Deqin Hotels with balcony

What made Meili unforgettable for me wasn't just the blessing of the sacred mountains and the stunning 'Golden Mountain in the Sun' spectacle. A significant part of it was also the warmth and service from every staff member at Ji Xia Shan. No matter when or where, everyone I encountered greeted me not with a standardized, robotic smile, but with a genuinely bright and warm one. There was the unlimited supply of butter tea, the enthusiastic yet shy breakfast guy, the thoughtful and respectful housekeeper sister, the handsome young man on the fourth-floor viewing deck who taught us time-lapse photography, and the auntie who kept asking if we had enough food even after loading our breakfast plates... This wasn't just a place to stay; it felt more like a warm home. When we left in the car, everyone stood at the door waving goodbye, and for the first time, I felt an immense reluctance to leave a hotel, tears flowing uncontrollably. This trip not only received the blessing of the sacred mountains but also embraced the warmth of Ji Xia Shan. I believe these memories will support me through countless moments, inspiring me to strive for even better things. Tashi Delek!

Fantastic, fabulous, and fascinating! This homestay in Benzilan is pure magic! The location is serene, the accommodation spotless, and the people—simply outstanding. The hosts treat you like family, always smiling and going the extra mile to make your stay unforgettable. Honestly, leaving this place is the hardest part! It’s hands down my best stay in Yunnan. If you’re heading to Deqin for Meili Snow Mountain, this is a must-stay. Highly recommended!

An absolutely fantastic stay! First off, the views are unbeatable – our room had direct views of the Meili Snow Mountain. Secondly, the service was incredible; they offered a service chat group, afternoon tea, and a sweet soup before bed, truly thinking of everything. Lastly, the activities were amazing: sunset fireworks, professional photo shoots, and the Sang Incense Ceremony. There was never a dull moment! The room and bed were also spacious. Highly recommend!

I stayed at the Meili Podu, hoping to witness the sunrise over the thirteen peaks of Meili Snow Mountain... but unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate. It was rainy for days, and a thick fog enveloped the peaks, preventing me from seeing the magnificent sight of Meili's thirteen peaks! The hotel faces the snow mountain directly, so you can enjoy the 'golden mountain at sunrise' from your room if you're lucky enough to catch it. The hotel service was warm and attentive. Breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening desserts were all provided. Special mention goes to the breakfast, which was incredibly rich and exquisitely prepared. On the second morning, there was also a butter lamp lighting ceremony for blessings. The hotel's location is unbeatable, truly the best for viewing the snow mountain's 'golden sunrise'.

The room with a view was great! When we arrived in the afternoon, the snow-capped mountains were incredibly clear, and the balcony was perfect for taking photos. There was plenty of closet space for our luggage, and even a thoughtful clothesline. The bread on the first floor was delicious. The front desk staff were all very kind. It would be even more perfect if parking were a bit more convenient.

The room was fantastic, with a balcony directly overlooking the snow-capped mountains. They thoughtfully provided two foot bath tubs. We were quite tired upon arrival at the village, and soaking our feet completely refreshed us, making us ready to head straight to the glacial lake the very next day – what a thoughtful touch! The chicken soup noodles were delicious, and the packed lunch they provided for our journey was great too. The resident cat was adorable!

We stayed in Yubeng during a week when access to the village was closed, and we were the only guests at the hotel. It’s located near the trailhead to Ice Lake and not too far from Lower Yubeng and the Sacred Waterfall (the return hike is steep, but anyone coming to this place should be prepared for long and demanding walks!). There was no room service during our stay (like trash collection), but the hosts were friendly, and the food at the restaurant was very tasty and fairly priced — especially considering the logistical challenges of stocking the kitchen. The room is simple but comfortable. The towels are disposable, which is a bit strange at first, but you get used to it (they actually dry you well). The view from the hotel balcony is unbelievable — definitely worth paying extra for a room with a view. We would happily stay there again.

