Daocheng Yading (Sichuan) 7 Days 6 Nights Travel Guide

Daocheng Yading 7 Days 6 Nights In-depth Travel Guide (Budget 15,000 RMB) Suitable for: Plateau scenery lovers, hiking enthusiasts, photography fans Best season: May to October (wildflowers bloom in June-July, autumn colors are stunning in September-October) Budget allocation: Transportation 50% + Accommodation 25% + Food 15% + Tickets/Experiences 10% 📅 Itinerary Overview Day 1: Chengdu → Kangding (Altitude 2560m) Day 2: Kangding → Xinduqiao → Litang (Altitude 4014m) Day 3: Litang → Daocheng → Shangri-La Town (Altitude 2900m) Day 4: Yading Long Route (Luorong Pasture → Milk Sea → Five Color Sea) Day 5: Yading Short Route (Chonggu Temple → Pearl Lake) Day 6: Daocheng → Xinduqiao Day 7: Xinduqiao → Chengdu ✈️ Day 1: Chengdu → Kangding (4-hour drive) Morning: Depart from Chengdu Transportation: Private car/shared car (7-seater business van about 1000 RMB/day) Highlights along the way: Yakang Expressway: Pass through Erlang Mountain Tunnel (China’s longest highway tunnel) Luding Bridge (Ticket 10 RMB): Experience the history of the Red Army’s daring capture of Luding Bridge Afternoon: Acclimate to altitude in Kangding Recommended activities: Visit Kangding Love Song Square, night tour of Zheduo River (night lights and scenery) Accommodation: Gesanghua Hotel Kangding (about 400 RMB/night, oxygen-supplied room) 🏔️ Day 2: Kangding → Xinduqiao → Litang (6-hour drive) Morning: Cross Zheduo Mountain (Altitude 4298m) Photo spots: Zheduo Mountain Viewing Platform (free): Capture sea of clouds + prayer flags Xinduqiao (World of light and shadow): Stunning poplar trees in autumn Afternoon: Litang, the world’s highest city Must-visit: Letong Ancient Town · Thousand Household Tibetan Village (free): Ding Zhen’s hometown, Tibetan culture experience Changqing Qionglai Monastery (free): Largest Gelugpa monastery in the Kang region Accommodation: Litang Holiday Hotel (about 350 RMB/night, with oxygen machine) 🌄 Day 3: Litang → Daocheng → Shangri-La Town (4-hour drive) Scenery along the way: Haizi Mountain (Altitude 4500m): Ancient glacier relics, looks like alien terrain Zunsheng Pagoda Forest (free): Daocheng landmark, spin prayer wheels for blessings Afternoon: Rest in Shangri-La Town Plateau acclimation tips: Avoid washing hair or bathing, prepare oral glucose solution Accommodation: Daocheng Huajing Wenlan Hotel (about 500 RMB/night, oxygen + floor heating) 🥾 Day 4: Yading Long Route Challenge (10km hiking/7 hours) Route: Visitor Center → Zhaguanbeng (Sightseeing bus 120 RMB/person) Zhaguanbeng → Luorong Pasture (Electric cart 80 RMB/person) Luorong Pasture → Milk Sea (4600m) → Five Color Sea (4700m) (Hiking/horse riding 300 RMB one way) ⚠️ Notes: Must-have: Oxygen tank (20 RMB/can), trekking poles (rent 30 RMB), self-heating rice Must descend from Milk Sea by 14:30 at the latest (last bus 19:00) 🌿 Day 5: Yading Short Route (Easy tour) Route: Chonggu Temple (Altitude 3880m): Tibetan Buddhist temple Pearl Lake (Zhuomalaco): Capture the reflection of Mount Xianuoduo Afternoon: Return to Daocheng County Recommended experience: Rubuchaka Hot Springs (50 RMB/person): Natural geothermal, relieve fatigue 🚗 Day 6-7: Daocheng → Chengdu (Return trip) Day 6: Daocheng → Xinduqiao (Stay in Xinduqiao, photograph starry sky) Day 7: Xinduqiao → Chengdu (Pass by Moxi Park, ticket 60 RMB) 💰 Budget Details (2 people traveling together) Item Cost (2 people) Notes Major transportation 4000 RMB Round-trip flight/train tickets Chengdu Local transportation 6000 RMB 7-day private car (including fuel and driver) Accommodation 3000 RMB 6 nights (including oxygen hotels) Food 1500 RMB About 200 RMB/day (Tibetan food + snacks) Tickets/Experiences 1000 RMB Yading + sightseeing buses + hot springs, etc. Others 500 RMB Oxygen/medicine/souvenirs Total 15,000 RMB 7,500 RMB per person, comfortable trip 🌟 Travel Tips Altitude sickness prevention essentials: Take Rhodiola 7 days in advance, bring ibuprofen (relieves headache) Dressing guide: Layered clothing: shell jacket + fleece + quick-dry shirt, sunglasses + sunscreen (UV is very strong) Photography gear: Must bring telephoto lens (70-200mm for snow mountains), drone (registration required) Pitfall avoidance: Don’t buy overpriced oxygen on the roadside, county pharmacies are cheaper If you want to adjust to Daocheng + Seda or Daocheng + Siguniang Mountain routes, just let me know! 🌄