Daocheng Yading Airport - the Highest Civilian Airport in the World

Brief Introduction about Daocheng Yading Airport

Daocheng Yading Airport is the only airport serving Daocheng County in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The opening of the airport slash travel time from Chengdu to Daocheng Yading from two days by bus to just 65mins by air.

Flight to Daocheng Yading Airport

There are direct flight from Chengdu to Daocheng almost everyday. But for other places of departure, the scheduled flights may generally only available during the peak tourist season. So if you want to travel to Daocheng but without direct flight, you can get to Chengdu first and transfer to airlines which head to Daocheng. Check the following charts to learn more about scheduled flight to Daocheng Yading Airport.

(Note: Flights to Daochegn Yading Airport affected by weather. In winter most of the flight may stop due to the bad weather. The duration times are for reference only. The airline companies may change the duration time a little bit according to the seasons.)

>> 4 Days Daocheng Yading Hiking Tour by Flight

Daocheng Yading Airport Transfer

Daocheng Yading Airport is located on the north of Daocheng County, about 50km away. It takes about 1 hour by taxi. Meanwhile it is about 123km from Shangrila town and 128km from the Yading Nature Reserve, takes about 2-2.5 hours. In general, there are three ways for travels to get to Daocheng County or Yading Nature Reserve area, through airport shuttle bus, by private cars or taxi.

Daocheng Airport Transportation Map

Taking a private car is the most convenient and time-saving way to go to Daocheng county or Daocheng Yading Natural Reserve. Daocheng Yading Airport is the highest airport in the world with altitude over 4400 meters, for some visitors first come to plateau region may suffer high altitude sickness, but our experienced local drivers and English-speaking tour guide will accompany you all the way, give you tips about how to overcome it and provide you the best service to make sure you have a comfortable and memorable journey here.

No matter when your flight arrives, our friendly tour guide and driver will hold a sign with your name and welcome you at the arrival hall. Our private driver will escort you along your whole trip and you don’t need to transfer for several times. Meanwhile, our local tour guide will guide you to have an in-depth tour in Yading Nature Reserve and Daocheng County. After the tour, they will drop you off at the airport or bus station to your next destination.

Daocheng Yading Airport to Daocheng County

A.By taxi: Daocheng Yading Airport is located in the north of Daocheng County, about 50km away. It takes about 1 hour by taxi, costs about 200 yuan.

B.By Airport Shuttle Bus: You can also take the airport shuttle bus to get to Daocheng County. After planes arrival, airport shuttle bus started to run as the bus is full. Estimated length of taking shuttle bus from Daocheng Airport to Daocheng County is about 1.5 hours, and the ticket price is around 35 yuan per person.

For people who want to take the return shuttle bus to Daocheng Yading airport from Daocheng County, you should wait at the gate of Xiangyun Hotel (翔云酒店) 6:00 in the morning to catch the bus.

Daocheng County to Shangri-La Town

A.By taxi: The distance between Daocheng County and Shangri-La town is about 81km. It takes about 1.5 hours by taxi, costs about 200 to 300 yuan.

B.By Airport Shuttle Bus: If you are a independent travelers, taking a shuttle bus a money-saving and convenience way for you to get to Shangri-La town from Daocheng County. You can wait the shuttle bus at the gate of Xiangyun Hotel (翔云酒店), there are two bus every day, at 10:00 and 14:00. It takes about 2 hours by shuttle bus and the ticket price is around 40 yuan per person.

If you want to catch the return shuttle bus from Shangri-La town to Daocheng county, you should get to the gate of Airport Hotel in Shangri-La Town (香格里拉镇机场酒店) before 17:00.

Yading Village

Shangri-La town to Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve

The distance between Shangri-La town and Yading Nature Reserve is about 6km, it’s only take 15 to 20 minutes by taxi.

>> Learn More about How to Get to Daocheng Yading

Facilities in Daocheng Yading Airport

Daocheng Yading Airport has a single runway that is 4200m long and 45m wide. It has a 5000 square meters terminal buildings with two aerobridges. It is designed to handle 280000 passengers per year.

The airport is located the “surface of the moon” - Haizi Mountain. The terminal looks like a “flying saucer”, if you climb on the nearby hillside and overlook the panorama of the airport, you will find on the rocky packed surface of Haizi Mountain, a terminal shaped like UFO silently standing there. Under the blue sky, wind breeze through wild grass makes you feel like you are in an outer space movie.

Tips about Traveling around Daocheng Yading

About Flight Booking

Busy travel season in Daocheng Yading is from July to October, you are recommended to book the flight ahead of time, three month prior to departure because the flights are limited and we have seen more and more people travel to Yading in recent years and the number of visitors is rising every year. Booking the ticket ahead you might also get discount fairs on the flight.

About High Altitude Sickness

Daocheng has an average altitude of 3750 meters, and the altitude of Yading is from 2900 meters to 6032 meters. When traveling in Daocheng Yading, tourists may suffer from altitude sickness. Here are several ways to prevent or alleviate you sickness:

First, avoid strong activities and do not take shower on your first arrival day; Second, drink more water and avoid alcohol; Third, keep warm and prevent from cold; Fourth, better not to take oxygen if your AMS symptoms are mild. You may also prepare some medicine before your arrival in most cases, you will feel better once you body adjust the altitude.

About Clothing

Due to its high altitude, Daocheng Yading has an average temperature of 20 centigrade in July and August, and the lowest temperature in January could be lower than -20 centigrade. So keeping warm is very important while you are traveling here, take some thick clothes with you. Apart from that, in Yading Nature Reserve you might need to walk or hike a long distance by yourself, so a comfortable and antiskid shoes is required.

Get more ideas of Western Sichuan (include Daocheng Yading) Travel Tips >>

Pearl Lake

Luorong Pasture

How to Plan your Daocheng Yading Tour

Get to Daocheng Yading by air is the most convenient and time-saving way, chosen by most of travelers. Daocheng has an average altitude of 3750 meters. So for tourists first came here need to slow down the travel pace to let their bodies to adjust the high altitude on their first arrival day. In general, Yading Nature Reserve needs two days traveling. Then you can spend another day travel around in Daocheng county.

>> 4 Days Daocheng Yading Classic Hiking Tour from Chengdu (by Flight)

In this holy high altitude land, scenery is surely different from other destinations. You can take our classic hiking tour, in-depth hiking tour, or photography tour as you wish.

>> 4 Days Daocheng Yading In-depth Photography Tour

Milk Lake

Travel with China Discovery

Travel with China Discovery and let us take care of everything for you! Our local drivers will escort you to Daocheng from Shangri-La directly. And our English-speaking tour guide will accompany you all the way, showing you the best travelling route and telling you information and stories of all attractions.

The tour can be tailor-made according to your group size, time, physical condition, plan, interest, budget and every special need. If you have any other ideas about the trip or you have other places or cities wanted to visit such as Yunnan, Hangzhou or Xian, our experienced travel consultants are very glad to offer their help. Please feel free to contact us!