Potatso National Park is located in Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. As China's first national park and a national 5A-level tourist attraction, the scenic area covers approximately 1,313 square kilometers, with a core focus on alpine lakes, forest meadows, and wetland ecosystems. It is home to abundant rare flora and fauna, including national first-class protected animals such as black-necked cranes and snow leopards. The park's highest point reaches an altitude of 4,670 meters, while the lowest point is 2,347 meters, comprising three core areas: Potatso, Shudu Lake, and Bita Sea. It is a vital part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage "Three Parallel Rivers."
History and Culture
The Diqing region where Potatso is situated is the core area of Khampa Tibetan culture, where Tibetan folk culture and nature worship are deeply integrated. In Tibetan, Shudu Lake and Bita Sea are named "Cheese Lake" and "Soft Sea Like Yak Wool Felt," respectively, reflecting the poetic perception of natural landscapes by ancient Tibetans. The concept of "Shambhala" (ideal pure land) in Tibetan Buddhism aligns closely with Potatso's ecological protection philosophy. Traditional customs such as lake circumambulation and mountain worship are still preserved, such as the "Mountain Circumambulation Festival" on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, during which herders circle the lake to pray for prosperity of livestock and people.
After Potatso became a national park in 2007, a "community co-management" model was established, involving surrounding Tibetan villages in ecological protection and balancing traditional culture inheritance with modern eco-tourism. For example, most sightseeing bus guides in the scenic area are local Tibetan residents who can provide interpretation services in Tibetan, preserving the ethnic language and culture.
Main Attractions
Shudu Lake
Shudu Lake is one of the largest lakes in Shangri-La City, located at an altitude of 3,700 meters with a water area of 1.2 square kilometers and an average depth of 20 meters. Dense spruce and fir forests surround the lake, providing habitat for over 30 bird species such as egrets and common shelducks. The scenic area features a 3.3-kilometer wooden hiking trail, offering views of "mirror-like water merging with sky" and "forest reflections." From May to June, alpine rhododendrons bloom along the lakeshore, and from September to October, the forests are ablaze with autumn colors, making it an ideal season for photography and birdwatching.
Bita Sea
Located at an altitude of 3,538 meters with a water area of 2.4 square kilometers, Bita Sea is named for its conch-shaped lake. It is home to the rare Bita Sea double-lip fish (Diptychus), which can grow up to 30 centimeters long. The lake has an 80% forest coverage rate, with primeval spruce forests over 300 years old and an average height of 40 meters. In June, the "Five-flower Meadow" by the lake blooms with globe-flowers and larkspurs, creating a magnificent "flower sea around the lake" landscape. In winter, the lake freezes with an ice layer up to 50 centimeters thick, suitable for ice hiking.
Militang Subalpine Meadow
At an altitude of 3,700 meters and covering about 500 hectares, the Militang Subalpine Meadow is a typical subalpine meadow landscape in Shangri-La. Seasonal streams and wetlands are scattered across the meadow, with alpine grasses and knotweeds growing up to 30 centimeters tall in summer, serving as a natural pasture for yaks and Tibetan pigs. A viewing platform at the center of the meadow offers a panoramic view of the "winding streams," and from July to August, wildflowers cover 60% of the meadow, creating a scene of "green carpets inlaid with flowers."
Food
Butter Tea
A traditional Tibetan beverage made by mixing butter, brick tea, and salt, each pot of butter tea holds approximately 1.5 liters (8-10 small cups). The butter, derived from yak milk with a 60% fat content, helps combat altitude sickness and cold. It is sold at Tibetan village teahouses in the scenic area for about 50 yuan per pot, best paired with zanba (roasted barley flour).
Yak Jerky
Made from yak meat from pastures above 3,500 meters altitude, the jerky is cured and air-dried for 15 days. Each 100-gram bag contains 30% protein, with spicy and five-spice flavors available. Sold at scenic area stores for about 80 yuan per bag, it is an ideal high-altitude energy food.
Tibetan Yogurt
Prepared using a traditional wooden barrel fermentation process with yak milk, Tibetan yogurt ferments for 24 hours to form a tofu-like texture with high acidity. Each 200-gram serving can be mixed with honey or butter, priced at about 25 yuan per bowl in the scenic area. It aids digestion and replenishes probiotics.
