Exploring Daocheng Yading Airport's Unique Location

Daocheng Yading Airport is located in China, in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan province. It is the world's highest civilian airport, sitting at an elevation of 4,411 meters (14,472 feet) above sea level. The airport serves as a gateway to the Yading Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, including snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and lakes. Prior to the opening of the airport in September 2013, travellers faced a lengthy two-day bus journey from Chengdu to reach this remote destination. Now, with direct flights available, the travel time has been significantly reduced to just under an hour.

Location

Daocheng Yading Airport is located in the north of Daocheng County, approximately 50 kilometres away. It takes about an hour to travel between the two by car or taxi. The airport is also about 123-130 kilometres from the Yading Nature Reserve, which takes about 2-2.5 hours to reach. The reserve is known for its stunning scenery, including snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and lakes.

The airport is situated in Sangdui Township, in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan province, China. It is about 35 kilometres from downtown Daocheng and is the only airport serving Daocheng County.

Daocheng Yading Airport is the world's highest civilian airport, located at an elevation of 4,411 metres (14,472 feet) above sea level. Due to its high altitude, it requires special operating procedures. Aircraft must take off and land at slower speeds, and passengers are advised to acclimatize to the altitude before flying and drink plenty of fluids. The airport provides free oxygen supply equipment, but they cannot be taken on board.

The airport has a single runway that is 4,200 metres (13,800 feet) long and 45 metres (148 feet) wide. It can accommodate Boeing 737 and Airbus A319 aircraft. The airport has a single terminal building with three levels for domestic flights. The ground floor has a check-in hall and restaurants, the second floor has a waiting hall with a drinking room, medical room, and oxygen room, and the third floor is a commercial hall.

Opening date

Daocheng Yading Airport, also known as Kangding Airport, is located in China, in the continent of Asia. The airport is situated in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan province, specifically in Sangdui Township, about 50 kilometres north of Daocheng County.

Daocheng Yading Airport officially opened on the 16th of September 2013, with Air China Flight 4215 on an Airbus A319 serving as the inaugural flight from Chengdu, the provincial capital. The airport's construction commenced in April 2011, following its approval, with a total investment of 1.58 billion yuan (approximately US$255 million).

The opening of the airport significantly improved travel times to the region. Prior to its opening, travellers faced a lengthy two-day bus journey from Chengdu to reach Daocheng. With the new airport, the travel time was reduced to just 65 minutes by air, a drastic improvement that boosted accessibility to the area.

The airport primarily serves as a gateway to the Yading Nature Reserve, a remote and scenic area renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, including snow-capped mountains, glaciers, pristine lakes, and unique biodiversity. The reserve is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as the "last Shangri-La."

Due to its high altitude, Daocheng Yading Airport operates with special procedures. Aircraft must adhere to slower take-off and landing speeds compared to lower altitudes, and passengers are advised to take precautions against altitude sickness, such as acclimatising to lower altitudes before flying and staying hydrated.

Altitude

Daocheng Yading Airport is located at a very high altitude of 4,411 meters (approximately 14,472 feet) above sea level. This elevation has earned it the title of the world's highest civilian airport. The airport is situated in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, China, and serves Daocheng County, which is around 50 kilometers away.

The airport's high altitude presents significant challenges for aircraft operations. The thin air at such elevations reduces engine performance, necessitating a long runway of 4,200 meters for safe take-offs. Additionally, the altitude affects the approach and landing of aircraft, requiring them to take off and land at slower speeds than at lower altitudes. The high altitude also poses health risks for passengers unaccustomed to it, with altitude sickness being a potential concern. As a result, the airport advises travellers to acclimatize to lower altitudes before flying and to stay hydrated.

Due to the complex geographical environment and harsh climate, aircraft performance at Daocheng Yading Airport is greatly limited. The airport experiences extreme weather conditions, including strong winds, low temperatures, and clouds close to the ground, which can impact flight operations. To ensure safe take-offs and landings, the airport utilizes specialized equipment, such as visibility sensors, wind speed sensors, and ceilometers, to monitor weather conditions and provide critical data to air traffic controllers and pilots.

The high altitude also brings about a long frost period and cold climate, creating additional challenges for the airport's operations and equipment. The meteorological observation system must be able to withstand the harsh environment while providing stable and accurate measurements. Despite these challenges, the airport has successfully connected Daocheng County to major cities, reducing travel times significantly.

Transport options

Daocheng Yading Airport is located on the continent of Asia, in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, China.

Daocheng Yading Airport is about 50km north of Daocheng County and 123-130km from the Yading Nature Reserve. It is the highest civilian airport in the world, at an altitude of 4,400-4,411m above sea level. Due to its high altitude, travellers should be aware of the risk of altitude sickness and take necessary precautions.

There are several transport options for getting to and from the airport:

• Airport Shuttle Bus: This is a convenient option for travellers, with buses running to and from the airport according to the flight schedule. The shuttle bus takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach Daocheng County, with tickets priced around 35 yuan per person. For the return journey, passengers can catch the bus from the gate of Xiangyun Hotel, starting at 6:00 am.
• Taxi: Taxis are available at the airport and can take passengers directly to Daocheng County or Shangri-La town. The journey to Daocheng County takes about 1 hour and costs around 200 yuan. For larger groups, it may be more economical to share a taxi, with prices as low as 100 yuan per person.
• Private Car: Hiring a private car with a local driver and tour guide is another option for travellers. This can be a convenient and time-saving choice, especially for those who want to enjoy the scenery along the way. English-speaking tour guides can provide useful tips and information about the area.
• Public Bus: For those travelling to the scenic areas, an airport shuttle bus can be taken to the airport hotel, followed by a long-distance public bus to the final destination. This option takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes and costs 85 yuan.

It is important to note that the airport is subject to weather conditions, particularly during winter, which may affect flight schedules and transport availability.

Destinations

Daocheng Yading Airport is located on the continent of Asia, in China. It is the world's highest civilian airport, sitting at 4,411 metres (14,472 feet) above sea level. The airport is located in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan province, China.

Daocheng Yading Airport is the only airport serving Daocheng County and the Yading Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The airport is a popular gateway for tourists visiting the Yading Nature Reserve, which is known for its stunning scenery, including snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, and unique biodiversity. The reserve is also home to the three sacred Tibetan peaks.

The airport primarily serves flights to and from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. The flight duration is approximately one hour, and there are direct flights almost every day. The inaugural flight was an Air China service from Chengdu, carrying 118 passengers. Before the airport opened in 2013, the journey from Chengdu to Daocheng previously required a two-day bus trip.

During the peak tourist season, seasonal direct flights are also available from other cities, including Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Xi'an. There are also shuttle bus services available from the airport to Daocheng County, taking around 1.5 hours, and to Shangri-La town, which is around 2 hours away.

For those looking for a more private option, taxis are available from the airport to Daocheng, costing around 200 yuan, and to Yading, costing within 400 yuan depending on the season. It is important to note that the high altitude of the airport may cause altitude sickness for some passengers, so it is recommended to take precautions such as acclimatizing beforehand and staying hydrated.

Frequently asked questions