Shangri-la, a rich red carpet on plateau

Few human traces is seen at Napa Lake in autumn with a panoramic view and agreeable climate. Cattle and sheep scattered on the meadows next to the lake which, together with clouds and mountains, form a charming nature scroll. From the monotonous yellow meadows large red patches abruptly unfold: Euphprbia jolkinii.

These deep blood-red Euphorbia jolkinii not only grow in Napa lake but also are rampant in Pudacuo National Park and Xiao Zhongdian.

“The sudden dazzling sight of immense Euphprbia jolkinii strikes one with a keen sense of vitality of life amid desolate autumnal grassland,” said a local media professional, He Jinlian. As the weather is getting cooler, the vegetation on the grasslands has gradually changed, especially Euphprbia jolkinii: from yellow to light red and ultimately to dark red. 20 days of flowering created the most delightful and fascinating color in the autumn.

From the late October on is the best time for flower-viewing of Euphprbia jolkinii. A 60km-long magnificent belt of Euphprbia jolkinii extends from Xiaozhongdian to Jiantang Township of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture - resembling a welcoming red carpet. The fiery red Euphprbia jolkinii interspersed on the bleak and chilly grassland under the glaring sunlight of highland, constituting the most gorgeous scenery of Shangri-la in autumn.

Euphprbia jolkinii, is not edible to human and animals because of its toxicity. The root system of Euphprbia jolkinii is enormous with strong water absorption capacity. Carpets of blazing red Euphprbia jolkinii skirted along the National Road 214 Xiaozhongdian- Da Zhongdian and the road leading to Shika Snow mountain resort. In addition, the 13km-long road from Shangri-la to Geza is a perfect place for photographing Euphprbia jolkinii.

Pudacuo National Park is another delightful sightseeing spot that cannot be missed in Shangri-la. The park is situated in the center of Three Parallel Rivers of the World Natural Heritage. Its intoxicating beauty in tranquil fresh air at an elevation from 3,500 to 4,159m carries one away speechlessly. Pudacuo National park includes Shudu lake, Bita lake and Militang, with eco buses shutting in between. The traveling distance in total is approximately 70 km taking at least 3-4 hours for a cursory visit.

Pudacuo National Park is about 2,000- square- kilometer at an average elevation of 3,700m and with an annual average temperature of 5.4 Celsius degree- a fairly land consisted of plateau, lakes, alpine meadows, virgin forest, wildlife and religious culture.

The coach stopped at Bita Lake after a 20-minute drive. While Bita lake is a plateau lake in a length of 3km and a width of islands of varying sizes. Bita Lake is a heaven of colors in autumn. A touch of yellow, a touch of orange, ans a touch of green have colored the forests, canyons, Haizi( lakes), and lake surface... Mid-autumn’s panoramic golden vista stretchers to the horizon with contrasting snow mountains to add to the visual stun.

“In the late autumn, majestic snow mountains form a magnificent backdrop for the golden Napa Lake Grasslands. Occasional Black-necked cranes fly over the lakes. Under the locals’ protection, Napa lake in autumn is a paradise for migratory birds such as bar-headed geese, wild ducks, and cranes- you just can’t help marveling at nature’s beauty.

Travel Tips

1. Napa lake Resort is accessible by cars. Getting a taxi from Dukezong old town to Napa lake Resort charges 80 yuan/person. Tax fare for trip from Dukezong Old town to Napa lake is about 70yuan/person.

2. Pudacuo National Park is reachable by taxi at a cost of 200 yuan per day.

You can check more information from our website , for itinerary and travel guide in Shangri-la. And contact us for Shangri-la Private Tour.