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Daocheng Yading Airport is located in Sangdui Township, in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan province, China. It is situated about 50 kilometres north of Daocheng County and 123-130 kilometres from the Yading Nature Reserve. At an elevation of 4,411 meters above sea level, it holds the record for being the world's highest civilian airport. The airport serves as a gateway to the Yading Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning natural scenery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Sangdui Township, Daocheng County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China |
| Address | Airport Road, Daocheng County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China |
| Altitude | 4,411 meters (14,472 feet) above sea level |
| Distance from Daocheng County | 50 kilometers (31 miles) north |
| Distance from Yading Nature Reserve | 123 kilometers (76-81 miles) north |
| Runway length | 4,200 meters (13,800-13,810 feet) |
| Runway width | 45 meters (148 feet) |
| Terminal building area | 5,000 square meters |
| Number of aerobridges | 2 |
| Passenger capacity | 280,000 per year; 1,200 per hour |
| Aircraft compatibility | Boeing 737 and Airbus A319 |
| Operating procedures | Special protocols due to high altitude, including slower takeoff and landing speeds |
| Transport options | Taxi, airport shuttle bus, private car |
| Travel time from Daocheng | 1 hour by taxi or private car; 1.5 hours by shuttle bus |
| IATA code | DCY |
| ICAO code | ZUDC |
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What You'll Learn
- Daocheng Yading Airport is located in Sangdui Township, 50km north of Daocheng County
- It is the world's highest civilian airport, at 4,411m above sea level
- The airport opened in 2013 and has a single runway, serving Daocheng County exclusively
- It is designed to handle 280,000 passengers annually, with a single terminal building
- The airport serves as a gateway to the Yading Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Daocheng Yading Airport is located in Sangdui Township, 50km north of Daocheng County
The airport is about 50km away from Daocheng County, which is approximately a 1-hour drive or taxi ride. It is also 130km from the Yading Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The airport primarily serves as the gateway to this nature reserve, which is known as the "last Shangri-La" and is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty.
Daocheng Yading Airport has a single runway that is 4,200 meters long and 45 meters wide, capable of accommodating Boeing 737 and Airbus A319 aircraft. The airport has a single terminal building that can handle up to 1,200 passengers per hour, with a design capacity of 280,000 passengers per year.
The airport opened in September 2013, and the inaugural flight was Air China Flight 4215 on an Airbus A319 from Chengdu, carrying 118 passengers. The airport's opening significantly reduced travel time between Daocheng and Chengdu, cutting the journey from a two-day bus trip to just a 65-minute flight.
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It is the world's highest civilian airport, at 4,411m above sea level
Daocheng Yading Airport is located in Sangdui Township, 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of Daocheng County, in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan province, China. It is the world's highest civilian airport, sitting at 4,411 metres (14,472 feet) above sea level.
The airport's elevation surpasses that of the previous record holder, Qamdo Bamda Airport, by 77 metres. This height presents unique operational challenges. Aircraft require a longer takeoff distance due to thinner air, and both passengers and crew must take precautions against altitude sickness. The high altitude also impacts construction equipment, necessitating special modifications to address reduced oxygen levels.
Daocheng Yading Airport's single runway is 4,200 metres (13,800 feet) long and 45 metres (148 feet) wide, capable of accommodating Boeing 737 and Airbus A319 aircraft. The airport features a single terminal building that can handle up to 1,200 passengers per hour, serving approximately 280,000 passengers annually.
The airport's opening on September 16, 2013, significantly reduced travel time to the region. The journey between Daocheng and Chengdu, which previously entailed a two-day bus trip, now takes just 65 minutes by air. This accessibility has boosted the local economy and enhanced the standard of living for the region's residents.
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The airport opened in 2013 and has a single runway, serving Daocheng County exclusively
Daocheng Yading Airport is located in Sangdui Township, 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of Daocheng County in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, China. It is the world's highest civilian airport, sitting at an elevation of 4,411 metres (14,472 feet) above sea level. The airport opened on 16 September 2013, with Air China Flight 4215 from Chengdu as its inaugural flight.
