Potatso National Park

Welcome to Potatso National Park, a milestone in China’s environmental history and a breathtaking jewel of the Three Parallel Rivers UNESCO World Heritage site. Opened in two thousand and seven, Potatso was the very first nature…

Our first major stop is Shudu Lake, a stunning body of water situated at an elevation of thirty-seven hundred meters. In the local dialect, 'Shu' refers to cheese and 'Du' means stone—a name derived from a legend involving a…

As we move away from the immediate shoreline of Shudu Lake, the trail plunges into what is locally known as the 'Bearded Forest.' This name comes from the long, greyish strands of lichen hanging from almost every tree, resembling…

Emerging from the forest, we reach the Militan Alpine Pasture, a vast, undulating grassland that serves as the park's central basin. At nearly thirty-eight hundred meters, this pasture is a quintessential example of the…

We now arrive at Bita Hai, the highest and perhaps most legendary lake in the park, situated at thirty-five hundred and thirty-eight meters. Bita Hai is often called the 'Pearl of the Plateau.' According to Tibetan legend, a…

Throughout our walk, you may have noticed various structures that reflect the deep spiritual connection the local people have with this land. One such landmark is the Tibetan totem pole or prayer mast. …

The logistics of visiting such a massive and high-altitude park are handled by an efficient system of eco-friendly shuttle buses. Since only two point three percent of the park is open to the public, these buses are the primary…

As we conclude our journey through Potatso National Park, take a final look back at the shimmering waters of the alpine lakes. We have walked the 'path to heaven,' through forests of ancient lichen and pastures shared with the…