Daocheng Yading (Sichuan) 7 Days 6 Nights Travel Guide

Daocheng Yading 7 Days 6 Nights In-depth Travel Guide (Budget 15,000 RMB)
Suitable for: Plateau scenery lovers, hiking enthusiasts, photography fans
Best season: May to October (wildflowers bloom in June-July, autumn colors are stunning in September-October)
Budget allocation: Transportation 50% + Accommodation 25% + Food 15% + Tickets/Experiences 10%

📅 Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Chengdu → Kangding (Altitude 2560m)
Day 2: Kangding → Xinduqiao → Litang (Altitude 4014m)
Day 3: Litang → Daocheng → Shangri-La Town (Altitude 2900m)
Day 4: Yading Long Route (Luorong Pasture → Milk Sea → Five Color Sea)
Day 5: Yading Short Route (Chonggu Temple → Pearl Lake)
Day 6: Daocheng → Xinduqiao
Day 7: Xinduqiao → Chengdu

✈️ Day 1: Chengdu → Kangding (4-hour drive)
Morning: Depart from Chengdu

Transportation: Private car/shared car (7-seater business van about 1000 RMB/day)
Highlights along the way:

Yakang Expressway: Pass through Erlang Mountain Tunnel (China’s longest highway tunnel)
Luding Bridge (Ticket 10 RMB): Experience the history of the Red Army’s daring capture of Luding Bridge

Afternoon: Acclimate to altitude in Kangding

Recommended activities:

Visit Kangding Love Song Square, night tour of Zheduo River (night lights and scenery)

Accommodation: Gesanghua Hotel Kangding (about 400 RMB/night, oxygen-supplied room)

🏔️ Day 2: Kangding → Xinduqiao → Litang (6-hour drive)
Morning: Cross Zheduo Mountain (Altitude 4298m)

Photo spots:

Zheduo Mountain Viewing Platform (free): Capture sea of clouds + prayer flags
Xinduqiao (World of light and shadow): Stunning poplar trees in autumn

Afternoon: Litang, the world’s highest city

Must-visit:

Letong Ancient Town · Thousand Household Tibetan Village (free): Ding Zhen’s hometown, Tibetan culture experience
Changqing Qionglai Monastery (free): Largest Gelugpa monastery in the Kang region

Accommodation: Litang Holiday Hotel (about 350 RMB/night, with oxygen machine)

🌄 Day 3: Litang → Daocheng → Shangri-La Town (4-hour drive)
Scenery along the way:

Haizi Mountain (Altitude 4500m): Ancient glacier relics, looks like alien terrain
Zunsheng Pagoda Forest (free): Daocheng landmark, spin prayer wheels for blessings

Afternoon: Rest in Shangri-La Town

Plateau acclimation tips:

Avoid washing hair or bathing, prepare oral glucose solution

Accommodation: Daocheng Huajing Wenlan Hotel (about 500 RMB/night, oxygen + floor heating)

🥾 Day 4: Yading Long Route Challenge (10km hiking/7 hours)
Route:

Visitor Center → Zhaguanbeng (Sightseeing bus 120 RMB/person)
Zhaguanbeng → Luorong Pasture (Electric cart 80 RMB/person)
Luorong Pasture → Milk Sea (4600m) → Five Color Sea (4700m) (Hiking/horse riding 300 RMB one way)

⚠️ Notes:

Must-have: Oxygen tank (20 RMB/can), trekking poles (rent 30 RMB), self-heating rice
Must descend from Milk Sea by 14:30 at the latest (last bus 19:00)

🌿 Day 5: Yading Short Route (Easy tour)
Route:

Chonggu Temple (Altitude 3880m): Tibetan Buddhist temple
Pearl Lake (Zhuomalaco): Capture the reflection of Mount Xianuoduo

Afternoon: Return to Daocheng County

Recommended experience:

Rubuchaka Hot Springs (50 RMB/person): Natural geothermal, relieve fatigue

🚗 Day 6-7: Daocheng → Chengdu (Return trip)
Day 6: Daocheng → Xinduqiao (Stay in Xinduqiao, photograph starry sky)
Day 7: Xinduqiao → Chengdu (Pass by Moxi Park, ticket 60 RMB)

💰 Budget Details (2 people traveling together)

Item
Cost (2 people)
Notes

Major transportation
4000 RMB
Round-trip flight/train tickets Chengdu

Local transportation
6000 RMB
7-day private car (including fuel and driver)

Accommodation
3000 RMB
6 nights (including oxygen hotels)

Food
1500 RMB
About 200 RMB/day (Tibetan food + snacks)

Tickets/Experiences
1000 RMB
Yading + sightseeing buses + hot springs, etc.

Others
500 RMB
Oxygen/medicine/souvenirs

Total
15,000 RMB
7,500 RMB per person, comfortable trip

🌟 Travel Tips

Altitude sickness prevention essentials:

Take Rhodiola 7 days in advance, bring ibuprofen (relieves headache)

Dressing guide:

Layered clothing: shell jacket + fleece + quick-dry shirt, sunglasses + sunscreen (UV is very strong)

Photography gear:

Must bring telephoto lens (70-200mm for snow mountains), drone (registration required)

Pitfall avoidance:

Don’t buy overpriced oxygen on the roadside, county pharmacies are cheaper

If you want to adjust to Daocheng + Seda or Daocheng + Siguniang Mountain routes, just let me know! 🌄