Daocheng Yading
Daocheng Yading is located in the southern part of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, about 800 kilometers away from Chengdu. Daocheng Yading is mainly composed of towering snow-capped mountains, flower-filled meadows, lush forests, quaint villages, sacred Buddhist temples, and beautiful holy lakes. Here, you will hike in the snow-capped mountains at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters, meet pure and pious Tibetan people, and feel the rich Tibetan culture. And in 2003, it was listed as a UNESCO MAB (Man and the Biosphere Programme) Reserve for its natural plateau scenery and unique culture!
Note: Daocheng is the county seat and Yading Nature Reserve is the scenic spot in Daocheng. In general, Yading Nature Reserve is known as Daocheng Yading.
In 1928, Mr. Joseph Rock, an American explorer and photographer traveled to this area and was captivated by its stunning natural beauty. He published photographs and articles in National Geographic, which drew global attention to Daocheng Yading. It was widely circulated and gained recognition for the resemblance to the idyllic, mythical paradise "Shangri-La" described in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon. Therefore it is called the last Shangri-La.
Highlights
There are three major snow-capped mountains, Chenrezig, Jambeyang, and Chanadorje, which are regarded as the guardian mountains of the Yading Tibetans. The three snow-capped mountains are in the shape of a triangle, towering and facing each other from a distance, known as Snowy God Peaks in the Tibetan area of western China. According to Buddhist scriptures, there are 24 holy places in the world, the master of all is the three lords of sacred mountains, named "Nianqing Gongga Risong Gongbu" in Tibetan, meaning sunny land. It's the place where all sentient beings make pilgrimages and accumulate virtue. According to legend, in the eighth century AD, Guru Padmasambhava blessed and named these three snow-capped mountains. There are also three famous holy lakes in Daocheng Yading, namely, Milk Lake, Pearl Lake and Five Color Lake. The lakes formed by snow water are always beautiful and intoxicating, surrounded by mountains, forming a unique plateau scenery.
Mount Chenrezig(Xiannairi)
Chenrezig, "Guanyin Bodhisattva" in Tibetan, is 6,032 meters above sea level. It is the northern peak of the three sacred mountains and the highest one. The top of the mountain is covered with snow all year round. Its shape resembles a big Buddha with its body leaning back, sitting proudly on a lotus seat, holding a huge pagoda in its arms. The sunlight shining on Mount Chenrezig will be golden. The Pearl Sea at the foot of the mountain is said to be the fairy's dressing mirror. It is also the best place to witness the beautiful scenery of Mount Chenrezig.
Mount Jampeyang(Yangmaiyong)
Jambeyang (Manjusri Bodhisattva in Tibetan), is the southern peak of the "Three Sacred Snow Mountains", with an altitude of 5,958 meters. In Buddhism, it ranks first among the "Three Holy Sacred Mountains”. Manjusri Bodhisattva is the embodiment of wisdom in Buddhism. The snow peak is like the sword of the Manjusri Bodhisattva pointing to the sky, sacred and solemn. In 1928, Mr. Joseph Rock saw Mount Jampeyang from afar among the mountains in Daocheng Yading. He was impressed by her holy and noble temperament. He wrote in his diary: "She (Jambeyang) is the most beautiful mountain I have ever seen in the world.
Mount Chanadorje(Shanuoduoji)
Chanadorje (Vajrapani Bodhisattva in Tibetan), is the eastern peak of the "Three Sacred Snow Mountains”, with an altitude of 5,958 meters. Chanadorje is a god who eliminates violence and protects the good in Buddhism. Mr. Joseph Rock described it as a bat with huge wings spread ready to fly and likened it to the thunder god in Greek mythology. The bushes on the northern slope of Luorong Pasture turn red in autumn, while the larch forest at the foot of Mount Chanadorje is also colorful. Red, yellow and blue constitute the most concise yet rich colors of the "Soul of Shangri-La".
Pearl Lake
Pearl Lake (Zhuoma Lacuo in Tibetan) is 4,100 meters above sea level, which is the lowest holy lake in Yading Daocheng, with an area of 0.75 hectares. It is said that Pearl Lake is the soul lake of White Tara. It is recognized as the best place to photograph the reflection of Mount Chenrezig. During the rainy season, the melting snow water of Chenrezig hits the rocks and shines like pearls falling into a jade plate after being illuminated by the sun, hence the name "Pearl Sea". From the lawn of Chonggu Temple to Pearl Lake, the whole journey is uphill, paved with wooden plank roads. It is about three kilometers and takes about 40 minutes of hiking.
