1. Things to Know before You Go
Daocheng Yading Scenic Area is situated in Daocheng County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Its scenery retains a purity that is almost extinct on the earth. With unique landscape and original ecological natural scenery, it is known as "the last pure land on the blue planet" and the veritable "Soul of Shangri-La". At the same time, it is also a paradise for photography enthusiasts. The meadows covered with flowers, the babbling brooks, the simple and secluded alpine lakes, and the holy and towering snow-capped peaks are so fascinating that people can't help but be obsessed by them.
2. Why is Yading Nature Reserve so Special?
The main reasons why Daocheng Yading has become a special tourist attraction include its pristine natural environment and rich cultural heritage.
Daocheng Yading stands in the collision zone between Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, boasting a rich variety of natural landscapes, such as snow-capped mountains, glaciers, valleys, forests, meadows, and lakes. Its core landscapes consist of three sacred mountains—Xiannairi (仙乃日), Yangmaiyong (央迈勇), and Chanoduoje (夏诺多吉). These mountains hold great significance in the hearts of the Tibetan people. In addition, Daocheng Yading is also home to plenty of famous holy lakes like the Milk Sea and the Five-Color Sea. These eye-catching landscapes together form its unique natural scenery. Due to the relatively pristine natural environment of Daocheng Yading, which is less disturbed by human activities, a large number of natural ecological landscapes have been preserved to this day, making its ecological environment particularly precious and unique. The local Tibetan culture also adds rich cultural connotations to it, classic examples include the Tibetan-style dwellings and the simple and unsophisticated ceramic art, they are extremely unique cultural landscapes and resources of Daocheng.
In general, Daocheng Yading is not only a visual feast but also a spiritual baptism. Here, tourists can temporarily forget the hustle and bustle of the city life, sit quietly by the lake, listen to the sound of the wind and the water, and feel the peace and tranquility in their hearts as well as the serenity and grandeur of stunning nature. Meanwhile, they can also hike through snow-capped mountains, meadows and forests, challenging themselves and gaining a sense of accomplishment.
3. Attractions Overview
3.1 Geographical Features
Daocheng Yading Scenic Area is located in the southern part of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, and in the eastern part of the Qinghai - Tibet Plateau. There are numerous snow - white mountains, glaciers, mysterious gorges, colorful forests, vast meadows, and blue, transparent lakes everywhere. What's more, it is also a sacred place of pilgrimage in the hearts of many Tibetan people.
3.2 Cultural Activities
Tibetan Culture
Regarded as a Tibetan - inhabited area with a rich Tibetan culture, the local Tibetan architecture, costumes, cuisine, and festivals all display their own unique characteristics. Consequently, it also present tourists with beautiful pictures of Tibetan customs.
Religious Belief
Daocheng Yading is a holy land of Tibetan Buddhism, with numerous temples and practitioners, so tourists can experience a strong religious atmosphere here.
Folk Customs
The folk customs in Daocheng Yading are very distinctive. Traditional events such as the annual Horse Racing Festival, Guozhuang Dance (锅庄舞), and Archery Competition attract a large number of tourists. In addition, the local folk arts and handicrafts also enjoy the high ornamental value, therefore drawing countless tourists to visit every year.
3.3 Climatic Features
Daocheng Yading Scenic Spot sits on a plateau with a plateau monsoon climate, it is sunny for most of the time and suitable for travelling and visiting,.
But it is worth mentioning that it is relatively prone to fog and rain in summer (July and August), rainfall is the main form of precipitation in the areas below an altitude of 5,000 meters, while snow or hail is predominant in the extremely high mountain areas above an altitude of 5,000 meters. In the alpine canyon areas, there is a large temperature difference between day and night, with an average annual temperature of 12.3 degrees Celsius, so visitors need to bring more warm clothes.
4. How to Get to Yading Nature Reserve
4.1 Traffic Information
By Air
Tourists can take a flight to Daocheng Yading Airport, which stands at an altitude of 4,411 meters and is the world's highest - altitude airport, then they can transfer to a tourist vehicle to reach the scenic area. Currently, there are flight routes from Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Kunming, Lijiang, Xi'an and other places to Daocheng county. The airport operates round - trip flights between Daocheng Yading and Chengdu, and the whole journey takes about 65 minutes. There is no direct bus from the airport to the scenic area, so tourists need to take an airport shuttle bus to Daocheng County at first, which takes 1 hour and costs 30 yuan per person, later they can take a chartered car to the scenic area.
