Potatso-Pudacuo National Park

Lakes, meadows, forests and mountains characterize this national park, located 20 kilometers southeast of Shangri-La City. A new expressway allows access from the city in only 30 minutes. The Tibetan name for the park is Potatso and the Chinese name is Pudacuo (普达措国家公园).

Visitors must leave their vehicles at the entrance station, as only park buses are permitted to access the interior. The main tourist activity centers around Shudu Lake (属都湖), twelve km from the entrance. Most visitors stroll the boardwalk which stretches three kilometers along the south shore.

Simple huts inhabited by residents of Tibetan origin are scattered around the lake. They are not normally visited by tourists, but intrepid hikers can explore the area. A walk around Shudu Lake takes about three hours.

Two trekking routes lead from Shudu Lake to the small Naxi village of Niru (尼汝). Either one can be hiked in a single day or together as a two-day loop. There are guest houses in Niru. Follow this link for more information.

Bita Lake (碧塔海) is located in the southern area of the park and was open for hiking and boating until 2017. In that year, the lake and adjacent lands were closed in order to protect an endangered fish species.