Daocheng Yading Airport has a single runway that measures 4,200 metres (13,800 feet) in length and 45 metres (148 feet) in width. This runway can accommodate Boeing 737 and Airbus A319 aircraft. The airport also has a single terminal building, which resembles a "flying saucer" when viewed from the nearby hillside. The terminal has a capacity of 5,000 square metres and can handle up to 1,200 passengers per hour, or 280,000 passengers annually.
The airport exclusively serves Daocheng County and the Yading Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Before the airport opened, travellers to this region endured a two-day bus journey from Chengdu. Now, the airport has significantly reduced travel time to just one hour by air. This accessibility has boosted the local economy and driven tourism to the area.
Daocheng Yading Airport is subject to unique operational challenges due to its high altitude. Aircraft must adhere to special procedures, including slower takeoff and landing speeds. Additionally, both passengers and crew must take precautions against altitude sickness, which can be a concern for those unaccustomed to high altitudes.
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It is designed to handle 280,000 passengers annually, with a single terminal building
Daocheng Yading Airport is located in Sangdui Township, 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of Daocheng County, in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan province, China. It is the highest civilian airport in the world, sitting at an elevation of 4,411 metres (14,472 feet) above sea level. The airport opened in September 2013, with a single runway and a terminal building.
The terminal building covers 5,000 square metres and features two aerobridges. It is designed to handle 280,000 passengers annually, accommodating up to 1,200 passengers per hour. The airport primarily serves as a gateway to the Yading Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its natural beauty. The airport has significantly reduced travel time to the reserve, cutting the journey from Chengdu to Daocheng from a two-day bus trip to just a 65-minute flight.
The airport's high altitude presents unique operational challenges. Aircraft require longer takeoff distances due to thinner air, and special operating procedures must be followed. Pilots and airlines must adhere to strict protocols, and passengers are advised to take precautions against altitude sickness, such as acclimatising at lower altitudes before flying and staying hydrated.
The terminal building's design stands out, resembling a "flying saucer" or a UFO when viewed from the nearby hillside. The airport is situated on Haizi Mountain, which adds to the otherworldly atmosphere, making visitors feel like they are in an "outer space movie."
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The airport serves as a gateway to the Yading Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Daocheng Yading Airport is located in Sangdui Township, 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of Daocheng County in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan province, China. At 4,411 metres (14,472 feet) above sea level, it is the highest civilian airport in the world. The airport serves as a gateway to the Yading Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Yading Nature Reserve is a remote and scenic area known as the "last Shangri-La". It is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty, including three sacred Tibetan peaks, snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, and unique biodiversity. The reserve covers an area of 3,287 square kilometres, with an average altitude of 4,500 metres. The highest point in the area, "Guoyinrize", is 5,020 metres above sea level.
Prior to the opening of Daocheng Yading Airport, travellers faced a long and arduous two-day bus journey from Chengdu to reach the reserve. Now, the airport offers a convenient gateway to this hidden gem, with a much shorter travel time of just 65 minutes by air from Chengdu. This has significantly boosted the region's economy by increasing tourism and improving the standard of living for locals.
There are several ways to travel from the airport to the Yading Nature Reserve, which is approximately 123 to 130 kilometres away. Travellers can take a taxi, which takes about two hours and costs around 400 yuan, or an airport shuttle bus, which takes about two and a half hours and costs around 85 yuan per person. It is recommended to book flights ahead of time, especially during the busy travel season from July to October, as the number of visitors to the area is rising each year.
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Frequently asked questions
Daocheng Yading Airport is located in Sangdui Township, 50 kilometres north of Daocheng County, in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan province, China.
Daocheng Yading Airport is the world's highest civilian airport, located at an elevation of 4,411 metres (14,472 feet) above sea level.
The airport has a single runway that is 4,200 metres long and 45 metres wide. It has a 5,000-square-metre terminal building with two aerobridges. The terminal has been described as resembling a "flying saucer" when viewed from a nearby hillside.
You can travel to Daocheng County from the airport by taxi or airport shuttle bus. The taxi journey takes about one hour and costs around 200 yuan, while the shuttle bus takes about one and a half hours and costs around 35 yuan per person.
