The Abuji Lake hike near Shangri-La is one of our favourite hikes in all of China, and we’ve done a lot of them. Turquoise alpine lakes, yaks wandering about, and a trail that still feels something like a postcard out of Switzerland. It rained on us for most of the way up, yet we’d still put it in our top five hikes in China.
If you’re planning to hike Abuji Lake (also spelled Abujicuo or Abuji Cuo, 阿布吉措) from Shangri-La, here’s exactly how we did it, what it costs, what to bring, and what you’ll actually find when you get there. We did the shorter 9km route in mid-2024 with a local tour after having just completed Tiger Leaping Gorge.
The short version: Yes, it’s worth it. It’s a moderately hard day hike at altitude with one steep section, and you can absolutely do it without trekking experience as long as you’re acclimatised. The highest point of the trail is at 4,220m, so it’s also no walk in the park. Therefore, book a local tour for transport and a guide. When we visited, the trail was unmarked in places and starts down a logging road that can be hard to find on your own.
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Abuji Lake hike at a glance
| Detail | Old route (what we did) | New route (longest trail) | New to old route (diverse views) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | 9 km | 28 km | 20 km |
| Trail format | Out-and-back | Out-and-back | Horseshoe |
| Hiking time | 4-5 hours | 8-10 hours | 8-10 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate-Hard | Hard | Hard |
| Cost (guided) | 260 CNY (38 USD) | 168 CNY (25 USD) | 378 CNY (56 USD) |
| Best for | First-time high-altitude hikers | Experienced hikers, full-day challenge | Experienced hikers, full-day challenge |
Why hike Abuji Lake?
We’ve hiked all over China and Abujicuo, Abuji Lake’s Chinese name, surprised us most. When we reached the lake, the only people there were our small tour group, no food stalls, no vendors, no crowds, which is rare anywhere in China. The water was turquoise against grey scree, purple wildflowers along the shore, yaks grazing the meadows. While there, our guide told us that apparently the wild yaks sometimes get stuck up there and will follow humans around as a potential source of much needed salt.
Abuji Lake: Old or New Trail
This is the most confusing part of researching the Abuji Lake hike, so let’s clear it up.
The old route (9 km), what we did
The classic Abuji Lake hike. It starts at a trailhead near Niguge, then climbs through meadows and forest along streams, crosses some boardwalks and loose slate, and gets steep in the middle section before the lake. Known as the slope of despair, you’ll endure about 500m of elevation gain over 1km. It’s the hardest part of the hike, and you’ll feel it at altitude. For reference, it’s comparable to the final kilometre on the Sendero al Fitz Roy hike in Argentinian Patagonia (400m gain), if you’ve done that.
The total round trip is about 9km, ~635m elevation gain, and 4-5 hours of moving time. This is Ling’s own GPS-tracked figure from the day, and it’s the number we’re standing behind. Some published trail guides list a noticeably higher gain for this same old route, up to 800-900m, but we haven’t seen those figures matched against a real GPS track. We started at 9:30am and were back at the bus by 4pm with several breaks and a long lunch by the lake.
The new route (28 km), for serious hikers
A much longer trail starting from Xi Lian Pen Ya Kou (洗脸盆垭口). The terrain is flatter overall, but the distance is the killer. Most people take 8 to 10 hours, and you’re at altitude the whole way. However, it’s clearly marked, which the old route isn’t.
Honest take: if we could do this hike again, we’d probably do the new route. The scenery at the lake was so stunning that we’d happily take 4 extra hours on the trail to see more of the surrounding terrain. If you love hiking and you’ve got the stamina, the new route is probably the better experience.
New-to-old combo (20 km), best of both worlds
First, ascend via the new route, then descend via the old. You see different scenery in each direction (no doubling back), which is a nicer experience if you can handle 20km at altitude.
How to book the Abuji Lake hike
Overall, you have four realistic options for visiting Abuji Lake in Shangri-La.
