Meili Snow Mountain in Tibet

Meili Snow Mountain has long been famous for its main peak, Kang Karpo Peak, which, having an elevation of 6,470 meters (21,221 feet) above sea level, is the highest in Yunnan. Surrounded by 13 lesser peaks, which are the subject of an enchanting tale. Kang Karpo Peak, meaning White Snow Mountain in Tibetan language, is extolled as the "most beautiful mountain in the world."

The four seasons in the snow-capped Meli are distinctly different. Between the foot and the summit are several systems of plant distributions, transitioning from the tropical zone to the northern frigid zone. Above the snowline, there are steep snow-capped peaks encircled by cloud and mist, but below it are evergreen vegetation and flowers in full bloom.

The Meli Snow Mountains connect with Mount Adongeni of Tibet to the north, and with Biluo Snow Mountain to the south. There are 13 peaks of the Meli are more than 6000 meters above the sea level, called Prince 13 peaks. Mount Kang Karpo, the main peak in the Meli Snow Mountains, 6740 meters above the sea level, is the highest peak in Yunnan Province. It is a holy place of pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists and the first of the eight great divine mountains in Tibetan region. To local Tibetans, Mount Kang Karbo is the residence of their guardian deity and they believe that once the mountain is scaled by man, the God will leave, and without the God’s blessing, disasters will happen. At 1930s, the American scholar Rock advanced into the Meli Mountains and was attracted by the enchanting beauty of Mount Kang Karbo, describing it as the best beautiful snow mountain in the world.

In later autumn and early winter every year, pilgrims from Tibet, Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu travel hundreds of kilometers to pay homage to the sacred mountain. They prostrate their way round the holy mountain for one to two weeks. This is called “circumambulation” by local residents. Each Goat year in the Tibetan Calendar, the number of "circumambulators" increases a hundredfold.