Songtsam Resorts, known for its collection of luxury lodges and retreats across the regions of Tibet and Yunnan, China, introduces the Yading Route, a new guided adventure tracing the pioneering Luyadin Line through the provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan. Beginning at the tranquil shores of Lugu Lake and culminating in Yading Nature Reserve—home to three sacred, snow-capped peaks—this high-altitude journey blends scenic trekking with cultural immersion and the opportunity to engage with local communities in these deeply spiritual regions, embodying Songtsam’s philosophy of purposeful, soulful travel.
Recommended for active travelers, the 6-day/5-night journey combines flexible hiking and trekking to high altitudes, with overnight stays layered with Songtsam’s signature hospitality at properties including Songtsam Linka Retreat Shangri-La tucked in green valleys between Tibetan villages and Himalayan barley fields.
The Yading Route is made possible by the Yaxi Expressway, a 149-mile engineering marvel of 270 viaducts and 25 tunnels linking Ya’an and Xichang. Opened in 2012, it transformed access to this once-remote region, making it safer and faster for travelers to reach the historic Luyadin Line.
The Hidden Passage
Songtsam’s Yading Route begins at Lugu Lake, whose crystalline waters are neighbored by various ethnic groups, notably the Mosuo, a primarily agrarian people known for their rare matriarchal society, where “walking marriages”, lifelong partnerships without cohabitation, and female-led households offer a serene introduction to the region. From May to October, endemic white-water lilies (ottelia acuminata) drift across the lake’s surface while slender wooden canoes of local fishers follow centuries-old routes. Gather around Mosuo bonfires to the sound of folk songs, trace deep gorges and tumbling waterfalls in the Axia Valley, pause for spiritual moments at Zhamei Monastery and ancient Eya Village, then cross the Jinsha River by ferry into Sichuan.
The Sacred Heart
Continuing via motor transfer along the Luyadin Line into Yunnan Province, the Yading Route plunges into the sacred heart of the region. Among the many sites for travelers to experience and explore is Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest river canyons and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the storied, treasure-filled Songzanlin Monastery, dating from the late 1600s; and the natural and cultural wonders outside of Shangri-La.
Then comes the spiritual summit of the journey, the Yading Nature Reserve. Known as “the real Shangri-La,” Yading Nature Reserve is crowned by the three sacred peaks of Chinrezig, Jambeyang, and Chanadorje, forming a natural mandala long venerated by Tibetan pilgrims. Here, summer brings the shimmering hues of Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake, panoramic hikes to Boyongcuo Lake at 4,700 meters, and the chance to immerse in the rhythms of Tibetan culture before descending to Lijiang’s music-filled old town.
There is a story in every step of the Yading Route, in keeping with Songtsam’s belief that the best journeys aren’t just traveled, they’re lived. This launch not only opens a lesser-known region of the Tibetan Plateau but also reinforces Songtsam’s commitment to sustainable travel, local community partnerships, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Rate: USD $3,000 per person, including hotel accommodation, vehicle and driver, guide services, meals, and all activities within the itinerary, excluding airfare.