Highland Barley Pancakes
Made from highland barley flour, butter, and sugar, these pancakes are baked to a crisp and slightly sweet taste, with a diameter of 15 cm and 2 cm thickness. Served 3-4 pieces per plate at 30 yuan, they are a common Tibetan breakfast item available at local restaurants in the scenic area.
Tickets
Admission: 68 yuan/person; Sightseeing bus: 70 yuan/person.
For the latest updates or online ticket booking, search the official WeChat public account "香格里拉普达措". As of May 18, 2025, ticket purchases are not directly available through the account's booking function.
Opening Hours
Peak season (May 1–November 15): 08:00–17:00; Off-season (November 16–April 30): 08:30–16:30. The hiking trails around Shudu Lake and Bita Sea may be temporarily closed due to snow from December to February, subject to scenic area announcements.
Tour Route
Recommended itinerary: Scenic area entrance → Sightseeing bus to Shudu Lake (30 minutes) → Hike Shudu Lake wooden trail (3 hours, passing bird-watching platforms and waterfront viewing areas) → Sightseeing bus to Militang Subalpine Meadow (20 minutes) → Photo stop at meadow viewing platform (1 hour) → Sightseeing bus to Bita Sea (25 minutes) → Hike Bita Sea lakeside trail (2.5 hours, ending at Potatso Village) → Tibetan lunch at Potatso Village → Return to entrance. Total duration: ~8 hours, hiking distance: ~8 km.
Transportation
- Self-driving: From downtown Shangri-La, drive 22 km northeast along G214 National Highway (40 minutes). Large parking lots are available at the scenic area, with car parking fees at 20 yuan/day.
- Public transport: Scenic area shuttle buses depart from Shangri-La Bus Station hourly from 08:00–16:00, costing 15 yuan with a 30-minute ride. The last return bus departs at 18:00.
- Tourist Special Line: The Diqing Tourism Distribution Center operates a "Potatso One-Day Tour" special line, departing daily at 07:30. The fare includes entrance tickets, sightseeing bus rides, and guide services, priced at 260 yuan per adult and 150 yuan per child.
Must-See Attractions
- Shudu Lake Hiking Trail: 3.3 km in length, with a negative oxygen ion concentration of 30,000/cm³ and summer average temperature of 15°C—ideal for high-altitude aerobic hiking. Arrive before 08:30 to avoid crowds.
- Bita Sea Viewing Platform: At 3,620 meters altitude, it offers panoramic lake and forest views. For autumn photography (mid-late October), capture golden foliage against the blue lake from 10:00–12:00.
- Militang Subalpine Meadow: With over 50% wildflower coverage from May–August and grazing yaks, bring a telephoto lens for wildlife photography. High-power telescope observation points are available at the meadow's edge.
Tour Tips
- With high-altitude UV intensity reaching UVI 12, bring SPF50+ sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses; reapply every 2 hours.
- Wear waterproof hiking shoes for hikes—Shudu Lake trail sections have 200-meter altitude drops. Trekking poles can be rented at the scenic area (30 yuan/pole).
- At altitudes above 3,500 meters, take Rhodiola rosea 3 days in advance to prevent altitude sickness. Maintain a hiking pace of 60 steps/minute; free oxygen is available at sightseeing bus stations for dizziness.
- Bring a waterproof jacket for summer (June–August) rains. Shelters are located every 500 meters along the trail for sudden showers.
- When trying butter tea for the first time, start with a small cup (≈100 ml) to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort from overconsumption.
Notes
- Feeding wild animals is prohibited. Isolation zones are set around protected species like black-necked cranes—do not cross them (cases of bird digestive damage from visitor feeding have occurred).
- "No Fishing" signs are posted around Bita Sea. The double-lip fish is a national second-class protected animal; illegal fishing fines exceed 2,000 yuan.
- Shudu Lake trails can have 30 cm of snow in winter. Sightseeing buses only stop at viewing platforms—unsanctioned hiking in closed areas has led to multiple missing-person rescues.
- Respect Tibetan religious customs: Mani stone piles and prayer flag poles are sacred. Do not climb or remove stones, and rotate prayer wheels clockwise.
- The last sightseeing bus descends at 17:30 (peak season) and 16:30 (off-season). Plan your time to avoid being stranded in the park.