Off the Beaten Path: Yading Natural Reserve, Sichuan Province, China

This natural reserve is located in the remote and mountainous western part of Sichuan and is one of China's best kept secrets. Even today, tourism is still not well established here, which is good because you get to experience things in their natural environment.

If the altitude of Daocheng County doesn't leave you speechless, the magnificent mountains and meadows in the vicinity of this 4,000-meter-high plateau surely will. Holy snow-capped mountains, lakes and temples, once accessed only explorers, now attract a host of visitors seeking ``the last Shangri-la.'' 

The Yading Nature Reserve covers an area of 520 square miles and has an average elevation of well over 13000 feet.

Inside the Yading Nature Reserve are the 3 holy mountains of Chenresig, rising to 19,790 feet, Chana Dorje and Jampelyang, which both rise to 19,457 feet. These 3 snow-capped peaks sit in a triangle formation with forested valleys, clear rivers, glacier-fed lakes and abundant wildlife between them. The Tibetan name for Yading is “Nyiden”, which means “facing the sun”.  The local Tibetan name for the area around the 3 holy mountains is “Rigsum Gonpo”. In Tibetan, the names of the mountains mean “Wisdom” (Jampelyang), “Power” (Chana Dorje) and “Compassion” (Chenresig). This region was designated as a nature reserve in the late 1990’s. 

Due to its remoteness, the Yading Nature Reserve is still relatively unknown to foreign travelers. It is not listed in any of the major guidebooks for Tibet or China and getting accurate travel information for the area is difficult. Yading is becoming more popular among Chinese tourists, but even during the high season the tourists numbers are relatively low.

There are a number of lakes, some smaller and others larger, in the Reserve. Wuse ("Five Color") Lake and Niunai ("Milk") Lake are located inside the triangle formed by the three sacred peaks, while Zhenzhu ("Pearl") Lake is located outside this triangle, near Gongga Chonggu Temple, which is situated due north of Mount Xiannairi.

Luorong Grassland, with an elevation of 13616 feet above sea level, is one of the famous lodging sites inside Yading Nature Reserve. The grassland is surrounded on three sides by the Three Sacred - and snowy - Peaks of Konkaling. A delightful contrast is thus formed by the nearby snowy peaks, the forests, the meadows, the streams, the lakes, the waterfalls and the log houses. The best vantage point to appreciate Luorong Grassland is against the backdrop of the Three Sacred Peaks, Wuse Lake and Niunai Lake.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com