Daocheng Yading Travel Guide - How to Get and Visit

Is Daocheng Yading worth visiting? If you haven't been to Xinjiang or Tibet, then yes! Yading is absolutely worth a trip. The scenery feels like a "highlight reel" of both regions.

It's often called the last piece of untouched beauty on the blue planet, best for hiking, viewing, and photography. However, the high altitude can be a challenge to visit.

• Location: Daocheng County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan
• Altitude: 2800-4700m
• Time Needed: 1-2days
• Best Time: Late April to early November

How to Get to Daocheng Yading?

Most travellers head to Shangri-La Town in Yading, starting either from Chengdu or Shangri-La (Yunnan).

These two routes follow the Sichuan–Tibet Highway and the Yunnan–Tibet Highway, two of China's most scenic roads, and Yading sits right along them.

How to Get to Daocheng From Chengdu

Driving is the most common way. It lets you adjust to the rising altitude gradually. The Sichuan–Tibet Highway is fully paved and much easier to drive on.

This route also offers the best scenery on the way to Yading, with wide open views and incredibly varied landscapes, from the Dadu River and grasslands to wetlands, snow-capped mountains, gorges, and ice-carved terrain.

The drive from Chengdu to Yading takes a day, so a private car is the best option. You can stop, visit, and stay overnight at attractions along the way. It breaks your journey into shorter, easier sections.

It makes the trip more comfortable, plus you get a guide with you, a reliable driver (serving only your group), and the flexibility to explore other Western Sichuan sights. You can check out our 5-day Chengdu to Daocheng Yading Tour for reference.

Buses and carpooling are possible, but they come with drawbacks, such as almost spending the entire day on the bus, not smoke-free on the vehicles, possibly not reliable carpool drivers and language barriers.

You can also fly from Chengdu to Daocheng. There are daily flights and the flight time is just 1 hour. But keep in mind the airport sits at 4,400 m, so the risk of altitude sickness is higher.

How to Get to Daocheng Yading from Shangri-La, Yunnan?

Similarly, driving is the main way to travel from Shangri-La to Yading. But the journey is shorter, only about 5–6 hours.

The Yunnan–Tibet route features dramatic high-mountain landscapes. You'll see deep valleys, conifer forests, rhododendron forests, and sharp mountain ridges. The views feel more "surrounded".

Since Shangri-La itself is already at a high altitude over 3000m, staying there first helps you acclimatise, so you're less likely to feel altitude sickness when you reach Yading.

That said, most travellers still start from Chengdu because it's easier to reach from other cities, while Shangri-La is more remote and its roads are trickier.

What are the Highlights of Daocheng Yading?

The main attraction in Daocheng is the Yading Nature Reserve.

Its biggest highlights are three sacred snow mountains, Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong, and Xianuoduoji. They're worshipped by local Tibetans as symbols of compassion, power, and wisdom.

You'll also admire colourful alpine lakes, meadows, pastures, Tibetan temples, prayer flags, forests, and spot wildlife such as monkeys, squirrels, yaks, and deer.

Chonggu Monastery

The starting point for all trekking routes. It's an important religious site. In the mornings you can often see monks meditating or chanting. It's a nice introduction to Tibetan culture.

Chonggu Monastery

Chonggu Meadow

Right beside the monastery. While standing over the wide and open meadow, you will also embrace two snow mountains at once: Xiannairi and Xianuoduoji.

Pearl Lake

Pearl Lake

One of the three sacred lakes. It's the best place to see and photograph the reflection of Xiannairi Snow Mountain in the water.

During April and May, you'll also catch blooming pink and purple rhododendrons. It's pleasant to see a romantic contrast against the snowy peaks.

Luorong Pasture

Luorong Pasture

This is a meadow right under the snow mountains, where you'll see yaks and horses grazing all around you. It feels surprisingly calming.

And this is also the best spot for you to see all three sacred peaks in one view.

Milk Lake

Milk Lake

Another of the three sacred lakes. Its rim is white, with a striking turquoise-blue centre. Local legend says the whiter the lake, the better the year's harvest.

In spring, rhododendrons also bloom on the nearby slopes. You'll get a perfect photo spot with flowers and the lake together.

Five-Color Lake

The third sacred lake. Many Tibetan Buddhists come here to pray because it's believed the lake can reflect the past and reveal the future.

Go further, and you'll find a flat area just below the lake. It's the closest and most dramatic viewpoint of all three sacred peaks.

How to Visit Daocheng Yading?

The Yading scenic area is very large. Hiking is the main way to explore it, with a long route and a short route. Follow both, and you'll cover all the key attractions of Yading.

The short route takes half a day, and the long route takes a full day. So we recommend spending 2 days and 1 night in Yading. Your entrance ticket is valid for two days, so you won't need to buy a new one on Day 2.

Both routes start from Chonggu Monastery. To get there, you'll need to take a 1-hour shuttle bus from the Tourist Center, then walk about 20 minutes.

I recommend sitting on the left window side of the shuttle bus. You'll get better views of the meadows and snow mountains, including Xiannairi.

Day 1: The Long Loop Hiking

• Route: Chonggu Monastery → Luorong Pasture → Gongga Sacred Platform → Serushen Cliff → Milk Lake → Five-Color Lake
• Distance: 10 km
• Round trip time: 6–9 hours

This route goes up to 4,700m at its highest point. It can be a challenge, but it's also the most beautiful trail in Yading, and you'll get to see all three sacred snow mountains at the same time.

