Take a Trip to Daocheng Yading with the One You Love Most
“I want to go there with the one I love most—to see the azure sky, the snow-white mountains, the golden meadows, and the crystal-clear lakes.” If you have someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, take them to Daocheng Yading. The beauty there will make you believe in ‘forever.’
Daocheng Yading: One of the Few Remaining Pure Lands
Daocheng Yading is located in Shangri-La Town, Daocheng County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It lies in the eastern part of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and in the middle section of the Hengduan Mountains. The average elevation here is over 4,000 meters. Because it hasn’t been overdeveloped—indeed, it has barely been developed at all—it still preserves nature in its most pristine, authentic state. Daocheng Yading is hailed as “one of the few remaining pure lands on Earth.” Snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, forests, and meadows together form a pristine and untouched paradise.
The Three Guardian Sacred Mountains of Daocheng Yading
In Daocheng Yading, there are three snow-capped mountains that protect this land: Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong, and Xianuoduoji. They are revered by Tibetan people as the “Three Sacred Lords of Protection.” The Tibetan name for Daocheng Yading is “Nyenchen Gongga Rishong Gongbu,” which means “the sacred land of the three great protective snow mountains,” reflecting its revered status among the local residents.
Xiannairi
Xiannairi is located in the northern part of Daocheng Yading and is the highest of the three sacred mountains, with an elevation of 6,032 meters. The name Xiannairi means “Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin),” as its shape resembles the Bodhisattva of Compassion seated on a lotus throne. In the local culture, it is regarded as a symbol of compassion and a sacred place believed by devotees to cleanse one’s sins. Areas of Xiannairi above 6,000 meters are permanently covered by snow and glaciers. Below the snow line, the mountain consists of exposed granite bedrock and glacial striations. At the foot of the mountain lies a glacial lake called Pearl Lake, which is the best spot for photographing the reflection of Xiannairi.
Yangmaiyong
Yangmaiyong is located in the southern part of Daocheng Yading, with an elevation of 5,958 meters. In contrast to the broad and solid form of Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong has a sharply pointed, pyramid-like shape, giving it a cold, pristine, and awe-inspiring beauty that feels untouchable. Because its mountain shape resembles the sword held by Manjushri (the Bodhisattva of Wisdom), Yangmaiyong is regarded in Tibetan Buddhism as the embodiment of Manjushri, symbolizing wisdom. Luorong Cattle Ranch is an excellent viewpoint for observing Yangmaiyong—snow mountains, meadows, streams, cattle, and sheep together form a perfect landscape painting.
Xianuoduoji
Xianuoduoji is located in the eastern part of Daocheng Yading, with an elevation of 5,958 meters. Compared with Xiannairi and Yangmaiyong, Xianuoduoji appears more understated, yet it reveals a distinctive character through its sharp and austere rocky form. Xianuoduoji is regarded as the embodiment of Vajrapani (the Bodhisattva of the Vajra), representing the power to subdue evil and uphold justice. Luorong Cattle Ranch is also an excellent place to view Xianuoduoji—if you’re lucky, you can even see all three sacred mountains in the same frame from here.
The Three Sacred Lakes: A Pure Beauty Resembling Tears
The lakes of Daocheng Yading are works of art sculpted by glaciers and time together.
Milk Lake
Milk Lake is located in a mountain hollow of Yangmaiyong, at an elevation of about 4,600 meters. It covers an area of 0.02 square kilometers and is formed by glacial meltwater from snow-capped mountains such as Yangmaiyong. From above, Milk Lake looks like an emerald set among the mountains. Its water shifts in color with the light and depth—light green near the shore and deep turquoise blue in the deeper areas.
Five-Color Lake
The Five-Color Lake is located between the two sacred mountains, Xiannairi and Yangmaiyong, above Milk Lake, at an elevation of about 4,700 meters, making it the highest lake in Daocheng Yading. It is named for the multiple colors it displays due to the refraction of light. In the hearts of Tibetan people, it is regarded as a sacred lake on par with Yamdrok Lake. During the low-water season in autumn, the shoreline also takes on a romantic heart shape.
Pearl Lake
Pearl Lake is located at the foot of Xiannairi, at an elevation of 4,100 meters, and is the most accessible of the three high-altitude lakes. Its clear lake surface is like a mirror, making it one of the best places to photograph the reflection of Xiannairi. Unlike the other two lakes, which are surrounded by a sense of desolation, Pearl Lake is encircled by alpine fir forests and meadows. In autumn, the surrounding forests turn golden, creating a striking contrast with the white snow mountains and emerald-green lake water, making it the golden season for photography.
The Hiking Route of the Three Sacred Lakes
To experience the three sacred lakes of Daocheng Yading, there are two routes:
One route leads to Pearl Lake. Starting from Chonggu Monastery, you hike about 1.5 kilometers along a forest boardwalk lined with fir trees, with almost no noticeable elevation gain. Soon, you will see the sacred mountain reflected in the lake. The beauty comes effortlessly.
The other route starts from Luorong Cattle Ranch, passes by Milk Lake, and ends at Five-Color Lake. The round trip is about 10 kilometers with a total elevation gain of approximately 600 meters. This route is not easy—on the plateau, every step is a struggle against the slopes and the thin air. When you and the person you care about most support and encourage each other along the way, and finally reach Five-Color Lake, you will understand: every step you’ve taken together has truly counted.
Luorong Cattle Ranch: The Heart of Daocheng Yading’s Meadows
Luorong Cattle Ranch is a high-altitude pasture where local Tibetan herders graze their livestock, at an elevation of 4,150 meters. The Gongga River winds its way through the meadow. It is not only one of the core scenic areas of Daocheng Yading, but also a must-pass point on the way to Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake. Backed by the three sacred mountains, Luorong Cattle Ranch offers a sweeping view where all three snow peaks unfold before your eyes as you stand on the meadow. In autumn, the grassland turns from green to gold, creating a stunning contrast with the snow-capped mountains—one of the most gentle and expansive landscapes in Daocheng Yading.
Four Seasons, Four Distinct Landscapes
- Autumn (late September to the end of October): The scenery reaches its peak—golden meadows, colorful forests, turquoise lakes, and stable weather—making it the best time to visit.
- Summer (June to August): The landscape is full of life—lush green meadows, blooming wildflowers, and gently flowing streams, with relatively warm weather. The downside is that it’s the rainy season, with frequent clouds and mist, making it harder to see the snow-capped peaks.
- Winter (November to March): The landscape is blanketed in snow, with few visitors—ideal for those who enjoy tranquility. The downside is the cold, frozen lakes, and the possibility that some areas may be closed due to heavy snowfall.
- Spring (April to May): The snow on the mountains is at its deepest, making the peaks especially magnificent. The downside is that the meadows are in transition, with colors less vibrant than in other seasons, and the weather can be quite changeable.
Final Thoughts
“There is a place called Daocheng Yading, and I want to go there with the one I love most. To see the azure sky, the white snow-capped mountains, the golden meadows, and the pure, crystal-clear lakes.”
The altitude there will leave you breathless, and the rugged terrain will exhaust you. But it will never disappoint those who travel across mountains and rivers to reach it—just like love, which never lets down those who give it their all.
If you love someone, take them to Daocheng Yading.
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