Essential Guide for People without Good Endurance to Yading

As a photography enthusiast who has been to Daocheng Yading 4️⃣ times, I have some sage advice 📝 for those venturing to Daocheng Yading and want to trek without the woes of altitude sickness or nausea.

First, let’s talk about the Do’s and Don’ts before traveling to Daocheng Yading.

🍫 Pack easily digestible, high-energy snacks like Snickers or protein bars.
🛌 Ensure a good night’s sleep the day before. It’s common to struggle with sleep due to dry nostrils, headaches, and anxiety. Melatonin can help.
👨‍🦯 Prepare 2 trekking poles (borrow from your inn, or we’ll provide them if you travel with us) to save up to 30% of your energy.
💊 Don’t forget your anti-motion sickness medication – it’s a lifesaver.
🧣 Dress warmly in moisture-wicking fabrics because sweat doesn’t dry quickly up there, and the wind can be fierce.

Now let me tell you when to eat and when to hold off to avoid discomfort for the long hiking trails.

Map of Yading Trekking Route

1st leg: Hotel to the scenic spot by bus (be sure to know the bus schedules in advance)
Eat something easy to digest an hour before the bus ride – skip the eggs if they don’t sit well with you. This bus journey can be the most challenging part, with many getting sick.

2nd leg: Tourist Center to Zhaguanbeng, then by foot to Chonggu Meadow
Take it slow after getting off the bus. This stretch is easy, but right before the electric cart, take a dose of your anti-nausea meds. Try to get a seat in the front row for the best views and photo ops.

3rd leg: Luorong Pasture to Gongga Tso and then Milk Lake
Once at the pasture, snack on something high in calories but easy to digest (again, avoid eating against the wind as it can upset your stomach). Stay hydrated – it’s crucial before the upcoming flat trek. Take photos and enjoy the scenery without much difficulty.

🎈 Notice: When you start climbing stairs, stash any excess weight to retrieve on your way back – travel light. Don’t eat when you’re resting just before reaching the platform; hydrate with water or sports drinks instead (you can eat on your way down). After resting, head to Milk Lake and then Five-Color Lake, and eat at the rest station on your way back – it’s all downhill from there.

4th leg: Five-Color Lake down to supply station and sightseeing bus spot
After eating at the supply station, take another dose of your anti-nausea meds before heading to the electric cart stop. Time it well with the bus schedule; waiting in the cold or sitting on a sloped bus can be unbearable.

5th leg: Arrival back at Daocheng Yading’s main gate
Take your time walking back to the tourist center, then return to your hotel for a well-earned rest and meal.

Tourist Map of Daocheng Yading Scenic Area

You can plan your day like so:
7:00-8:00: Start at 7:00 AM from your hotel. By 7:10, you’re picking up breakfast at a local eatery. At 7:45, arrive at the entrance of the scenic area (parking and planning with friends is key since the park opens at 7!). Swipe your pass to enter at 8:00 AM. A short 20-meter walk takes you to the shuttle bus point.

8:00-9:00: Board the sightseeing bus at 8:05 (the first one departs at 7:10—brace yourself for a winding mountain road; if you’re prone to motion sickness, prep with some medication or patches). Around 8:50, alight at Zhaguanbeng, sitting at an altitude of 3800m. Prepare for a steep 500m walk that will surely get your heart racing (mine hit 146 bpm—oxygen might be necessary!).

9:00-9:30: At 9:00, purchase your electric cart ticket at Chonggu Monastery. By 9:05, you’re on the electric cart (the first one’s at 8:00, holds 12 people), reaching Luorong Pasture by 9:30.

09:30-11:30: At 9:37, reach the horse-riding ticket counter (We missed out on tickets, alas). Take a short break, and at 9:50, commence your hike. By 11:00, you’ve reached Gongga Tso, snap some photos, and maybe spot a friendly squirrel at the turn. Continue onward at 11:20, snacking and replenishing as the air thins.

11:30-14:00: You’ll get to the Jingang Challenge Line by 11:50. At 12:35, arrive at Sheshenyan, with an elevation of 4400m (turning right and climbing 1.9km takes you to the Five-Color Lake, but we opted to continue forward 1.9km towards Milk Lake, which has a gentler path). Reach Milk Lake by 1:20 PM. Indulge in a photography spree and rest (more hiking will come).

14:00-15:30: At 2:20 PM, start the return 500m uphill to Five-Color Lake, with chances to capture the full view of Milk Lake. By 2:40, you’re there – more photo ops and rest.

🎈 Note: we didn’t venture further to the mountain top as other travelers mentioned it’s just higher with no additional scenery. On the way back from Five-Color Lake, you might pass a lesser-known lake, which some mistakenly think is the main attraction and therefore might head back feeling underwhelmed, missing out on the true beauty of both Five-Color and Milk Lakes.

15:30-17:00: Begin your descent at 3:45 PM; staff will likely advise against going up at this time. The journey down is swift; you’re back at the Jingang Challenge Line by 4:00 PM, which is peak time for descending. By 4:40 PM, return to Gongga Tso – fewer clouds, better light, and horses grazing by the wooden path make for excellent photos.

17:00-20:00: Queue for the electric cart at Luorong Pasture by 5:40 PM, board at 5:55 (last carts at 6:00). After disembarking and a 500m walk (be cautious, this part can be slippery), catch the bus at 6:30 PM (last one at 7:00 PM), and you’re back at the exit by 7:30 PM.

Tickets Price:
Yading Scenic Area (discounts available with a student ID or senior citizen card)
Peak season (April 1 – November 30): 146 RMB per person
Off-season (December 1 – March 31): 120 RMB per person
Sightseeing Bus: 120 RMB per person

Transport:
🛩 Plane: Daocheng Yading Airport, then a bus/taxi from the airport to the scenic area.
🚘 Self-drive: The roads have many bends, which can be challenging for drivers, so choose carefully.
🚌 Chartered car: Cost-effective for groups, but find a reliable local driver.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tour group: Hassle-free with an experienced tour guide, but with less freedom.
🏇 Horse riding: From Luorong Pasture to Milk Lake, it’s a 2-3 hour journey, costing about 300 RMB per person.

Accommodation Suggestion:
Altitude sickness is tough! For a good rest, it’s recommended to stay at a lower altitude, such as Shangri-La Town (Riwa Township).

I suggest a travel duration of 3-6 days for regular travel routes or challenging trekking routes.
The regular travel routes by hiking or horse riding are divided into two trails.
🤪 Long route: Chonggu Temple – Chonggu Meadow – Luorong Pasture – Milk Lake (super photogenic) – Five-Color Lake (even more stunning on clear days!)
😀 Short route: Chonggu Temple – Chonggu Meadow – Pearl Lake (the best spot for reflections of the holy Mount Shenrezig).