Daocheng County Travel Tips

In 2003, Chinese national geography magazine published an article introducing Yading in Daocheng, and called it “the last piece of pure land in the world”. Thus, it has become a well-known tourist resort in the country. Before traveling to Daocheng, it is helpful for you to know some travel tips. Daocheng County (Garzê) Travel FAQs and Tips introduce the city and zip codes, post offices, useful numbers, hospitals, banks for foreign exchange, Government and famous universities. When plan your trip to Daocheng County, view our answers to questions about Daocheng County travel to get better understanding of Daocheng County.

Useful Numbers

  • China International country code number: 0086
  • Ambulance: 120; Fire: 119; Police: 110
  • Telephone Information Enquiry: 114
  • Weather Report: 121; Post Code Check: 184; Time Check: 117
  • Consumer Complaint Center: 12315
  • Garze Tourism Bureau: 0836-2835469
  • Daocheng Cultural Tourism Bureau: 0836-5728276
  • Law enforcement team of Daocheng Tourism Bureau: 0836-5728276
  • Tourism and Culture Bureau of Kangding County: 0836-2822928
  • Yajiang Tourism Bureau: 0836-5123996
  • Batang Cultural Tourism Bureau: 0836-5622319
  • Law enforcement team of Daocheng Tourism Bureau: 0836-5728276

Banks in Daocheng

  • Agricultural Bank of China (Daocheng County sub branch)中国农业银行(稻城县支行)
    Add: No.5, Section 1, Yading Road, Jinzhu Town, Daocheng County稻城县金珠镇亚丁路一段5号
    Tel: (0836)5728166
  • China Post Savings Bank(中国邮政储蓄银行)
    Add: Section 1, Gongga Road, Daocheng County稻城县贡嘎路1段

Post Office in Daocheng

  • Daocheng County Post Office(稻城县邮政局)
    Add: No. 19, Section 2, Gongba Road, Daocheng County稻城县贡巴路二段19
    Tel: (0836)5728005

Hospital in Daocheng

  • Daocheng County People's Hospital(稻城县人民医院)
    Add: No.17, West Street, Jinzhu Town, Daocheng County稻城县金珠镇西街17 号
    Tel: 0836-5728030
  • Daocheng County Maternal and Child Health Hospital(稻城县妇幼保健院)
    Add: No.85 North Street, Jinzhu Town, Daocheng County稻城县金珠镇北街85号
    Tel: 0836-5728483
  • Jinzhu Town Health Center(金珠镇卫生院)
    Add: Near Shijie Paradise Hotel, section 1 of Gongba road, Jinzhu town金珠镇贡巴路一段视界天堂酒店附近
  • Shangri-La Town Health Center(香格里拉镇卫生院)
    Add: Shangri-La Town Police Station香格里拉镇派出所旁

Local Language

Although local residents usually communicate in Tibetan, with the development of tourism, not only Tibetans can speak mandarin, but also many mainlanders go there to do business. While learning some commonly used Tibetan languages is also necessary. It can not only enhance communication, but also help in emergencies.

Usage Scenarios Tibetan Mandarin English
Daily Expression Gusuodebo(姑索得波) Nihao(你好) Hello
  Kalixiu(卡里秀) Zaijian(再见) Goodbye
  Tujiqi(吐吉其) Xiexie(谢谢) Thanks
  Guangda(广达) Duibuqi(对不起) Sorry
Health Message Menkang(门康) Yiyuan(医院) Hospital
  Adaibimingdu(啊代彼敏度) Wo bu Shufu(我不舒服) I'm ill.
  Alaqucabogao(啊拉曲擦波告) Wo Xiang Yaodian Reshui(我想要点热水) I want some hot water.
  Anmuqicairenang(安木期才热囊) Bang Wo Zhaoge Yisheng(帮我找个医生) Please find a doctor for me
Words for Food Qiang(羌) Qingke Jiu(青稞酒) highland barley wine
  Caxia(牛肉) Niurou(牛肉) Beef
  Naizan(乃糌) Zanba(糌粑) tsampa with butter and cheese
  Daxue(达学) Nailao(奶酪) Cheese
Address Forms Qierang(切让) Ni(你) You
  E'a(额啊) Wo(我) I
  Kuorang(阔让) Ta(他) He/She
  Gela(格拉) Shifu(师傅) worker/master

Best Time to Visit Daocheng

September to October is the best time to travel in Daocheng. In the clear autumn season, red meadows and green poplar trees compete for beauty. Snow mountain is more holy against the blue sky and white clouds. However, during the National Day holiday, the number of tourists doubled, and tourists need to reservations one or two months in advance.