By Bus
Take the direct bus from Chengdu Xin Nan Men Bus Station (成都新南门汽车站) to Daocheng Yading, the bus departs punctually at 6:20 am every day. The total travel time is about 14 hours and the ticket price is around 270 yuan. Affected by the season, especially in winter when snow makes the road conditions dangerous, the bus from Chengdu Xin Nan Men to Daocheng Yading may sometimes be suspended, thus people may need to call or log on to the website of Xin Nan Men Bus Station to confirm the departure time before going.
By Chartered Car
Tourists can charter a car from Daocheng County to the ticket center of Yading Scenic Area in Shangri - La Town. Generally, it costs 400 - 500 yuan per car.
4.2 Opening Time & Ticket Information
Opening Time
7:00 - 19:00 (from April 1st to November 19th, Monday - Sunday);
08:20 - 18:00 (from November 20th to March 31st of the following year, Monday - Sunday)
Ticket Information
Peak season: 146 yuan per person
Off-season: 120 yuan per person.
Insurance: 10 yuan per person (optional).
Sightseeing vehicle ticket: Round-trip is 80 yuan/person, one-way is 50 yuan/person.
5. Highlights of Yading Nature Reserve
5.1 Luorong Cattle Ranch 洛绒牧场
Located in Daocheng County, Luorong Pasture is one of the famous scenic spots in Yading Nature Reserve with the altitude about 4,150 meters. It is an alpine pasture where nearby villagers graze their livestock, due to the three sacred mountains at its back, so it is also the best place to view these snow-capped mountains. When the Gongga River (贡嘎河) runs through the pasture, the gurgling streams in the forest and the wooden houses in the pasture set each other off, all of them thus form a primitive and charming scenery that makes people feel a return to simplicity.
Surrounding the Luorong Pasture are continuous alpine meadows. In spring and summer, wildflowers are in full bloom all over the meadows and they thus present a very spectacular scene. What's more, snow-capped peaks, forests, meadows, streams, lakes, waterfalls and wooden houses in the pasture blend with each other, herds of cattle and sheep leisurely graze by the river and the hillside, all of them enjoy the abundant sunshine and create a harmonious picture. Travelers who have made a long journey can choose to camp here or set up their own tents to appreciate the visual appealing views, here is the poem to describe this beautiful place.
It seems that there is a gust of wind
That blows the cattle and sheep here
The unrestrained atmosphere of the meadow
Is as bright as the spring day
Melting away my cloudy mood
Bringing me the freedom and happiness.
5.2 Milk Sea 牛奶海
Milk Sea, also called the Luorong Tso (洛绒措), stands at the foot of the sacred Yangmaiyong Mountain (央迈勇神山). It is an ancient glacial lake of moderate size, shaped like a water drop. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the lake water is clear, sparkling and blue. There is a circle of milky white color around the lakeside, it is why it is called the Milk Sea. Near the shore, due to the precipitation of long-standing plants at the bottom of the lake, it appears slightly black. The deeper the water, the more vividly blue it becomes. Standing at this place and looking at the sacred mountain, it seems within arm's reach. It is about 4.5 kilometres from Luorong Pasture to the Milk Sea, but there is no battery car provided by the scenic area on this route, so travelers can choose to hike or rent a horse from the horse caravan at Luorong Pasture.
5.3 Five-Color Sea 五色海
The Tibetan name of Five-Color Sea is Mudi Tso (木底措) , it is located above the Milk Sea at an altitude of about 4,500 meters. After a steep slope on the right side of the Milk Sea, the lake surface is circular and the water is crystal-clear. It gets its name because it refracts colorful rays of light under the sunlight and presents a really spectacular sight. The Five-Color Sea is a sacred lake in the hearts of the local people and it is said that it can "reflect the history and predict the future", so many people come here attracted by its reputation.
5.4 Chonggu Temple 冲古寺
Chonggu Temple nestles at the foot of the sacred Xiannairi Mountain (仙乃日神山) with an elevation of 3,880 meters. In the Yading Scenic Area, Chonggu Temple enjoys an excellent location. When you are in Chonggu Temple, directly opposite are the three sacred mountains that have remained snow-covered for thousands of years. Beneath your feet is a meadow full of wildflowers, and behind you is the precipitous and majestic Yading Gorge. Chonggu Temple is like the gate to paradise, guarding the sacred Shangri-La Kingdom. It is said that this is the prototype of the beautiful Blue Moon Valley in James Hilton's tale "Lost Horizon".
5.5 Xiannairi 仙乃日
Xiannairi is situated within the Yading Nature Reserve of Daocheng County, it is the sacred mountain closest to the entrance of the Yading Scenic Area and can be seen from a distance at Chonggu Temple. The entire snow-capped mountain has a sloping shape in the form of a circular cirque. Therefore, when viewed from both sides, the peak always faces us.
