Daocheng is a 2-street Tibetan town surrounded by wild country, where the hills and mountains all have a religious connection in the eyes of the local Tibetan residents. The county is dotted with high mountain lakes and lunar-like rock formations. Long isolated from the outside world, the locals here ( 96% Tibetan ) 

are still adapting to the exotic sight of foreign faces who are part of a small trickle of visitors passing through Daocheng on their way to Yading National Park and its 3 sacred mountains.

Daocheng has a long history of culture - attested by its 14 monasteries. The most important monastery in the county is Yangteng Gompa ( Xiongden Lamasery ), built in the Ming Dynasty which houses tens of thousands of Buddhist scriptures, as well as many Buddha figures, including a sandalwood statue of Sakyamuni.

Gonggaling Lamasery
 in a village on the way to Yading, contains an exquisite bronze statue of Maitreya ( the Future Buddha ) presented by Dalai Lama V. Rubachaka Hot Spring village, which was built up around natural hot springs, and now boasts private bathhouses at which visitors can soak.

Mount Haizi ( Mountain of Lakes ), paralleling the Daocheng River on the way into town, also known as 'old ice cap of Daocheng', is a beautiful high plateau dotted with 1145 mountain lakes and freak geological formations caused by glacial erosion. 

Daocheng Yading National Park

Yading Nature reserve is located in  Yading Village, Shangri-La Town, 110Kms away from Daocheng city. It is mainly composed of three sacred peaks or hills, namely "Xiannair, Yangmaiyong and Xianuoduoji " which are distributed in the north-south direction, which means the three sacred places of dharma-protecting mountains. In Tibetan Buddhism, it is a sacred place in the hearts of Tibetans. Besides them, they are also surrounded by rivers, lakes and alpine meadows. Because of Yading unique landform and original natural scenery, it is known as "the soul of Shangri-La in China" and "the last pure land on the water-blue planet" by international friends.
 
Yading means "the land facing the sun" in Tibetan. It has deel connectiong with Joseph Rock. In 1928, Joseph Rock, an American botanist and explorer, arrived here from his tour to Muli Kingdom. After returning home, he wrote an article and published his photos in National Geographic magazine, and introduced Aden to the whole world. It not only has magnificent and sacred snow-capped mountains, but also vast meadows, colorful forests and blue and transparent Haizi. Almost all the most beautiful things in the snowy plateau gather here, which makes people linger here. Like the local devout Tibetans, hiking around the mountains is the best way to feel the scenery of Aden.
The best season to go to Daocheng Aden is autumn from September to October. Whether it is on the way to Daocheng or in Yading, everywhere is already golden and red. If there is excellent weather, it will be an amazing trip in Yading. The three white snow-capped mountains sitting as three gods under the blue sky, and they all were armour of piece of golden grassland and forest, and wild sheep and horses live leisurely here.

Qiannairi 
Xiannairi, meaning "Bodhisattva" in Tibetan, is 6032 meters above sea level, which is the northern peak of the three sacred peaks in Yading. It seems that Bodhisattav buddha is sitting on his lotus platform, holding an Aquarius and coming by cloud.
 
Yangpaiyong 
Yangpaiyong, meaning "Manjusri Bodhisattva" in Tibetan, is the southern peak of the "Three-Master" Snow peaks, with an altitude of 5958 meters, ranking first among the "Three-Master" Snow Mountain in Buddhism. Manjusri Bodhisattva is the embodiment of wisdom in Buddhism.  
 
Qialodoji
Qialodoji, meaning "Bodhisattva Vajradhara", is the eastern peak of the "Three- Master" Snow Mountain, with an altitude of 5958 meters, ranking third. Joseph Rock described it as a bat spreading its huge wings to fly, and compared it to the thunder god in greek mythology.
 
Luorong Yak Farm
Luorong Yak Farm is one of the famous scenic spots in Yading Nature Reserve, with an altitude of 4,150 meters. It is a pasture where Tibetans graze nearby. Luorong Yak Farm is backed by three sacred mountains, which is the best place to watch the three main snow-capped mountains. It is surrounded by continuous alpine meadows. In spring and summer, the meadows are full of wild flowers, which are very spectacular. Gongga River passes through the cattle farm, and herds of cattle and sheep graze leisurely along the river and on the hillside, which is a harmonious scene.
Backpackers who walk around the mountains often camp here to watch the sunrise and sunset of Shenshan Mountain. This is also the place where Joseph Rock, an American botanist and explorer, camped while exploring Aden.
 