1. Book a local group tour
This is, overall, the easiest and cheapest way. Tours include:
- Round-trip transport from Shangri-La to the trailhead (about 1.5 hours each way)
- A local hiking guide (most won’t speak english but you can use WeChat translation)
- A meal on the trail (on the new route and combo tours, not the old route we did)
- Typically run in small groups of 8 people per guide
We booked through a local hostel via WeChat the night before for 260 CNY (38 USD) each, then met the bus just outside Dukezong Old Town in the morning, and were taken to the trailhead.
If you prefer to plan ahead instead, Trip.com has the same style of small-group tours bookable online. They pick you up from Shangri-La, drive you to the trailhead, and provide a guide. Prices start from around 168 CNY (25 USD) per person for the new route group hike. Book the Abuji Lake group hike here →
2. Book a private tour
If you’d rather hike with just your group (up to 4 people) and have more flexibility on pace and pickup time, a private tour is the way. It’s slightly pricier, however, and you control the experience. This is especially useful if you’ve got mixed fitness levels in your group or want to take a lot of photos without group pacing. Private group tours start from 810 CNY (120 USD), which you can either do solo or with up to 3 friends. Book the private Abuji Lake tour here →
3. Book an Off-Road Vehicle Tour
If you’re struggling with altitude but still want to visit Abuji Lake, there is also an off-road vehicle tour package. We personally don’t recommend it; still, this option allows you to travel the entire route by off-road vehicle, visiting all attractions on both new and old routes. Price is 398 CNY (59 USD). Book the Abuji Lake group hike here →
4. DIY it (no tour)
It’s possible, though it’s harder than it sounds. You’d need to get to Xiaozhongdian Forest Farm (小中甸林场), then navigate the logging road and trailhead yourself. The old trail isn’t well-marked. We only met one independent hiker during our trip up the mountain, mainly because of the lack of infrastructure to get there. Unless you’re confident with navigation in remote Chinese mountains and don’t mind potentially getting waved off by local villagers, just book the tour instead.
What the Abuji Lake hike is actually like
The old-route trail is a real mixed bag of terrain, which is part of the charm. You start with rolling hiking through alpine meadows and dirt trails, and then it shifts into wooden plank crossings over puddles and boggy ground. There are sections alongside streams through small forests, and then it opens up into more scree and loose slate as you climb.
The middle section before the lake is the steep push. About 500m of elevation gain in 1km, mostly on loose terrain. It’s the hardest part by a long way and it’ll be brutal if you’re not acclimatised. Take it slow. We were already conditioned from months of hiking around the world and it still made our lungs work. And then you crest the final ridge and the lake is right there. Honestly one of those reveals that makes the work worth it. Right at that final viewpoint there’s an elaborate prayer-flag cairn overlooking the lake, strung with hundreds of flags. Fog was rolling in and out while we were up there; as a result, we only got the view in patches rather than one clean, clear shot, but it’s still worth pausing for a gap in the cloud.
How hard is the Abuji Lake hike?
Overall, it’s moderate for experienced hikers, and not technically difficult. There’s no scrambling, no exposure, and no real risk of getting lost if you’re with a guide. Still, the challenges are:
- Altitude. You’re going from 3,600m to 4,220m. If you’re not acclimatised, you’ll feel it. We’d strongly recommend spending at least one full day in Shangri-La (3,300m) before attempting the hike.
- The steep section. That last kilometre is genuinely hard at altitude. Pace yourself, take breaks, don’t be a hero. When hiking at altitude, safety is key.
- Weather. It rained on us for most of the ascent, then cleared up by the lake (lucky). The weather changes fast up there and you’ll need the right gear.
It’s not a hard hike for anyone with regular hiking experience. However, it’s a tough hike for someone who hasn’t been at altitude before. So be honest with yourself about which category you’re in.
What to bring on the Abuji Lake hike
Pack like the weather will turn, because it will, especially above 4,000m.
Essential:
- Waterproof hiking boots (the trail is wet, muddy, and slate-y)
- Rain shell jacket (non-negotiable, we got drenched)
- Layers (thermal base, mid-layer, shell, since temperature swings hard)
- 2L of water minimum
- Lunch and high-calorie snacks if you’re on the old route (most new-route tours include a meal, but always confirm with your tour operator)
- Sun protection (UV is intense at altitude, even in cloud)
- Hat and gloves
Recommended but not essential:
- Trekking poles (helpful for the steep descent on loose slate, not critical)
- A small pack of altitude meds if you’re prone to AMS
- Tissues and wet wipes (no toilet facilities anywhere on the trail, go before you leave)
When we visited in mid-2024, there were no toilet facilities and no food stalls at the lake or trailhead. So plan accordingly.
