Daocheng Yading to Shangri-La & Lijiang Overland

Enter Daocheng along Highway 318 from Chengdu, cross into Yunnan via Xiangcheng, and conclude in Shangri-La and Lijiang.

The first half follows Highway 318 to Litang and Yading, while the second half continues forward without backtracking, passing through the white Tibetan houses of Xiangcheng and crossing the Daxue and Xiaoxue Mountains into Yunnan, ending in Shangri-La and Lijiang. This route avoids repeating roads compared to a round trip from Chengdu, making it ideal for those who want to connect the Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibetan regions in one go. The final segment requires a one-way car rental or chartered car. The section from Xiangcheng to Gezan has many sharp bends and should be avoided during the snowy season.

The Daxue and Xiaoxue Mountain sections are prone to icing in winter and spring, and landslides in the rainy season; verify road conditions before departure.

Day by day

Day 1 · Yakang Expressway to Kangding

Hailuogou & Kangding（Luding Bridge、Kangding Love Song Square）

Drive from Chengdu along the Yakang Expressway, passing Luding to Kangding (approx. 320 km, 5 hours of driving).

Stay: Kangding Urban Area

Day 2 · Cross Zheduo Mountain to Litang

Hailuogou & Kangding（Zheduo Mountain Pass） → Xinduqiao & Tagong（Xinduqiao） → Litang（Kazila Mountain Pass、Litang Monastery (Lithang Gompa)）

Drive from Kangding over Zheduo Mountain, passing Xinduqiao and Yajiang to Litang (approx. 285 km, 6.5 hours of driving).

Litang is at an altitude of about 4,000 meters; choose accommodation with oxygen supply.

Stay: Litang County Centre

Day 3 · Haizi Mountain to Shangri-La Town

Litang（Haizi Mountain） → Daocheng Yading（Sangdui Red Grassland、Bowa Mountain Pass Viewpoint）

Drive from Litang through Haizi Mountain, Sangdui, and Daocheng to Riwa (approx. 260 km, 6 hours of driving).

Stay: Shangri-La Town (Riwa)

Day 4 · Yading Long Route to Milk Lake

Daocheng Yading（Yading Nature Reserve、Luorong Pasture、Milk Lake & Five-Color Lake）

Take a sightseeing bus and battery car to Luorong Pasture, and hike to and from Milk Lake and Five Color Lake (approx. 6 to 7 hours).

Tickets and sightseeing bus passes are charged separately; it is recommended to book online in advance with real-name registration.

Stay: Shangri-La Town (Riwa)

Day 5 · Pearl Lake to Xiangcheng

Daocheng Yading（Chonggu Monastery & Pearl Lake） → Xiangcheng（Maxiong Gorge）

Walk the short route in the morning (approx. 3 hours), and drive through Daocheng and Maxiong Valley to Xiangcheng in the afternoon (approx. 190 km, 4 hours of driving).

Stay: Xiangcheng County Town (Sangpi Town)

Day 6 · White Tibetan Houses & Cross Mountains into Yunnan

Xiangcheng（Sampheling Monastery、White Tibetan Houses & Seergong Village） → Shangri-La

Drive from Xiangcheng along Highway S217 over the Daxue and Xiaoxue Mountains through Gezan to Shangri-La (approx. 215 km, 5.5 hours of driving).

The entire route consists of winding mountain roads; it is recommended to depart in the morning and arrive before dark.

Stay: Dukezong Ancient Town

Day 7 · Songzanlin Monastery & Old Town

Shangri-La（Ganden Sumtseling (Songzanlin) Monastery、Napa Lake & Yila Grassland、Dukezong Ancient Town）

Use the city as a base for short round trips; Songzanlin Monastery and Napa Lake are each about a 30-minute drive away.

Stay: Dukezong Ancient Town

Day 8 · Tiger Leaping Gorge South to Lijiang

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Tiger Leaping Gorge、Old Town of Lijiang (Dayan)）

Drive south from Shangri-La through Tiger Leaping Gorge to Lijiang Old Town (approx. 190 km, 4 hours of driving).

Stay: Lijiang Old Town

Day 9 · Shuhe Ancient Town & Departure

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Black Dragon Pool、Shuhe Ancient Town）

Explore Black Dragon Pool and Shuhe Ancient Town in the morning, and drive to Lijiang Airport (approx. 1 hour) in the afternoon to return your rental car and depart.

One-way car rentals must be confirmed in advance; avoid peak periods like National Day.