Pudacuo National Park - The Real Shangri-La in Shangri-La

Pudacuo National Park is mainly comprised of Shudu Lake, Bita Lake and Militang Pasture. Travelers should visit the national park by clockwise: Entrance – Shudu Lake – Militang Pasture – Bita Lake - Exit. The whole visiting route is 69 km. Sightseeing buses are served at each place, from entrance gate, scenic areas to exit. It takes about 4 to 6 hours for visiting the whole area of Pudacuo National Park.

Shudu Lake (属都湖)

Altitude: 3595m

Area: 1.2 square kilometers

Length for Plank Road: 3.3 km; it takes about 1-2 hours for hiking.

By Boat: 50 Yuan per person; it takes about 10-15 minutes by boat.

Shudu means the cheese as sturdy as a stone. Shudu Lake is the tectonic lake of geological fault with the highest elevation in Yunnan Province. The ecological system of Shudu Lake is composed of plateau lakes, swamped meadows and primitive dark coniferous forests with copious rare animals and plant resources. In its lake, it has different species of fish with double-lips and golden color. The view around Shudu Lake is a complete perfection. Travelers can see herds of cattle and flocks of sheep grazing leisurely around the lake. The lush forest around the lake makes it mysterious and holy.

There are two choices to explore Shudu Lake. One is by hiking which takes about 2 hours for 3.3 km. There is plank road around the lake which makes hiking not difficult on the high plateau. The other is by boat. Taking boat sailing in the center of Shudu Lake is energy and time saving which takes only 10-15 minutes. If you suffer high altitude sickness, you’d better take boat. The extra 50 Yuan is needed for the cruise fee.

Bita Lake, a pearl on the high plateau, is an emerald and glamorous lake surrounded by luxuriant trees and green mountains. There is a beautiful legend about Bita Lake. It is said that Bita Lake is the most gorgeous piece of mirror with an emerald that is broken by a goddess in heaven. That’s why Bita Lake is as blue as emerald. From May till July, the azaleas fall from the trees with the wind, petals float on the water which attracts plenty of fish. Hence, there are special scenes called “Fish Drunk in Azalea” and “Old Bear Catch Fish”.

There are two choices to explore Bita Lake. One is by hiking which takes about 2-3 hours for 4.2 km. The other choice is by boat which takes only 15 minutes from one side to another side of the Bita Lake. Extra ticket fee for boat is 50 Yuan. No matter you choose to walk or take boat, you feel intoxicated by the beauty, tranquility and elegance.

Altitude: 3700m

Area: 2.4 square kilometers

Recommended Visiting Time: 15 minutes

Militang Grassland is located in the region between Shudu Lake and Bita Lake, 4500 meters in length from south to north and 500 meters in width from east to west, at an elevation of 3700 meters. Militang refers to a long and slim eye-like meadow named after a narrow eye of Buddha. With plenty of water and lush grass in meadow, wetland and meandering brooks, cattle and sheep grazing leisurely, Militang Pasture is enchanting as green satin scattered numerous pearls from spring to summer. An amazing spectacle is the gorgeous meadows with the blooming season last until September which is the most attractive scene in Pudacuo National Park.

Travelers cannot get down to the pasture and have close contact with the cattle, horse, sheep yet, but there is a grand sightseeing platform for travelers to shoot amazing photos and enjoy the gorgeous meadow scenery. It is recommended to stay for 10-15 minutes.

Pudacuo National Park is situated in the east of Shangri-La, about 23km from Shangri-La City. It takes half an hour or so by car.

>> Learn more about Shangri-La Transportation

Shangri-La Airport to Pudacuo National Park

At present, there is no bus arranged from Diqing Shangri-La Airport, the only airport in Shangri-La, to Pudacuo National Park. You can travel by taxi or private car. The driving distance between the two places is abot 30km, which needs about 40~50 minutes’ car ride.

Shangri-La Downtown to Pudacuo National Park

At Shangri-La Coach Station (香格里拉客运站) in Shangri-La Downtown, there is a daily coach operated to Pudacuo National Park. The coach usually departs at about 9:30am in the morning and will go back from the park at about 15:00pm.

Shangri-La Dukezong Ancient Town Pudacuo National Park

Near the tourist center at Dukezong Ancint Town, you will find 3~4 direct buses to Pudacuo National Park. These buses will go in the morning from 8:00 to 11:00, and will travel back to the town from 14:00~17:00.

Travel to Pudacuo National Park by Private Car

Considering there is no specific bus between the airport and the park, and the buses departing from the coach station and tourist center may be canceled sometimes, the best way to get to Pudacuo National Park is by taking private car. We China Discovery also offer warm private car service that will help you travel in ease and speed. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us!

How to Travel Around at Pudacuo National Park

The ticket for Pudacuo National Park includes the sightseeing bus to go around the pudacuo National Park. The sightseeing bus will take you to Shudu Lake first. After getting off the bus, you will find wooden trails for you to walk around. After sightseeing, you can take the bus to get out.

It usually needs about half day for a Pudacuo National Park tour. Most of the visitors visit it on the day they arriving in Shangri-La or after the visit of Songzanlin Monastery.

Pudacuo National Park is one of the highlights for the classic Shangri-La tour. In addition to the pure holy sceneries of the park, tourists may spend 2~3 days more to its ancient towns and temples for a taste of Tibet. Besides, Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world, also awaits your close visit. For visitros who want to spend more days and fully immerse in this holyland can continue their trip to Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Village.

>> 3 Days Best Shangri-La Tour

>> 5 Days Shangri-La & Meili Snow Mountain Pilgrimage Tour

>> 7 Days Shangri-La Tour with Meili Snow Mountain & Yubeng Village Hiking

Furthermore, quite a lot of visitors prefer to travel Shangri-La with Lijiang. These two popular tourist cities are two of the superstars for a Yunnan tour, with Tiger Leaping Gorge sitting in between.

>> 5 Days Lijiang & Shangri-La Best Highlights Tour

Want more surprises of the diverse Yunnan? Why not extending your tour to more top destinations in one go, such as Kunming famous as Spring City and convenient province capital, Dali with profound Dali Old Town and splendid Erhai Lake, Yuanyang with terrific rice terraces, Xishuangbanna with exciting tropical flavor and Dai ethnic dances, etc., which usually needs 6-15 days based on your exploration depth!

>> 6 Days Best of Yunnan Tour (Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming)

>> 8 Days Classic Yunnan Tour (Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La)

Looking for a hassle-free Shangri-La tour? Travel with China Discovery and let us take care of everything for you! Our professional local driver will pick you up at Shangri-La Airport or your hotel and then escort you to the attractions directly. During the journey, our English-speaking guide will accompany you all the way and tell you some interesting stories or insider travel tips for your coming Shangri-La tour.

We can also help you with the trip plan in Lijiang. The tour can be tailor-made according to your group size, time, physical condition, plan, interest, budget and every special need. Please feel free to contact us if you need any help!