“Eyes in heaven, body in hell” is the most repeated phrase by every friend who has been to Daocheng Yading. Indeed, when you look back at the path you have taken, surrounded by mountains, all the hard work and effort is exchanged for the thrill of being in paradise.
Daocheng Yading – a place you must visit once in your lifetime. But when should you go? What should you see? What should you pay attention to? Read on to find out!
Travel Routes + Highlight Attractions
A large part of Daocheng’s attractions are concentrated in Yading. The Yading Scenic Area not only has majestic and sacred snow mountains but also vast grasslands, colorful forests, and clear blue lakes. Almost all the most beautiful aspects of the snow-covered plateau are gathered here, making it a place where people linger and forget to return.
When touring the Yading Scenic Area, there are two recommended tour routes:
Tickets are valid for 2 days, and it is recommended to spend 2 days in Yading. Take the long route on the first day, stay overnight, and take the short route on the second day for a second visit to the scenic area
● Daocheng · Yading Long Route ●
Luorong Pasture + Milk Sea + Five-Color Sea
Average altitude around 4,500 meters / Total distance 10 km / Walking time about 6-9 hours
Route: From the scenic area entrance, take the scenic tour bus to Zhaguanbeng, walk 0.5 km to Chonggu Temple, and choose to take an electric cart to Luorong Pasture. From Luorong Pasture to Milk Sea, there is another 5 KM, of which 3 KM is a relatively easy dirt road, and 2 KM is an uphill road with a large slope, so wear comfortable shoes. From Milk Sea to Five-Color Sea, there is another 1 KM, and the altitude is relatively high. This route is relatively long, so please act according to your ability.
TIP: From Luorong Pasture to Five-Color Sea and Milk Sea, you can hike or ride a horse, but there is a limited number of horses available each day. If you are not in good physical condition, it is recommended that you set out early.
Luorong Pasture
Luorong Pasture in Sichuan Province is surrounded by the three sacred mountains of “Riyongongbu”. The Gongga River runs through the pasture, and the stream in the forest flows gently, reflecting the wooden houses of the pasture, forming a primitive and charming scenery that leads people into a realm of returning to simplicity and authenticity.
Milk Sea
Milk Sea is located in a valley at the foot of Mount Yangmaiyong. It is a small, water droplet-shaped ancient glacial lake. Surrounded by snow mountains, the lake water is clear and blue, while a circle of milky white surrounds the lake, hence the name Milk Sea.
Five-Color Sea
Five-Color Sea, also known as Dengchong Lake, is named after the five different colors produced by light refraction. It is located between Mount Xiannairi and Mount Yangmaiyong. The ice valley extends to the lake shore, and the snow mountains are reflected in the lake, presenting a fantastic color.
● Daocheng · Yading Short Route ●
Pearl Sea + Chonggu Temple
Average altitude around 3,800 meters / Total distance 3 km / Walking time about 2-3 hours
Route: From the scenic area entrance, take the scenic tour bus to Zhaguanbeng, walk 0.5 km to Chonggu Temple, then walk 1.5 km to Pearl Sea (altitude 3,950 meters) and Mount Xiannairi. This route is all metal grid plank roads, very easy to walk, and it takes about 2 hours to go up slowly without any problem.
Chonggu Temple
Chonggu Temple, at an altitude of 3,880 meters, is located at the foot of Mount Xiannairi. The year of the temple’s construction is no longer known. Every morning and afternoon, the lamas burn incense and chant scriptures. The chanting and the sound of the Dharma drum echo in the quiet valley, making this place even more sacred and mysterious.
Pearl Sea
Starting from Chonggu Temple, you can reach Pearl Sea in about half an hour. This is an ideal place to take reflection photos of Mount Xiannairi and capture the sunset.
When is the best time to visit Daocheng Yading?
“In Tibetan areas, eight out of ten sceneries depend on the weather.” If you go at the wrong time, you won’t see any beautiful scenery at all. So, when is the best time to travel to Daocheng Yading?
[April-May]: In the season of rebirth, the spring snow in Daocheng Yading begins to melt gradually, and along the way in western Sichuan, you can see the fresh face of green grass about to revive.
[June]: In the summer of Daocheng Yading, there are lush green mountains, rhododendrons in full bloom, clear reflections in the lakes, and towering snow mountains, making people want to stop and admire it.
[July-August]: Various wildflowers fill the hillsides, and the water in the lakes reaches its maximum level. The vast blue sky and white clouds, the azure lake water, the holy and winding snow mountains, and the vibrant Daocheng Yading are already present.
