Potatso National Park

Potatso National Park is located in Shangri-La, Yunnan, in the heart of the "Three Parallel Rivers" world natural heritage site in northwestern Yunnan. "Potatso" in Tibetan means delivering all beings to the shore of happiness. The park is mainly composed of two plateau lake areas, Bitahai and Shudu Lake, which are about ten km apart. Between them are scattered the subalpine meadows of Militang and Tibetan villages like Luorong. Here, lake wetlands, primeval forests, and plateau pastures are concentrated, with most of the mountain forests maintaining their original ecology. Tours involve eco-friendly shuttle buses connecting the areas, followed by walking along boardwalks for a closer look.

Take the eco-friendly sightseeing bus at the entrance, and you will arrive at the Shudu Lake attraction in about 20 minutes. The lake water is clear and blue, with a vast plateau pasture along the shore. In spring and summer, wildflowers bloom across the grassland, creating a stunning view. On winter mornings, vapor condenses on the lake surface, forming a layer of mist—only those who take the first bus in the early morning can witness this wonder. A wooden walkway stretches along the lakeside pasture, and it takes about an hour to complete the loop. At the end of the walkway is the eco-friendly bus stop, where you can board the bus to the next destination after your visit.

The next stop of the eco-friendly bus is the vast and flat Miritang grassland. Bitahai is the final stop of the eco-friendly bus route and the highlight of this trip. In Tibetan, Bitahai means "a lake surrounded by oak trees like a felt blanket." As the name suggests, the lakeshore is densely covered with oak trees resembling a green felt blanket. Among the oak trees grow numerous azaleas. Every year from May to June when spring arrives, azalea petals fall into the water. Fish that eat the slightly toxic azaleas float to the surface, creating Bitahai's famous spectacle: "azalea-intoxicated fish." A boardwalk is also built along the lakeshore of Bitahai. Walking slowly along the boardwalk leads to the lakeside dock. There are cruises on the lake for sightseeing the surrounding mountains and waters.