Pudacuo National Park / 普达措国家公园
China's first national park (established 2006), located in the core of the UNESCO 'Three Parallel Rivers' World Heritage site. Features pristine alpine lakes (Shudu Lake, Bita Lake), subalpine meadows, ancient forests, and rich biodiversity at 3,500-4,159m elevation. 'Pudacuo' means 'arriving at the lake shore with divine help' in Tibetan.
Category
Nature
Why Visit
- The crown jewel of Shangri-La's natural beauty. Walk wooden plank roads by crystal-clear lakes, spot wild squirrels, admire rhododendrons in spring, and experience one of China's best-preserved high-altitude ecosystems.
Suggested Duration
4-6 hours
Best Visiting Time
April-October; June for azaleas, September-October for autumn colors. Visit in the morning for fewer crowds and better light.
Suitable For
- Nature lovers, families, photographers, hikers, eco-tourists
Tips
- Altitude is 3,500m+—walk slowly to avoid altitude sickness. Bring warm layers even in summer. Bita Lake core area is partially closed for ecological restoration (visitors can walk 1km to lake tail). Shudu Lake has a 3.3km plank walk.
Admission Type
Paid Ticket
Reservation Required
Yes
Price Estimates
CNY 138 (CNY 68 entrance + CNY 70 shuttle bus); students/children CNY 69 half-price
Reservation Max.
Daily quota enforced; book at least 1 day ahead, 3-7 days for holidays
Opening Hours
Apr-Oct: 08:00-16:30 (last entry 16:00); Nov-Mar: 08:30-16:00 (last entry 15:30); Closed on Mondays in low season
Address (English & Chinese)
Hongpo Village, Jiantang Town, Shangri-La City, Yunnan Province, China (22 km east of downtown)
云南省迪庆藏族自治州香格里拉市建塘镇红坡村双桥