Travel with Tracy: Unforgettable Trip to Dacheng Yading

One day in Sep, I took a flight to Dacheng Yading (altitude: 4111m). Upon arrival, been picked up by my friends, and then we drove around 1 hour to get to Shangri-la town, also known as Riwa town.

Before checking in to the hotel, we decided to see Xingyi tso( tso is Tibetan for lake) in suburb, unfortunately, the road to this lake was broken. But there are other beautiful places in suburb, we turned the steering wheel and headed to Congqian Tso instead (the lake’s name is interesting as it’s a pun in Chinese to say someone used to be wrong). Weather in September is cold and a down coat is needed.

Beautiful Purple Wildflowers

After some leisure time, we drove back. Along the way, I was overwhelmed by beautiful views.

Trees Standing on The Grassland

We stopped at the Red Grassland. The color of this scenery is stunning!

Red Grassland

Suddenly, a bad thing happened! I started to feel very uncomfortable, lacking in strength and vomiting... I only wanted to sleep and back to the hotel for a rest.

At night, I felt good again! I came out and do a walk for a night view in the town.

And I saw the White Pagoda at night and do a kora.

White Pagoda

The second morning, I got up early and took a car to Yading Nature Reserve. I chose the short route option: take a shuttle bus to Zha Guanbeng(扎灌崩)（altitude: 3,800m）, then hike 0.5km to Chonggu monastery(altitude: 3,900m) and keep uphill 1.5km to Zhuomalatso (altitude: 4,080m). The road is paved by a metal grid, and I spent around 2 hours up.

Finally, downhill to Chonggu Monastery, and from here pick up an electric cart( 20mins) into the Luorong Grassland (altitude: 4,180m).

Chonggu Monastery is 800-year-old. Zhuomalatso is in the shadow of Chenresig’s north face.

Chonggu Monastery

Zhuomalatso Lake

Luorong Grassland offers an incredible view of the trinity: the three peaks- Chanresig (compassion), Chana Dorje (Power) and Jampelyang(Wisdom).

Luorong Grassland

Beautiful Peaks of Luorong Grassland

If you have energy and time, it’s worth continuing another 5km from Luorong Grasslands to Milk Lake (altitude:4600m) and Five-Colour Lake(altitude: 4700m). But, this round trip journey needs around 6-7 hours, and hiking trails are all around 4000m above sea level, steep and rocky. If you decide to do this, better acclimatize properly and well prepared.

On the third morning, I had to leave as only a 3 days’ vacation. The last sight on this place….

Scenery on My Way

The weather in Daocheng and Yading is changeable. The first day we arrived in sunny, while later a heavy rainfall. If you could stay more time, you may catch more color of these places! Good luck!