Yading Village Travel Guide – A Hidden Gem in Western Sichuan

Located in western Sichuan, Yading Village is a small Tibetan settlement nestled at the base of three sacred mountains: Chenrezig (Xiannairi), Jampayang (Yangmaiyong), and Chanadorje (Xianuoduoji). These peaks are considered holy in Tibetan Buddhism and are sometimes referred to as the “Shangri-La of China.” How to Get There Getting to Yading can be a bit of a journey, but it’s absolutely worth it. The easiest route is via Daocheng, a small city that serves as a gateway to the Yading Nature Reserve. We traveled from Shangri-La (Yunnan province) to Daocheng by long-distance bus. The bus departs daily at 8:30 AM, but we highly recommend buying your ticket the day before either at the bus station or via WeChat, as seats can sell out quickly. The ride takes around 8 hours and crosses some high-altitude passes, so prepare accordingly. Once in Daocheng, you can take a local bus or private car to Riwa (also called Yading Town) – this is the last town before the entrance to Yading National Park. It’s a good idea to stay the night in Riwa, since entrance to the park closes in the late afternoon, usually around 4 PM. Tickets and Entry Our hotel helped us book entry tickets to Yading National Park, but you can also purchase them online or directly at the tourist center. Early in the morning, we headed to the Yading Tourist Center, where all visitors must board the official sightseeing bus that takes you to Yading Village inside the park. We had booked our hotel in Yading Village via Trip.com, and the hotel description mentioned the nearest bus stop. Be sure to tell the driver where you need to get off, as the sightseeing bus continues all the way to Chonggu Monastery, which is where most of the trails begin. Hiking & Exploring the Park Once we arrived in Yading Village, we dropped off our bags at the hotel and hopped on the next bus (they run every 30 minutes from the same stop) to Chonggu Monastery to start our first hike. There are two main hiking routes: 1. Short Route – Pearl Lake (Zhuomalacuo) This trail starts from Chonggu Monastery and takes about 1 hour round-trip. It’s perfect for acclimatizing on your first day and offers stunning views of Mount Xiannairi reflected in the lake. The path is well-marked, so it’s easy to follow. 2. Long Route – Milk Lake (Niunai Hai) & Five-Color Lake (Wuse Hai) To reach these two iconic alpine lakes, take a shuttle bus (about ¥70 round trip) from Chonggu Monastery to Luorong Pasture (Luorong Niuchang). From there, it’s a 5 km hike one-way to the lakes. The trail is steep but manageable if you're prepared for the altitude. Unfortunately, when we were there, a landslide had blocked part of the trail, so we couldn’t reach the lakes—but even getting partway there offered breathtaking views of the mountains and valley. Tips & Final Thoughts Altitude is real here – Yading Village sits at around 4,000 meters, and the lakes are even higher. Spend a day acclimating if you’re coming from a lower elevation. Bring snacks, sunscreen, and layers – weather can change quickly. There’s a grocery store in Yadding village which is convenient before heading out for hikes. If you're sensitive to altitude, consider takining altitude sickness medication ahead of time. #china #travel