Shangri-La Travel Guide: Plan Your Ultimate Trip to Shangri-La
Shangri-La means “the sun and the moon in the heart” in Tibetan.
Nestled at the meeting point of Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet, the city has been long reputed as “a paradise on earth” due to its diverse ethnic cultures, tranquil atmosphere and extraordinary highland landscapes.
In this comprehensive travel guide, we offer you some helpful tips for planning an unforgettable tour to Shangri-La, including top attractions, must-do activities, best visiting time, weather conditions, as well as transportation and accommodation options.
- Chinese: 香 (xiāng) 格 (gé) 里 (lǐ) 拉 (lā)
- Area: 11,613 square kilometers
- Location: Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Diqing in Yunnan Province
- Average Altitude: 3,458 meters above sea level
- Population: 186,412
- Major Nationalities: Tibet, Naxi, Han, Lisu Yi, Bai…
Why Visit Shangri-La?
- Immerse in Cultural Splendor: Shangri-La is a multi-ethnic settlement with Tibet being the chief nationality. Here traditional Tibetan customs have been passed down through centuries and visitors are able to set out an immersive exploration by visiting ancient towns and temples, witnessing vibrant festivals, browsing distinctive ethnic costumes and handicrafts…
- Breathtaking Landscapes: The surreal natural scenery is the greatest charm of Shangri-La. It presents a spectacular plateau landscape from snow-capped mountains to pristine alpine lakes, from verdant valleys to blooming meadows…, and boasts so many awe-inspiring attractions, such as Meili Snow Mountain, Pudacuo, and Tiger Leaping Gorge, await your exploration.
- Spiritual Enlightenment: A tour to Shangri-La offers a spiritual exploration into the heavy foundation of Tibetan Buddhism, as visitors will have chances to visit many sacred monasteries, including the iconic Songzanlin Monastery, which is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan.
- Adventure Awaits: Travelers who enjoy hiking should not miss Shangri-La during their Yunnan tours as it owes some of the world-class hiking destinations, such as Tiger Leaping Gorge, Abujicuo Lake, Yubeng Village, and Meili Snow Mountain. Along the route, visitors will witness unparalleled views of glaciers, pastures, forests, lakes, waterfalls…
- Authentic Tibetan Cuisines: Shangri-La offers a culinary journey of Tibetan cuisines, including roasted mutton chop, tsampa, butter tea…With yaks being the major livestock, visitors can also savor various yak meat dishes, as well as set-style yogurt made from yak milk.
Top Tourist Attractions in Shangri-La
This picturesque region is home to many awe-inspiring attractions, including alpine meadows, pristine forests, majestic snow mountains, highland lakes, and the unique Tibetan monastery and ancient town. The following top attractions in Shangri-La will offer you a glimpse into its essence.
Nixi Pottery Village
Nixi Black Pottery is an intangible cultural heritage of China. The firing technique has been inherited in the village through 2,000 years. Visitors can appreciate plentiful pottery ware there and experience the making process in person.
Top Things to Do in Shangri-La, Yunnan Province
Trek the Tiger Leaping Gorge
This hiking route will take you through one of the deepest canyons on earth. You will trek along the edge of the steep cliffs to traverse the sheer gorges, with the roaring rapids rushing through the valley floor beneath your feet. Look up and you will take a distant view of the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, so clear and high in the sky. Although challenging, the wonderful scenery along the way will make the hiking a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Feel the Unique Charm of Tibetan Buddhism
Shangri-La is home to multiple nationalities, with Tibetan people making up a large majority of the population. Most of them embrace Tibetan Buddhism. Therefore, you will feel the strong religious atmosphere the moment you set foot on this land.
There are many ways to obtain a deep understanding of Tibetan Buddhism. For example, a visit to the 350-year-old Songzanlin Monastery makes you learn about the history of the religion, appreciate gleaming shrines, solemn Buddha statues and diverse religious artifacts; while in Dukezong Town, you can join locals to rotate the world’s largest prayer wheel, which is believed to bring good luck to people.
Take in Unparalleled Scenery in Highland Areas
Located at an average altitude of 3,458 meters, Shangri-La in Yunnan is arguably an isolated pure land on earth, presenting picturesque plateau landscapes that can purify the soul. Here, tranquil alpine lakes are like giant pieces of sapphire inlaid in the vast meadows, reflecting the azure sky and snow-capped peaks on the surface. The towering mountains are mostly covered in dense primeval forests, alive with the sounds of animals.
Yunnan Pudacuo National Park, Napahai Scenic Area and Shangri-La Grand Canyon (Balagezong) are all great destinations in Shangri-La to enjoy the highland scenery. Being in the midst of the beautiful landscape could be a joyful experience that will stay with you for a long time.
