In the snowy sacred land of Daocheng Yading, unlock the "last Shangri-La" of Western Sichuan in 7 days

Deep in Western Sichuan, Daocheng Yading is the "pure land sanctuary" in the hearts of countless travelers. When snow-capped mountains, meadows, and lakes change their stunning appearances with the seasons, this place becomes a real-life "Shangri-La." If you yearn for the purity and awe of high altitudes, be sure to save this 7-day, 6-night in-depth Daocheng Yading travel guide—covering route planning, secret spots, altitude sickness tips, and accommodation advice, all based on solid experience from seasoned Western Sichuan travelers, taking you on an immersive journey to unlock every heart-stirring corner of Daocheng Yading. 🚗 Route Plan · 7 Days Connecting the Essence of Western Sichuan D1 Gather in Chengdu → Hailuogou → Stay in Hailuogou - Depart from Chengdu, drive northwest along the Ya-Ye Expressway for about 3.5 hours to reach Hailuogou. - Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park: Check in at the "low-altitude modern glacier," take a sightseeing bus deep into the park, hike or take the cable car (round trip 135 RMB/person) to overlook the entire glacier; if visiting in winter, enjoy the hot springs at Camp No. 2 (188 RMB/person), watch snowflakes fall into the hot spring pool, and experience the magical "ice and fire" sensation. D2 Hailuogou → Kangding → Zheduo Mountain → Litang → Stay in Litang - Leave Hailuogou in the morning, pass through Kangding, and cross Zheduo Mountain, known as the "First Pass of Kham" (altitude 4,298 meters, prayer flags fluttering at the pass, an excellent spot for photographing snow mountain panoramas; remember to keep warm and windproof). - Arrive in Litang, the "World’s Highest City," in the afternoon. Visit Changqing Chöde Monastery (the third largest monastery in Tibetan areas, free admission, join pilgrims circumambulating to feel the power of Tibetan faith); watch the sunset over the Litang grasslands in the evening, where golden grasslands and distant snow mountains create a quintessential Western Sichuan scene. D3 Litang → Daocheng → Zunsheng Pagoda Forest → Populus Forest → Stay in Daocheng - About a 2-hour drive from Litang to Daocheng, passing through Maoya Grassland, which changes dramatically with the seasons: wildflowers in summer, golden hues in autumn, and snowy pastoral scenes in winter. - Highlights: - Zunsheng Pagoda Forest: One of Daocheng’s landmarks, dozens of Buddhist pagodas shining under the sun, perfect for wide-angle panoramic shots. - Daocheng Populus Forest: In autumn (mid to late October), the poplars turn from green to yellow; stroll along the road and every snapshot captures the charm of "Little Tibet in Western Sichuan." D4 Daocheng → Yading Scenic Area → Chonggu Monastery → Pearl Lake → Stay in Yading Village - About 1.5 hours from Daocheng to Yading Scenic Area. Upon arrival, purchase tickets (ticket + shuttle bus 266 RMB/person, valid for 3 days), then take the shuttle bus into Yading Village. - Afternoon light hike: Start from Chonggu Monastery (a Tibetan Buddhist temple backed by Mount Xianuoduo, with meadows in front that are perfect for photographing the mountain’s reflection), walk about 1 hour along the plank road to Pearl Lake, whose emerald waters nestle at the foot of snow mountains, with clear reflections of Mount Xianuoduo on sunny days, creating breathtaking views. D5 Yading Scenic Area → Luorong Pasture → Milk Lake → Five Color Lake → Stay in Yading Village - Today is the "hardcore" hiking day in Yading. It’s recommended to start early (before 7 AM), take the electric shuttle bus (round trip 80 RMB/person) to Luorong Pasture. - From Luorong Pasture, hike (or horseback ride, round trip 300-500 RMB/person, advance booking required in peak season) to Milk Lake (altitude 4,600 meters, clear waters named for its milk bottle shape, surrounded by snow mountains) and Five Color Lake (altitude 4,700 meters, which displays multiple colors under sunlight, making the hike here very rewarding). - Tips: Walk slowly and breathe steadily at high altitudes, bring enough oxygen canisters (available in the park for about 60 RMB/can) and energy snacks, keep warm as it can snow even in summer at the summit. D6 Yading Village → Daocheng → Litang → Stay in Litang - Spend the morning exploring Yading Village, admiring the blend of Tibetan-style houses and snow mountains, then take the shuttle bus out of the park and drive back to Litang via Daocheng. - In the evening, experience a Tibetan home visit (offered by some guesthouses), where you can drink butter tea, eat tsampa, and listen to locals share stories about life on the plateau. D7 Litang → Yajiang → Xinduqiao → End in Chengdu - Return to Chengdu along National Highway 318, passing Xinduqiao ("Photographer’s Paradise"), where autumn poplars turn golden and rolling mountains create perfect scenes for road photography, enjoying the changing landscapes of Western Sichuan and concluding this sacred journey. 