Xidang
Xidang is a city in Northwestern Yunnan.
Understand
[edit]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.
Get in
[edit]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.
Get around
[edit]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.
See
[edit]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.
Do
[edit]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.
Buy
[edit]Caterpillar fungus, matsutake and snow lotus.
The village has a few small shops to buy snacks, drinks and cigarettes but nothing fresh.
Eat
[edit]The guesthouses serve food but there aren't any restaurants.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]There are a few guest houses in the village and one at the hot springs.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]The public bus to Deqin leaves at 08:00 from the village or hire a minivan.