Written by Catherine |
Shangri-La is a city in Yunnan, China located at the meeting point of Sichuan and Tibet. It’s an alpine city with an average altitude of 3,458 meters (11,345 feet). In Tibetan, “Shangri-La” means “the sun and the moon in the heart.” Behind this poetic name is some of the world’s finest alpine landscapes and rich Tibetan culture. That’s why Shangri-La is also known as the “pure land.”
Praised as the heaven on earth, Shangri-La has attracted countless visitors from all over the world. People travel to Shangri-La to seek the beauty of untouched lands, authentic Tibetan life, and peace of Tibetan Buddhism. This article will answer all your questions about how to plan a Shangri-La trip, from attractions, travel itineraries, best time for your trip, to transportation and accommodation options.
Top Shangri-La Attractions: What to See and Do
Songzanlin Monastery
Songzanlin Monastery was founded in the 17th century during the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama. It is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan and one of the most renowned monasteries in the region. It’s widely considered an architectural masterpiece and is therefore nicknamed the “Little Potala Palace.” With an amazing collection of religious artifacts, it’s also called the “Museum of Tibetan Art.”
Pudacuo National Park
Pudacuo National Park, also referred to as Potatso National Park, is widely known as China’s first national park to meet the standards of International Union for Conservation of Nature, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the best representation of the serenity and tranquility of Shangri-La covering over 500 square miles (1,300 square kilometers).
At Pudacuo National Park, you’ll find yourself placed in a painting, with continuous snow mountains around you, grasslands and pastures extending beyond the horizon, vast, clear lakes reflecting the sky. It is also a safe haven for many rare and endangered species including leopards, cranes, macaques, and lynxes. A trip to Shangri-La will remind you of our deep connection with nature.
Dukezong Ancient Town
Dukezong Ancient Town, or Shangri-La Old Town, is one of the best-preserved and largest Tibetan old towns in China. With a history of more than 1,300 years, Dukezong Old Town once served as a link for economic and cultural exchanges between Tibetans and ethnic groups in Yunnan on the Tea Horse Road. Here, you’ll find ancient Tibetan architecture, traditional handicrafts, and the local way of life.
The landmark of Dukezong Ancient Town is located at Turtle Hill Park. Climb up the steps to Han Temple. You’ll find the world’s largest prayer wheel. At about 5 storeys tall, it is made of copper with gold plating. Inside the prayer wheel, there are 1,240,000 Tibetan Buddhism treasures, weighing about 16 tons (35,274 pounds) in total. At the top of the park, you will have a panoramic view of the ancient town.
Meili Snow Mountain
Meili Snow Mountain ranks among China’s ten most beautiful mountains and is the first of the eight sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism. Its thirteen peaks have an average altitude of over 6,000 meters (19,685 feet). Kawagebo at 6,740 meters (22,113 feet) is the main peak and the highest peak in Yunnan. It is one of the most dangerous peaks in the world because no one has ever made it to the top.
The most iconic sight of Meili Snow Mountain is when the sun rises in the clear sky. The white peaks become veiled in the golden light. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Under Kawagabo, you’ll find the Mingyong Glacier, the largest and longest glacier of Yunnan. You may go on a hiking tour to see the glacier or to the Tibetan Yubeng Village.
How Many Days Should a Shangri-La Trip Be: Recommended Itineraries
It is recommended that your Shangri-La tour should at least be 2-3 days to cover the highlights of the city and the surrounding area. If you’re planning on taking an excursion to one of the hiking destinations, it’s best if you set aside 4-5 days in Shangri-La. And for hiking enthusiasts who have come for an extensive hiking tour in Yunnan, you will need 5-7 days.
Here are some suggested Shangri-La itineraries.
2-3 days
If you have 2-3 days for a trip to Shangri-La, make sure you hit the highlights. We recommend:
- Day 1: Songzanlin Monastery, Nixi Pottery Village, Dukezong Ancient Town
- Day 2: Pudacuo National Park
- Day 3: Meili Snow Mountain
Recommended Shangri-La Highlight Tour: 3 Days Yunnan Shangri-La Tour
4-5 days
With 4-5 days, you can fully experience the charm of Shangri-La. Your schedule can be a lot more flexible with a wide range of activities to do. You’ll have time for a short hiking tour. We recommend spending a day on
- Shangri-La Culture Tour: Songzanlin Monastery; experience the folk culture of pottery making in Nixi Pottery Village; immerse yourself in Tibetan life in Dukezong Ancient Town
- Shangri-La Nature Tour: marvel at the alpine sceneries of Pudacuo National Park
- Snow Mountains ofShangri-La: Enjoy the stunning sunrise and beauty of Meili Snow Mountain at Feilai Temple
- Shangri-La Hiking Tour: One of the trekking routes at Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Village
Recommended Shangri-La In-depth Tours:
5-7 days
As a paradise for hikers from all over the world, Shangri-La has a number of intense and stunning trekking routes. With 5-7 days, you can embark on a challenging hike that might take a few days. Here are some popular options.
