China - Jiuzhaigou to Yunnan (shangri-la)

[ManWearPants]

Been to both Shangri-la and Yading. Both have different feel. If I rem correctly, Shangri-la is at higher altitude so is a bit tougher. On the other hand, I have to sneak into Yading due to forbidden access to tourist back in 2007. Not sure if it is opened now. You may have to check. The best time to visit both places is probably May/June, I was told by the natives.

Along the way to Shangri-la, Lijiang and Yulong Xueshan are the most scenic places. Visit Lijiang in the evening and please make sure you can sing a few songs. Also don't miss Zhang Yimou's Impression Lijiang at the foot of the Yulong Xueshan. Bring a wide angle lens.

IMO, there are more scenic places along the way to Yading compared to Shangri-la. The route to Shangri-la is like a bit more commercialized. I have posted some of the places I went to enroute Yading here http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682284
The 红草皮 is what the name is, a red patch of grass. It is quite a disappointment when I first saw it. But it makes for a good photograph like what Doodah has captured. There are a few rather fun miniature pigs there.

If you are backpacking, wear a good pair of tracking shoes and take horse rides whenever available. It is less taxing on the body.

 

[doodah]

why u say Ya Ding is better ? any special things there ?

The snow-capped mountains at YaDing are astounding. JiuZhaiGou is considered beautiful because of the colored lakes and waterfalls. I am less impressed by JiuZhaiGou 'cos I know there are places in other parts of the world that are just as beautiful (if not more so) without the crowd. You need to squeeze and wrestle your way through the rowdy and unruly mainland Chinese crowds at JiuZhaiGou.

Been to both Shangri-la and Yading. Both have different feel. If I rem correctly, Shangri-la is at higher altitude so is a bit tougher. On the other hand, I have to sneak into Yading due to forbidden access to tourist back in 2007. Not sure if it is opened now. You may have to check. The best time to visit both places is probably May/June, I was told by the natives.

Along the way to Shangri-la, Lijiang and Yulong Xueshan are the most scenic places. Visit Lijiang in the evening and please make sure you can sing a few songs. Also don't miss Zhang Yimou's Impression Lijiang at the foot of the Yulong Xueshan. Bring a wide angle lens.

Shangri-la (or ZhongDian) is at 3300 m above sea level. YaDing is 4000 m above sea level. The latter is way, way tougher as all the interesting places need some amount of hiking. Not aware there ever was a ban on tourists in YaDing. Then again, the ruling Chinese government can be quite unpredictable. :bsmilie: It's not so cold in May/June, so it'll be nicer especially for YaDing where there are no heated hotels. But everything is covered in boring green....

One thing about Impression LiJiang: make sure you pay a little bit more for the higher seats. You have a lot more room for photography without the Chinese crowds getting in the way.

 

[ManWearPants]

Shangri-la (or ZhongDian) is at 3300 m above sea level. YaDing is 4000 m above sea level. The latter is way, way tougher as all the interesting places need some amount of hiking. Not aware there ever was a ban on tourists in YaDing. Then again, the ruling Chinese government can be quite unpredictable. :bsmilie: It's not so cold in May/June, so it'll be nicer especially for YaDing where there are no heated hotels. But everything is covered in boring green....

I feel my trip up Shangri-la is much tougher. Maybe I took a bus which gives me less time to acclimatize to the high altitude and also visited during Feb. The temperature is -6C in the morning. Hence the feeling is more jiatlat. Come to think of it for YaDing, I hiked up to 牛奶海 gradually. The effect is less but still evident. Maybe the way to ascend also plays a part to how your body will react. Too bad the sky is overcast and cannot even see reflection in the "sea". So be prepared that for all the effort, you may not get the landscape shot that you want.

 

[lestwe4get]

For me, the scenery in Jiuzhaigou is the most spectacular and beautiful place I had seen so far. Back in 1992, it was not commercialized then. And yet, I preferred Huanglong, not so much of better scenery but because of the unique terrain.

Was in Yading in 2003 and Jiulong in 2005 and for both trips, the scenery were superb but yet, I liked XinduQiao even more. Over the Yunnan side, was in Lijiang/Zhong Dian/Luguhu in 1997 but found it already commercialized. Then again, I had my fun and made the best out of it and enjoyed the trip.

All in all, each of us has different taste and preference. There are so many beautiful places to go and explore and also, we want to see different things all the time. In essence, just go, enjoy and have fun.

 

[doodah]

I feel my trip up Shangri-la is much tougher. Maybe I took a bus which gives me less time to acclimatize to the high altitude and also visited during Feb. The temperature is -6C in the morning. Hence the feeling is more jiatlat. Come to think of it for YaDing, I hiked up to 牛奶海 gradually. The effect is less but still evident. Maybe the way to ascend also plays a part to how your body will react.

That explains.

Too bad the sky is overcast and cannot even see reflection in the "sea". So be prepared that for all the effort, you may not get the landscape shot that you want.

Ya, I know what you mean. It's particularly difficult in China 'cos it's so friggin cold without heating facilities. Sigh... In developed countries (e.g. when I was up in the Dolomite mountains at Italy), I can stay at one place for several days, making one attempt after another just to get the shot I want. But in China, the cold is just too prohibitive.

