The Ultimate Hidden Gem of Western Sichuan! A Complete Hiking Guide to Daocheng Yading – Low on Oxygen but Full of Faith

Daocheng Yading is not an easy journey, but it’s truly a place worth measuring with your footsteps, also known as "The Last Pure Land on the Blue Planet"! A double punch of Milk Lake + Five-Color Lake 👊 - **Daocheng Yading Scenic Area Ticket + Sightseeing Bus:** 266 RMB/person 📍 **Address:** Shangri-La Town, Daocheng County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province 🚌 **Transport Tips:** Direct bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Station (12h), but renting a car or carpooling is more flexible. - 🗺️ **Route Planning** 1️⃣ **Short Route:** Chonggu Temple - Pearl Lake ✅ **Chonggu Temple:** Tibetan Buddhism framed by snow-capped mountains 🏔 ✅ **Chonggu Meadow:** A filming location for Tibetan movies! The reflection of Yangmaiyong Peak is breathtaking. ✅ **Pearl Lake:** An emerald lake at the foot of Mount Chenrezig, reachable in 1h on foot. 📸 **Tips:** Arrive before 9 AM to avoid crowds—the lake is bluest in the morning, and fog may roll in by afternoon. 2️⃣ **Long Route:** Luorong Pasture - Milk Lake - Five-Color Lake ✅ **Luorong Pasture:** The "Swiss Town" of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Horse riding costs 300 RMB/person (highly recommended to save energy). Also a filming location for *I Belonged to You*. ✅ **Milk Lake:** The "Blue Tear" at 4,600m! Best light before noon. ✅ **Five-Color Lake:** Summit to witness the color-changing miracle—bring enough oxygen! - ⚠️ **Pitfall Avoidance Guide** ❌ Don’t believe "easy hike" claims! The short route takes 5 hours round-trip, and the long route takes 7-8 hours—it’s physically demanding. ✅ **Must-bring:** Raincoat, trekking poles, hiking boots, and a windproof jacket (detachable inner layer). Tested and practical 🥹 ✅ Oxygen tanks cost 80 RMB in the scenic area—buy them in town for 35 RMB/tank. Essential for high-altitude hiking! ✅ Buy the electric cart ticket separately! Avoid bundled purchases. ✅ Some unofficial guides charge ~300 RMB to carry luggage or take shortcuts, but reliability varies—choose carefully. - 👏 **Important Notes** ❌ Horse riding tickets are limited! In peak season, arrive before 6 AM to queue. ✅ The last sightseeing bus departs at 19:00—miss it, and you’ll hike down. ✅ Only Luorong Pasture has simple meals—pack chocolate or self-heating meals. ✅ Avoid washing your hair on the first day at high altitude. If blood oxygen drops below 85% while hiking, descend immediately—don’t push it. - 🍜 **Food Recommendations** ✅ **Matsutake Mushroom Chicken Stew:** A high-altitude delicacy—try *The Tip of the Tongue’s Cured Ribs*. ✅ **Yak Meat Hotpot:** Tibetan-style copper pot—*Ama Kitchen* serves generous portions. ✅ **Butter Tea:** A high-altitude lifesaver! Even better with tsampa (roasted barley flour). - When you stand in the blue of glacial meltwater, all exhaustion turns into whispers of "worth it!"