  • April-May: Although the color of Daocheng in spring is not as gorgeous as that in autumn, there is more snow on holy mountains than in autumn, and azalea blooms in high mountains. As there are fewer tourists, the consumption of accommodation and meals will be lower.
  • June-August: During the rainy season in Daocheng, it is often overcast and rainy, when it's hard to see snow-capped mountains under the cover of rain and fog, and mountain roads are in danger of landslides or mudslides. However, due to the summer vacation, there are many tourists.
  • November-March of the following year: Winter is the off season in Daocheng. Although scenic spots will not be closed and flights will not stop, snow and ice will hinder traffic and some inns and restaurants will not be open. However, Daocheng in winter does have more magnificent snow scenery.

More about Best Time to Visit Daocheng.

What to Wear in Daocheng

No matter when you go to Daocheng, there is an unchanging principle in dressing: wear more layers and put on or take off clothes flexibly according to the weather.

This is because in plateau areas, the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, and it is common to wear single clothes during the day and down jackets at night. The weather changes rapidly. It is possible to clear the sky one second before and pour with rain the next. There are great regional differences. Yading scenic area is colder than other areas because of its higher altitude.

  • April-October: June-August is the summer in Daocheng, but the average temperature is only 11-12℃, and the average temperature in spring and autumn is between 0-10℃. During the day, you can put a thin coat on the outside of the short sleeves. At night, you need to put on a fleece jacket and a outdoor jacket. If you are afraid of cold, you can also bring down jacket.
  • From November to March of the following year: In winter, the average temperature in Daocheng is below 0℃ and can reach -27℃ at the coldest time. To visit Daocheng at this time, you need to put on your thickest clothes, including thermal underwear, sweaters, fleece jackets, outdoor jackets, down jackets, hats, earmuffs, gloves, snow boots.

High Altitude Sickness

What are the symptoms of altitude sickness?

Slight symptoms include chest tightness, shortness of breath, palpitation, etc. More serious symptoms may include insomnia, headache, vomiting, etc. If there are symptoms such as continuous dry cough, severe headache, confusion of consciousness, etc., there is a risk of deterioration into pulmonary edema, and the patient must go to hospital for treatment immediately.

Will there be altitude sickness in Daocheng?

Some studies have shown that up to 75% of the people will have light or heavy altitude reactions if they reach areas above 3500 meters. The average altitude of Daocheng is 4,000 meters, and Yading Scenic Area is more higher, which is likely to cause altitude sickness. Tourists arriving by plane need more attention.

Who is not suitable to travel to Daocheng?

Patients with severe anemia, hypertension and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are not suitable to travel to Daocheng.

What can I do before going to Daocheng?

Take rhodiola rosea and nodikan capsule 7-10 days before entering plateau to improve blood oxygen content and prevent plateau reaction.
Pay attention to rest and exercise frequently to improve immunity.

What should I pay attention to when I get to Daocheng?

Keeping a good state of mind is the most important thing.

Eat more carbohydrates and digestible foods, and eat more foods rich in vitamins such as fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. Butter tea can also relieve altitude sickness. It is best not to drink or smoke.

Do not bathe frequently to avoid catching cold, which is the main cause of pulmonary edema. Don't do strenuous exercise, don't walk fast, let alone run and jump.

Slight altitude sickness will cure itself, ranging from 1-2 days to 3-5 days. If altitude sickness is not very serious, it is recommended not to inhale oxygen, so as to avoid dependence and slow down the time for adaptation to altitude.

Which drugs can treat altitude sickness?

In addition to rhodiola rosea and nodikan capsule, there are also drugs such as baifengning, fenbid, salbutamol, panax quinquefolium buccal tablets, Gao yuanan, inosine oral liquid, gaoyuankang, etc. which can treat altitude sickness, and follow the doctor's advice or instructions.

In addition to anti-altitude sickness drugs, some common cold drugs, gastrointestinal drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs and health care drugs are also necessary, such as common cold granules, motilium, amoxicillin, vitamins, glucose, etc.

Religion

Daocheng Tibetans are mostly devout Tibetan Buddhists. Please always pay attention to your words and behavior and respect the local religious culture when traveling.

