7 Days in Daocheng Yading — China's Last Shangri-La | Travel Routes

About Your Trip

Get going on a wild ride through Sichuan's wild west, where tall, snowy peaks touch blue skies and old Tibetan ways live in flag-full valleys. This 7-day loop shows off the "Blue Planet’s Last Pure Land"—Yading Nature Reserve—a World Heritage site with big holy mountains like Chenrezig (6,032m) and bright blue lakes. Join a cozy group of 2-8, ride in big 4WDs along the great Sichuan-Tibet road. See unreal sunsets at Yuzi West 360° spot, walk strange rock lands at Moshi Park, and drink yak butter tea in Litang, internet star Ding Zhen's home spot. With top guides, good lodges, and no shopping stops, this trip mixes tough adventure with smooth travel. Want to swap city rush for big stars and yaks in the shadow of high peaks? Come, your wild escape waits!

Tour Highlights

Gaze 360° at snowy sights from Yuzi West

Walk to sky-like Milk Lake (4,600m) inside Yading

See rock shapes like Mars at Moshi Park

See Litang—a place full of Tibetan life and Ding Zhen’s home

Snap sunset pics in Xinduqiao’s “Photographer’s Paradise”

Eat yak food and butter tea while staying with Tibetans

Travel easy with VIP small-group logistics and expert guides

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Chengdu to Xinduqiao via Yuzi West

Leave Chengdu (500m) at 7:00 AM, drive 4 hours through the Erlangshan Tunnel into Tibetan lands. Go up to Kangding for lunch, then take a fun drive on S434 to Red Child Lake (4,200m)—with snowy peaks in green water. Then, see Starry Ding Lake and Mount Go

Day 2

Xinduqiao to Shangri-La Town via Sky Road

Post breakfast, handle Sky Road’s 18 turns (4,650m)—a big zigzag through canyons. Hit Litang (4,014m), check out Lethong Old Town’s prayer-wheel roads and Changqingchunke Temple. Cross the Haizi Mountain Ice Cap—full of 1,145 lakes—before going down to Sh

Day 3

Yading Reserve Long Hike (Milk & Five-Color Lakes)

Head into Yading via shuttle bus. At Zhuagongbeng, walk or ride a horse to Chonggu Temple then to Lorong and hike 5km (3–4hrs) to Milk Lake (4,600m) and Five-Color Lake (4,600m). Go back to Shangri-La Town at night. Hiking: 7–8hrs

Day 4

Yading Short Hike & Return to Daocheng

Re-enter Yading for an easier walk: go to Pearl Lake (3,900m) under Chenrezig Mountain, with green water and flags. After lunch, go to Daocheng (3,700m), stopping at White Chorten Stupa Park at sunset—a photo spot with 108 shrines. End with a Tibetan hot

Day 5

Daocheng to Yajiang via Litang & Haizi Pass

Go back the same high way, stopping in Litang to see monks at Kelsang Monastery. Pass Rabbit Ear Mountain (4,696m) and Haizi Pass (4,500m), see wild yaks in the rocks. Go down to Yajiang (2,500m) for a cozy overnight stay. Total Drive: 6hrs

Day 6

Yajiang to Danba via Moshi Park & Tibetan Villages

Drive to Tagong Grassland, ride next to yaks (opt), then see Moshi Park’s odd grey rocks. After lunch, visit Yala Snow Mountain spot before going to Danba’s Jiaju Tibetan Village (2,200m). Stay in an old stone tower, eat barley wine and yak stew. Total Dr

Day 7

Danba to Chengdu via Siguniang Mountains

Wind through apple orchards to Siguniangshan (Four Sisters Mountain). Explore Shuangqiao Valley’s meadows and waterfalls by eco-cart. After lunch, head back to Chengdu through Wolong Panda Spot, get there by 6:00 PM. Total Drive: 5hrs