Day 1 Chengdu-Ya'an-Luding-Kangding-Xinduqiao

From Chengdu, go by car or bus along the Chengdu-Ya'an Expressway to the so-called Rain City, Ya'an; take in the distinctive Chengdu Plain scenery along the way, and get a glimpse of the Tibetan way of life.

Day 2 Xinduqiao-Yajiang-Litang-Daocheng Transport

Cross the Daocheng Ancient Glacier Cap (Haizishan Nature Reserve), the largest fossil glacial site on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, to get to Shambhala--Daocheng.

Tips:

September-October is the best time to visit Daocheng.

Some precautions are necessary in consideration of the altitude – there is a risk of altitude sickness, and additionally, due to the significant diurnal temperature variation and strong UV radiation, both thermal clothing and sunscreen are essential.

Day 3 Daocheng Tour

Tips:

1. The scenery of the terracotta valley, the idyllic Tibetan villages, the serene Chonggu Temple (Tibetan Buddhism Temple) and the sacred Holy Mountains is picturesque and charming, as if created just for your sensory pleasure, and a refreshing dip in the Shangri-La Spring in the evening is a particularly soothing way to round off a day of sightseeing.

2. Some things not to be missed include the magnificent display of azaleas in full bloom, a visit to some of the ancient temples, a bicycle ride around Daocheng, and the luxury of relaxing in a soothing hot spring.

Day 4 Yading Tour Tips

This part of the journey traverses Mt Bowa through the lush forests, visiting Tibetan villages along the way, before moving on to Riwa Township to have a look around the beautiful Yading Scenic Area.

Day 5 The Holy Mountains, Milk Sea, and Five-Color Lake Tips

This is a lengthy leg of the trip with few options for food along the way, so it is advisable to prepare a picnic and stop at one or more of the many peaceful clearings for a bite to eat and a rest. It would be best to return to Daocheng for the night.

Day 6 Daocheng-Chengdu Transport

There are direct flights from Daocheng to Chengdu, which take about an hour.