Daocheng Yading Fact & Culture

Daocheng, the land of snow-capped mountains, awe inspired glaciers, magnificent canyon, virgin vibrant forest, grassy marshland, natural lakes and pure air, is praised as the "last shangri-la" among Chinese travelers.

A Grand View of Daocheng

Located in Southwest Sichuan and close to the border of Northwest Yunnan, Daocheng is at an average elevation of 3,800 meters. It is around 800 kilometers away from Chengdu and about 430 kilometers away from Kangding, the capital of Gantse Prefecture. Daocheng is world-famous for Yading’s spectacular mountain scenery and the scenery around Daocheng is also worth to visit.

The Red Grass Field

Daocheng History

From the records of the history in Western Sichuan and Norther Yunnan, Daocheng was simply mentioned as the tribe of the White Wolf Kingdom which was exterminated by Tubo Kingdom in Dang Dynasty. Before the reign of Emperor Guangxu, it was named Daoba under the jurisdiction of several territories. In 1911, the thirty three years of Guangxu Period, it was named officially Daocheng (稻成) county under the jurisdiction of Kangding. The name means to congratulate the success of the trail of rice in advance. In 1939, the Xikang Province was established and Daocheng (稻成) county was renamed as Daocheng(稻城) county. In 1955, Xikang Province was dismissed. Daocheng was assigned to Gantse Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province.

Attractions in Daocheng County

Daocheng, whose core is Yading, is the Daocheng Shangri-La Ecological zone with magnificent sceneries that consist of Snow Mountains, glacier, lakes, grassland, waterfalls and so on. It is known as “China Shangri-La Soul” and “The last piece of pure land on the blue planet”.

The main sceneries in Daocheng Yading are Yading Nature Reserve, Rewu Temple, Xinyicuo Lake, Mengzi Grand Canyou, Haizi Mountain, Populus Woods, Erchu Mountain, Red Grass Marsh, etc.

4 Days Chengdu Daocheng Yading Flight Tour

Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve

Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve is located in Riwa Country, Daocheng County, with an area of 56,000 hectares. The altitude of the reserve is from 2900 meters to 6032 meters.

There are three main snow mountains in the reserve, namely Xiannairi, Yangmianyong and Xianuoduoji which are distributed from south to north. Because of its distinct geographical environment and natural climate, the reserve has its unique landscape. Besides snow peaks, the reserve also has glaciers, forests, streams, lakes, waterfalls and meadows. It is a relatively intact natural ecosystem in China.

Milk Lake

Rewu Temple

Located in Sela country, 10 km away from Daocheng County Town, Rewu Temple has a history of more than 600 years. It is the earliest Sakya School temple in Daocheng. Some precious cultural relics are preserved in it, such as 10 gold-painted Tangka paintings, Buddhist statues and appliances.

Haizi Mountain

The average altitude of Haizi Mountain is 4500m. The highest peak, Guoyinrize, is 5020 meters high. There are 1145 alpine lakes in Haizi Mountain. The biggest alpine lake is Yinyicuo, at the altitude of 4420. It is regarded as a holy lake by Tibetans. This broad lake is a habitat paradise for birds.

Populus Woods

There are thousands of populus being planted on the riverbank around Daocheng County. In autumn, the leaves of populus turn golden. You will enjoy an extraordinary beautiful view consists of the blue sky, white clouds and golden leaves.

Populus Woods

Notice for Daocheng Yading Tour

1. Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve is at high altitude. People with severe heart disease, asthma or other disease are not recommended to go.
2. During your travelling, you’d better take some complex vitamins, glucose products and commonly used drugs with you.
3. Before travelling, you can have some anti-altitude sickness medicine, like Hongjingtian.
4. Taking thick clothes, sunglass, sun cream, rain gear, flashlights and so on.
5. Do not drink wine or do strenuous exercise at high altitude.
6. Respect the local folk customs and pay attention to protect local environment.

Best Time to Visit Daocheng Yading

Situated in subtropical climate zone and affected by the rough topography of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Daocheng is plateau monsoon climate with the characteristics of plateau climate and continental climate. Most time of a year, the weather of Daocheng is clear and sunny. The annual duration of sunshine is 1750 hours. In summer, there will be more rain and fog.

