Daocheng Yading 7-Day Travel Guide

Breathtaking Daocheng Yading 7-Day Tour to Fulfill Your Fairyland Dream🧚

Hey friends! Who could resist the stunning landscapes of Daocheng Yading, as if privately treasured by God? 🏔️ With sacred snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and vast meadows, every scene looks like a masterpiece carefully crafted by nature. Today, I'll guide you through a dreamy 7-day trip to Daocheng Yading for just 8,000 yuan. Let's get started!

Pre-Trip Preparation
**Documents**
ID card, student ID (if applicable), and possibly a border pass (inquire in advance).

**Clothing**
Daocheng Yading has extreme temperature differences between day and night. Even in summer, bring thick jackets and sweaters. For other seasons, pack down jackets, scarves, hats, and gloves.

**Medication**
Altitude sickness pills (take Rhodiola a week in advance, and bring anti-altitude sickness meds), cold medicine, stomach medicine, fever reducers, motion sickness pills, and band-aids.

**Other Essentials**
High-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, moisturizing lip balm, thermos, and a high-capacity camera.

**Itinerary**
**Day 1: Chengdu - Ya'an - Luding - Kangding - Xinduqiao**
● Morning: Depart from Chengdu via the Cheng-Ya Expressway, enjoying the rural scenery of the Western Sichuan Plain. Stop in Ya'an, then head to Luding to visit the famous Luding Bridge and experience its thrilling history.
● Afternoon: Continue through the Erlang Mountain Tunnel to Kangding. Explore the city and try local delicacies like Kangding cold noodles and yak meat buns.
● Evening: Arrive in Xinduqiao, where the starry sky is breathtaking. Stay in a local guesthouse to acclimatize to the altitude.

**Day 2: Xinduqiao - Litang - Daocheng**
● Morning: Leave Xinduqiao, crossing high-altitude passes like Gaersi Mountain and Jianziwan Mountain. Visit Litang's Changqingchunke Temple, the oldest and largest Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Kham region.
● Afternoon: Head to Daocheng, marveling at the stunning Maoya Grassland along the way. Enjoy a Tibetan hotpot dinner in Daocheng.
● Evening: Rest at a Daocheng hotel.

**Day 3: Daocheng - Yading Village - Chonggu Temple - Pearl Lake**
● Morning: Enter Yading Scenic Area by shuttle bus, admiring pristine forests and streams. At Zhaguanbeng, choose to hike or take an electric cart to Chonggu Temple.
● Afternoon: Hike to Pearl Lake, where the sacred Mount Chenrezig reflects in the clear water—a picture-perfect moment.
● Evening: Stay in Yading Village and experience Tibetan hospitality.

**Day 4: Yading Village - Luorong Pasture - Milk Lake - Five-Color Lake**
● Morning: Depart early for Luorong Pasture, the best spot to view Mount Jambeyang and Mount Chanadorje. Opt to ride a horse to Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake (be prepared for a challenging trek).
● Afternoon: Reach Milk Lake—its azure waters make the effort worthwhile. Then visit Five-Color Lake, where sunlight creates dazzling hues. Return to Yading Village.
● Evening: Rest and recover in the village.

**Day 5: Yading Village - Daocheng**
● Morning: Take the shuttle bus back to Daocheng.
● Afternoon: Explore Daocheng’s local shops for Tibetan souvenirs.
● Evening: Try local specialties like barley pancakes and butter tea.

**Day 6: Daocheng - Xinduqiao**
● Morning: Retrace the route, stopping for photos at scenic spots.
● Afternoon: Return to Xinduqiao and stroll through nearby grasslands.
● Evening: Relax at a Xinduqiao hotel.

**Day 7: Xinduqiao - Kangding - Chengdu**
● Morning: Depart for Chengdu via Kangding, soaking in the charm of this "Love Song City."
● Afternoon: Arrive in Chengdu, concluding the journey.

**Budget Breakdown**
- **Transport**: ~1,800 yuan (shared car round-trip from Chengdu).
- **Accommodation**: 2,200 yuan total (Xinduqiao guesthouses: 800 yuan; Daocheng hotels: 800 yuan; Yading Village stays: 600 yuan).
- **Tickets**: 300 yuan (Yading entry + shuttle: 270 yuan; Luding Bridge: 10 yuan; Changqingchunke Temple: 20 yuan).
- **Food**: ~1,400 yuan (200 yuan/day).
- **Extras**: ~2,300 yuan (horse riding, souvenirs).

Total: ~8,000 yuan (adjust based on preferences). This Daocheng Yading adventure will be unforgettable—start planning now!