Daocheng Yading, a must-visit destination in your lifetime

How can one miss visiting Daocheng Yading? Let me share my experience with food, activities, and important tips. Currently, it's the off-season, so direct flights are only available from Chengdu. For those driving from Chengdu or Shanghai, the journey is long, but it allows gradual acclimatization to the altitude. **Transportation**: I took a direct flight from Chengdu to Yading Airport, which sits at 4,400 meters—the highest-altitude airport in China. From there, it's about a 50-minute drive to my accommodation, the Sangdeng Zhuba Starry Sky View Hotel in Daocheng. **Accommodation**: My friends and I chose not to stay near the Yading scenic area. Instead, we opted for the Sangdeng Zhuba Starry Sky View Hotel, close to Daocheng town. "Sangdeng Zhuba" means "wishes come true" in Chinese. The unique room types piqued our curiosity, and there were many nearby spots we wanted to explore. The Tibetan staff were warm and friendly—on the first day, the hostess even carried our heavy suitcases upstairs, worried we might suffer from altitude sickness. The rooms feature small balconies with lovely views. You can ask the front desk to visit the starry sky tents or log cabins for photos. The hotel also provides traditional Tibetan costumes for endless photo ops. Besides the authentic Sichuan cuisine in the restaurant, you can book a bonfire barbecue by the mountainside, complete with singing and dancing—an unforgettable experience! There’s even a mahjong room for entertainment. **Around Daocheng**: Just a 5-minute drive from the hotel is the White Pagoda, perfect for a stroll and coffee at a nearby café. Within half an hour, we went horseback riding and off-roading, visited the 600-year-old Xiongdeng Temple and Zimai Scripture Hall, and checked out a three-story antique café recommended by the owner. The hotel can arrange a one-hour drive to Yading in advance. **Tips**: I started taking Rhodiola a week in advance. Though I had no major issues, I still felt breathy while walking and struggled to sleep the first night. Oxygen tanks are available at the hotel. Avoid overexcitement and don’t shower immediately. Everyone reacts differently to altitude, so listen to your body. Yading offers short and long hiking routes—don’t push yourself to see everything at once. Stay hydrated, skip alcohol, and try to minimize oxygen use if you can adapt, as it may help you adjust faster.