Daocheng Yading and Xiangcheng in Depth
Acclimatize in the county town, spend a night in Xiangcheng, then enter Yading for the short and long routes, and finish with Ochu Mountain and the hot springs.
Designed for those worried about altitude sickness who want more cultural experiences. First, stay in the county town to acclimatize. On day two, cross Wuming Mountain to Xiangcheng, which sits at a lower elevation, to see Sangpi Ling Monastery and the Baicang houses. Then head through the county town and over Bowa Mountain to Riwa, staying three nights there and splitting time between the short and long routes. On day six, view the Three Sacred Mountains from Ochu Mountain and visit Kasi Village, then return to the county town for the Rubuzha Hot Spring in the evening. On the last day, see the poplar forests along the river before leaving. Only one night is spent in Xiangcheng.
October has the best poplar forests and Xiangcheng autumn colors. July and August have poor road conditions during the rainy season.
Day by day
Day 1 · Airport to the County Town to Acclimatize
Daocheng Yading（Daocheng Yading Airport、Sangdui Red Grassland、Daocheng White Stupa）
Charter a car from the airport for about 1 hour to the county town, passing Red Grass Meadow in Sangdui. See the White Pagoda in the evening.
The county town is at about 3,750 meters, so rest quietly on the first night.
Stay: Daocheng County Town
Day 2 · Over Wuming Mountain to Xiangcheng
Xiangcheng（Wuming Mountain (Glacial Boulder Field Viewpoint)、Maxiong Gorge、Sampheling Monastery、White Tibetan Houses & Seergong Village）
From the county town, drive along National Highway 549 through Sangdui and over Wuming Mountain to Xiangcheng, about 3 hours. You can detour down to Maxiong Gully to see the autumn colors.
Xiangcheng is below 3,000 meters, so you can sleep well.
Stay: Xiangcheng County Town (Sangpi Town)
Day 3 · Back to the County Town and on to Riwa via Bowa Mountain
Daocheng Yading（Bowa Mountain Pass Viewpoint、Gongga Langjiling Monastery）
About 3 hours from Xiangcheng back to the county town, then drive south over Bowa Mountain to Riwa, about 1.5 hours. This is mostly a full day of driving.
Stay: Shangri-La Town (Riwa)
Day 4 · Yading Short Route to Pearl Lake
Daocheng Yading（Yading Village、Chonggu Monastery & Pearl Lake、Yading Nature Reserve）
Take the shuttle bus to Zhagonbeng, then walk to Chonggu Temple and Pearl Lake, about 3 to 4 hours round trip.
Stay: Shangri-La Town (Riwa)
Day 5 · Yading Long Route to Milk Lake
Daocheng Yading（Luorong Pasture、Milk Lake & Five-Color Lake）
Take the shuttle bus and then an electric cart to Luorong Pasture, then hike up to Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake, 6 to 8 hours round trip.
If your stamina is limited, you can ride a horse for part of the way from Luorong Pasture. The final steep slope still requires walking.
Stay: Shangri-La Town (Riwa)
Day 6 · Ochu Mountain and Kasi Village
Daocheng Yading（Echu Mountain、Kasi Village & Kasi Valley、Rubuchaka Hot Spring）
Charter a car from Riwa to Ochu Mountain for the view, then drive to the outskirts of Kasi Village. Return to the county town in the evening. About 4 hours of driving in total.
Ochu Mountain has many dirt roads, so drive carefully in the rain. Only walk the outer areas of Hell Valley.
Stay: Daocheng County Town
Day 7 · Riverside Poplar Forest and Departure
Daocheng Yading（Banghe Poplar Forest）
In the morning, visit the riverside poplar forest on the north side of the county town. Then about 1 hour to the airport.