Potatso National Park

As an important part of Three Parallel Rivers Scenic Area, Potatso National Park (Pudacuo National Park) is famous for lush mountains, meadows, lakes, rare animals and Tibetan culture. About a 50-minute drive from downtown Shangri-La, the park contains three main parts: Shudu Lake Scenic Area, Bita Lake Scenic Area, and Militang Alpine Pasture in between. You can reach them by the tourist bus from the park entrance.
Traveling around the park can be quite relaxing if you take the shuttle bus to see each scenic area one by one. Wooden boardwalks along the lakes allow you an easy walk as you take in the beautiful lake views and the surrounding mountain scenery. Or you can take a boat trip on the lakes for a more relaxing scenic experience.
If you want more of a challenge, there are also some short hiking routes in the park. Horse riding is also available in the park.
Route one: Walk from Lourong village to Jieti Waterfall — about 2.2 km (1.4 miles), taking about 50 minutes. You will see beautiful river views alongside the path.
Route two: Shudu Lake North Shore Pier to Tibetan Culture Experience Area — about 3 km (2 miles), taking about 1½ hours. You can see primitive forest and enjoy Tibetan culture during this hiking trip.
· Suitable for: nature lovers, hikers
· Access: Shangri-La is about a 6-hour flight from Beijing
· Best time to visit: May to September has comfortable weather and the alpine meadows are full with blooming wild flowers.
· Recommended visit time: a half day for the park, but 3 days are suggested for a Shangri-La trip. You can also extend the trip to Lijiang and Meli Snow Mountain, which are both within about 4 hours' driving.
Recommended Shangri-la Tours:
· 4-Day Shangri-La Exploration Tour
· 6-Day Shangri-La, Deqin, and Tacheng Adventure Tour
· See more the Shangri-La tours.
Potatso National Park