Get Close to the Solemn Snow Mountains
Shangri-La is embraced by majestic mountains, with their snow-clad peaks reaching up to the heavens, drawing countless adventurers to conquer their heights. Here are the most renowned mountains around Shangri-La:
- Meili Snow Mountain: Enjoying the largest fame among visitors, it is not only a natural wonder with 13 peaks at an altitude of over 6,000 meters, but also a sacred mountain in Tibet, full of religious atmosphere.
- Haba Snow Mountain: With the highest point 5,396 meters above sea level, it is an entry-level snow mountain with gentle slopes, perfect for first-timers to enjoy the pleasure of climbing.
- Shika Snow Mountain: It is only 7 kilometers from downtown Shangri-La. Visitors can take a cableway to reach the top of the mountain, from which you can have a panoramic view of all the surrounding snow-capped peaks.
Recommended Shangri-La Tour Packages:
How Many Days to Stay in Shangri-La
Generally, it is recommended tourists spend 2-3 days in Shangri-La, which is enough to visit major attractions in and around the city, such as Dukezong Ancient Town, Songzanlin Monastery, Napahai and Pudacuo. If you have more time available, extending your stay to 4 or 5 days would allow you to have a deeper exploration of the region at a more relaxed pace.
Shangri-La is also known as the “paradise for adventurers” for housing many famous hiking destinations in its remote areas, such as Tiger Leaping Gorge, as well as Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Village (both in Deqin County, 180 kilometers from Shangri-La, Yunnan). Another 2-3 days is needed if visitors want to go on a hiking tour during their Shangri-La tour.
Related Reading: How to Plan a Shangri-La Tour
Shangri-La Weather: Four Distinct Seasons
Shangri-La in Yunnan, China, is located on the southeast edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, about 3,500 meters above sea level. It has a plateau monsoon climate characterized by cool summers and chilly winters, as well as long periods of daylight.
Best Time to Visit Shangri-La
Shangri-La is actually suitable for tourism all year round and showcases different scenery in the four seasons. But spring and autumn will offer the best visiting experience, as the weather is pleasant with clear sky, moderate temperatures and fresh air.
Visitors can also embrace the most stunning highland scenery during the period. In spring, the vast meadows will be decorated with blooming wildflowers, vibrant and full of life, while the autumn foliage, together with the azure sky, verdant forests, and blue alpine lakes, turn this place into a poetic picture of the landscape.
- Spring (March to May)
Witness nature’s rebirth in spring as flowers bloom and landscapes come to life. The weather is mild and pleasant with the temperature ranging from 10 to 20 degrees.
- Summer (June to August)
The rainy season comes to Shangri-La from June, bringing with wet but cool summer weather, as well as lush green landscapes. But you need to be aware of the big temperature gap between day and night. The temperature during the day can reach 20-25 degrees but drop to around 10 degrees at night.
- Autumn (September to November)
The temperature is mild and moderate in autumn, fluctuating between 15-20 degrees. With less rainfall, the bright and crisp fall days is perfect for outdoor excursions. And the tree leaves would gradually turn yellow, adding a wealth of warm hues to the plateau landscapes.
- Winter (December to February)
The temperature in winter dives to 5-8 degrees below freezing, and even lower in mountainous areas. Everything is covered in white snow at that time, which is a great chance to enjoy the highland snowscape and experience winter sports.
Shangri-La Transportation
How to Get to Shangri-La:
- By Flight
Diqing Shangri-La Airport is located 3.5 kilometers away from the city center. Not very large in scale, it operates only direct domestic flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming and Lhasa.
- By High-Speed Train
Visitors can also take a high-speed train from Kunming, Dali and Lijiang to Shangri-La Railway Station, and the train ride takes about 5 hours, 4 hours and 1.5 hours respectively.
How to Travel around Shangri-La
There are public buses and taxis available in Shangri-La, taking you to travel around the city and the surrounding attractions, such as Dukezong Ancient Town, Songzanlin Monastery and Napahai Lake.
To reach places further away from the city, like Pudacuo National Park, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Meili Snow Mountain, the most convenient way is to charter a car or join a package tour.
*If you are considering traveling to Shangri-La, Yunnan, with a tour agency, please feel free to contact us! Our expert travel consultant will be glad to give you some recommendations and help you customize your trip.
Where to Accommodate in Shangri-La
There are a great variety of accommodation choices, ranging from starred hotels to homestays, in Shangri-La City of Yunnan, especially near Dukezong Ancient Town. It is highly recommended you accommodate in the old town, as hostels there all feature Tibetan architectural style, offering you a different living experience, and you will have more time to better explore the charm of Dukezong Town.
