Shangri-La Travel Guide

Have you ever yearned for the idyllic paradise depicted in books? In "Lost Horizon," British author James Hilton portrayed the eternally peaceful Shangri-La, captivating countless people. The real Shangri-La, located in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, boasts majestic snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, lush forests, and crystal-clear lakes. In Dukezong Ancient Town, you can experience the legendary history of the ancient tea-horse road. The solemnity of Songzanlin Monastery will touch your soul. Shangri-La is not just a place name; it represents a yearning for beauty and tranquility, a haven for the soul. Here's a compiled guide for your reference: 1. Pre-trip Preparations • Documents: Bring your ID card and other necessary documents such as student ID, senior citizen card, etc., for ticket discounts. • Clothing: Pack warm clothes, such as down jackets, thick sweaters, thermal pants, scarves, gloves, and hats. Also, bring sun protection, such as sunglasses, sunscreen, and sun hats. • Medicine: Prepare altitude sickness medication like Rhodiola, as well as common medicines for colds, fever, stomach issues, and motion sickness. • Other items: Bring a thermos, portable charger, camera, etc., and download local maps or relevant travel apps in advance. 2. Attractions • Dukezong Ancient Town: One of the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential areas in China. The ancient town houses the world's largest prayer wheel. In the evening, you can participate in Tibetan dance activities at Sifang Street. • Songzanlin Monastery: Known as the "Little Potala Palace," it is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Yunnan. The magnificent architecture within the monastery offers a rich religious atmosphere. • Pudacuo National Park: Encompasses alpine lakes, pastures, wetlands, and virgin forests, including Shudu Lake and Bita Lake, offering stunning scenery. • Napa Lake Yila Grassland: A plateau seasonal lake and grassland landscape. It's a lake in summer and a grassland in winter, where you can admire herds of cattle and sheep. • Tiger Leaping Gorge (Shangri-La section): Known for its "danger," the river surges and roars. You can experience the majestic power of nature at the edge of the gorge. 3. Food Recommendations • Yak Hot Pot: Made with fresh local yak meat, the tender meat is simmered in a rich broth, creating a delicious flavor. • Butter Tea: A specialty drink in Tibetan areas, it quenches thirst and replenishes energy with its salty and rich aroma. • Barley Cakes: Made with barley flour, these cakes have a crispy texture and a unique barley fragrance. • Tsampa: Roasted barley flour mixed with butter tea and kneaded into balls. It is a traditional staple food of Tibetans. 4. Accommodation Options • Dukezong Ancient Town area: For example, Poxin Yun She, which blends Tibetan style with modern comfort, offering convenient access to transportation, dining, and attractions. • Napa Lake area: For example, Shangri-La Jinse Zaiye Yuan, where you can experience the grassland scenery and beautiful landscapes. 5. Itinerary Planning • Three-day tour • Day 1: Arrive in Shangri-La, acclimatize to the high altitude, and visit Dukezong Ancient Town. Enjoy the night view of the ancient town and participate in Tibetan dances at Sifang Street. • Day 2: Visit Songzanlin Monastery in the morning and Napa Lake Yila Grassland in the afternoon. • Day 3: Spend the whole day exploring Pudacuo National Park. • Four-day tour • Day 1: Same as the first day of the three-day tour. • Day 2: Visit Songzanlin Monastery in the morning, Napa Lake Yila Grassland in the afternoon, and experience a Tibetan home visit in the evening. • Day 3: Visit Pudacuo National Park and Gui Shan Park after returning to the city in the afternoon. • Day 4: Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge (Shangri-La section) and then return. Here are some transportation suggestions for visiting Shangri-La: 6. External Transportation • Airplane: During peak season, there are direct flights to Shangri-La Airport from cities like Kunming, Guangzhou, Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, and Lhasa. If you are concerned about altitude sickness, you can fly to Kunming or Lijiang first, acclimatize, and then transfer to Shangri-La by plane or other means of transportation. • Train: The train from Kunming to Shangri-La takes about 5 hours, with ticket prices starting from CNY 230. There are 3 trains daily. Taking a high-speed train from Lijiang is also convenient and allows you to enjoy the scenery along the way. • Bus: Lijiang to Shangri-La is 187 km, about 3-4 hours, with bus tickets costing CNY 80. Buses depart every 40 minutes from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, with additional buses during peak season. Dali to Shangri-La is 300 km, about 8 hours, with ticket prices at CNY 114. Buses depart every 45 minutes from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm. Local Transportation • Bus: There are many bus routes within the city that can reach attractions like Songzanlin Monastery. The fare is CNY 2. You can check routes and schedules through the WeChat official account "Da Diqing Jiaoyun" or the "Zhangshang Gongjiao" app. • Taxi: Taxis and ride-hailing services are convenient, but it might be difficult to hail a taxi during peak hours. You can save the driver's number for easy contact. • Car rental: There are car rental agencies near the ancient town. If you have a larger group and can drive, renting a car offers flexibility and freedom, allowing you to stop at scenic spots along the way. • Direct bus to scenic spots: You can purchase direct bus tickets to Pudacuo National Park, Meili Snow Mountain, and Balagezong through the WeChat official account "Diqing Jiaoyun." • Carpooling: Carpooling is a cost-effective option when visiting less-traveled attractions like Wudi Lake and Laoyao Mountain or traveling to places like Meili Snow Mountain. You can find carpooling information in the ancient town.