Daocheng Yading Scenic Area is a tourist destination located in Shangri-La Town, Daocheng County, within the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province. The scenic area spans 32.44 square kilometers.
In the Tibetan language, the area is known as "Nianqing Gongga Risong Gongbu," which translates to "a place facing the sun." Development began in 1996, and the site was named after "Yading," a small local Tibetan village—a name that remains in use today. Within the area, the northern peak, "Xiannai Ri" (Chenrezig), represents Avalokiteshvara (Bodhisattva of Compassion) and stands at an elevation of 6,032 meters. The southern peak, "Yangmai Yong" (Jampelyang), represents Manjushri (Bodhisattva of Wisdom) at 5,958 meters, while the eastern peak, "Xianuo Duoji" (Chana Dorje), represents Vajrapani (Bodhisattva of Power), also at 5,958 meters. The region’s forests remain in a pristine, primitive state, covering an area of 560 square kilometers and harboring 1,126 species of vascular plants and 291 species of vertebrates. There are over a dozen peaks exceeding 5,000 meters in elevation, more than 30 peaks above 4,500 meters, and 62 ancient alpine glacial lakes—the most spectacular of which are "Milk Lake," "Five-Color Lake," and "Pearl Lake." Renowned for its unique landforms and untouched natural scenery, the area is hailed as the "Soul of Shangri-La in China" and described by international observers as "the last pure land on our azure-blue planet." American explorer Joseph Rock once visited Yading, bringing the area’s pristine ecosystem to global attention.
On December 29, 2020, the scenic area was designated a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, becoming the second site in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to receive this top-tier national classification.