Hi everyone!

I've got about 2 weeks after New Year and I'm wondering where to go. I've got a couple of places in mind...

1) North west, Shangri-La and Deqin with snow

2) Rice terraces in Samaba and then down to Xishuangbanna

I need to choose one of the two. I don't mind the cold but I'm worried about the accessibility of places like Balagezong and Yubeng village. And scenery of course... Is the Mingyong glacier as impressive with snow all around? Pudacuo is not going to be worth the trip, nor will the high pastures. Plus side, authenticity, love the Tibetan part of Yunnan, and practically no tourist.

I've already been to the rice terraces twice and had bad luck each time: very thick fog over several days. Is it foggy all year round? Is it a good time to try again?

I think I'd rather go to Deqin as it takes longer to get there and I won't have that much time to spend on a vacation in Yunnan this year but on the other hand, it's the best time to visit Xishuangbanna... If Deqin is worth seeing and accessible, I'll head there, otherwise, any suggestion is welcome.

I'll check the weather before I head out anyway: Xishuangbanna under the rain is not fun at all...

Personally, I would try to avoid tourist traps and tourist routes, as every CNY sees more cars on the road than the one before. More tourists and coach parties to tourist magnets.
Head for the hills, if you can get there without using major tourist routes.

I completely agree and this is what I usually do. This why I went through the trouble of getting to Samaba twice instead of Yuanyang to try to see the rice terraces. No tourist there ^^

Some friends went to Deqin in November and it was deserted. They really enjoyed the trip. I'm just worried about the accessibility. There shouldn't be too many people there once CNY is over, right? Especially since Dukezhong burnt down...

Out of tourist routes... Zhaotong? I would have to research what to do there...