Xiannairi is one of the three main sacred mountains in Yading and the northern peak of the "Three Guardians" snow-capped mountains. There are alpine lakes, glaciers, and forests surrounding it to form a breathtaking landscape. Since the peak is covered with snow throughout the year without melting, the shape of the mountain resembles a Buddha leaning backward. When the sunlight shines on the sacred mountain of Xiannairi, it glitters with a golden light. If people want to view it at a close distance, they still need to ride a horse to get there. However, tourists with good physical strength can choose to try walking.
5.6 Yangmaiyong 央迈勇
Yangmaiyong means Manjusri Bodhisattva (文殊菩萨) in Tibetan and it is the southern peak of the three main snow-capped mountains in Yading Scenic Area, with an altitude of about 5,958 meters and ranks first among the Three Guardians.
Standing at the foot of Yangmaiyong Peak and turning around to look back, you may find the broad valley surrounded by mountains, the forest, grassland, and stream peacefully. Yangmaiyong Peak is like a demure, dignified, pure and noble maid, white and towering, sacred and solemn. Consequently, this magnificent natural landscape looks like a paradise that is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world.
5.7 Yading Village 亚丁村
The Tibetan name of Yading Village means "the land facing the sun", and it got this name because of the long hours of sunshine. It is also hailed as the "Last Shangri-La". Due to the fact that the village is hidden between the sky and the grassland, as if it doesn't exist at all, so it appears faintly. It seems to show up only when one shifts their gaze.
The scenery around the village is glamorous and breathtaking. The lakes, peaks, grasslands, cattle and sheep, blue sky and white clouds are simple and flawless, the original and natural scenery makes many tourists fall in love with this place. When taking a walk in the village, one can see the snow-capped mountains in the distance,.
There are a total of 28 households in the village. Although the placement of each Tibetan house is very casual, it seems that they have all been carefully designed by a master upon closer inspection, being so harmonious with nature.
6. Suggested Tour Routes and Attractions
It is recommended to spend 2 days visiting the Yading Scenic Area, the sightseeing routes are divided into a short route and a long route.
Short Route: Daocheng (稻城) - The Ticket Center in Ren Village, Shangri-La Town (by sightseeing bus) - Zhaguanbeng (扎灌崩), the terminal of the sightseeing bus - Chonggu Meadow (冲古草甸), Chonggu Temple (at an altitude of 3,900 meters) - Pearl Lake (at an altitude of 4,100 meters - view the sacred Xiannairi Mountain - Return to Yading Village or check in at Shangri-La Town.
Long Route: Take a sightseeing bus from Yading Village or Shangri-La Town - Zhaguanbeng (the terminal of the sightseeing bus) - Chonggu Meadow (by battery car) - Luorong Pasture (the terminal of the battery car and the starting point for hiking) - Milk Sea (by hiking) - Five-Color Sea (by hiking) - Luorong Pasture (by battery car) - Chonggu Meadow - Zhaguanbeng (by sightseeing bus) and return to Shangri-La Town - Daocheng
Tips: For the section from Luorong Pasture to Milk Sea, Five-Color Sea to Luorong Pasture, travelers with poor physical strength can choose the horse caravan operated by the scenic area.
7. What to Do at Yading Nature Reserve
Hiking: This is the best way to experience the beautiful scenery of Daocheng Yading, one can enjoy the magnificent views of snow-capped mountains, forests, meadows and lakes along the way.
Photography: Daocheng Yading is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Whether it's the sunrise and sunset or the starry sky and the Milky Way, you can take amazing photos.
Horseback riding: One can ride a horse at Luorong Pasture and feel the vastness and freedom of the alpine pasture.
Camping: Camping at the foot of the snow-capped mountains, looking up at the starry sky, and feeling the tranquility and grandeur of nature are very memorable moments one can't miss.
8. Best Time to Go
The most suitable season for visiting Daocheng Yading Scenic Spot is autumn (from September to October). During this period, the scenery of Daocheng Yading is the most colorful season. The red grasslands and the vast expanse of yellow poplar forests set each other off, thus forming a magnificent picture together with the blue sky and white clouds. In addition, viewing the sacred mountains at night and in the early morning just like a dream, which makes it a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
Spring (April to May): Flowers are in full bloom along the journey, the snow-capped mountains and ice peaks set off against the blue sky and white clouds to present a spectacular and bright scenery.
Summer(June to August):It is suitable for camping and watching wild animals, the weather is relatively sunny, but there will be occasional rain sometimes.
