Ask a QuestionShangri-la, surrounded by snowcapped mountains, lush green forests and beautiful blue lakes, so harmonious and fairness, is an extraordinary paradise existed in the real world. Located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, Shangri-la is regarded as Pearl on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an average altitude of nearly 3459 meters above sea level. What to do in Shangri-la? Top 6 things to do in Shangri-la listed below may help you explore the best of Shangri-la.
Songzanlin Monastery, with the similar construction style of white and red to the Potala Palace in Tibet, owns the reputation of the little Potala Palace in Yunnan Province. Built in 1679 and has been well preserved until now, Songzanlin Monastery is the largest monastery of Tibetan Buddhism in Yunnan province which is a good place for you to explore Tibetan Buddhism. If you want to take panorama pictures of the monastery, the Ramjangzo lake facing Songzanlin Monastery must be the best spot.
Dukezong Ancient Town is considered to be the best-preserved and the largest dwellings group of Tibetan residents in China. With a long history of more than 1,300 years, Dukezong Ancient Town is the best place for you to learn history and local culture in Shangri-la. As the main hub of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road, you can closely feel the unsophisticated atmosphere by taking a stroll along the stone paved road among the traditional architectures around.
Meili Snow Mountain is one of the grand four holy mountains of Tibetan Buddhism. Among all the snow-capped peaks of Meili Snow Mountain, Kawagebo Peak is the highest peak in Yunnan Province, with a height of 6740 meters above sea level, which is still a “virgin peak” that all the mountaineers want to challenge. The highlight is the is sunrise above Meili Snow Mountain, enjoy the marvelous scenery at this moment will be one of the top things to do in Shangri-la.
Haba Snow Mountain, even though not as famous as Meili Snow Mountain, is a great place for you to explore the magnificent snow sceneries. Rises against Jade Dragon Snow Mountain closed to Tiger Leaping Gorge, Haba Snow Mountain kindly provide you chance to catch the beautiful view for azaleas, not only just for the snow sceneries. The best time for the azaleas is May.
Meili Snow Mountain
Potatso National Park, as the first national park in mainland China, has all the important features you can imagine. The well-preserved geology and geomorphology, pure clean lakes and rivers, dense forests and lush alpine meadows, plenty of rare animals and plants combine a specific national park with the perfect sceneries designed by the Mother Nature. Enjoy your time in Potatso National Park is no wonder one of the top things to do in Shangri-la, no matter for having a leisure time or appreciating the beautiful landscape.
Napahai Natural Reserve has all different but beautiful views for the four seasons. With the largest grassland in Zhongdian county, sceneries in Napahai Natural Reserve represent the most characteristic features on the plateau. The best time to enjoy the grand lake view of Napahai Lake is from late summer to early autumn while a herd of sheep, cattle and horse add more attractive features to the wide stretches of grassland and pure clear lake under the blue sky.
Food in Shangri-la has a distinctive style of plateau food which you can find in highland area. If you don’t want to go that far to Tibet, just taste special plateau food in Shangri-la, what you could try are mainly Highland Barley, Butter Tea, Yak meat, Yogurt and Tsampa. And what makes food in Shangri-la so out of ordinary is the Tricholoma Matsutake, which is a rare species of wild plants with abundant nutrition.
The best time to visit Shangri-la is from May to October, especially from the end of May to the beginning of June. You may need 3 to 4 days for the main attractions in Shangri-la. Check tour below for some inspirations.
►4 Days Best Shangri-la Tour: Potatso National Park, Songzanlin Lamasery, Napa Lake (Napahai Natural Reserve), Dukezong Ancient Town
If you want to explore more and have interests on hiking, connect your Shangri-la tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge and other cities in Yunnan Province will be a great idea.
►10 Days Amazing Yunnan with Tiger Leaping Gorge Trekking: Kunming, Lijiang, Qiaotou, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shangri-la
Feel free to contact us if you have any doubts, we’re pleased to help you with your Shangri-la travel plan. You can also tailor-made your own Shangri-la tour at Free Online Tailor-made Tour to create your unique Shangri-la memory.
Read more Shangri-la tours.
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