After Meili Snow Mountain, many guests want to go further. West from Shangri-La is Sichuan's Daocheng Yading - \"the last pure land on the blue planet.\" This is a 4-day loop.

1. Why this route

Yading has three sacred peaks: Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong, Xianuoduoji. Alpine lakes at 4,000-4,700 m. Best in October when the meadows turn gold. Coming from Shangri-La is half the distance of starting from Chengdu.

2. Route overview

Shangri-La - Derong - Xiangcheng - Daocheng - Yading village. About 480 km one way, split over 4 days.

3. Day 1: Shangri-La to Daocheng (380 km, 8 h)

Leave at 8 am. Take G219 to Derong (same road as Meili, past the Jinsha River bend). Lunch in Derong. Cross the mountains to Xiangcheng, arrive Daocheng in the evening. Altitude: 3,300 m to 3,700 m. Do not shower on arrival.

Fuel: fill up in Shangri-La, Derong has a PetroChina, Daocheng has stations.

4. Day 2: Daocheng to Yading village (80 km, 2 h)

Cross the Bowa pass (4,513 m). Arrive at Rilwa town (Shangri-La Town) at noon. Buy Yading park ticket (146 RMB/person) and sightseeing bus (120 RMB/person). Cars cannot enter the park; take the bus up to Yading village (3,900 m).

5. Day 3: Hike Yading

Short route (3 h): Chonggu Monastery to Pearl Sea, easy, suitable for older people and children.

Long route (8 h): Chonggu Monastery to Milk Lake and Five-Color Sea at 4,600 m. Take the electric cart to Luorong Pasture first (80 RMB), then hike. Bring oxygen.

6. Day 4: Return

Rilwa - Daocheng - Xiangcheng - Derong - Shangri-La, about 480 km, 9-10 hours. Start early, arrive by 6 pm.

7. What to watch

  • Altitude: Yading village 3,900 m, Milk Lake 4,600 m - altitude risk is real.
  • Fuel: few stations between Shangri-La and Yading; fill up at every town.
  • Season: November to April the pass may be closed. June-October is safe.
  • Yading is in Sichuan, not Tibet - no Tibet permit needed.

8. Which car

Tank 300 recommended - some sections have rough road. A Lavida can do it but slowly with more scraping risk.

9. Book with us

We have run this route many times: where to refuel, which hotels are reliable, how to buy Yading tickets for foreign visitors. Message qxzj7557 with your dates.