- Yubeng Village to Ninong Valley(3-4 days): views of the Sacred Waterfall, Ice Lake, and the Holy Mountains
- Yubeng Village to Meili Snow Mountain Base Camp (4-5 days): views of Meili Snow Mountain range, including alpine meadows and glaciers
- North Peaks of Meili Snow Mountain Trek (5-7 days): close-up views of the snow-capped mountains and glaciers at over 6,000 meters (19,685 feet)
Recommended Shangri-La Hiking Tours:
- 5 Days Yunnan Yubeng Village HikingTour
- 7 Days Shangri-La Tour with Hiking in Meili Snow Mountain & Yubeng Village
- 7 Days Shangri-La Hiking Tour: Abuji, Thousand Lakes Mountain
Extend your visit to other parts of Yunnan
Make the most of your time and budget by extending your Shangri-La trip to other parts of Yunnan. You will discover rich minority cultures, local historic heritage, and unique natural landscapes. Some popular destinations to consider include Dali, Lijiang, and Kunming.
Recommended Tour: 9 Days Yunnan Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Village Hiking Tour with Lijiang
Best Time for a Trip to Shangri-La
Shangri-La is suitable for visit all year round, but the best time for a trip to Shangri-La is from March to May and September to November. During these months, there’s plenty of sunshine, fresh air, and little rainfall. The highland sceneries are at their best against the blue sky.
Shangri-La Weather in Four Seasons
In spring (March to May), Shangri-La is mild and pleasant with the temperature ranging from 10 to 20°C (50 to 68°F). The city starts to come back to life with blooming wildflowers all over the vast green meadows.
In summer (June to August), Shangri-La sees its rainy season. There will be frequent and sometimes heavy showers. However, thanks to the high altitude, the temperature remains comfortable. The rain makes the greeneries and flowers especially elegant. The temperature during the day can reach 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F) but drop to about 10°C (50°F) at night.
In fall (September to November), Shangri-La gets cooler with significantly less rainfall, so it is better for outdoor activities. The temperature fluctuates between 15 and 20°C (59 and 68°F). The trees gradually turn yellow, adding a wealth of warm hues to the plateau landscapes. The blue sky makes it perfect for sightseeing and photography.
In winter (December to February), Shangri-La temperature dives below freezing, and even lower in mountainous areas. Everything is covered in white snow at that time. It’s a great time to enjoy the highland snowscape and participate in winter sports.
Learn more about Shangri-La weather and best time to visit.
How to Get to Shangri-La
By air
If you’re already in China or would like to make a transfer, you can travel to Shangri-La by flight. Diqing Shangri-La Airport is the only airport in the city. It is about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from the city center. It only offers flights from a few cities in China:
- Guangzhou – 3 hours and 20 minutes
- Lhasa – 2 hours and 20 minutes
- Chongqing– 2 hours
- Chengdu– 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Kunming – 1 hour and 25 minutes
By train
If you’re traveling to Yunnan directly from your home country, your best option is to fly into Kunming Changshui International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Yunnan. Then take a high-speed train to Shangri-La; it is the most popular way of transportation in Shangri-La. Shangri-La Railway Station also connects
- Kunming – 5 hours
- Dali – 4 hours and 30minutes
- Lijiang – 1 hour and 30minutes
By bus
If you’re traveling nearby cities of Yunnan, you can take a long-distance bus to Shangri-La:
- Kunming – 9 hours
- Dali – 5 hours
- Lijiang – 4 hours
- Jianshui– 3 hours and 30 minutes
Where to Stay on a Shangri-La Trip
Depending on your budget, there’s a wide range of accommodation options for your trip to Shangri-La. For your reference, here’re some popular areas visitors like to stay in.
- Dukezong Ancient Townis the most popular area to stay in with a wide range of options. You can stay in starred hotels or traditional Tibetan-styled residences. It’s a convenient location for exploring the old town.
- Feilai Templeis the best location to stay at for stunning Meili Snow Mountain views. It’s convenient for getting up early in the morning and see the sun rise over the peaks.
