Pudacuo National Park
Pudacuo National Park is made up mainly of Bita Lake, Shudu Lake and the Xiagei Folk Ecological Culture Village. The park's stunning scenery and well-preserved primeval environment include mirror-lik…
Pudacuo National Park, Shangri-La
Key facts
- Admission
- ¥138 (includes ¥68 park entry and ¥70 shuttle bus fee)
- Opening hours
- 8：00—16：30
- Time needed
- 4–6 hours
- Getting there
- Buses to Pudacuo depart from Shangri-La Bus Station. The one-way fare is ¥15, and the journey takes about half an hour. You can also charter a car for about ¥100 one way.
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 259. Open in Google Maps
About Pudacuo National Park
Pudacuo National Park is made up mainly of Bita Lake, Shudu Lake and the Xiagei Folk Ecological Culture Village. The park's stunning scenery and well-preserved primeval environment include mirror-like alpine lakes, lush pastures, wetlands full of flowers, and dense virgin forest. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit: in spring, azaleas carpet the hillsides, and in autumn, the landscape is a riot of colour.
The name Bita Lake means "sea of felt-like oak trees" in Tibetan. True to its name, the oak trees around the lake grow thick like green felt. Many azaleas grow among the oak forests, and each spring, when the flowers fall into the water, fish eat the slightly toxic petals and rise to the surface. This is the famous Bita Lake scene known as "Rhododendron-Drunk Fish."
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. Beware of scams: Some drivers claim they can take you to the entrance of Bita Lake to buy a separate ticket for ¥30 per person, but inside you will only see a small lakeside beach.
- 2. No need to rent oxygen cylinders: The forest park itself is a natural oxygen bar, so fit travellers generally do not need to rent oxygen.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Pudacuo National Park cost?
Admission to Pudacuo National Park is ¥138 (includes ¥68 park entry and ¥70 shuttle bus fee), as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
What are the opening hours of Pudacuo National Park?
Pudacuo National Park is open 8：00—16：30.
How do I get to Pudacuo National Park?
Buses to Pudacuo depart from Shangri-La Bus Station. The one-way fare is ¥15, and the journey takes about half an hour. You can also charter a car for about ¥100 one way.
How long should I spend at Pudacuo National Park?
Plan on 4–6 hours for Pudacuo National Park.
Where is Pudacuo National Park?
Pudacuo National Park is in Shangri-La, Yunnan Province, in the Southwest of China. Pudacuo National Park, Shuangqiao, Hongpo Village, Jiantang Town, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
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