Potatso National Park

Introducing Potatso National Park (from Wikipedia & Chinaculture.org)
Pudacuo, or Potatso, National Park is located in Yunnan province's Shangri-La county. The park is 1,300-square-kilometre (500-square-mile) and is notable as the first national park in China to meet International Union for Conservation of Nature standards. It incorporates the Bita Lake Nature Reserve and the Duhu Scenic Area in the Hongshan region. As such they are part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas World Heritage Site.

Potatso National Park Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Pu Da Cuo Guo Jia Gong Yuan 普达措国家公园
• Best Time to Visit: June, July, September & October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 3 - 5 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Buddhism, Architecture
• Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00 from Nov to Oct; 08:00-16:00 from Nov to Mar
• Entrance Fee: CNY 115
• Address: Jiantang Town, Shangri-La, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan

What to expect at Potatso National Park

Fauna & flora
The region of this park contains more than 20 percent of China's plant species, about one-third of its mammal and bird species and almost 100 endangered species, though it comprises only 0.7 percent of the country's land area. It is notably home to vulnerable black-necked cranes, many rare and beautiful orchids, and Himalayan Yew, a coniferous tree whose extracts are a source of the anticancer drug, paclitaxel.

Lakes & Infos
The park has two lakes, a visitor center, several interesting minority villages, lush forests and pasture views. From the visitor center a park bus takes visitors to the first stop, 13 km (8 mi) away from where there are several miles of raised wooden walkways around the 120-hectare (300-acre) Shudu Lake. The next bus destination is Bita Hai Lake, 3,500 metres (11,482 feet) above sea level. It is surrounded by dense deciduous forests. The bus stops a few feet from a wharf from where visitors can take a boat ride around the lake and to the island in the center. It is just over 1.6 km (1.0 mi) from where the boat disembarks to the bus pick up point. Alternatively, one may walk down the 1.9 km (1.2 mi) path from the South entrance and hike to and exit the park from the West entrance. Getting to the West entrance requires both a boat and ferry ride. The entire hike can take 4–6 hours. Riding horses are also available.

 

How to get to Potatso National Park
• Potatso National Park is approximately 30 km away from Nanning.
• Take a bus from Shangri-la Bus Station to Potatso (about 30 mins). Four departures only per day.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Shangri-La to Potatso National Park.

Additional travel advice on Potatso National Park
• With an elevation between 3,500 to 4,150 meters, a mild altitude sickness in Potatso National Park is quite common. Avoid strenuous activity, and better drink more water. Prepare AMS medication, in accordance with a doctor's advice.
• Sunglasses and sun cream are always needed to protect from the sunburn and strong ultraviolet radiation in the daytime.
• Weather changes dramatically over this region. Better prepare an umbrella or a raincoat as well as warm clothes.