How to Avoid Altitude Sickness while Visiting Daocheng Yading

Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a pathological effect of high altitude on humans. It is caused by acute exposure to the environment of low air pressure and low concentration of oxygen at high altitude. Altitude sickness often occurs above the altitude of 2400 meters.

Altitude Sickness Occurs in Daocheng Yading

Daocheng Yading is of mountainous terrain. The highest altitude is 6032 meters and the lowest altitude is 2000 meters. It is in high altitude area. Therefore, if you visit Daocheng Yading, it is possible that altitude sickness will happen to you.

There are two main kinds of transportation for visitors to come to Daocheng Yading. One is by car, the other is by plane. If you go to Daocheng by car, it will less possible to get altitude sickness for the altitude ascends slowly. If you go to Daocheng by plane, it is more possible to get altitude sickness for you are suddenly exposed to Daocheng Yading Airport which is at the altitude of 4411 meters. It is more difficult for you to adapt to the environment of low air pressure and low concentration of oxygen. But you don’t need to worry too much. Altitude sickness treatment and doctors are available at Daocheng Yading Airport.

The Altitude of Main Attractions of Daocheng Yading

The average altitude of Daocheng Yading is about 3700 meters. The altitudes of its main attractions are all beyond the average altitude of Daocheng.

Daocheng Down Town: 3750 meters
Yading County: 3900 meters
Chonggu Temple: 3900 meters
Luorong Pasture: more than 4100 meters
Pearl Lake: about 4100 meters
Milk Lake: more than 4300 meters
Five-color Lake: more than 4500 meters

So, it is possible to get altitude sickness during you trip at Daocheng Yading.

The Main Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

If you get an altitude sickness, you may have a headache, feel breathless and weak, lack appetite, feel dizzy and fatigue; and your muscles pain, your limbs and face become edematous, your pulse speeds up. You can’t sleep well at night. These are primary symptoms for altitude sickness. They are temporary and usually abate as altitude acclimatization occurs. So, you do not need to worry too much. Just relax and rest for a period of time, you will become well soon.

If you have the following symptoms, such as persistent dry cough, fever, shortness of breath, gradual loss of consciousness, increased nausea and vomiting and so on, you must stop your travelling and go to a doctor immediately. These symptoms indicate a severe altitude sickness which may threaten your life. So you have to get professional treatment in time. Severe altitude sickness happens rarely. If you are in good health and act properly in high altitude area, severe altitude sickness will not happen to you.

Ways to Prevent and Alleviate Altitude Sickness

In order to keep you safe and avoid severe altitude sickness happening to you, several ways of preventing altitude sickness or alleviating the altitude sickness symptoms are listed here:
1. Before you visit Daocheng Yading, you can take Hongjingtian or Jigan medicines several days in advance.
2. Keep enough sleep and be in good state.
3. Take some common medicines with you, such as headache medicine, cold medicine, diarrhea medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, motion sickness medicine, etc.
4. When you are at high altitude, do not drink wine or smoke; do not do strenuous exercise or run.
5. Take less hot baths at high altitude.
6. Keep warm and avoid getting cold.
7. Drink more water and eat more vegetables.
8. Drinking butter tea and eating Hongjingtian are also helpful for alleviating altitude sickness.
9. If your altitude sickness becomes severe, you should breathe in some oxygen and go to a doctor.

Common Questions Related to Altitude Sickness

How high does altitude sickness occur?

For most people, altitude sickness occurs above the altitude of 3000 meters. But there are also a few people get altitude sickness at the altitude less than 2000 meters.

If I feel breathless when I am sleeping, what can I do?

It is normal that you feel breathless when you are sleeping for there is not enough oxygen at high altitude area. It is recommended to try to elevate your head when you sleep or try to sleep by sitting up. It will make you breathe more easily and smoothly.

Is it good to breathe in oxygen as soon as you arrive at high altitude area?

It is not recommended to breathe in oxygen as soon as you arrive at high altitude area because it will affect your body to establish the adaptability to local environment and climate. Once you breathe in oxygen, your body will rely on it all the time. Only if you get severe altitude sickness, you are recommended to breathe in oxygen in time.

Can I drink alcohol at high altitude?

It is recommended that do not drink alcohol at high altitude, especially those people beyond 40 years old. Alcohol will increase the burden of people’s heart and blood vessels and make altitude sickness more severe.