Winter (November to March of the following year): Although the temperature is relatively low, the snowy scenery is very charming and it is also suitable for tourists who like winter sports. However, it should be noted that from January to February, the snow is too heavy sometimes. Usually, the mountains are closed due to the heavy snow and the slippery roads. Therefore, it is not suitable to visit it during this time.
9. Food & Accommodation
Food
In Daocheng Yading, tourists can enjoy various of delicious food with distinct Tibetan characteristics, such as butter tea, highland barley wine, yak meat, chicken stewed with matsutake mushrooms, zanba (roasted highland barley flour), and dried meat.
Cheese is the most representative food among Tibetan dairy products. As a natural and pollution-free dairy product, it comes in a wide variety of flavors, forms, and textures.
Butter tea is a daily necessity for the Tibetan people and is also essential for life on the Tibetan Plateau. Tourists can drink it to keep warm when it's cold, to get rid of the greasiness when eating meat, to satisfy their hunger when they are hungry, to relieve fatigue when they feel tired, even to stay alert when they are sleepy, so it is the ideal snack worth trying.
Accommodation
Daocheng County 稻城县
The accommodation situation in Daocheng County are pretty good. Because there are various types of lodgings, including hotels, inns, and youth hostels, which are divided into different grades. However, the prices will increase a little bit during the peak season. What's more, it takes about 2 hours by a chartered car from Daocheng County to the Scenic Area, so for the travelers who care about hotel quality, the Daocheng County is a very good choice.
Riwa Township 日瓦乡
It is the most suitable place for the travelers to stay and visit Daocheng Yading, since it is only 10 minutes' driving to the main entrance of Daocheng Yading Scenic Area. There are many choices of hotels, and the altitude is relatively low, so it is less likely to cause altitude sickness, but tourists must make reservations in advance during the peak season.
10. Nearby Attractions
10.1 Siguniang Mountain 四姑娘山
Regarded as the beautiful snow mountain renowned as the "Queen of Sichuan Mountains", Siguniang Mountain is not just a single mountain. Instead, it is composed of four connected snow-capped peaks. The main peak, Yaomei Peak (幺妹峰), stands at an altitude of 6,250 meters. Set against the backdrop of the blue sky and white clouds, it is like the melting ice cream at the corner of a girl's mouth in the summer. The beauty of this mountain lies not just in the mountains themselves, but also in the plateau-related scenery such as lakes, meadow pastures, and ethnic customs.
10.2 Seda Wuming Buddhist Academy 色达五明佛学院
Widely known as a pilgrimage hall for believers, Larung Wuming Buddhist Academy is the largest Buddhist academy in the world. Tourists can witness the spectacular sight of tens of thousands of monastic houses densely covering the slopes. In addition, one can overlook the entire Buddhist academy in the southwest of the prayer wheel tower, which is on the slope full of prayer flags, and it is possible to take photos of the whole picture of the academy from this place. The crimson Tibetan-style bungalows stretch for several kilometres, and thousands of lamas and nuns live here. When viewed from a distance, the scenery is extremely magnificent.
10.3 Haizi Mountain 海子山
Haizi Mountain, the place in Sichuan that resembles an extraterrestrial planet the most. Actually, Mount Haizi lies in the northern plateau area of Daocheng County, with a height of 4,500 meters. It is the remains of ancient ice bodies of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and is renowned worldwide for the "Daocheng Ancient Ice Cap". The overwhelming, strange and diverse yet lifelike natural stone carvings are very thrilling and terrifying, evoking an indescribable sense of absurdity. Besides, 1,145 alpine lakes, just like the inadvertent tears dropped by the sky, are scattered among the jagged rocks, they are as blue as jade, crystal clear, and truly breathtaking.
11. Useful Travel Tips
The biggest problem during the trip is that it is more likely to experience altitude sickness. Therefore, during the tour, tourists must not move too quickly, avoid running and jumping, and pay attention to keeping warm to prevent catching a cold. Once symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tinnitus, blurred vision, a feeling of weakness in the limbs, nausea, palpitations, and difficulty breathing occur, these are all symptoms of altitude sickness. At this time, you should stop and rest, or inhale oxygen and take medicine.
Most areas of Daocheng Yading are located in high-altitude zone and there is hence a large temperature difference between morning and evening. So, visitors must pay attention to keeping warm. When traveling to Daocheng, things that you must bring include: rain gear, sunscreen, moisturizer, and a flashlight.
Be sure to choose a pair of comfortable shoes, because there are many places where you need to hike.
Last but not least , the journey is relatively long and it is not certain that you can find a place to eat on time along the way, so to prepare some snacks in advance by yourself is necessary.
