Discovering the Enchanted Land of Yading

Discovering the Enchanted Land of Yading

During my second expedition to Southwest China, I spent a whole month wandering through Yunnan and Sichuan. Among all the places I visited, Yading left the deepest impression on me. This stunning area lies on the edge of Sichuan, close to the Yunnan border, and is renowned for its snow-capped peaks, vast grasslands, and crystal-clear lakes. Due to its remote location, Yading sees fewer tourists compared to popular spots like Jiuzhaigou Valley.

Getting to Yading

Traveling around Yading can be a bit challenging, but that's part of its unique charm. The town of Shangri-La, formerly known as Riwa, serves as an ideal base for exploring this nature reserve. Just to avoid confusion, don’t mix up this Shangri-La with the city of the same name in Yunnan. I stayed here before venturing into the wilderness, and I found it quite convenient with many budget-friendly accommodation options.

If you prefer, you can stay right within the reserve. However, the prices are quite high, and you’ll need to rely on the park's shuttle bus for transportation. It’s best to choose this option only if you plan on hiking for more than a day.

The Hiking Trails in Yading

I began my journey from the town of Shangri-La (Riwa) to the Luorong pasture. On the first day, I took some time in Shangri-La to acclimatize to the climate. Early in the morning, I grabbed a taxi to the reserve for just 10 CNY per person. There’s no need to book tickets in advance, as there are no limits on visitor numbers. Upon arrival, I purchased an entrance ticket that included unlimited bus rides for the day, costing 266 CNY.

The bus took me to the trailhead, and the scenic views from the left side of the vehicle were absolutely breathtaking. My first stop was the Chonggu meadow and temple, where you can catch a glimpse of the stunning Pear Lake. I decided to save this for the return trip and hopped on the cable car to Luorong pasture, which cost me 70 CNY for a round trip.

From Luorong Pasture to Gongacuo Lake

Upon reaching Luorong pasture, you’ll be awestruck by the sight of snow-capped mountains surrounding the vast meadow, where yaks and cattle roam freely. I visited in October, and the grassland was a golden hue under the sun, simply magnificent. From here, you can either continue hiking or rent a horse to Gongacuo Lake. I opted to walk since the path from the pasture to the lake was relatively flat and picturesque.

Gongacuo Lake is a perfect spot for capturing photos of the snow-capped mountains reflecting on its turquoise surface. The walk to the lake takes about 45 minutes, and the scenery is just stunning. It’s worth taking the same route back to enjoy the views from different angles.

Conquering Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake

The real hiking adventure begins here as you ascend towards the pass. This section reaches an altitude of 4,000 to 4,600 meters, featuring steep, relentless steps. Along the way, there are resting spots to catch your breath and enjoy the surroundings. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the Qujiuzhaga rest stop, where you can choose to head to either Milk Lake or Five-Color Lake.