 

[doodah]

For me, the scenery in Jiuzhaigou is the most spectacular and beautiful place I had seen so far. Back in 1992, it was not commercialized then. And yet, I preferred Huanglong, not so much of better scenery but because of the unique terrain.

Ha, that makes a LOT of difference. I am VERY confident if I didn't have to jostle with the crowd, if I could stay within JiuZhaiGou (legally) to get my sunrise and sunset shots and if there were not so many stupid restrictions, I will have a different opinion.

Rapid commercialization, especially in a developing country, really kills the landscape. But what to do?

Was in Yading in 2003 and Jiulong in 2005 and for both trips, the scenery were superb but yet, I liked XinduQiao even more.

I thought XinDuQiao was pretty too, but I was on a bus and never got the opportunity to look around. Sigh...

 

[lestwe4get]

Rapid commercialization, especially in a developing country, really kills the landscape. But what to do?

Yes, we are on same frequency. That's why we have to keep on looking for new and unexploited places.

On the other hand, for those who have not been there, you have to go there before it gets worse.

Btw, your pictures were very good and wonderful captures.

 

[lestwe4get]

To TS:

When in Kunming, you can visit the Botanic garden (30 to 45 mins bus ride) to see maple leaves (up to late Nov).

 

[lestwe4get]

I have to sneak into Yading due to forbidden access to tourist back in 2007.

Same thing happened for me as well in 2003. The so-called village head had to arrange 3 jeeps to sneak us in. I was in one of the jeep which was caught by the kong-an for trespassing and the driver was fined RMB 100/-. I compensated him for that on top of the agreed price.

On our return to Daocheng, the village head organized a evening gathering "wan-hui" and the cost was like 150 RMB. We were like "forced" to attend. That aside, the man in the street and children were really lovely, pleasant and "innocent" and that was enough to make up for the wan-hui.

 

[ManWearPants]

Same thing happened for me as well in 2003. The so-called village head had to arrange 3 jeeps to sneak us in. I was in one of the jeep which was caught by the kong-an for trespassing and the driver was fined RMB 100/-. I compensated him for that on top of the agreed price.

On our return to Daocheng, the village head organized a evening gathering "wan-hui" and the cost was like 150 RMB. We were like "forced" to attend. That aside, the man in the street and children were really lovely, pleasant and "innocent" and that was enough to make up for the wan-hui.

We have to sneak in during the wee hours of the morning under the cover of darkness. There are 4 jeeps in my convoy. The mountainous road was dark and foggy that visibility is barely 5m and yet the driver was speeding down those spiraling mountainous roads. We can see that if he skid off the edge, we would drop hundred of meters down the valley. Though everyone in car didn't get enough sleep, our eyes are wide opened. Quite a scary experience. Once we reach the place where we are being transferred onto horses, sunrise greeted us. So that made up for the journey. Definitely not for typical Singaporean who wants safety, comfort and particular about this and that.

 

[astroboy]

Your initial plan may be a bit over-ambitious. Unless u intend to shoot and run. I am planning a similar trip to catch the autumn colours at JZG around late Oct. My itinerary tentatively as follows:
12D/11N CHENGDU-SONGPAN-RUOERGAI-LANGMUSI-JIUZHAIGOU

I have a local friend based in JZG who will update me on the change of autumn colours.

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If u intend to do KMG-Lijiang-Shangri-la-Deqin, u can read my article in Men's Health Feb 2010 issue, pg 66.

There is a small airport in Shangri-la (aka Zhongdian) but I think u have to fly from the capital, Kunming.

 

[liquidforce]

Your initial plan may be a bit over-ambitious. Unless u intend to shoot and run. I am planning a similar trip to catch the autumn colours at JZG around late Oct. My itinerary tentatively as follows:
12D/11N CHENGDU-SONGPAN-RUOERGAI-LANGMUSI-JIUZHAIGOU

I have a local friend based in JZG who will update me on the change of autumn colours.

-------------------

If u intend to do KMG-Lijiang-Shangri-la-Deqin, u can read my article in Men's Health Feb 2010 issue, pg 66.

There is a small airport in Shangri-la (aka Zhongdian) but I think u have to fly from the capital, Kunming.

yeah, already decided to split it into 2 trips. so it'll be

Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Shangri-la - Xishuangbanna (optional) over 15days or so.. and another trip to Sichuan next year..

After reading all the comments on yading, i think it's high on my list of to-go places!

 

[djinn]

why u say Ya Ding is better ? any special things there ?

I had brought friends to these 2 places a few times. Nothing much special in Yading, but, to me, Yading has better scenery.

 

[astroboy]

U can see some of my pics including the contact for a local Naxi driver, if you are travelling in a small group and planning to rent an MPV.

Details here --> http://www.shutterasia.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37029

yeah, already decided to split it into 2 trips. so it'll be

Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Shangri-la - Xishuangbanna (optional) over 15days or so.. and another trip to Sichuan next year..

After reading all the comments on yading, i think it's high on my list of to-go places!