[2025 Daocheng Attraction] Travel Guide for Xiannairi (Updated Jan)

Since the trees of the forest had not completely change their foliage color yet in the last autumn, I decided to visit Daocheng Yading or Yading Nature Reserve this year (2024) about 10 days later than the previous year. I was glad that I did, this time the trees have fully transformed into their autumn foliage color. #china #sichuan #ganzi #naturalwonders #thingstodo In order to have a different experience than the previous visit, I decided on another scenic area, the Xiannairi Snow Mountain. From the Chonggu Temple visitor center, I set out on foot towards Chonggu Temple, a Tibetan temple by the foothill of Xiannairi. It was thrilling to see yellow autumn foliage among green pines beside and behind the beautiful Chonggu Temple, with the ever so majestic Xiannairi in the background. There was actually another route which won't pass by the Chonggu Temple, but I was glad that I chose this route instead. After that, I walked through a trail beside the temple into the pristine forest behind Chonggu Temple. Pines with yellow autumn foliage were everywhere around the trail. Excitedly, I thought this has to be the ultimate autumn display everyone serious into autumn foliage viewing should see! And it was the entire stretch of forest until the trail reach open space at higher elevation, all along in yellow blaze. And there she was, Xiannairi snow mountain, facing the small little me at the open space. Forest at the foothill of Xiannairi and surrounding mountains were a mix of yellow and green. There was so much of mix feeling when facing such grand scenery; excited, appreciative, admiration, respect, and others. I continued walking on the walkway nearer to Xiannairi, an above 6,000 m snow mountain, to visit a lake at her foothill. The view of Xiannairi with Zuomalacuo or Zhenzhuhai (Pearl Lake), and the surrounding autumn foliage display, was intoxicating! The lake has water in various green shades, possibly according to water depth. The end nearer to Xiannairi is deep, while the opposite end away from her is shallow. It's a considerably small lake, and walking around the lake could be leisurely achieved in 30 minutes. There is only one same way in and out of Xiannairi snow mountain, and on the way out, the yellow autumn foliage of the forest was appreciated once more! Further down the foothill, I bypassed Chonggu Temple and reached Chonggu Grassland beside Chonggu Temple visitor center, where my sightseeing continued...

🍁 Most people visit Daocheng to see the three sacred mountains of Yading. Although these three sacred mountains are only about 6,000 meters above sea level, they are considered one of the most beautiful snow-capped mountains in China. 🍁 Daocheng Yading Xiannairi is one of the most famous alpine canyon landforms in China. The beautiful scenery here is mesmerizing, and it is known as a "paradise on earth." The rolling mountains and misty clouds make it look like a fairyland. The lakes formed by glacial meltwater are of different colors, and their beauty is unbelievable. The area is rich in plant resources, with many trees and plants such as redwoods and firs, making the mountain scenery even more beautiful. 🍁 The pyramid-like Xiannairi (Avalokitesvara): The highest peak of the three sacred mountains, with an altitude of 5,998.5 meters. As you hike along the boardwalk, the snow-capped mountains open up before you. This shock can only be felt when you are there, witnessing the magnificence of nature! 🍁 You must visit Daocheng Yading at least once in your life!

Mount Xiannairi is located in Daocheng Yading National Park. It is one of the three sacred peaks representing the three Bodhisattvas of Yading. This peak stands at 6,032 meters above sea level. Along the way, there are platforms where you can make wishes. You can see the mountain as soon as you get off the park bus, but it might not be very clear due to the trees blocking the view. If you want a clearer view of Mount Xiannairi, there is the Guanyin Cibei route, also known as the short route in the park. This route takes about 3-4 hours to walk.

