Aden Scenic Area, Sichuan, China

5Adrian B 5:00 PM Oct 3, 2013

The Yading 'Big Kora' Trek, Sichuan.
Have just returned from a second visit to the Yading Kora - a spectacular 6/7 day trek around the sacred peaks of Mt Chanadorjee, Chenrezig and Jembayang. I first visited in 2012 on a research trip and was awestruck by the natural beauty of this route so I decided to return with a small group last month. The trek is expeditionary and challenging as it passes over 6 high altitude passes but very few places in China offer such an immersive, unspoilt and spectacular experience as the 'big kora' trek. I would be interested if anyone knows any other hidden gems in the Tibetan borderlands that are yet to be discovered. If anyone is interested in a comparison between this route and the trek from Lugu Lake to Yading (which I did a few years ago) in my humble opinion this is much more beautiful.

5Violeta Z 5:00 PM Apr 13, 2018

The real ShangriLa
I was looking to go to Tibet and hike to Everest Base Camp. But because of poor planning I did not have the time to get a Tibet Visa so this was the closest to Tibet I could get. And it has been fabulous as an off the beaten path adventure travel. For me I think I ve got everything I wished for and even more. From Chengdu it will be 24 hours bus ride, or take the plane 1 hour. But from ShangriLa (zhongdian) it will be 12 hour bus ride As I love hiking I started the trip from Lijiang to hike Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 5600 m altitude, made my way Hike Tiger Leaping Gorge 3,900 m altitude, to ShangriLa to hike Shika Snow Mountain 4,500m altitude. This is how you get your acclimatization to altitude. Never needed to buy the oxygen or diamox or rhodiola. I was travelling solo, female, don't know mandarin and it was perfectly safe Although Tibetan men are not shy at all. But never felt unsafe Although I was always in the hostel by 21:00 The Bus Ride was truly scenic it reminded me a lot as when I was in Banff Canada but at much greater altitude. As the stupas, prayer flags, temples, made that Tibetan feeling more unique. On our way to RiWa or Shangri la Village I saw many hike opportunities I think you can stay here for months and never run out of beautiful places to hike and explore. Although I wish I had a partner because when hiking solo I am not so adventurous. The bus was taking us to daosheng but thankfully 80% of the bus were Thailand tourist going to Yading nature reserve the driver accepted to take us all the way to RiWa or ShangriLa village for 50 yuan RIwa is 3 km from yading ticket office Once inside it is very pricey for you need to pay each transport, but I promise everything you pay it is so much worth it as this was for me a sacred land. The glaciers at the summit are so blue because they have been untouched. Climbing is forbidden because of the holy nature of the place as well as the lakes I just think that if I have gone to the Everest base camp I would not get these beautiful views It is an adventure to get there But everything was worth it You will not regret