Xidang Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Xidang is located in the Mekong river valley at the altitude of 2 300 m. As Feilaisi is getting more and more touristy, some people prefer staying in Xidang before starting the Yubeng trek.

There is an ¥80 entrance fee to go to Yubeng but if you just stay in Xidang you can return the ticket and get your money back on the way out.

There is a local bus from Deqin to Xidang daily at 15:00 and from Xidang back to Deqin at 08:00. The bus takes you to Xidang village, not up to the hot springs, unless there are enough people going up. It's ¥15 from Deqin to Xidang, add ¥5–10 to go to the hot springs. Taking a minivan from Deqin is ¥150. It is also possible to hike down from Feilaisi.

Walk. The people are extremely friendly and might offer you apples or a cup of butter tea.

You can also arrange a car to go to the hot springs where the Yubeng trek starts.

There is a nice temple (Bajiu) down by the Mekong river with two large stupas and 108 small ones. From the temple you can walk down to a beach by the river and then back to the path over the cliffs. There are also ruins of an old tower. Or you can admire the mighty Mekong from a walking bridge.

Don't be fooled by the name of hot springs. There are no pool like springs but there are cottages with showers and the water comes from a hot spring. If the weather is cloudy, it is the only option to have a hot shower as the guesthouses use solar water heaters.

Hiking is pretty much the only option. You can hike to Mingyong (there is a path, don't walk the main road), Yubeng, a couple of viewing places (you can see Yubeng, holy waterfall and glacier lake from one spot) and Ninong.

Maybe you can help the locals working on their fields. Also a nice place to relax, enjoy the quiet and watch mountains, maybe read a book in the sunshine.

Caterpillar fungus, matsutake and snow lotus.

The village has a few small shops to buy snacks, drinks and cigarettes but nothing fresh.

The guesthouses serve food but there aren't any restaurants.

There are a few guest houses in the village and one at the hot springs.

The public bus to Deqin leaves at 08:00 from the village or hire a minivan.