💐There's a place 🏞 called Daocheng. I want to go there with the person I love most ❤️ to see the azure sky, white snow-capped mountains 🏔, golden grasslands, and experience an autumn 🍁 fairy tale ✨ 📌Daocheng Yading is located in ❣️ Yading Village, Xianggelila Town, Daocheng County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It consists of three sacred mountains - Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong, and Xialuoduoji - along with surrounding rivers, lakes, and alpine meadows. Altitude: 3900m+ Entrance fee 🚪: CNY 240 Electric cart 🚴‍♀️: One-way CNY 50, Round-trip CNY 80 Recommended visit time: 1-2 days (ticket valid for 2 days) Opening hours: 06:30-19:00 Transportation guide 🚗✈️: You can choose to fly to Daocheng Yading Airport. Currently, there are only direct flights from Chengdu. Alternatively, you can start from Lijiang, Lugu Lake, or Kangding, enjoying the magnificent scenery along the way before finally reaching Daocheng Yading. 🏞Recommended attractions 1️⃣Daocheng Yading Three Sacred Mountains - Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong, Xialuoduoji 2️⃣Milk Lake - The lake water is as white as milk, surrounded by different layers of colors, but the Milk Lake in the center is a huge highlight 3️⃣Five-Color Lake - At an altitude of 4,100 meters, the lake bottom is covered with various plants, which refract light to produce various colors, making it very beautiful 4️⃣Luorong Pasture - A wide grassland surrounded by the three sacred mountains of "Risongongbu", it's the best spot for viewing snow-capped mountains Accommodation recommendations 🏠 ✅Daocheng County: 100+ km from Yading Scenic Area, quite far, not highly recommended, suitable for those with longer travel times ✅Xianggelila Town: Only 5 km from Yading Scenic Area (about 10+ min drive), many hotel and price options, the choice of most people. The downside is that you need to come back to take the sightseeing bus for a second visit to Yading the next day, or take an electric cart ✅Yading Village: Inside Yading Scenic Area, closer, but prices are higher Recommended routes: 1️⃣Chengdu - Yuzixi/Gediram - Xinduqiao 2️⃣Xinduqiao - Jianziwan - Kazila Mountain - Litang - Daocheng 3️⃣Daocheng - Yading 1-day tour - Riwa 4️⃣Riwa - Xinduqiao 5️⃣Xinduqiao - Tagong - Moshi - Muya Monastery - 434 Airport Road - Red Beach - Chengdu Seasonal 🌤 guide 💥April-June: It's the flower viewing season in Daocheng Yading, with Gesang flowers covering the mountains along the way. The sacred mountains in the scenic area also appear particularly clear and magnificent during this season. 💥July-September: You can see pristine snow-capped mountains, azure sky, lush meadows, and herds of cattle and sheep everywhere. 💥September-October: Autumn is the popular season. There are red grasslands, acres of poplar forests, and colorful autumn foliage, like a dream. 💥November-March next year: Winter offers readily accessible whiteness, and Milk Lake and Luoruo Snow are photogenic. ⚠️⚠️Tips 💡💡 1️⃣Altitude sickness: Daocheng Yading is at a high altitude. It's recommended to prepare altitude sickness medication in advance and wear warm clothing to cope with temperature differences between morning and evening. ⚠️Note environmental protection: Daocheng Yading is a national nature reserve. Everyone should consciously protect the natural environment and not litter. 🧥Clothing suggestions: Hiking boots, hiking shoes, and warm jackets are recommended, as the hiking routes in Daocheng Yading are quite challenging, and there are significant temperature differences between morning and evening.

Daocheng Yading is located in Shangri-La Town, Daocheng County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is a tourist destination that integrates natural landscapes such as mountains, grasslands, forests, lakes, and temples with cultural landscapes. Due to its unique geographical location and natural environment, the altitude of Daocheng Yading is relatively high, with most attractions above 3500 meters above sea level. The highest point is Xianuoduoji Peak, with an altitude of 6032 meters. Among the three lakes, Pearl Lake is at a relatively low point in the Yading Scenic Area, close to the visitor center, and is not difficult to reach. Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake, although only 400-500 meters higher in altitude than Pearl Lake, are far away, with rugged and difficult mountain roads that are not accessible by car. They require a combination of horseback riding and walking, making it easy to experience altitude sickness. It is necessary to reasonably arrange physical strength and take appropriate measures. The third category includes ancient temples, meadows, and pastures, with altitudes ranging from 3900 meters to 4150 meters. Compared to the snow-capped mountains and lakes, the ancient temples, meadows, and alpine pastures in the Yading Scenic Area have lower altitudes, making them more suitable for people who are physically weak or prone to altitude sickness. These areas are mostly accessible by scenic sightseeing buses, requiring less physical effort and are relatively safe, yet the scenery is exquisite and beautiful. The Daocheng Yading Scenic Area is world-renowned for its unique pristine ecological environment and its magnificent, strange, beautiful, and high-quality natural scenery. The three sacred mountains, 'Xianuoduoji, Yangmaiyong, and Xianuoduoji,' along with the surrounding rivers, lakes, and alpine meadows, slowly unfold the scroll of the holy land over a long period of time... In the Daocheng Yading Scenic Area, looking into the distance, the vastness of heaven and earth is boundless, with scattered rocks covering the sky and earth, striking the heart. 1,145 alpine lakes are scattered among the rugged rocks, as blue as jade, with extremely spectacular scenery, earning it the reputation of 'the last Shangri-La.'