Chonggu Temple
Chonggu Temple is located at the foot of Mount Chenrezig, which means "temple at the source of the lake". It is 3,900 meters above sea level, first built in the Yuan Dynasty, nearly 800 years ago. It is a Yellow Sect temple. The main hall of the temple enshrines Master Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism (i.e. the Yellow Sect), as well as Sakyamuni Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjusri Bodhisattva, Vajrapani Bodhisattva, etc. In Chonggu Temple, opposite are three sacred snowy mountains, underfoot is a meadow full of wildflowers and behind is the steep and majestic Yading Canyon. Chonggu Temple is like the gate to heaven, guarding the sacred kingdom of Shambhala.
Luorong Pasture
Surrounded by continuous alpine meadows, Luorong Pasture is a pasture for Tibetan people to graze nearby, at an altitude of 4,150 meters above sea level. Luorong Pasture is backed by three sacred mountains which is the best place to view the Three Holy Mountains. In spring and summer, wildflowers bloom in the meadows. The Gongga River runs through the pasture, and you can see herds of cattle and sheep grazing leisurely by the river and on the hillside. Luorong Pasture is recognized as the best place to photograph Mount Jampeyang and Mount Chanadorje. By the way, the section from Chonggu Temple to Luorong Pasture is the best place to photograph the sacred mountains. Luolong Pasture is at a high altitude, with low temperatures and strong mountain winds. Tourists need to bring enough clothes to keep warm in advance.
Milk Lake
Milk Lake (Erong cuo in Tibetan), is located in the valley of Mount Jampeyang, about 4,500 meters above sea level, with an area of about 0.5 hectares. It is an ancient glacial lake, the first of the three sacred lakes in Daocheng Yading. The lake is shaped like a teardrop. Standing on a high place and looking down, it looks like a piece of pure blue turquoise embedded in the snow-capped mountains, sacred and beautiful. The middle of the lake is blue and the lakeside is surrounded by a circle of milky white, like milk, hence the name Milk Lake. Milk Lake is at a high altitude, with low temperatures and strong winds on the top of the mountain. It is recommended that tourists prepare for warmth in advance.
Five-color Lake
The Five-Color Lake( Danzengcuo in Tibetan) is located between Chenrezig and Jampeyang, at an altitude of 4,600 meters. The lake is round and covers an area of 0.7 hectares. It is the highest lake in Daocheng Yading. Starting from the right side of the Milk Lake, climb up a steep slope then climb about 100 meters, you can overlook the Five-Color Lake on the ridge. The Five-Color Lake is round and the water is clear. Under the sunlight, it refracts colorful light, hence the name. The Five-Color Lake is a sacred lake in the hearts of the locals, which is said to be able to "reverse history and predict the future."
Yading Hiking Route
The hiking routes in Yading are divided into short and long routes. You can choose either or both routes.
Short route
Tourist Center(starting point of sightseeing bus) - Yading Village - Zhaguanbeng(endpoint of sightseeing bus) - Fork Road - Chonggu Temple (starting point of the short route) - Pearl Lake (endpoint). The whole journey is about 3 kilometers, with an average altitude of about 3,800 meters.
Long route
Tourist Center(starting point of sightseeing bus) - Yading Village - Zhaguanbeng(endpoint of sightseeing bus) - Fork Road (take an electric car) - Chonggu Meadow - Luorong Pasture (endpoint of electric cars) - Sheshen Cliff - Milk Lake - Five-Color Lake. The whole journey requires about 10 kilometers of hiking, with an average altitude of about 4,500 meters.
The specific itinerary is as follows.
- D1. Arrive at Shangri-La Town.
- D2. Long route.
- D3. Short route and depart.
# Arrived at Shangri-La Town. It is recommended that you stay near the tourist center so that it is convenient to take a bus to the scenic area gate the next day.
# Buy entrance tickets in advance. Take the eco bus (prone to motion sickness) for about 50 minutes to reach Zhaguanbeng, and hike for about 10 minutes to reach the electric car ride point. Don't forget to take photos of Mount Chenrezig and Chonggu Temple on the way. Buy round-trip electric car tickets on-site. You can arrive at the starting point of the long route line - Luolong Pasture in 20 minutes, then you will hike a round-trip of 6km with rugged trails and a large climb, passing Gonggacuo - Sheshen Cliff- Milk Lake- Five Color Lake, the whole journey takes 6-7 hours.
# Tourists can rent horses from Luorong Pasture to go to Milk Lake. The round trip time required is about 3 hours by horse.
# Take the bus for 10 minutes to return to Yading Village for dinner. Have a rest early. If the weather is fine and you feel good, you can get up early the next morning to take pictures of the sunrise of the Golden Mountain Peak.
# Take the bus to Zhaguanbeng to start the second day's hiking trip. First, go to the short route for a round trip of 6km. Visit Chonggu Temple - Pearl Lake - Zhuoma Lacuo - Mount Chenrezig Terrace- Chonggu Meadow- Zhaguanbeng.
