Hiking in Daocheng Yading: Carving a Path in the Winds at 4,000 Meters

Daocheng Yading is not the kind of place where you can casually check off scenic spots. Entering here means confronting altitude sickness, rugged mountain trails, and the constant testing of your willpower.

Starting from Chonggu Monastery, we embarked on the high-altitude trek towards Luorong Pasture. The air was thin, our steps heavy, and every move forward felt like a challenge. In the distance, three sacred mountains stood silently, their glaciers below the snowline appearing dreamlike, as if we had entered a world belonging solely to the sky and the wind.

The real test came on the steep slopes leading to the Five-Color Lake and Milk Lake. Loose rocks made the path slippery, our energy waned, and some shed tears while others gritted their teeth to persevere. I, too, considered giving up, but when I stood by the lake at an altitude of 4,600 meters and saw the gem-like blue water, it all felt worthwhile. The beauty of Daocheng Yading lies at the end of the most challenging paths. This journey taught me that true scenery does not reward the idle but is reserved for those willing to take risks.

Post by 栗栗子 | Jul 27, 2025