Because it is really too beautiful!!! Daocheng Yading, hidden in a magical land in the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, boasts enchanting natural scenery and rich cultural heritage, making it an ideal summer resort. Among the attractions of Daocheng Yading, the three sacred mountains of Daocheng are particularly captivating. Yangmaiyong, Xianuoduoji, and Xianairi, these three sacred mountains, are reflected by the surrounding rivers and lakes, pristine and pure, as if leading people into a dreamlike fairyland. The three holy lakes of Yading are equally charming: Milk Sea, Five-Color Sea, and Pearl Sea. These three lakes are scattered among the three sacred mountains. Milk Sea is the most prominent of the three holy lakes, with crystal clear water; Pearl Sea is the holy lake at the lowest altitude in Yading and is an ideal place to photograph the reflection of Xianairi. Luorong Pasture has its unique charm. It is the starting point for the Five-Color Sea and Milk Sea, a must-pass place for the Xianairi circumambulation route starting from Chonggu Temple, and one of the well-known accommodation spots in the Daocheng Yading scenic area, with an altitude of 4150 meters, offering breathtaking views! The long route of Daocheng Yading is 10 kilometers in total, with an average altitude of about 4500 meters, and takes about 6-9 hours to walk. First, take the scenic sightseeing bus from the entrance of the scenic area to Zha Guabeng, then walk 0.5 kilometers to Chonggu Temple, and then reach Luorong Pasture. From Luorong Pasture to Milk Sea is still 5 kilometers, of which 3 kilometers is a dirt road, relatively easy to walk, and 2 kilometers is an uphill road with a steep slope. From Milk Sea to Five-Color Sea is another 1 kilometer, with a high altitude, it is recommended to proceed according to your own condition, pay attention to rest and replenish water in time. The short route of Daocheng Yading has an average altitude of about 3800 meters, the entire route is only 3 kilometers, and it takes only about 2-3 hours to walk. The combination of Chonggu Temple and Pearl Sea, take the sightseeing bus from the entrance of the scenic area to Zha Guabeng, then walk 0.5 kilometers to reach Chonggu Temple. At Pearl Sea, you can enjoy the reflection of Xianairi and the charming sunset scenery. On this short route, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that the stunning scenery of Daocheng Yading is within reach.

In autumn, on the land of Western Sichuan, there is a place where you will regret whether you go or not, that is Daocheng Yading. This is a magical place that can shock you without any filters, with all kinds of beauty you can imagine. Coming to Daocheng Yading is like entering another world. Xian Nai Ri is one of the most beautiful and shocking mountains in China, and the plateau grassland is a famous spot at the foot of Xian Nai Ri Mountain. The altitude of Daocheng Yading Scenic Area is high, so you need to play according to your ability.

Starting to Xiannai, Xiannai, Yang Maiyong, Xia Nuo Duoji, guarding the three guardian mountains of Yading Tibetans. When I meet you again, I just want to hug you tightly, Xiannai Shenshan. The city is full of golden armor, and the flowers of the seasons and seasons fall and fall, and a heart can't be properly collected by the years. Sichuan Xian Nai, the head of the big peak, 6032 meters above sea level, the male sword is cut, straight into the sky, the peak name means "Guan Shi Yin Bo", Nanfeng Yang Maiyong "Manjusri Bodhisattva" (5958 meters), Dongfeng Xia Duo Duoji "Golden Hand Bodhisattva" (5958 meters), it is said that if the Tibetans can worship the three mountains, you can realize the wishes of this life. Going ahead is the Pearl Sea in Tibetan called "Zhuoma Lacuo", which is the sea of ice formed by the melting of the snow of Xiannai. 4100 meters above sea level. Its name is as beautiful as its scenery, maybe I can't describe it in words, so I watched this group of photos quietly. Zhuoma is the transliteration of the Tibetan word "Dum", which means "fairy", so Zhuoma Lacuo is also called "Dummu". Translated into Chinese is Fairy Lake.