5 Days in Daocheng-Yading

Land at the 4411-m airport and settle in the county town at 3750 m — a stupa-grove stroll and an evening at the Rubuzhaka springs keep day one gentle. Hydrate, slow steps, no alcohol.

1. daocheng white stupas
2. daocheng rubuzhaka hot springs

The road south breaks at the Gongga Langjiling monastery before dropping to sleep at about 2900 m — the night that buys the mountains.

1. daocheng gongga langjiling monastery
2. daocheng shangri la town

The gentle entry day — shuttle to Chonggu Temple at 3880 m, forest path to Pearl Lake at about 4100 m under the 6032-m wall of Chenrezig; turn back before tiredness sets in.

1. daocheng chonggu temple
2. daocheng pearl lake

The big day — 4150-m Luorong Pasture between the twin 5958-m peaks, then the climb to Milk Lake at about 4600 m and Five-Color Lake just above at 4700 m. Start at first shuttle, snack often, turn around if the headache sharpens.

1. daocheng yading sanctuary
2. daocheng luorong pasture
3. daocheng milk lake

North through Sangdui, where the red meadows burn brightest through October, to the airport — a slow last morning by design.

1. daocheng sangdui red grassland