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Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Diqing [2025]
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Potatso National Park
4.4
/5
8824 reviews
8.3
From £24.75
Based on 505 reviews
Pudacuo National Forest Park | 25 km from downtown
Phone +8608878232533
Address: Pudacuo National Park Scenic Spot, Hongpo Village, Shangri-La, Diqing, China (near Shuoduhu Road)
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Diqing
Highlights:
Winter mist & May-June
Winter mist on Shudu Lake
Saved by 738 users3488 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Should provide location map for pick up. Was informed that staff with uniforms will be waiting for return trip.
There was no clear signage for what bus to take to where. If i hadn’t done my research about being able to go to bitahai within the park, I would have totally missed a beautiful part of the park. As well, Bitahai was closed off where the lake begins. You can only see the grassland and a portion of the lake from afar. A bit disappointing. Overall the park is very nice. Good easy hiking trails as well as plank walkways
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Songzanlin Scenic Spot
4.4
/5
3219 reviews
7.7
Based on 770 reviews
Ganden Sumtseling Monastery | 4.4 km from downtown
Phone +8608878229411
Address: No. 3, Niwang Road, Jiantang Town, Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Grand Cham dance during Gaden Ngamchoe
Watch grand Cham dance festival
Saved by 748 users1367 positive reviews
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Very distinctive and beautiful scenery!!! ...
My second visit to Songzanlin Temple was just as wonderful! Every time you enter the temple, you have to wear Tibetan clothing, which is full of ritual. This year, the restrictions on those online celebrity photo shoots have finally been lifted. Without the commercial photography teams with long guns and cannons, the Buddhist temple is still peaceful!
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Balagezong Scenic Area
4.5
/5
2890 reviews
7.3
From £17.16
Based on 61 reviews
64.7 km from downtown
Phone +8608878286616
Address: Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Shangri-La County, Nixi Township, Yunnan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 day
No. 9 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Diqing
Highlights:
Centennial Tibetan homes & snowy mountains
River, forest & peaks: photographer's paradise
Saved by 877 users1108 positive reviews
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Bala Gezong, located at the junction of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet, is one of the core scenic areas within the Hongshan section of the Three Parallel Rivers World Heritage Site. Well, I won't bother copying the introduction here; those interested can research its background online for a very detailed introduction. Here's my personal experience: I had never heard of it before visiting Shangri-La. The B&B owner recommended it to me several times, but I couldn't quite remember its name. After visiting, I felt it was truly worth a visit. The story of Sina Dingzhu building the road is truly touching. It was his generous donations that brought prosperity to the local villagers, creating a story of a wealthy man who never forgot his roots. I visited Balagu Village, Tongtian Gorge, and the Echo Wall. I didn't have enough time to reach the Shambhala Pagoda on Gezong Snow Mountain, and I missed seeing the thousand-year-old Bodhi tree. I only realized I missed it after reading the introduction. It's a little reminder for my next visit. The alpine canyons are incredibly impressive, and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't been. You'll definitely find it worthwhile, as I did.
It's a great attraction, worth the trip. It's exciting to drive up the mountain. There was no signal on the phone or car at the end. It turned from exciting to scary, but the scenery is invincible. If you like to challenge your driving skills, you can go and try it.
No.
4
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Dukezong Ancient Town
4.6
/5
959 reviews
7.0
Based on 255 reviews
Dukezong Ancient City | 755m from downtown
Phone +8608878887666
Address: Unity Road, Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No. 1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Diqing
Highlights:
Lotus layout around Moonlight Plaza
Majestic Meili Snow Mountain views
Saved by 633 users301 positive reviews
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Surrounded by the mountains of Shangri-La, Dukezong Ancient City is like a pearl polished by time, quietly exudes the unique warmth and luster of Tibetan land. This "moonlight city" with a history of more than 1300 years has too many surprises hidden in a turtle-shaped layout. The blue stone road is like silk, leading you to the piety under the prayer wheel, the giant 60-ton prayer wheel, which requires everyone to work together to turn, and each circle is hidden in the wish for life. The Tibetan houses along the street are brightly colored, and the wood building is carved with the aroma of butter and the mellow wine. In the day, the sun shines through the wall, and the stones of Mani pile silently tell the years; when night falls, the ancient city lights up warm yellow lights, the melody of the pot dance comes from the square, and the smiles of the Tibetan children are more moving than the moonlight. There is no excessive noise here, only the true nature of Tibetan culture. Tired of walking, sitting in a Tibetan teahouse with a cup of butter tea, watching the wardrobe flutter outside the window, as if you can touch the softest heartbeat of Shangri-La. Du Kezong is a dream of time left in the northwest of Shanghai, waiting for someone to crackle gently.
The Dukezong Ancient Town area is very large, with many delicious foods, each with its own unique characteristics. There are many Tibetan barley wines and drinks, which I think are very delicious. There is also a very large prayer wheel in the square, where many people pray and pray for blessings, so the whole night scene is very photogenic. I strongly recommend visiting this place.
No.
5
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White Water Terraces
4.5
/5
473 reviews
7.0
From £3.12
Based on 100 reviews
48.6 km from downtown
Phone +8608878866105
Address: Baidi Village, Sanba Township, Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No. 6 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Diqing
Highlights:
Multicultural Bai Shui Festival
Overlook Baishuitai from viewpoint
Saved by 822 users284 positive reviews
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A bit smelly on the way up due to lots of horse dung. Once up there, the view is quite beautiful but we went when there’s not too much water so some parts of water can be a bit muddy. Overall a nice hike around the scenic spot
Baishuitai is located in Baidi Village, Sanba Township, Shangri-La City, at the foot of Haba Snow Mountain. It is 101 kilometers away from the city center and has an altitude of 2,380 meters. It is the birthplace of Dongba religion of the Naxi people and the birthplace of Dongba culture. It was rated as a national AAA-level tourist attraction in November 2022.
