Daocheng Yading Natural Reserve

Chinese name: 稻城亚丁景区(Dao Cheng Ya Ding) 
Location: Daocheng County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, South Sichuan Province.
Ticket: Entrance ticket CNY150.00, sightseeing bus CNY120.00, round-trip electric cart to Luorong pasture CNY80.00.
Estimated tour time: 1-2 days
Recommended time to visit: all year round.
Nearby attractions: Haizi Mountain, Litang Monastery, Xingyicuo Lake, Cuopu Valley, etc.

Honored as the “last pure land on our blue planet”, Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve was first introduced to the world when the famous American adventurer Joseph F. Rock published an article and photographs of Daocheng in the National Geographic in 1928. “Where in all the world is to be found scenery comparable to that which awaits the explorer and photographer!”, he wrote. The snow-capped mountains, steep cliffs, crystal clear lakes, vast pastures, as well as the dense woods compose a harmonious utopian land.

Holy snow-capped mountains, lakes and temples, once accessed only by the odd explorers, red, yellow and green trees form a dazzling autumn vista at Yading Nature Reserve Park, which is now attracting a host of visitors seeking "the last Shangri-la" in China.

● Highlights of Yading Nature Reserve

Xiannairi

Xiannairi, 6032 meters high, is the highest mountain among the three holy mountains. Its peak snow will not melt all the year around. The appearance of it is like a Buddha who leans back his body, sitting on a lotus plate with a large pagoda in his arm. Xiannairi becomes brightly golden when the sun shines on it.

Yangmaiyong

Yangmaiyong is 5958 meters high. It has a sharp peak pointing directly to the sky. Gorges, forest, grassland and stream are surrounded down the mountain. Among the three mountains, Yangmaiyong is the most unique one for visitors.


Xianuoduoji

Xianuoduoji is 5958 meters high. It ranks the third among the three holy mountains. Mr. Locke described Xianuoduoji as a bat waiting to fly with its wings unfolded. At the foot of Xianuoduoji is Luorong Pasture which is the living place for Mr. Locke.


Chonggu Temple

Chonggu Temple is at the foot of Xiannairi. Its altitude is 3880 meters. Its original temple was destroyed badly. And what remain now are ruins of buildings. When you are at the temple, there are three holy mountains in front of you. The wide meadow dotted with wildflowers under your foot. At your back is the Yading Canyon. Chonggu temple is like a gate of paradise.

Luorong Pasture

Luorong Pasture is a main highlight in Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve. It is at the altitude of 4150 and is the best place to view the three holy mountains. Around the pasture are the alpine meadows. In spring and summer, there are many flowers blossoming all over the meadows. Gongga River passes across the pasture. Herds of castles and sheep eat grass along the river. Hiking backpackers can camp there in order to watch sunrise and sunset and take beautiful pictures.

Milk Lake

Milk Lake, also called as Luorongcuo, is situated at the foot of Yangmaiyong. It is the best way to watch Yangmaiyong. Its altitude is 4600 meters. The water of the verge of the lake is milky. That’s why it is called Milk Lake.

Five-color Lake

Five-color Lake, at the altitude of 4500m, is located above Milk Lake, between Xiannairi and Yangmaiyong. The water in the lake appears five colors under the sunshine. That’s why it is called Five-color Lake.

Pearl Lake

The Pearl Lake, (Zuomalacuo lake) in Tibetan is located at the foot of Chenrisig moutnain in Yading nature reserve,3 kms to Longlongba.This tibetan lake is filled with deep blue water and circled by wild flowers, in the sunny days, the lake surface looks like coverd by thousands of pearls under sunshine.

The pearl lake is like an emerald fixed on the lotus-like mountain valley. The clear water has the same color of the sky, the floating cloud is reflected on the lake. Inside the lake, some hundred years old tree trunks are dipped in the water.With the barks decayed, the trunk appears a silver color which makes one trunk with one end above the water look like a silver dragon.

Along the lakeside standing some old trees and wild flowers. All of the snow peaks,cloud,blue sky, trees, wild flowers are mirroed on the lake which compose a picturesque beauty.