7-Day Daocheng Yading Odyssey: Earth's Last Pure Land — Celestial Peaks Piercing Clouds, Jade Lakes of Myth, and Snowscapes That Shatter Time

Welcome to Chengdu!

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at your own expense
Accommodation: Xinduqiao

06:30–07:30

• Breakfast not included. Assemble at the time arranged by the driver/guide.

08:30–10:00

• Visit Tianquan Service Area (photo stop).

10:30–12:30

• Arrive in Kangding for lunch (local cuisine recommended).

13:00–14:00

• Scenic drive along Route 434 Rainbow Highway, with a stop at Honghaizi Lake. Continue to Xinduqiao.

15:00–17:00

• Head to Yuzixi Highlands.

17:00–18:00

• Explore Yuzixi 360° Viewing Platform. Enjoy panoramic vistas of Mount Gongga and Mount Yarla, and witness the spectacular Yuzixi sunset.

18:30–19:30

• Return to Xinduqiao.

After 19:30

• Check in to the hotel. Dinner at leisure (local restaurants nearby).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at your own expense
Accommodation: Shangri-La Town

06:30–07:30

• Driver coordinates departure time with the group.

07:30–12:00

• Scenic drive along G318 Highway to Litang County.

• Stop at 18-Bend Sky Road viewpoint: "Navigate life's winding paths here, and embrace smooth journeys ahead."

12:00–13:00

• Lunch in Litang County (self-paid).

13:00–15:00

• Explore Letong Ancient Town (Litang's Tibetan Cultural Hub):
  ✓ Thousand-House Tibetan Village
  ✓ Changqingchunke Monastery (400-year-old spiritual center)
  ✓ 5 Specialty Museums (Tibetan medicine/Thangka art/horse culture)
  Entry combo ticket: 135 CNY/person (self-paid)

15:00–18:00

• Drive through geological wonders:
  ◈ Rabbit Ear Mountain (4,696m limestone pinnacles)
  ◈ Haizi Mountain (glacial boulder fields with 1,145 lakes)

• Visit Daocheng White Stupa (sacred geometric marvel).

18:00–19:00

• Proceed to Shangri-La Town for dinner (self-paid).

19:00

• Hotel check-in.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at your own expense
Accommodation: Shangri-La Town or Daocheng County

07:00–07:30

• Early breakfast and departure to Yading Nature Reserve Visitor Center.

08:00–16:00

• Yading Nature Reserve Exploration (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
  ✓ Long Route (Challenging):
  ◈ Milk Lake (4,600m)
  ◈ Five-Color Lake (4,700m)
  ◈ 8-10km mountain trek (5-6 hours)
  ✓ Short Route (Leisurely):
  ◈ Chonggu Monastery (3,880m)
  ◈ Pearl Lake (4,100m)
  ◈ 3-5km valley walk (2-3 hours)
  Note: Oxygen tanks available for rent at visitor center

16:30

• Group assembly at the main entrance of the reserve.

16:30–19:00

• Return to Daocheng County for hotel check-in.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at your own expense
Accommodation: Xinduqiao Town

07:30–08:00

• Breakfast and departure (retrace the route).

08:00–12:00

• Pass through Haizi Mountain (glacial boulder fields) and Rabbit Ear Mountain (4,696m limestone peaks) en route to Litang.

• Explore Letong Ancient Town:
  ✓ Visit Thousand-House Tibetan Village
  ✓ Discover Litang's Cultural Museums (optional self-guided tour)

12:00–15:00

• Free time for lunch and independent exploration in Litang.

15:00–19:00

• Return to Xinduqiao Town via Yajiang (Tea-Horse Trail historic town).

19:30–20:00

• Hotel check-in in Xinduqiao.

After 20:00

• Dinner at leisure (local Tibetan or Sichuan cuisine recommended).

Key Notes:

• Altitude Alert: Litang (4,014m) → Xinduqiao (3,300m)

• Cultural Highlight: Letong Ancient Town’s museums showcase Tibetan thangka art and horse caravan history.

• Optional Activity: Evening photography session at Xinduqiao’s "Photographer’s Paradise" viewpoints.

• Driving Distance: 350km (approx. 6 hours with scenic stops).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at your own expense
Accommodation: Self-arranged

07:30–08:00

• Breakfast in Xinduqiao.

08:00–10:00

• Optional cultural immersion at Garze Monastery:
  ✓ Hand-paint Mani Stones (Tibetan prayer rocks)
  ✓ Practice Six-Syllable Mantra rubbing
  ✓ Spin giant prayer wheels
  ✓ Participate in Tibetan blessing ceremonies

10:30–11:00

• Drive through Tagong Grassland (nomadic grazing lands)

• Distant views of Mount Yarla (5,820m sacred peak)

• Photo stop near Tagong Monastery (1,300-year-old heritage site)

11:30–12:00

• Self-paid lunch in Tagong.

12:00–14:00

• Explore Moshi Park (4,350m):
  ✓ Walk through "Alien Planet" rock formations (Jurassic-era shale pillars)
  ✓ Visit Astronaut Valley (simulated Mars terrain)

14:00–19:00

• Return to Chengdu via:
  ◈ Zheduo Mountain Pass (4,298m "First Gateway to Tibet")
  ◈ Chengdu-Ya'an Expressway

• Trip concludes upon arrival in Chengdu.