No.
6
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Meili Snow Mountain National Park
4.8
/5
598 reviews
6.6
Based on 208 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8608878414949
Address: Moirig Snow Mountain, Deqen, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
No. 8 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Diqing
Highlights:
Sunrise view at Feilai Temple
Sunrise & Feilai Temple
Saved by 186 users238 positive reviews
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The [scenery] here is beautiful, there are a lot of [interest] here, come here to play [price ratio] very good! I hope you take the whole family to Meili Snow Mountain National Park to take a walk, absorb the fresh air of nature, strengthen immunity to protect health!
This time I passed by the Jinsha River Bay, walked to Feilai Temple and the four viewing platforms in the Feilai Temple Scenic Area, and also focused on the four hiking routes in Yubeng. Meili Snow Mountain is pretty good.
Among them, the 13th Tower Observation Deck and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Observation Deck in the Feilai Temple Scenic Area are a hiking loop of about eight or nine kilometers. If you don't want to see Meili Snow Mountain from different angles, just take a look at the 13th Tower Observation Deck.
No.
7
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Shika Snow Mountain
4.5
/5
632 reviews
6.4
Based on 73 reviews
10.5 km from downtown
Phone +8608878988880
Address: Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Shangri-La City Blue Moon Valley Shika Snow Mountain Scenic Area
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
No. 4 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Diqing
Highlights:
Cable cars to summit: 3-4 hours
Diverse views & famous peaks
Saved by 181 users281 positive reviews
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Purchasing tickets on Ctrip is fast and effective. Although there is no snow on the snow-capped mountains recently, it is close to Shangri-La, has cable cars going up and down, few people, and new facilities. I highly recommend it!
Shika Snow Mountain is amazing!
It is only half an hour's drive from downtown Shangri-La, with an altitude of 4,500 meters. Standing on the top of the mountain, you can see eight snow-capped mountains, including Meili, Yulong, and Haba, at the same time. It's like opening a panoramic VIP box!
It's the most enjoyable to go there in summer. It's easy to take the cable car to the top of the mountain. The meadow is green and reflective, and the yaks walking are like moving emoticons.
In winter, the snow is so thick that it can bury people, but when the sun shines on the whole mountain, it shines with golden light. Any photo taken with a mobile phone is a blockbuster.
The best thing is that this mountain has no commercial flavor. There are so few tourists that you can book the whole place, and you don't even need to buy oxygen cylinders (there is a free oxygen breathing point on the top of the mountain).
The Tibetan guides are very honest and will point to the sea of clouds and tell you "That's the Hada of the gods."
The spring water in the Blue Moon Valley at the foot of the mountain can be drunk directly. It's sweet and more exciting than the 20-yuan mineral water in the supermarket.
When you are tired, go to the tent camp to drink butter tea. When you look up, you can see the snow-capped mountains and the blue sky. You can't find such a fairy-like experience anywhere else!
The key ticket is only 150, which is much more conscientious than some popular attractions where you have to queue for 2 hours and take photos for 5 minutes. It is definitely a hidden treasure in northwest Yunnan.
If you have the chance, you must come here!
No.
8
Haba Snow Mountain
4.8
/5
117 reviews
6.2
Based on 33 reviews
65.8 km from downtown
Address: 20 km southeast of Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
No. 2 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Diqing
Highlights:
Beginner & expert-friendly hiking trails
Beginner-friendly peak in 2-3 days
Saved by 111 users27% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
There is a passion called climbing Haba Snow Mountain, and there is a beauty called hiking Haba Black Lake. If you haven't been here yet, make an appointment with me and take you to hike on the plateau pasture to appreciate the holy water and holy lake, or to overlook the Meili Snow Mountain, Yulong Snow Mountain, Yading Three Sacred Mountains and other snow-capped mountains from the top of Haba Snow Mountain.
I arrogantly chose Haba Snow Mountain, the most challenging of all the snowy mountain climbs. It ended up being a real lesson for me.
My companions and I woke up at 2 a.m., packed our gear, and ate a snack. We set off from Base Camp at 4,160 meters at 3 a.m., traversing the muddy jungle path and then the large stone and gravel road uphill, overtaking other groups. The wind on the stone slope was so strong it seemed to sweep us away. We climbed relentlessly against the wind, taking 10-20 steps to catch our breath. We rushed to the rest stop at 4,500 meters, restocked, and continued our ascent. At 4,700 meters, my right thigh suddenly... I had a cramp, and the guide gave me a leg press to loosen it up before continuing the climb. On the way to 4900 meters, I got another cramp in my left thigh. Both legs cramped in the same spot, a first for me. The guide urged me to descend, but I said I'd be fine after some leg presses. After another leg press, I continued my ascent. During the climb, the guide told me that my companions and I were the fastest climbers of the day. It was just before 6 a.m., and we were at 4990 meters, changing cramps and making the final push. The guide noticed my discomfort and urged me to descend. I wanted to challenge myself and persevere to the summit, not wanting my first snowy mountain climb to end in regret. The guide said the last 400 meters were the hardest (especially the Despair Slope), and that cramping on the Despair Slope was dangerous. After cramping in both legs, continuing the ascent (the Despair Slope) increases the risk of secondary cramps, which is dangerous. I didn't want to give up at all, but in the end, I stopped at 5000 meters for safety reasons. 🏔️ Thinking about it now, it would be a lie to say I didn't have any regrets. My companions and I had been looking forward to this trip to Haba Snow Mountain for a long time, and we'd already bought all the gear. But it all came down to my own lack of preparation. I went home and started to strengthen my physical training. The mountain is there, and I'll definitely be back!
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