The temperature in summer averages 24 degrees, much cooler than nearby cities Chengdu or Kunming.

There are 1,145 lakes scattered in an area of 3,200 square kilometers.

Western Sichuan's Yading Nature Reserve in Daocheng County is undoubtedly one of China's most awe-inspiring nature reserves.

It is regarded as a sacred area by Tibetans. Every stunning vista here is celebrated with traditional small prayer flags or mani stones.

On this adventure, you will discover Tibetan small towns reminiscent of the wild west, rolling landscapes plumed with wheat and barley fields, and the spectacular natural beauty of Yading Nature Reserves snowcapped mountain peaks.

Places to visit:

Hongchaodi (Red Glass Lake): A lovely lake fringed by red bushes, located half way between Sangdui and Daocheng .

Rupuchaka Hot Springs: 4km outside Daocheng. You can go there either by walking or by taxi. In autumn 2003 when water was in short supply at most hotels in Daocheng, travelers went to Rupuchaka for a hot-spring bath. But note that cockroaches can be a problem. Believing in Buddhism, local Tibetans do not bother to eliminate them.Cockroaches are extremely active and can be found everywhere, even in your clothes and shoes.

Monasteries:

Bangpu Si: Built in the 12th century and located 1km north of Sangdui along the main road. Zhujie Si: South of Sangdui, 18km north of Daocheng.

Xiongdeng Si: 10km northeast of Daocheng, at an elevation of 4105 meters.

Gongling Si (Konkaling): Built in the 15th century and located 62km south of Daocheng along the road to Yading. It is the biggest monastery in Daocheng.

How to visit those monasteries: Rent a car either in Sangdui or in Daocheng. Try to find other travelers to share the car. Another option is to walk to these sites except Gongling Si if you have enough time. It can be a pleasant journey to discover these fabulous monasteries and hidden Tibetan villages by foot among pastoral scenery.

Getting to Daocheng

Itinerary 1: Chengdu (Alt. 500M) --> Kangding (2500M) --> Daocheng (3800M); Around 800 km; Minimum 2 days by bus or car.

Take a bus heading for Kangding either at Chengdu Tourist Transportation Center (ex. Xinnanmen bus station) or at North Bus Station in the morning.

Upon arriving at Kangding in the late afternoon, buy your ticket immediately for the Daocheng bus. Tickets can be sold out quickly during the peak season. If time permits, you can stay at Kangding for one or two days. Visit Mugecuo Lake, Tagong Glassland and adapt yourself to the altitude.

Kangding to Daocheng: 12 hours by bus. Most travelers would feel the strong effect of high altitude if they come to Daocheng from Chengdu in two days.

Itinerary 2: Kunming --> Lijiang --> Tiger Leaping Gorge --> Zhongdian (3300M) --> Derong-->Xiangcheng -->Sangdui-->Daocheng

This is one of the most fabulous travel routes in China for independent travelers. If you are adapted to Zhongdian's altitude, you would have no difficulty in Daocheng.

The regular bus connecting Zhongdian to Daocheng (330km, 12 hours) zigzags in the awesome Shangri-La Gorge (ex Birang Gorge). PLEASE NOTE THAT this route is often cut off by landslides.

If the direct bus service between Zhongdian and Daocheng is suspended, take an alternative route although it looks more complicated: Zhongdian - Derong - Xiangcheng - Sangdui - Daocheng

First take a bus from Zhongdian to Derong, (5 hours) and then find a collective taxi to Xiangcheng (4 to 5 hours). Stay overnight in Xiangcheng and catch the morning bus for Sangdui (3.5 hours). 

Derong is located in a sheer gorge, 144km north of Zhongdian.Surrounded by sacred mountains, awesome gorges, high meadows, Derong is a nice place to discover a wild and pristine landscape. A daily bus leaves Zhongdian for Derong at 9:00am (5 hours).

One bus every two days leaves Derong for Kangding, passing through Xiangcheng, Sangdui, and Litang.