【Daocheng Yading Ultimate Guide】Pilgrimage to Sacred Mountains & Lakes, Encounter the Last Pure Land on the Blue Planet!

At the pinnacle of Western Sichuan Plateau, three sacred mountains guard the "last pure land on Earth"—Daocheng Yading. Mount Chenrezig resembles a merciful Guanyin gazing downward, Mount Jampelyang stands like a sword piercing the sky, and Mount Chanadorje spreads its wings like an eagle. Nestled among these snow-capped peaks, Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake shimmer with jade and lapis lazuli hues. Our 2025 off-peak route + altitude sickness guide ensures a safe journey through this "body's hell, eyes' paradise."

🏔️ 1. Core Attractions
1. Must-Visit Spots in the Scenic Area
Three Sacred Lakes:
✅ Milk Lake (4,600m): A glacial meltwater lake glowing like sapphire under sunlight.
✅ Five-Color Lake (4,700m): Mineral-rich waters shifting between blue, green, gold, and red—a holy lake in Tibetan Buddhism.
✅ Pearl Lake: Perfect for capturing Mount Chenrezig’s reflection, ideal for short hikes.
Sacred Mountain Viewpoints:
✅ Luorong Pasture: Best vantage for Mount Jampelyang, featured in the film *I Belonged to You*.
✅ Chonggu Monastery: Red-walled, golden-roofed temple at Mount Chenrezig’s base, where prayer wheels spin blessings.

🌟 2. Unique Experiences & Must-Try Cuisine
Pilgrimage Rituals: Spin prayer wheels at Chonggu Monastery, listen to chants mingling with fluttering prayer flags.
Starry Nights: Stay overnight in Yading Village (recommended: Zhaxi Kongshu Hotel) to witness the Milky Way draping over snow peaks.
Culinary Delights:
✅ Yak Meat Hotpot ("Ama Kitchen" in Shangri-La Town—tender meat, rich broth)
✅ Matsutake Chicken Soup (seasonal, umami-packed wild mushrooms)
✅ Tsampa Bread with Butter Tea (altitude sickness remedy)

🗺️ 3. Detailed Itinerary
【3 Days & 2 Nights · Classic Pilgrimage】For time-crunched/first-time visitors
Day 1: Acclimatization
Morning: Fly from Chengdu to Daocheng Yading Airport (1.5h) → Airport bus to Shangri-La Town (3h, ¥85).
Afternoon: Check into Shangri-La Town (2,900m altitude, opt for "Gongsang Holiday Hotel") → Avoid exertion, explore Tibetan shops at Locke Square.
Dinner: Yak hotpot ("Snowland Yak Hotpot") + butter tea to warm up.
Day 2: Long Route Challenge (Milk Lake + Five-Color Lake)
7:00: Scenic shuttle (¥120) to Zhaguanbeng (1h) → Walk/electric cart (¥50 one-way) to Luorong Pasture.
9:00-15:00: Trek 5km to Milk Lake (3-4h) → Five-Color Lake (0.5km) → Must reach Five-Color Lake entrance by 14:30 (else turn back).
Tip: Horse rides end 1.5km before Milk Lake (¥300-500); buy oxygen tanks in town (¥80 in park).
Day 3: Short Route Culture + Return
Morning: Shuttle to Chonggu Monastery → Hike to Pearl Lake (1.5h round-trip) → Photograph Mount Chenrezig’s reflection.
Noon: Buy souvenirs before departure (yak jerky, tsampa bread).

⚠️ 4. 2025 Pro Tips
Altitude Sickness:
Take Rhodiola supplements 7 days prior; avoid showers/strenuous activity on arrival. Pack glucose oral solution.
Stay cautiously in Yading Village (4,060m); Shangri-La Town (2,900m) eases acclimatization.
Transport:
Rent an SUV for self-drive (Chengdu-Daocheng 800km, 2 days); carry tire chains post-October.
Park shuttle is mandatory; electric carts optional (3h walk from Luorong Pasture).
Packing List:
✅ 3-in-1 windbreaker (20°C day-night swings) + waterproof hiking boots
✅ Sun protection trio (SPF50+ cream, sunglasses, face mask)
✅ Thermos (mountain spring refills at Lengcuixia) + ¥500 cash (spotty signal)
Tickets:
Peak season (Apr 1-Nov 30) ¥146 entry + ¥120 shuttle; students/seniors (60-69) half-price.

As Five-Color Lake’s ripples refract rainbows and Luorong’s prayer flags carry wishes skyward, you’ll grasp Daocheng Yading’s essence—not a conquest of nature, but a solemn truce between humanity and mountains. Here, measure faith in footsteps, touch eternity with each breath, and at 4,700m, rediscover life’s clarity and awe.