Yunnan Self-Drive | 3 Days 2 Nights Guide to Shangri-La

Day 1 Itinerary✅ Pudacuo National Park (Youyou Trail-Shudu Lake-Bita Lake) "Pudacuo" is the Tibetan transliteration of Shudu Lake, meaning to help all beings reach the shore of happiness and enter paradise. After entering the scenic area, take the park shuttle bus to the first stop - Youyou Trail, a 2.2km wooden walkway hiking route. You can also choose the mountain biking + boat ride route. Though the riding path isn't very smooth, the scenery is absolutely stunning. The second stop is Shudu Lake, one of the largest alpine lakes in the Shangri-La region. Walk along the 3km wooden walkway by the lake to enjoy the beautiful lake and mountain views. There are many friendly squirrels at the entrance who love the nuts and pine seeds we bought earlier. The last stop is Bita Lake Scenic Area, about 40 minutes drive from the other two areas. It must be beautiful in summer with vast grasslands where you occasionally encounter grazing cattle and sheep. 💗Pudacuo National Park 📍Shuangqiao, Hongpo Village, Jiantang Town, Shangri-La ⏰Opening hours: 8:00-16:30 🎟️Entrance fee: CNY 138, Bike rental + boat ride: CNY 90/person Day 2 Itinerary✅ Itinerary: Songzanlin Monastery-Napa Lake-Dukezong Ancient Town Songzanlin Monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, known as the "Little Potala Palace." Napa Lake is a seasonal lake on the plateau, appearing as vast grassland in summer and a lake in winter. Dukezong Ancient Town is a 1,300-year-old Tibetan town featuring the world's largest prayer wheel. All these spots are perfect for 📸. The ancient town has many Tibetan costume rental shops where you can choose your favorite style for a Tibetan-themed photo shoot. 💗Songzanlin Monastery 📍No. 3 Niwang Road, Shangri-La ⏰Opening hours: 7:00-20:00 🎟️Entrance fee: CNY 90 Day 3 Itinerary✅ Shangri-La-🚘-Kunming-✈️-Qingdao 🏨Hotel Recommendation: Ritz Man Yunyu (Dukezong Ancient Town) 📍Location: No. 258 Dalalang, Shangri-La 🌈Features: This boutique hotel is located in Dukezong Ancient Town. All rooms come with oxygen supply service. There's dedicated parking on the first floor with valet service. A five-minute walk to the right leads to Dukezong Ancient Town Gate, Moonlight Square, Guishan Park, and the Giant Prayer Wheel. 🏘️Room type: We booked a 2-night Cloud Joy Two-bedroom Two-bathroom Family Suite. One room has a 1.8m king bed, the other has a 1.5m double bed and a 1.35m single bed. Rooms are equipped with floor heating, air conditioning, humidifier, and medical oxygen supply system. 🧹Cleanliness: Room items are well-organized and clean. Timely housekeeping service for extended stay with prompt amenity replenishment and attention to detail. 🎯Facilities: There's a glass-roofed starry garden on the 2nd floor, perfect for relaxing tea time and photos 📸 💗Other tips: The butler service is very warm, helping with check in and luggage, recommending nearby attractions and local food 🤗 🥘Food recommendation: Zangxiang Yak Hot Pot, located opposite to the ancient town entrance. The yak hot pot set is good value for money, with fresh meat and great taste. Highly recommended - we ate there twice in 3 days. Our 15-day self-drive Yunnan family trip has come to an end. Looking forward to starting new adventures 🫶