Daocheng Yading (稻城亚丁), called the last Shangri-La with snow-capped three holy mountains, is located in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in the southwest of Sichuan Province, about 683 kilometers away from Chengdu - the capital of Sichuan. Chengdu is served as the most popular gateway city reaching Daocheng Yading. Travelers can get from Chengdu to Daocheng by air, car or long distance bus.
Chengdu to Daocheng Map
Duration: about 1 hour
From - To: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport - Daocheng Yading Airport
Getting from Chengdu to Daocheng by air is the most convenient and popular way for most travelers. Everyday, there are 2 flights (sometimes only 1 in off season) running from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to Daocheng Yading Airport. It only takes about 1 hour. Within short time, you’ll quickly transfer from Chengdu Plain (altitude: 500 meters) to high altitude mountainous area of Daocheng (altitude: 4411 meters). Daocheng Yading is the highest civilian airport in China. Learn more about Daocheng Yading Airport >>
Useful Tips: To try to avoid high altitude sickness, it is suggested to don’t do strenuous activities after arrival. The average temperature of each month is around -9℃~9℃ and please keep warm to protect yourselves.
Daocheng Yading Airport
Daocheng to Chengdu Flights: flights are also available from Daocheng to Chengdu. Usually, there is 1 or 2 daily flights serving this route. It takes off in the morning that it is recommended to accommodate in Daocheng County or hotels near the airport.
>> 4 Days Daocheng Yading Classic Hiking Tour from Chengdu (by Flight)
Driving from Chengdu to Daocheng Yading is another common way to reach Daocheng Yading. Many travelers choose to start from Chengdu and take the car with long drive to get to Daocheng. Instead of hiring a car (expensive and without guarantee), China Discovery, local based in Chengdu and Sichuan, can offer private tour packages with licensed, comfortable car service taking you to Daocheng Yading.
The driving distance from Chengdu to Daocheng County is 684 kilometers and it needs 12~12.5 hours without any stop along the way. So, Kangding or Xinduqiao is served as the rest stop that you can both enjoy sightseeing in each of the two destinations and have a good rest of your body. The distance between Chengdu and Kangding is about 280 kilometers (about 5-5.5 hours’ driving) and the rest distance from Kangding to Daocheng is about 420 kilometers (about 8~8.5 hours’ driving). If you make a stop in Xinduqiao, the distance from Chengdu to Xinduqiao is about 350 kilometers which needs about 6~7 hours by driving. And from Xinduqiao to Daocheng County is about 343 kilometers which needs 6~6.5 hours’ by driving.
Let’s view Chengdu Daocheng Yading driving route map to get more clear idea.
| Section | Road Condition | Distance | Estimated Time Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu - Ya’an City | highway | 147 km | around 2~2.5 hours |
| Ya’an - Luding | highway | 112 km | around 2 hours |
| Luding - Kangding | cement road | 56 km | around 1.5 hours |
| Kangding - Xinduqiao | asphalt road | 77 km | around 2 hours |
| Xinduqiao - Litang | asphalt road | 196 km | around 4 hours |
| Litang - Daocheng County | asphalt road | 151 km | around 2.5~3 hours |
| Daocheng County - Shangri-La Town | asphalt road | 75 km | about 1.5 hours |
Travel Tips: Since the long direct driving between Chengdu and Daocheng Yading, it is highly recommended to go as Chengdu - Kangding - Daocheng Yading - Xinduqiao - Chengdu. It means you can spend one day exploring in Xinduqiao or Kangding which both are worth your time with stunning scenery and culture.
If you are independent travelers with plenty of time, you can take coach or long distance bus from Chengdu to Daocheng. Travelers can take coach from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station to Daocheng County. Only 1 daily coach is available. This long distance bus will stop in Kangding which means you should find a hotel on your own and stay in Kangding for one night and the coach will continue moving on the next morning. It takes about 25 hours in total which is time-consuming. (Note: For the limited coach and seats, you are suggested to book the ticket beforehand.)
● Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station (成都新南门汽车站)
Address: No.2 Xinnan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan (It is located in the busy downtown area, and you can take metro Line 3 and stop at Xinnanmen Station.)
● Daocheng Bus Station (稻城汽车站)
Address: 216 Provincial Rd, Daocheng County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan (close to Daocheng Xibo Hotel)
Chengdu to Daocheng via Xinduqiao
If you want to get from Shangri-La to Daocheng, or Kanding to Daocheng, you can head to our How to Get to Daocheng Yading for detailed transportation plan.
Daocheng Yading Airport - Yading Nature Reserve: The distance from Daocheng Yading Airport to Yading Nature Reserve is about 128 kilometers. There is no direct shuttle bus running from the airport to Yading Village or Yading Nature Reserve. Travelers should first get to Daocheng County and then take the bus to Shangri-La Town.
Daocheng County - Yading Nature Reserve: It is about 81 kilometers between Daocheng County and Yading Nature Reserve. Usually, there are two buses (one is at around 10:00 and the other is at around 14:00) running from Daocheng County to Shangri-La Town. It takes about 2 hours. Buses are a lot from Shangri-La Town to Yading Nature Reserve.
If you want to learn more about Yading Nature Reserve, holy mountains and crystal lakes, trekking route, sightseeing bus and battery car in this scenic area, you can turn to Yading Nature Reserve for detailed information.
Daocheng to Yading Nature Reserve Map
The transportation network of Daocheng is not well developed at present. The most popular way getting to Daocheng Yading is by air. And the second choice is by driving. It is highly recommended to go from Chengdu to Daocheng Yading by air.
>> 4 Days Daocheng Yading Classic Hiking Tour from Chengdu (by Flight)
>> 4 Days Daocheng Yading In-depth Photography Tour
For travelers who can bear long journey, want to see and explore along the way, it would be a nice idea to travel from Chengdu via Ya’an, Luding, Kangding, Xinduqiao, Litang to Daocheng Yading.
In this holy high altitude land, scenery is surely different from other destinations. You can take our classic hiking tour, in-depth hiking tour, or photography tour as you wish. For more ideas, you can go to select from all of our Daocheng Yading tours.
Yading Nature Reserve Hiking
Since the far distance between Daocheng Yading and other popular destinations, it is a good idea to travel with China Discovery and let us take care of everything for you! Our local drivers will escort you to Daocheng Yading from Chengdu or other places with comfortable car. And our English-speaking tour guide will accompany you all the way, showing you the best travelling route and telling you beautiful stories of the mysterious Sichuan. The tour can be tailor-made according to your group size, time, physical condition, plan, interest, budget and every special need. Please feel free to contact us if you need any help!
Top 3 Daocheng Yading tours chosen by most customers to explore Daocheng Yading in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
Chengdu / Daocheng / Yading
Chengdu / Daocheng / Yading
Chengdu / Daocheng
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