A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls While Trekking in Yading!

🏔️ Short Route (Guanyin Compassion Route)
Key Attractions: Chonggu Monastery, Pearl Lake (Zhuomalacuo), and Mount Xiannairi.
Route: Zha Guanbeng → Three Sacred Mountains Thangka Mural → Living Buddha Stupa → Chonggu Monastery → Pearl Lake → Xiannairi Viewing Platform → Chonggu Meadow → Zha Guanbeng (Circular route of 4.5 km, takes 3-5 hours to hike).
Features: Relatively low altitude (around 3,800 meters), flat boardwalk throughout, suitable for acclimatization to high altitudes, and offers classic views of Mount Xiannairi reflected in the lake.

❄️ Long Route (Vajra Challenge Route)
Key Attractions: Luorong Pasture, Milk Lake, and Five-Color Lake.
Route: Zha Guanbeng → Luorong Pasture (6.7 km by electric cart) → Gongga Lake → Qujiuzaga → Sacrifice Cliff → Milk Lake → Five-Color Lake (3.7 km one way, round trip takes 5-6 hours, altitude rises from 4,000 meters to 4,700 meters).
Features: High-altitude trekking with significant physical exertion, close-up views of Mount Yangmaiyong and Mount Xianuoduoji, and the stunning lake and mountain scenery of Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake.

🗻 Tickets and Transportation
Ticket Policy (2025 Peak Season)
Full Price: 266 RMB/person (includes 146 RMB for the ticket + 120 RMB for the sightseeing bus). Tickets are valid for 2 days, and a second entry only requires purchasing a half-price sightseeing bus ticket for 60 RMB.
Discounted Tickets: 150 RMB/person (for teenagers aged 6-18, students, and seniors aged 60-65). Free admission groups need to purchase a 120 RMB sightseeing bus ticket (children under 6, military personnel, and seniors over 60 during non-holiday periods).
Ticket Purchase Tips: Book on the official platform up to 30 days in advance, and purchase tickets by 2:00 PM on the day of entry. Entry is via ID card scanning.

Transportation
🌌 Sightseeing Bus:
Operating Hours: Visitor Center to Zha Guanbeng 7:10 AM - 5:00 PM, return trips 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM; Yading Village to Zha Guanbeng 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
Travel Time: About 1 hour from the Visitor Center to Zha Guanbeng, passing through Yading Village.

Electric Cart (Chonggu Monastery to Luorong Pasture):
Cost: 80 RMB/person round trip, 40 RMB one way. Round trip is recommended to save energy.
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (departures), return trips until 6:00 PM.

🌾 Horse Riding Service:
Route: Luorong Pasture to Sacrifice Cliff (3.5 km one way, altitude 4,180 meters → 4,450 meters).
Cost: 300 RMB/person one way, limited to 120 horses per day. First come, first served. It is recommended to arrive at Luorong Pasture by 7:30 AM to queue or book in advance via the "Daocheng Yading Scenic Area" WeChat account.

🌿 One-Day Tour (For Physically Fit Individuals)
Morning: Arrive at the scenic area before 7:00 AM, take the sightseeing bus to Zha Guanbeng, and hike the short route (Pearl Lake). Return to Chonggu Monastery around 11:00 AM.
Afternoon: Take the electric cart to Luorong Pasture, ride a horse to Sacrifice Cliff, then hike to Milk Lake (about 1.5 hours). If energy permits, continue to Five-Color Lake (0.3 km, higher altitude). Return by 2:30 PM.

🌸 Recommendations for Those with Lower Physical Fitness
One-Day Tour: Only experience the short route, or combine the short route with an electric cart ride to Luorong Pasture for photos (no need to hike to Milk Lake).