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