Озеро Удиху

Wudi Lake, known in Tibetan as Wodi Tso, sits deep in the Dilung Snow Mountain range in the Gezan countryside southeast of Shangri-La, at an altitude of roughly 3,800 meters. The site actually consists of two alpine lakes connected by a short stretch of meadow and stream, ringed by peaks above 4,000 meters that belong to the central Zhongdian Daxue range.

The setting is the main draw. The lakes are fed by snowmelt and keep a vivid turquoise through the summer and early autumn; the surrounding slopes carry old-growth fir forest, alpine meadow, and scree, and on clear days the surface mirrors the snow peaks above. Because the area has only recently opened to road access, the trails remain informal, and most visits take the form of half-day walks from a small parking area at the lower lake.

The wider Dilung range is one of the most biologically rich corners of northwest Yunnan. Dozens of peaks rise above 4,000 meters, and the area harbors populations of white-lipped deer, musk deer, and several species of pheasant, together with dense summer blooms of alpine flowers. Many small lakes are scattered across the range, making it a destination of growing interest to hikers prepared to travel without fixed trails.

For travelers, Wudi Lake is best treated as a quieter, more rugged alternative to the developed park landscapes of Potatso. A visit requires a hired vehicle from Shangri-La, plus a willingness to walk at altitude in changeable weather. The lake is most rewarding between late spring and early autumn, when the meadows are in bloom and the road is generally passable; outside that window, snow can close the approach.