Known as 'the last pure land on the blue planet', this high-altitude eco-tourism area is famed for its snow mountains, lakes, meadows, and primeval forests.
Witness the grandeur of the three sacred mountains and the pristine beauty of Milk Lake and Five Color Lake, and feel the awe of 'the last Shangri-La'.
Daocheng Yading is the kind of place that is highly hyped before you go, yet still feels worth it after you visit. Although altitude sickness and trekking can be exhausting, when you stand by Milk Lake and watch the snow mountains reflected in the turquoise water, all the hardship melts away. It is not for everyone, but if you love nature and have decent physical fitness, it is a must-visit in a lifetime.
Tickets & Transport
Tickets
- Adult ticket
- ¥146
- Child ticket
- ¥73
- Free
- No
- Ticket methods
- Reserve via the official WeChat account 'Daocheng Yading', or purchase tickets at the scenic area visitor center.
- Ticket notes
- The ticket is valid for 2 days. The sightseeing bus ticket (¥120) must be purchased separately. Children under 1.3 meters are free; students, seniors, and others may enjoy discounts.
Opening Hours
- Last entry
- 16:00
- Ticket sales end
- 15:30
- Opening notes
- Opening hours vary by season: roughly 07:00-18:00 in peak season (Apr-Oct) and 08:00-17:00 in off-season (Nov-Mar).
Best Time to Visit
- Best time of day
- Early morning (08:00-10:00) when the light is soft and the snow mountains are clearly visible.
- Best day of week
- Weekdays
- Best season
- April-May (spring) and September-October (autumn)
- Avoid times
- Winter (November to March of the following year) heavy snow blocks the mountain; rainy season (June-August) heavy clouds and fog affect views
- Avoid days
- National Day Golden Week and other statutory holidays, extremely crowded
- Crowd level
- High
- Crowd peak time
- 10:00-14:00
Getting There
In Detail
Daocheng Yading Scenic Area is located in Shangri-La Town, Daocheng County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It sits on the eastern edge of the Hengduan Mountains and the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with altitudes ranging from 2,900 to 6,032 meters. The core of the scenic area consists of three sacred mountains—Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong, and Xianuoduoji—along with surrounding lakes, meadows, and forests. In Tibetan, they are called 'Nianqing Gongga Risong Gongbu', meaning 'the sacred land of three protective deities with year-round snow', holding an extremely high religious status in Tibetan Buddhism.
Yading's landscape is characterized by high-altitude snow mountains, glacial lakes, and alpine meadows. Milk Lake, Five Color Lake, and Pearl Lake are crystal-clear alpine lakes that reflect dreamlike blue-green tints under the sun. Luorong Pasture is the best spot to view the three snow mountains, where yaks graze leisurely on the meadow and streams meander. The area is covered with primeval forests, with thin but pure air, creating a serene and sacred atmosphere imbued with a strong Tibetan religious aura.
Due to the high altitude and changeable weather, exploring Yading demands physical fitness—the hiking trails are long and some sections are steep. Yet this experience of 'body in hell, eyes in heaven' makes it the ultimate destination in many travelers' hearts. The scenic area is relatively well-developed, with shuttle buses and electric carts available, but the core areas retain their pristine natural character.
What to expect
Visitors will take a shuttle bus into the scenic area, enjoying views of snow mountains, forests, and canyons along the way. After getting off at Zhaguanbeng, you can hike or take an electric cart to Chonggu Temple, Pearl Lake, Luorong Pasture, and other spots. To reach Milk Lake and Five Color Lake, you need to hike or ride a horse, with a round trip of about 10 km and a significant altitude gain, which is physically demanding. The weather inside the scenic area is changeable, with possible showers or hail, so bring rain gear and warm clothing.
How to visit
It is recommended to plan 2 days: on the first day, visit Chonggu Temple, Pearl Lake, and Luorong Pasture to acclimatize; on the second day, set off early in the morning to hike to Milk Lake and Five Color Lake. You can first fly to Daocheng Yading Airport (elevation 4,411 meters), then take a chartered car or bus to Shangri-La Town (the scenic area entrance). You can also self-drive from Chengdu along National Highway 318, but it's a long journey (about 800 km).
Pros
Primitive and magnificent scenery; snow mountains and lakes are truly stunning. Rich Tibetan cultural atmosphere and unique religious ambiance. Well-managed scenic area with complete sightseeing facilities. Autumn (October) offers the most vibrant colors.
Cons
High altitude (up to 4,700 meters in the scenic area), prone to altitude sickness. Long and steep hiking trails, demanding physical fitness. Unpredictable weather; winter closure; short visiting season. Relatively expensive tickets and sightseeing bus fares; limited dining and accommodation options.
Highlights
- Three sacred mountains (Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong, Xianuoduoji)
- The plateau lake wonders of Milk Sea and Five-Color Sea
- Snow mountain and meadow scenery at Luorong Pasture
- The reflection scenery of Pearl Sea (Zhuoma Lacuo)
- The Tibetan Buddhist cultural atmosphere of Chonggu Monastery
FAQ
What is the best season to visit Daocheng Yading?
The best seasons are April-May and September-October. In April-May spring flowers bloom, and in September-October autumn colors are splendid with relatively stable weather. June-August is the rainy season with lots of clouds; November to March the following year is winter, often closed due to heavy snow, so it is not recommended.
What should I prepare in advance for Daocheng Yading?
It is recommended to take anti-altitude-sickness medicine such as Rhodiola in advance, and prepare oxygen canisters, warm clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, rain gear, and plenty of dry food. Tickets and sightseeing bus tickets can be booked in advance on the official WeChat account "Daocheng Yading".
How far are Milk Sea and Five-Color Sea from each other? Can I ride a horse?
From Luorong Pasture to Milk Sea is about 4.5 km, and Milk Sea to Five-Color Sea is about 0.3 km. Horse rental is available at Luorong Pasture (about ¥300 per person), but the final uphill section still requires hiking.
Field Tips
Best photo spot
1. Luorong Pasture: panoramic views of three snow-capped peaks, meadows and streams; best reflections in the early morning with full light.
2. Pearl Lake (Zhuoma Lake): Xiannairi Snow Peak reflected in emerald-green waters; best light in the late morning.
3. Milk Lake: turquoise-blue water set against snow mountains; colors are most saturated in the afternoon with the light behind you.
4. Chonggu Monastery viewpoint: overlooks the Chonggu meadow and snow mountains; ideal for wide panoramic shots.
5. Five Color Lake: shoot from above to capture the colorful lake surface; the light shifts beautifully in the afternoon.
Best entrance Main entrance (Shangri-La Town Visitor Center)
Best exit Main exit (Shangri-La Town Visitor Center)
Location & Nearby
Nearby attractions
- Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area (343.3 km)
- Chengjia Tea Town Scenic Area (357.9 km)
- Leshan Giant Buddha (361.9 km)
- Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area (362.1 km)
- Shixiang Lake Scenic Area (362.4 km)