There is a place called Daocheng, and I want to go there with the one I love most～The most complete guide below

Daocheng Yading Ultimate Travel Guide: Encounter the "Last Pure Land on the Blue Planet"

Daocheng Yading is known as the "last pure land on the blue planet," with the three sacred mountains towering and Milk Lake like an emerald nestled among snow peaks. This latest 2025 guide helps you efficiently plan your trip and avoid common pitfalls of plateau travel!

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⏰ 1. Best Travel Time: Choosing the Right Season = Half the Success
1. **Golden Autumn (Late September to Mid-October)**:
- The red grasslands blaze like fire, the poplar forests shine golden, and the snow mountains reflect in Milk Lake, creating the year's visual peak.
- Stable weather with little rain, very high photography success rate, but more tourists, so book in advance.

2. **Spring Flower Sea (May to June)**:
- Alpine rhododendrons bloom all over the mountains, meadows turn green, snow peaks remain, fewer people and serene scenery with high cost performance.
- Large temperature difference between day and night (5℃-15℃ during the day), bring a thick jacket.

3. **Seasonal Cautions**:
- **Summer (July to August)**: Lush greenery but rainy season, prone to landslides, prepare waterproof gear.
- **Winter (November to March)**: Magnificent snow scenes, but Milk Lake/Five-Color Lake are closed, recommended only for adventurous travelers.

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🚗 2. Transportation Guide: How to Reach This Hidden Paradise?
- **Direct Flight (Fastest but watch for altitude sickness)**
Direct flights from Chengdu/Chongqing/Xi’an to **Daocheng Yading Airport** (altitude 4411m, the highest civilian airport in the world), about 1.5 hours.
**Tip**: After landing, head straight to Shangri-La Town (1.5-hour drive) to acclimate to the altitude and avoid strenuous activity on the first day.

- **Land Immersion (For scenery lovers)**
- **Classic Self-Drive Route**: Chengdu → Kangding → Xinduqiao → Litang → Daocheng (about 2 days, SUV required, bring snow chains in rainy season).
- **Bus**: From Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station to Daocheng County (16 hours, ¥450), then carpool to the scenic area.

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🏔 3. Core Activities: Long Challenge VS Short Leisure
**Tickets**: Peak season ¥146 + sightseeing bus ¥120 (valid for two days, only need to pay ¥60 for bus on the second day to enter the park).

| **Long Challenge** | Luorong Pasture → Milk Lake → Five-Color Lake | 6-8 hours | 4700m altitude | Horse ride one way ¥300 (limited! Grab at 7 AM), bring enough oxygen bottles and glucose |
| **Short Leisure** | Chonggu Temple → Pearl Lake → Xianuoduoji | 2-3 hours | 4100m altitude | Easy to capture snow mountain reflections, friendly for altitude acclimated visitors |

**Key Times**:
- Last sightseeing bus at 18:30, bus stops at 20:00; Milk Lake/Five-Color Lake clear out at 15:00, be sure to enter before 8 AM!

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🛏 4. Accommodation Choices: Balance Altitude and Experience
- **Shangri-La Town (First Choice)**
**Altitude 2900m**, many hotels (¥150-300/night), 10-minute walk to the scenic area, perfect for first night altitude adaptation.
Recommended: Risong Gongbu Hotel (Tibetan-style floor heating), Gongjin Lianri (cave style + book bar).

- **Yading Village (For View Lovers)**
**Altitude 3900m**, snow mountain views from the window, stargazing at night (¥400+/night), but prone to altitude sickness and requires booking 3 months in advance.

- **Daocheng County (Budget Option)**
**Altitude 3700m**, hostels ¥50/bed, but 1.5-hour drive from the scenic area, suitable for self-driving transition.

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⚠️ 5. Plateau Survival Guide: Safe Fun at 4000 Meters
- **Altitude Sickness Prevention**
Arrive at Shangri-La Town 1-2 days early to acclimate; bring ibuprofen (for headaches), oral glucose solution, oxygen bottles (¥25 in county, ¥60 in scenic area).
**Taboos**: No washing hair or bathing on the first day, mild altitude sickness should not rely on oxygen.

- **Gear List**
**Mandatory Three Items**: Windproof jacket, waterproof hiking boots, sunglasses (to prevent snow blindness).
**Life-saving Essentials**: SPF50+ sunscreen (strong UV), magic headscarf, foldable raincoat, power bank (cold weather easily shuts down devices).

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🍜 6. Food and Culture: Tibetan Local Delights Not to Miss
- **Must-Try Delicacies**
Yak meat hotpot, matsutake mushroom stewed chicken (rainy season only), barley cakes dipped in butter tea (helps altitude sickness), Tibetan fragrant pork bacon.
Recommended: Shangri-La Town’s “Sanwan Gong Fresh Soup Restaurant” (chicken soup heals hiking fatigue).

- **Cultural Taboos**
Circumambulate temples/white pagodas **clockwise**; do not step on prayer flags or sit on scripture stones; no photography inside Buddha halls.

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📅 7. Classic Itinerary Reference (5 Days 4 Nights)
**Day 1**: Nationwide → Chengdu → Daocheng Airport → Shangri-La Town (acclimate to altitude)
**Day 2**: Yading Long Route (Milk Lake + Five-Color Lake) → Stay in Yading Village
**Day 3**: Yading Short Route (Pearl Lake) → Daocheng County (visit Zunsheng Pagoda Forest)
**Day 4**: Haizi Mountain Ancient Ice Cap → Red Grassland (October only) → Litang Thousand-Household Tibetan Village
**Day 5**: Xinduqiao Light and Shadow Photography → Return to Chengdu.

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💎 Ultimate Tips
- **Travel Light Up the Mountain**: No supply points on the long route, bring self-heating meals + chocolate (high altitude makes cup noodles hard to cook!).
- **Eco-Friendly Travel**: Scenic area requires carrying biodegradable oxygen bottles + garbage weighing bags.
- **Weather Gamble**: Plateau weather is unpredictable, stay calm—Daocheng after the fog clears will not disappoint your long journey.

> **Turn mountains and waters, finally see the pure land**. The beauty of Daocheng lies in its remoteness and reverence. Pack well, bring courage, this snowy mountain sacred lake will give you a soul-touching journey.