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The Daocheng-Yading Scenic Area is located in the southern part of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, in the central Hengduan Mountains. It borders Muli County, Liangshan Prefecture, to the southeast, Xiangcheng County to the west, Zhongdian County in Yunnan Province, and Litang County to the north. The area boasts snow-capped mountains, glaciers, canyons, forests, meadows, and lakes. The sacred mountains of Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong, and Xianuoduoji have made it a sacred site of worship for Tibetans.
Some say Daocheng-Yading is "the last pure land on the blue planet." It was first discovered by American explorer Joseph Rock, who arrived in Yading in 1928 and published his photographs in National Geographic, causing a sensation. Later, British bestselling author James Hilton, inspired by Rock's Yunnan-Tibet expedition, wrote the novel Lost Horizon, which made Yading famous. To this day, some Westerners still believe it's the legendary "Shangri-La," not Zhongdian in Yunnan. In 1996, Lü Linglong published the picture album "In That Faraway Place—Daocheng," unveiling the mysteries of this "paradise" hidden in seclusion. The album's publication resonated widely, attracting more and more travelers to Daocheng, making it a must-see destination for independent travelers.
The best time to visit Daocheng is September and October, when red grasslands and yellow poplar forests transform the city into a sea of color. The snow-capped mountains, set against a backdrop of blue skies and white clouds, appear even more dreamlike. April and May are also excellent times to visit Daocheng, as flowers blanket the mountains along the way. The sacred mountain appears even more magnificent and vibrant during this season. However, be aware that peak season can be very crowded.
Daocheng has a continental monsoon plateau climate, characterized by long winters and short summers, large temperature swings between day and night, and significant vertical temperature variations. Due to its high altitude, temperatures are generally lower. Therefore, when visiting Daocheng in winter, spring, and autumn, be sure to bring a thick sweater, coat, waterproof and rainproof clothing, gloves, a scarf, and warm, waterproof hiking shoes or trekking boots. Because of the significant temperature swing between morning and evening, a thick sweater and coat are also recommended in summer. Also, bring sunglasses, moisturizer, sunscreen, and rain gear (July and August are the rainy season).
The most expensive thing about visiting Daocheng Yading is transportation. The journey from Chengdu to Daocheng takes two days, and round-trip transportation costs at least 500 yuan. A three-day trip to Daocheng Yading is generally sufficient, including the four days of travel, for a total of seven days. Your budget should be between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan.
The largest ancient ice body site on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is called the "Daocheng Ancient Ice Cap", with lakes scattered all over the area.
The only park in Kangnan area, it is themed on the supreme White Pagoda in the hearts of Tibetan compatriots.
Ranked 11th among the 24 holy Buddhist sites in the world, it is a sacred place for ethnic minorities to worship and make pilgrimages.
The two townships south of Daocheng County, with their thousands of mu of poplar forests along the river and the long grass plains of Sela, are both typical examples of the magnificent plateau.