They say you might not see the ”Golden Mountain in the Sun” in October, so I booked this place to avoid wasting money on a view that might not deliver. Turns out, we actually saw it! Super worth it!! The location is right next to where the bus drops you off, so it's a very easy walk, and close to the Feilai Temple viewing platform. The room was unbelievably spacious, and the underfloor heating worked perfectly. There are only four or five rooms, and the view is absolutely stunning. The owner is very simple and enthusiastic. I highly recommend this for anyone hoping to catch the Golden Mountain but worried about a wasted 4-hour drive if they miss it. The accommodation quality is easily more than triple that of other scenic hotels at the same price point, and the courtyard itself can help ease any disappointment if you don't see the sunrise. Let's talk about the downsides: 1. Feilai Temple is currently under construction, so there are large vehicles at night. I personally wasn't bothered by the noise, but I can't guarantee others wouldn't be. This seems to be a common issue for hotels along this road. 2. The room was very clean and tidy, but I wasn't a fan of the air freshener scent. My partner didn't notice it, though. 3. There were some really large flies. I hope the owner can improve pest control. Although they'll probably freeze to death in a few days, seeing them definitely puts a damper on the mood.

Getting to the hotel requires turning off National Highway 214 onto a village road, which was completely dark at night. At that moment, I regretted booking this place. However, after driving down that small road for about 5 minutes, we finally arrived, and I immediately felt that my choice was actually a good one. Once we entered the room, my worries completely disappeared! The room felt like a 4-star standard and, thankfully, was smoke-free. Even better, each room had a copy of the 'Brief Introduction to Diqing Prefecture,' a very professional, detailed, and comprehensive book that helps you quickly and systematically understand the area. The hotel restaurant's food was good (though a bit salty for us southerners). The prices weren't cheap, around 50 RMB per person, but given the generous portions, I wouldn't say it was expensive. The main benefit was not having to go out to eat, which saved time and effort. The hotel's environment and ambiance were perfect; it truly felt like a manor. I heard it used to be a vineyard that later upgraded to tourism services. Because it's far from the town and main road, it's incredibly quiet, and you can even see the peak of Meili Snow Mountain directly from here.

I’m sharing my honest feedback in the hope the owners find this useful and can use this to improve. I am coming with good intentions and wish the owners the best! If you are just looking for somewhere to lay your head after a long day of hiking and are a good sleeper, this place will suit you fine. The beds are large and comfortable. The bed heater comes in very handy and the showers are hot. The wifi signal is good. The dogs and cats are cute. With regards to where to improve, my suggestions below: 1. It is quite hard to find the place - the name is slightly different on Amap compared to Trip.com and as it’s a small village the roads don’t exactly match up with the map. Some signage would really help as other hotels have done. When you’ve been hiking for 5 hours and are tired you need some clear direction! 2. The owners have quite a relaxed and casual attitude to hospitality and I think they could do more to make you feel welcome. It is more of a homestay than a hotel - the common area doubles as the owners living space, and while the owners go about their day (eating, playing on phone, de-fleaing their cats) it can on occasion feel like you are intruding upon their space. A little hospitality would go a long way - a smile or acknowledgment when you enter the room, the offer of a hot drink on arrival or a warm welcome after your long hike to the village for example. 3. I think the above is especially true for foreign guests- I can speak and read some Mandarin so was able to get by, but it would be difficult if you had no understanding of the language and the hosts are not particularly forthcoming with help or information. This stands out as everywhere else we have been in China hosts have been so hospitable and willing to help - translation apps are so useful here. Just a simple one pager of what you offer, the menu, kitchen hours etc translated into English is my suggestion! 4. There is absolutely no soundproofing in the room. You can hear every footstep, whisper and noise from the adjoining rooms - if you are a light sleeper you will wake up. I would really recommend that this is addressed for guests’ peace! 5. Install one non-squat toilet in the shared bathroom area, so guests who aren’t used to these can use another type of toilet! Unfortunately, there is still quite a bit of construction going on around but there’s nothing that the hosts can do about that - it is everywhere in the village. We weren’t lucky enough to experience good weather while we were there but I have no doubt the views would have been incredible!