Milk Lake
Milk Lake, also known as Luorongcuo, is located in the ravine at the foot of Yangmaiyong Mountain with an altitude of 4,600 meters. It is an ancient glacial lake with a small area like water drops. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the lake is clear and blue, and the lake is surrounded by a circle of milky white, so it is called the milk lake. Its deep water is bright green. The sun shines on the quiet lake, and the water shines like a jewel.
 
Five-color Sea 
The Five-color Sea , also names Mudicho in Tibetan, is located on the Milk sea, betweenQiannairi and Yangmaiyong. It is named after five different colors produced by sunlight. The five-color sea is 4500 meters above sea level. After a steep slope on the right side of the Milk Sea, the lake is round and clear. Under the sunlight, it reflects colorful light, which is spectacular. It is also said that it can "reverse history and predict the future".
 
Pearl Sea
Pearl Sea, also named Zomalacuo in Tibetan, is like "Emerald at the foot of Snow Mountain". That kind of fresh beauty, as green as spring water, can't be imagined unless you see it with your own eyes. In fact, it is a very small plateau lake, and the beautiful sun is reflected on it.
  
Qiasi Hell Valley 
Qiasi Hell Valley is located on the west side of Yangmaiyong Snow Mountain, starting from Qiasi Village in the south and extending to the south slope of Qiannairi in the east, with a total length of 12 kilometers.  The cliffs in the valley are steep and breathtaking, and the landscapes such as ghost cliffs, hell gates and the Temple of Hell formed by strange rocks are all vivid.
 
Mengzi Grand Canyon 
The Mengzi Grand Canyon is located between Riwa and Mengzi village, with a total length of 13 kilometers. The mountains on both sides of the canyon are steep and majestic. The rivers at the bottom of the valley are rushing and roaring, and the opposing cliffs form strange animal shapes. Rich fairy tales and folklore give them fresh life and make people have endless reverie.
 
Echu Mountain
Echu Mountain is 5145 meters above sea level, which means "shining mountain" in Tibetan. It is located in the north of Yading Nature Reserve, at the edge of Gongga Mountain, 25 kilometers away from Riwa Township. Every October, the scenery of Echu Mountain fascinates every visitor. At this time, Echu Mountain is like a bride to be married: wearing holy Hada and colorful autumn clothes. Looking at the three sacred mountains in Yading from the top of the mountain in early Russia, the scenery is very spectacular.
 
Axi alpine park 
"Axi" means "good place" in Tibetan. Axi Alpine Park is 6.2 kilometers away from Gongling District. Visitors can enjoy the simple and honest folk customs of Axi Village, and also visit the making process of Axi handmade earthenware and the famous "Axi Battle Site". Everything here is given by nature, such as piles, colorful prayer flags, winding streams, fragrant grasslands and trees. There is also the harmonious coexistence between people, the harmonious symbiosis between people and nature, and the beauty is like a fairyland.
 
Daocheng Yading Travel Tips
ØIn plateau areas, we should pay attention to mountain sickness, avoid alcohol, exercise less, eat more fruits and vegetables, and bring our own sunglasses and sun hats to prevent ultraviolet radiation.
ØBecause of the remote geographical environment and inconvenient medical conditions, if you can bring some daily drugs on the plateau, such as inosine, multivitamins, cod liver oil, etc., and other drugs to prevent common diseases such as colds.
ØThe temperature difference between morning and evening in the plateau is large, so you should pay attention to cold protection in the morning and evening, and you must wear a coat in May.
ØYou will definitely encounter the problem of unsuitable taste during the trip. If possible, please bring some dry food, snacks or meals.
ØIt is necessary to abide by various internal regulations of the reserve and respect ethnic and religious beliefs and customs. Fires and tents are not allowed to sleep in the scenic spot. Killing is also not allowed (because it is a sacred mountain).

Daocheng and Yading Tour routes and Packages:

1.  The Most Beautiful Sichuan Plateau Tours 
2.  Seda,Yading and Niubeishan Expedition in Amazing East Tibet 
3.  6 Days Daocheng Yading Tours in West Sichuan
4.  10 Days Danba, Dege, Daocheng Yading Tours in East Tibet