Best time to hike Abuji Lake
Best: May to October. We went in mid-2024, and conditions were workable despite the rain.
Peak conditions: June to September. Wildflowers are out, temperatures are mild, and the lake is at its bluest.
Avoid: December to March. Snow and ice make the trail dangerous, so many tour operators stop running.
Weather at this altitude is genuinely unpredictable. Even in summer, expect anything from blazing sun to driving rain in the same day. For instance, when we visited it was mid-July in the peak of summer, yet we got rained on most of the time we were on the trail.
Where to stay in Shangri-La before the hike
You’ll want to stay in or near Dukezong Old Town, which is where most tours pick up from. We loved staying in the old town itself. The atmosphere is great in the evenings, and it’s a short walk to the departure point.
Most travellers reach Shangri-La by flight or bus, routing through one of Yunnan’s bigger gateway cities first. If you’re coming from the south, our Kunming itinerary covers the province’s main air hub, and our Dali travel guide is worth reading if you’re stopping there on the overland route up to Shangri-La.
We stayed at Shangri-La Zangjia Garden Inn inside the Old Town near the north gate. It was basic but warm, with common spaces and close walking distance to everything. When we stayed there, it cost us about 200 CNY (30 USD) per night. Overall, most of the hostels and small hotels here are family-run, with extra blankets and electric heaters available in the rooms.
Finally, if you’ve got time before or after the hike, we cover what else to do in our Shangri-La travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Abuji Lake hike take?
The old (short) route takes about 5 hours of moving time, roughly 3 hours up and 2.5 hours down. So plan for a full day from 7am to 5pm including bus transfers and a long lunch at the lake. In contrast, the new (long) route takes 8 to 10 hours of hiking plus transport.
Is the Abuji Lake hike safe for beginners?
If you’re reasonably fit and properly acclimatised, the old route is doable for first-time high-altitude hikers. The steep final section is hard but not technical. Still, we don’t recommend the new (28km) route for beginners.
Do I need a guide for Abuji Lake?
We’d strongly recommend one. The old trail isn’t well-marked in sections, the trailhead is down a logging road that’s hard to find solo, and local villagers may not let unaccompanied foreigners through. Besides, a group tour costs roughly the same as the bus fare alone, so there’s genuinely no downside once you factor that in.
How do I get to the Abuji Lake trailhead?
Most tours leave from Dukezong Old Town in Shangri-La (we caught ours from the KFC). From there, the bus takes about 1.5 hours via logging roads to reach the trailhead at 3,600m elevation.
What’s the best time of year to hike Abuji Lake?
June to September. Wildflowers, mild temperatures, blue lake. Avoid December to March when snow and ice make the trail dangerous.
Is Abuji Lake the same as Abujicuo or Abuji Cuo?
Yes. “Cuo” (措) is the Mandarin spelling of the Tibetan word “tso,” meaning lake. So you’ll see it written as Abuji Lake, Abujicuo, Abuji Cuo, or 阿布吉措, depending on the source.
Should you do the Abuji Lake hike?
Yes. If you’re already going to Shangri-La, hiking to Abujicuo is the single best day trip in the area, better than the more famous tourist spots, and quieter than almost any equivalent hike we’ve done in China. Book a local tour, pack your rain shell, take it slow on the altitude, and enjoy one of Yunnan’s best-kept hiking secrets.
If you’re trying to decide between this and other hikes in the region, check out our guides to Tiger Leaping Gorge and Lugu Lake instead, both worth pairing with Abuji in a longer Yunnan itinerary.
Ready to book? The easiest way is a small-group local tour from Shangri-La, which includes transport, guide, and translation. Book the Abuji Lake group hike here → Otherwise, book the private tour → if you want more flexibility.
We hiked Abuji Lake in mid-2024 as part of a longer trip through Yunnan. All recommendations here are based on what we actually experienced.
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