[September-October]: It is the most poetic season of the year in Daocheng. The deep red of the grasslands, the azure blue of the sky, and the snow-white of the sacred mountains will make people feel like they are in a painting.
[December-March]: In Daocheng, winter lasts for a relatively long time. Usually, heavy snow begins to fall in late October, and everywhere becomes a silver world.
Food Recommendations
How can you miss the food when traveling? Daocheng mainly features Tibetan-style food such as butter tea, beef and mutton, tsampa, highland barley wine, yogurt, etc. You must try them.
NO.1 Air-dried Yak Meat: As the name suggests, it is made by air-drying yak meat. The texture of this dried meat is relatively hard, but it is relatively crispy when eaten and has a richer flavor than the beef sold in shopping malls.
NO.2 Highland Barley Wine: A low-alcohol wine made from highland barley. It doesn’t smell like other alcoholic beverages and has a light, refreshing aroma. When drinking, it has a sweet aftertaste and is also one of the must-have drinks for major Tibetan festivals.
NO.3 Butter Tea: Butter tea is a daily drink of Tibetan people. Because it contains butter, it can produce a lot of heat, making it very suitable for consumption in cold, high-altitude areas. Tibetan families usually serve butter tea to guests.
NO.4 Daocheng Tibetan Fragrant Pork: Tibetan fragrant pork is also known as ginseng pork. Its fat content is very low, and after roasting, the skin is relatively crispy, but the meat is very delicious.
NO.5 Daocheng Fritillaria Chicken: Due to the climate and geography, Daocheng is particularly suitable for the growth of fritillaria. Fritillaria has the effect of moistening the lungs and relieving cough and has been known as “white pearl” since ancient times. Daocheng fritillaria chicken tastes fresh and tender.
NO.5 Baxiang Pork Leg: Every winter, every household in Danba slaughters fattened pigs and air-dries them for storage in the storeroom. After storing the pork legs for a winter, the color, aroma, and taste are all excellent.
Accommodation Recommendations
When visiting Daocheng Yading, there are three places to stay: Daocheng County Town (3 hours’ drive from Yading), Shangri-La Town (1.5 hours’ drive from Yading), and Yading Village.
/ Daocheng County Town / The accommodation conditions are relatively complete, with inns, hotels, and youth hostels available. The disadvantage is that it is far from Yading (110 kilometers), and the drive takes 2 hours. It is worth noting that once the peak travel season arrives, prices will increase.
/ Yading Village / Most of the accommodation conditions are relatively poor, and you can stay in wooden houses or Tibetan homes. It is suitable for taking night shots of Daocheng Yading. It should be noted that power outages often occur in Yading Village, and the altitude of Yading Village is relatively high, making it easy to experience altitude sickness.
/ Riwa Township / Also known as Shangri-La Township, it can be said to be the most suitable place to stay when traveling to Daocheng Yading. It is about a 10-minute drive from the entrance of Daocheng Yading Scenic Area, and there are also relatively many hotels. The altitude is also lower, but it is necessary to book in advance during the peak season.
Travel Tips
- The plateau weather is cold and dry, so be sure to bring sweaters and down jackets. If conditions permit, it is recommended to wear Gore-Tex jackets and hiking shoes. In addition, bring more disposable underwear and socks, as it is not very convenient to wash clothes here.
- The ultraviolet rays on the plateau are extremely strong, so it is best to wear a sun hat and sunglasses to avoid burning your skin and eyes. The Tibetan “doctoral hat” can both block the sun and avoid rain and snow. For rain gear, it is best to choose a raincoat, which is more convenient for traveling.
- In terms of medication, taking muscle-building drugs, compound vitamins, fish liver oil and other drugs can resist the hypoxic and dry climate of the plateau; drinking locally grown Rhodiola rosea can eliminate or reduce altitude sickness, and it is recommended to take it in advance.
- Before visiting the Yading Nature Reserve, prepare more food and beverages, as there is not much to eat inside the scenic area. However, apart from this, there is no need to prepare too many dry foods, as the meals in Daocheng County are not expensive and are suitable for most people’s tastes.
- Regarding altitude sickness: Normal people will have varying degrees of reaction when they reach the plateau. As long as you maintain a good attitude and do not engage in strenuous exercise, there will not be too many problems. If altitude sickness is severe, you must return to a low-altitude place at the first opportunity!!!
A legendary earthly paradise, a secluded utopia, a colorful fairyland.
If one day you are tired of your life, if one day you yearn for tranquility, if one day you want to travel far… then please come to Daocheng and see how beautiful she really is.