📸 Photo Spots · Master All Secret Locations - Hailuogou Glacier: Take the cable car to Camp No. 4, use the glacier as a backdrop for photos interacting with the ice; wear bright clothes for better shots. - Zheduo Mountain Pass: Stand in front of the prayer flags, let the wind lift them, capture people with snow mountains and flags in the frame for a full atmospheric effect. - Daocheng Populus Forest: Choose a uniquely shaped poplar tree, stand beside it or sit under it, use light and shadow to shoot artistic photos. - Chonggu Monastery → Pearl Lake: Early morning at Chonggu Monastery is less crowded; shoot the reflection of Mount Xianuoduo from a low angle to emphasize the mountain’s majesty. - Luorong Pasture → Milk Lake: Photograph Mount Yangmaiyong ("Manjushri Bodhisattva" incarnation) with the pasture and yaks in the frame, a classic "National Geographic style" shot. 🎒 Practical Tips · Complete Guide for High Altitude Travel 🔹 Clothing Suggestions (high altitude + variable climate, layering is key) - Tops: Quick-dry base layer + fleece + windproof waterproof jacket (preferably with removable liner); in winter, switch to a down jacket (200g filling or more). - Bottoms: Quick-dry pants + fleece-lined softshell pants; in winter, down pants or thick windproof pants. - Footwear & Bags: High-top hiking boots (slip-resistant and waterproof) + wool socks (bring several pairs); backpack around 50L for clothes and supplies. - Accessories: Baseball cap + sun hat (dual-use) + sunglasses (strong UV at high altitude) + multifunctional headscarf (dust and sun protection) + warm gloves (essential in winter). 🔹 Accommodation Recommendations (comfort + oxygen supply for high altitude) - Hailuogou: Hailuogou Gongga Shentang Hot Spring Hotel, with its own hot springs and oxygen supply in rooms, about 400-600 RMB/person per night. - Litang: Litang Yuetu Sunshine Hotel, ample oxygen supply, Tibetan-style decor, about 300-500 RMB/person per night. - Daocheng: Ramada Encore Daocheng Yading Hotel, well-equipped with floor heating, about 400-700 RMB/person per night. - Yading Village: Desha Homestay in Yading Village, converted Tibetan-style houses, simple facilities but close to Yading’s charm, about 200-400 RMB/person per night, some rooms have oxygen supply. 🔹 Food List (Tibetan + Sichuan flavors, taste the essence of Western Sichuan) - Hailuogou: Hailuogou smoked pork stir-fried with wild vegetables (fragrant but not greasy, wild vegetables are sweet), Moxi old smoked pork (local specialty, fatty but not greasy). - Litang: Butter tea + tsampa (try sweet tea first to adapt to Tibetan diet), Litang yak meat hotpot (firm yak meat, rich broth). - Daocheng: Plateau cod (Daocheng specialty, tender meat, good steamed or braised), Tibetan-style earthen hotpot (rich ingredients, great for group dining). 🔹 Altitude Sickness Prevention & Precautions - Prevention: Take Rhodiola 7 days in advance (as a supplement), avoid strenuous exercise after arriving at high altitude, drink plenty of warm water, and get enough sleep. - Treatment: If headache or nausea occurs, use oxygen (bring your own or buy in the park); if symptoms worsen, descend immediately to lower altitude areas (Daocheng at 3,700 meters is lower than Yading Village and suitable for adjustment). - Transportation: Western Sichuan has many mountain roads; car rental with driver is recommended (7-day rental from Chengdu costs about 1,500-2,000 RMB per person, choose experienced local drivers); in winter, some roads may have snow and require snow chains. - Documents: ID card is a must; no border permits are needed for Litang, Yading, and other areas, but always carry your ID. The beauty of Western Sichuan lies in the glacier hot springs of Hailuogou, the pastoral songs of Litang grasslands, and the sacred mountains and lakes of Daocheng Yading. This guide clearly lays out routes, activities, and pitfalls, waiting for you to step into this "last Shangri-La" and write your own Western Sichuan story.