  • Don't trample the prayer flags, don't knock down the Mani pile, don't sit on the stone engraved with scripture, don't touch the Buddha statues, beads, scriptures, etc.
  • Walk around the tower and mountain clockwisely.
  • When entering the temple, you need to be dressed neatly, and only after obtaining permission can you take pictures, and stand quietly or leave when meeting Buddhist activities.

How Many Days to Spend in Daocheng

4-5 days.

  • You can have a short stay at Daocheng county, and 1-2 days for the nearby attractions around the county seat. It is a better choice to visit Yading scenic area for 2-3 days. You can stay at Yading village. If you want to hike at the Yading scenic area, you need another 1-2 days.
  • In fact, the scenery of Daocheng is more on the road. Self-driving or chartered buses are the best way to travel. If there is plenty of time, it will take about 10 days to get to know this place in depth.

Consumption Level

Daocheng is located in the western Sichuan plateau with less convenient transportation and tourist attractions, so its consumption level is relatively high, slightly higher than that of Chengdu, Kunming and other surrounding large cities.

  • Attractions: Except Aden Scenic Spot, which needs entrance tickets and sightseeing bus, most of the other attractions are free of charge.
  • Food and Beverage: Although there is not much food and beverage in Daocheng, it costs a lot. Butter tea 10-15 yuan/pot, highland barley cake 15 yuan/piece, yak meat 150 yuan/km, chicken stewed with matsutake 200 yuan/pot. The average per capita consumption for ordering in restaurant is 40-60 yuan.
  • Accommodation: Accommodation expenses are greatly affected by accommodation conditions and low season and high season. Youth travel bed 30-60 yuan, guesthouse double room 150-250 yuan, hotel double room 350-550 yuan. Room prices will rise by 100-200 yuan from September to October and double during the National Day holiday.
  • Transportation: In Daocheng, where public transportation is not convenient, transportation costs account for a large part of the expenses. From Daocheng County to the surrounding scenic spots, rent a bus to and from 200-300 yuan, and rent a bicycle for 30-50 yuan/day. From Daocheng County Town to Yading Scenic Area, it will be 400-500 yuan by chartered bus and 80-90 yuan/person by long-distance bus.

What to Pack for Daocheng Travel

  • Daily Supplies
    Many hotels do not provide toiletries, it is best to bring toothpaste, toothbrush, towel, shampoo, shower gel, slippers, etc. Moisturizing lotion and lipstick can effectively relieve discomfort caused by dry climate. Carrying a thermos cup with you can not only replenish water, but also dispel cold. The weather changes rapidly in plateau areas, especially in summer and rainy days. It is very necessary to take an umbrella or raincoat with you.
  • Sunscreen
    The ultraviolet ray in plateau area is strong, so the sunscreen work cannot be careless. In addition to applying sunscreen for chemical sunscreen, physical sunscreen cannot be ignored. Hats, headscarves, sunglasses, sunscreen clothing, etc. can effectively prevent sunburn.
  • Warm-keeping Equipment
    Warm babies(warm paste) can play a big role in cold plateau areas. They can not only make you warm, but also improve battery life of cameras and mobile phones.
  • Outdoor Equipment
    If you have a hiking plan, you need to carry professional outdoor equipment to ensure safety. The important ones are: hiking shoes, hiking bags, hiking sticks, climbing watches, clothes suitable for climbing (with functions of windproof, heat preservation, perspiration, etc.), tents, sleeping bags, moisture-proof mats, cooking utensils, lamps, compasses, walkie-talkies, binoculars, GPS, etc.

More Daocheng Travel Tips

  • Don't spit and clap your hands behind others.
  • If you see religious sites such as monasteries, Manidui and stupas, you must detour from left to right. If you believe in Bon religion, you must detour from right. You must not cross the multiplier or brazier.
  • The warp tube and warp wheel cannot be reversed.
  • In the temple, it is forbidden to smoke, touch Buddha statues, turn over scriptures, and ring bells and drums.
  • After entering the Tibetan's house, the male will sit on the left and the female on the right. They are not allowed to sit together.
  • If there is a patient or a woman in a Tibetan family giving birth, the door is marked. Some have a fire outside the door, and some have branches or red cloth strips stuck at the door. When outsiders see this sign, do not enter.
  • Don't throw dirt, defecate, dig, collect or cut down flowers and trees on the mountain, let alone kill animals on the mountain.
  • When drinking buttered tea, the host pours the tea, and the guest can only take it when the host hands it in front of him.

Edited by Hellen He/何琴