ladders and the famous 168-step ascent leading to Zhang’s Guesthouse, the final checkpoint for hikers.
After completing the gorge trek, I took a bus to Shangri-La City to prepare for my Meili Snow Mountains trek at Yubeng Village.
The starting point for that was the Ninqu Trail. This portion of the journey required an intense 12km trek with an elevation gain of 1,100m, climbing from 2,037m to 3,083m.
The trail started off with relatively flat terrain but quickly transitioned into a relentless uphill trek after crossing a bridge.
The climb was mentally and physically exhausting, but reaching Yubeng Village was a rewarding experience.
The village is divided into Upper Yubeng (3,200m) and Lower Yubeng (3,000m); I stayed at Upper Yubeng to be closer to the next day’s trailhead.
The Ice Lake Trail (between 3,200m and 3,836m) gave me some remarkable experiences. Situated beneath the main peak of Meili Snow Mountains – Kawagebo (6,740m) – this route was full of surprises, including encounters with wild animals. Unfortunately, heavy snowfall obscured much of the scenery, but the sight of the glacier and the ice cave at the base of Kawagebo was still breathtaking.
Standing on the frozen Ice Lake, surrounded by towering peaks, was a humbling and unforgettable moment.
After completing the Ice Lake hike, I moved my belongings to Lower Yubeng, where I stayed for the next two nights in preparation for the remaining trails.
The God of Lake Trail was the most challenging hike in Yubeng for me, covering 10.36km with a staggering 1,442m elevation gain. This path was essentially an off-trail ascent, navigating wild, unmarked terrain with deep snow and exposed ridges.
The first few kilometres involved a steep climb, then followed by a harrowing cliffside traverse, even more dangerous than Tiger Leaping Gorge due to the heavy snowfall and narrow, slippery paths.
Beyond this point, there were no clear trails, forcing me to carve my own path through waist-deep snow. After climbing over two passes, I finally reached Sacred Lake, a place of spiritual significance to the locals.
Completing this trail took me nine-and-a-half hours, making it one of the toughest hiking experiences of my life.
The frozen Sacred Waterfall, with the Meili Snow Mountains covered in golden sun rays in the background.
The final trek to the Sacred Waterfall was a relatively easy one (10km) with a 600m elevation gain. Unlike the previous day’s wild terrain, this route was well-maintained, as Tibetan pilgrims frequently visit this sacred site.
The highlight of the journey was seeing the Meili Snow Mountains covered in golden rays, a rare and breathtaking sight.
This trail also led to the revered Baima Zhupu Temple, where Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, is said to have meditated. The temple displayed sacred relics, including his footprints and handprints embedded in the rock.
With this final trek completed, I exited Yubeng Village via the Ninqu Trail, bringing my six-day adventure to an end.
Taking a break at the God of Lake trail in Yubeng.
Completing this trek was not just a test of endurance but a journey of self-discovery and resilience. I carried the Malaysian flag through these remote trails, and I hope to inspire other adventurers to explore beyond their limits.
This achievement marked another milestone in my mountaineering journey, and I look forward to taking on even greater challenges in the future.
The views expressed are entirely the writer’s own.