From Chonggu Monastery to Luorong Pasture, you can take an electric shuttle bus. The 20 minutes of driving can save you 3–4 hours of walking. If you're not a regular hiker, I suggest you definitely take this shuttle bus ride!

Shuttle bus operating hours:

• Chonggu → Luorong: 08:00–16:30
• Luorong → Chonggu: 08:30–18:00

It's best to start heading back around 4 pm so you can catch the last cart down.

You can also ride a horse from Luorong to Serushen Cliff. It saves you about 3.5 km, so it's worth considering if you want to conserve energy. But you can only walk back down on the return.

There are two paths to Five-Color Lake. The easier one starts from Milk Lake. The slope is gentler and saves you more energy. The route from Serushen Cliff is much steeper.

And you need to note that the section from Gongga Platform → Five-Color Lake is closed from Nov 20 to Apr 15. During this period, the furthest you can go is Luorong Pasture.

Day 2: The Short Loop Hiking

• Route: Chonggu Monastery → Pearl Lake
• Distance: 4 km
• Round trip time: 2–4 hours

The highlight of this route is the view of Mount Xiannairi, the highest peak in Yading at 6,032m.

You'll climb to about 4,100 metres, which is lower than the long route's highest point and also takes less time.

But do note: some sections are metal-grated walkways, so your trekking poles may not work well on them.

Practical Tips for Visiting Daocheng Yading

Bring sun protection like a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Snow reflects a lot of light!

Keep your distance from animals. They can be dangerous and grab your stuff.

A waterproof, windproof jacket is a must. The weather changes fast at high altitude.

You can take a drone to capture the three snow mountains and the three lakes together.

Best Time to Visit Daocheng Yading

The best time is late April to early November, when the scenery is at its best and all attractions are open. Late October to early November is especially stunning and most recommended with golden leaves.

Yading is high-altitude and remote, so it's never overcrowded. Even during peak periods like Labor Day, National Day, or summer, queues are usually short, at most 20 minutes.

So you can focus more on the scenery changes during different months:

• Late April–May: Grass isn't fully green yet, but rhododendrons bloom.
• June: Snow mountains, green meadows, and forests.
• July–August: Less snow, lush greenery, wildflowers in meadows. Good for escaping the heat, but it's also the rainy season.
• September–mid-October: Grass starts turning yellow.
• Late October–early November: Best golden autumn. Snow on the peaks increases, and you have a chance to see "golden mountains" in the sunlight.

But July–August is less recommended during this period. Snow is minimal, the weather is unstable (risk of landslides), and accommodation is more expensive, though the scenery is also beautiful.

Check the weather closely if you go during this time. Or you can book a private tour. If sudden changes happen, you won't feel helpless. You'll have your guide with you!

Winter is not recommended. Some social media posts praise the clear winter weather and frozen lakes. But they don't tell you that many key attractions are closed, lakes freeze, the scenery is limited. It's very cold, and altitude sickness risk is higher.

Where to Stay: Shangri-La Town vs Yading Village

Visiting Yading usually requires staying one night. Your main options are Shangri-La Town (outside the park) or Yading Village (inside the park).

Shangri-La Town: Most recommended

If you're worried about altitude sickness, staying here is a safer bet.

• Altitude is around 2,900 m, easier to adjust to, and you'll sleep better.
• More accommodation options are relatively cheaper.
• Plenty of restaurants and facilities, and taxis to the park only cost about 10 RMB.

Downside: You'll need to buy a half-price shuttle ticket the next day to enter the park, although your park ticket is still valid.

Yading Village: Better Scenery

If you want to maximize your park experience, Yading Village is ideal.

• Close to the main sights, no time wasted on the road.
• You can stargaze at the Milky Way at night and catch a golden sunrise on the snow peaks
• No need to buy a shuttle ticket for the second day.

But the downside is the elevation (4000m). It may be hard for you to fall asleep. It's better to choose hotels with diffused oxygen.

Also, hotels here are more expensive, and there are fewer dining options.

Daocheng Yading Visiting FAQs

1. Can I visit if I don't speak Chinese?

Yes! Translation apps aren't always reliable here since locals mostly speak dialects.

But don't worry! The park has clear signs, and hotel staff can usually speak Chinese or basic English.

2. Is Yading safe to visit?

Yes, the park is well-managed and safe. Even solo travellers are fine. But avoid visiting in the rainy season (July and August) if you worry about road safety, like landslides or mudslides.

Or you can book a private tour. A private tour means just you (and family/friends), plus a driver and guide. It's more comfortable and secure, and you don't have to worry about the language barriers.

3. What if I get altitude sickness?

To prevent it, avoid strenuous activity like running or jumping.

On the first day, it's best not to shower.

Bring altitude sickness medication like Rhododendron extract (Hongjingtian).

If you feel unwell during the hike, descend immediately.

Popular Tours with Daocheng Yading

• 5-Day Daocheng and Yading Tour
• 9-Day Western Sichuan Tour with Daocheng Yading
• 8-Day Daocheng Yading to Shangri-La Adventure Tour

If you're not interested in the above tours, you can also find more Western Sichuan tours, or just contact us to customize according to your interests.