The best time to visit Daocheng is from April to October. In April and May, there will be many wildflowers scattering over the grassland. From June to August, the grass begins to turn yellow. During the time, it rains a lot. But it usually rains at night. It will be sunny the next day. In September and October, you will appreciate the most beautiful view in Daocheng Yading. From Novembers to the next March, it is very cold in Daocheng. The road condition is worse for the big sown and the frozen ice.

8 Days Chengdu Daocheng Yading Tagong Danba Loop Tour

Daocheng Transportation

Daocheng is located in far southwest Sichuan. The transportation to get to Daocheng is rough and difficult. Before 2013, visitors can get to Dancheng only by car. After the completion of Daocheng Yading airport, travelers can go there either by car or by air.

Each kind of transportation has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you choose to get to Daocheng from Chengdu by car, it will take you about 2 days. But you can enjoy the marvelous landscape along the way. Moreover, you can gradually adapt to the high altitude as it increases slowly. If you go to Daocheng from Chengdu by air, it only needs about 1 hour. But it is easy for you to get high altitude sickness as you are suddenly exposed to such a high altitude of 4411 meters. You can choose the transportation according to your physical condition and time schedule.

Minority & Culture in Daocheng

The total population in Daocheng is 25,445, with 24,496 are Kang-pa Tibetans, which is to say there are about 96 % of the population is Tibetans. Apart from Tibetans, there are also Han, Naxi, Hui, Mongolian, Miao, Yi and etc.

All Tibetans in Daocheng are religious believers and there are 14 temples within the county. They mainly believe in Gelugpa sect and Kagyu sect. Other region like Nyingma sect, Sakya sect are also believed in Daocheng Tibetans.

The Chonggu Temple

Ethical clothing

Daocheng Tibetan belongs to Kangba Tibetan. Their clothing is elegant and luxurious with various colors, different shapes and distinct designs. Their adornment is precisely made by gold, silver, copper, agate, jade, coral, pine otolith, etc.

Social Etiquette

Presenting Hada
Presenting Hada is the most common etiquette for Daocheng people. It is usually used for welcoming, gifting, worshipping and other daily interactions, which shows respect and good wish to others.

Kowtow
Kowtow usually occurs in temples. Religious people will kowtow when they pilgrimage or meet the Buddha.

Toast
Toast is a hospitable way to welcome guests and express good wishes to friends.

Festivals

Tibetan New Year
It is the most grand festival for Tibetan people. Tibetan New Year is hosted from 1st day to 15th day of first lunar month of Tibet Calendar. It is known as "Losar" in Tibetan language. During this festival, Tibetan people will dress up and dance day and night.

Gadeng Festival
This festival falls on early July. During this festival, the professional and amateur ethnic performance groups will sing and dance near the Daocheng, as well as horse riding and wrestling show.

Yading Festival
This festival falls on September 10th. People pitch tents together, dancing and singing together. Besides, there is a trade fair for people to purchase things.

Lamp Festival
It falls on the October, 25th of Tibetan Calendar. When the evening is coming, local people and lamas in the monasteries will light the butter lamp on the roof. And religious ceremony will be hekd in the monastery.

Daocheng Yading Festival - Horse Riding

Local food

What to eat in Daocheng County? You don’t worry about it. In Daocheng County, there are many local restaurants, offering Chinese dishes, mostly Sichuan flavor and Tibetan food. There are some typical Tibetan foods you can taste when you visit Daocheng County.

Highland Barley
Highland barley, also called hulless barley, is a major ingredient of Zanba and Highland barley wine. Highland barley is mainly produced in Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan, and Qinghai. It is the main grain crops for Tibetans.

Highland Barley

Butter tea
Butter tea is a kind of special drinking for Tibetans. People usually drink it when they eat Zanba. This kind of drinking is made from butter and tea. It can prevent high altitude sickness, keep warm and moisturize lips.

Zanba
Zanba is a main food for Tibetans. They eat Zanba every meal. Zanba is made from highland barley. It derives from the tradition of throwing Zanba in the air during Buddhist rituals, which is believed that Zanba was used as an offering to animistic gods for their protection.

Highland barley Wine
Highland barley wine, made from highland barley, is a favorite wine for Tibetans. Tibetans will drink it whenever they celebrate happy events, such as weddings, holidays, birthdays.

Dairy products
There are a great number of cattle and sheep in Kangba district. Therefore, there are a lot of dairy products. The most common dairy products are yogurt and mild residue. They are very delicious and fragrant and worth tasting.