Daocheng

Daocheng (稻城; Dàochéng) is a city in Ganzi, Sichuan province

Daocheng (稻城; Dàochéng) is a county‑level city in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province, sitting at an average altitude of 3750 m above sea‑level. It acts as the main gateway to the renowned Yading Nature Reserve, home to three sacred snow‑capped Tibetan peaks.

The local population is largely ethnic Tibetan, with traditional nomadic culture, monastery traditions and high‑altitude grassland landscapes defining daily life. Many travellers only pass through Daocheng town on their way to Yading, but the surrounding valleys, grasslands and small monasteries reward slow exploration.

Altitude sickness is the single biggest travel hazard here. Visitors from low‑elevation regions should plan at least one or two rest days for acclimatisation before undertaking strenuous hiking. Avoid heavy alcohol and physical exertion on your first 24‑48 hours after arrival.

• 29.323056100.0533331 Daocheng Yading Airport (稻城亚丁机场, DCY  ^IATA) (50km north of Daocheng's urban area.), ☏ +86 836 5724015. The highest airport in the world. As of December 2018, there were two flights daily from Chengdu. There are also 3 flights weekly from Guangzhou, which make a brief stopover in Chengdu. Additional flights may be available during the peak tourism season. The airport provides a bus service to convey passengers to and from the Daocheng urban area. There are also buses between the airport and Shangrila.  (updated Dec 2018) ^{[dead link]}

Minivans can be arranged via guesthouses, or you can find drivers waiting on the main street. Typical cost ¥50 per passenger.

There is no regular public bus direct from Xiangcheng to Daocheng. Take public buses heading for Litang and Kangding, alight at Sangdui. Buses depart Xiangcheng around 06:00, journey 3‑4 hours. Shared minivans congregate near the Xiangcheng bus station from 05:30; expect to pay roughly ¥35 per person to Sangdui. Bargaining is expected. The road crosses high mountain passes above 4800 m. Prepare for altitude sickness symptoms. Once you arrive in Sangdui you must wait for passing through‑traffic, which can take multiple hours. In deep winter, temperatures can fall below −20 °C. A small local general‑store offers basic shelter while you wait.

Daily direct buses travel from Litang, Kangding and Chengdu. Long‑distance buses from Chengdu take two full travel days, crossing multiple high mountain passes near 5000 m. All passengers must watch carefully for altitude‑related illness symptoms.

Central Daocheng town is compact and walkable for most visitors. In cold winter weather or when avoiding free‑roaming stray dogs, short taxi trips within town will normally cost no more than ¥10. Scooter and motorbike rental services are available in central Daocheng. You will need valid driving documentation; ride cautiously on mountain roads, particularly in wet or icy weather.

For journeys out of town to Yading Nature Reserve or surrounding villages, private hired cars and shared minivans are the primary transport. Public scheduled bus services to Yading are limited. Most travellers book vehicle transfers via local guesthouses.

• Yading Nature Reserve——The major draw for most visitors, about 80 km southeast of Daocheng town. It contains three sacred snow‑capped peaks: Xiannairi (6032 m), Yangmaiyong (5958 m), and Xiaruoduoji (5958 m). The park includes high‑altitude meadows, glacial lakes and old‑growth conifer forest. Entry tickets plus mandatory park shuttle‑bus fees apply.

• Lorong Pasture (Luorong Niuchang)——Wide alpine grassland within Yading Reserve, excellent viewpoint for Yangmaiyong peak. Starting point for the long‑distance hike to Milk Lake and Five‑Colour Lake.

• Milk Lake (Niuhai / Ercuo)——A vivid turquoise glacial cirque lake sitting at 4600 m, encircled by snowy mountain ridges. Requires several hours of steep uphill hiking. Morning light offers best photographic conditions.

• Five‑Colour Lake (Wuse‑Hai)——At 4700 m elevation. Famous for shifting water colours under sunlight; one of Tibet‑influenced region’s most revered sacred lakes.

• Chonggu Monastery——Restored small Tibetan Buddhist monastery inside Yading reserve, nestled below Xiannairi mountain. Simple buildings with excellent mountain backdrops.

• Daocheng White Pagoda Complex—— On the western edge of Daocheng town. Local pilgrims circumambulate the large stupa. Visitors may walk the outer perimeter respectfully; do not disturb ongoing religious activity.

• Benbo Monaster——Traditional Bon‑religion monastery located a short drive outside Daocheng. Gives insight into pre‑Buddhist Tibetan spiritual traditions.

• Haizi‑shan Grasslands——Vast rolling high‑altitude grasslands on the route between Daocheng and Litang. Wild yaks and grazing sheep are common sights, best visited summer‑early autumn.
• Xinduqiao viewpoints (day trip)——Scenic valley and forest‑framed mountain passes on the overland route towards Kangding, popular for landscape photography.

• Local Tibetan village settlements——Small farming‑pastoral hamlets scattered in surrounding river valleys. Please ask permission before photographing local residents.

Carry a stick or some stones in your pockets, as wild and freely roaming dogs are dangerous here, especially if you leave the villages and stay on your own. But you can also get attacked by them in the middle of the town during the day.

In case you get attacked by a dog, immediately go to the emergency service of the hospital, in the middle of the town, for an anti-rabies injection.

• Visit the hot springs, 4 km from the town. The usual price to get there is ¥30 per car, return trip included. The driver will wait for you while you enjoy the hot water. The usual entrance price to a bath cabin is ¥10 (per person). No towels available. In summer, rather go to the upper hot springs, as the lower ones are said to recycle the (dirty) water of the upper ones.

• 雪域. Small restaurant 50 meters south of bus station with nicely cooked Tibetan dishes. Steamed and fried Tibetan dumplings in the morning. (updated May 2015)
• Dumplings. Opposite bus station, small restaurant specializing on Northern-style dumplings (updated May 2015)

Daocheng Time 1990 (previous Zhuoma Renjia Hostel) No 35, Phase 1, Dexi Road, Daocheng, China Location: 29.039365, 100.294313

Price 5-12 USD, near the old bus station 

The current bus station is located at 29.027561, 100.284660 Out of town

There are a large number of budget guesthouses across the road from the old bus station. There are also several guesthouses a short distance out from town which several touts crowding around the bus station will happily take you to. However, be aware that when coming in winter, the majority of guesthouses are dead-locked, and even if there is anything open, it will not have running water nor hot water (as the water pipes are frozen during winter). Moreover, there is no heating in any hotel, except Zhongmei Hotel. In winter, is a must to ask at least for an electric blanket in the sleeping places (but again, be aware that electricity fails very often). Don't forget that temperature can be as low as -20°! On top of all that, the bus station hotel is definitely not a bargain offer either.

The bus station opens everyday from 14:00 to 17:30 and from 18:30 to 20:00.

Due to corruption and disorganization, it may be extremely difficult to get a ticket from the bus station, even off season. The only option then becomes to hire a taxi or minibus to Sangdui or Litang. Otherwise, you may be stuck there for a while.

If you arrive by bus you may be accosted by the local minibus drivers offering service to Litang or Xiangcheng. Even if you've made a late afternoon arrival, it is perfectly reasonable to skip Daocheng and take a minibus on to either of these destinations. In this part of Sichuan, minibuses are often the same price as public buses.

Despite a poster in the bus station, as of 2012, there is no public transportation to Xiangcheng.