# Buy a one-way electric car ticket to Luolong Pasture, hike 8km on a gentle descending route, pass Mount Jampeyang Terrace - view the Sixteen Venerables from afar - Holy Water Lake - Holy Water Gate Zhaguanbeng.
# Take the scenic area bus back.
Best Time to Visit Daocheng Yading
The best time to travel to Daocheng Yading is from April to October. During this period, there is a pleasant climate and picturesque scenery, each with its own characteristics.
April to May: Spring comes late, but everything comes back to life and flowers bloom. There is relatively little rainfall, so it is a good time to enjoy the snow-capped mountains and spring scenery.
June to August: In summer, Daocheng Yading is full of green grasslands, making it a good time for camping and wildlife viewing. Although there is a lot of rainfall, it usually rains at night and clears up during the day, making Daocheng Yading even more fresh and lively after the rain.
September to October: Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons to go to Daocheng Yading, with a suitable temperature, neither too cold nor too hot. At this time, Yading is colorful, with layers of forests, red grass, as well as blue sky and white clouds complementing each other, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts!
The temperature in Daocheng Yading is low in winter. Although there is magnificent snowy scenery, the slippery roads and thick snow can easily cause danger. Tourists are not advised to travel to Daocheng Yading in winter, but you can consider visiting surrounding attractions, such as Hailuogou and Mount Siguniang.
How to Go to Daocheng Yading
There are currently two main ways to reach Daocheng Yading: by plane and by land.
By plane
It takes 3 to 4 days to visit Daocheng Yading by plane. There are direct flights to Daocheng Yading from Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Luzhou, Kunming, Xi'an, Kangding and other places. It is recommended to take a flight from Chengdu to Daocheng Yading Airport, which has the most flights every day and takes about 70 minutes. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Daocheng Airport to Daocheng County or Shangri-La Town. Taking a plane can save a lot of time and it is cheaper than driving from Chengdu to Yading.
By car
It takes at least 6 days to visit Daocheng Yading by car. Driving allows you more time to adapt to the high altitude and see the scenery along the way. Most tourists choose to depart from Chengdu, Sichuan, or Shangri-La, Yunnan to drive to Daocheng Yading. Compared with flying to Yading, it does take much longer, but you can gradually adapt to the plateau day by day, therefore the risk of altitude sickness gets reduced.
1. From Chengdu, Sichuan: 318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway
The one-way trip (about 1,100 km) usually takes about 2-3 days. Most people choose the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway, passing through Kangding (2,560m), Tagong, Xindu Bridge (3,460m), and Litang (4,010m). After visiting Daocheng Yading, tourists can choose to drive or fly back to Chengdu. Popular attractions on this route include Xindu Bridge, Tagong Grassland, Litang Monastery, etc.
2. From Shangri-La, Yunnan: Yunnan-Tibet Highway
There are currently two routes from Shangri-La (3,300m) to Daocheng Yading, both of which require a day's drive: one is to cross the snow-capped mountains and go directly to Daocheng (2,900m) via Xiangcheng, which takes about 10-12 hours. The other is to go around Benzilan and Derong (2,700m), then to Xiangcheng and finally to Daocheng, which takes about 8-10 hours. The detour via Derong is about 100 kilometers, but the road condition is relatively better.
By bus (from Chengdu)
Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station has opened a direct bus service from Chengdu to Daocheng Yading. The journey takes two days and the driving time is about 22 hours. After the bus arrives at Daocheng, passengers can choose to take a local minibus to the Yading Nature Reserve.
Travel Tips
- Daocheng Yading is a high-altitude area. The elderly, the infirm and the sick are advised to consult a doctor before making a decision.
- Pay attention to high altitude sickness. Prepare portable oxygen and take anti-altitude sickness medicines before departure.
- The temperature difference between morning and night is large in the scenic area, pay attention to keeping warm in the morning & night and bring a warm jacket.
- Bring a scarf, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses and a sun hat to protect you from UV rays and dry weather.
- Bring suitable clothing and shoes for hiking. It is recommended to bring a raincoat, trekking poles and a pair of gloves.
- Prepare some snacks/side dishes and water to replenish energy during the hike. Eat more vegetables and fruits, and avoid strenuous exercise throughout the journey.
- It is not allowed to make fire, camp in tents, or hunt animals in the scenic area.
- Do not pick and eat wild fruits or mushrooms to avoid accidental poisoning.
- For your safety, please follow the established paths and do not enter restricted areas.
- Respect local religious beliefs and customs.
Conclusion
With its unique geographical environment and magnificent natural scenery, Daocheng Yading attracts a large number of tourists. Tourists can feel the power & beauty of nature and experience the charm of Tibetan culture. Daocheng Yading is an ideal tourist destination for both adventure seekers and travelers who like to relax & have fun.