Don't rush, take this travel guide for Songzanlin Monastery transportation and sightseeing

Songzanlin Monastery is known as the 'Little Potala Palace' because it looks quite similar to the Potala Palace in Lhasa when seen from a distance. It holds a significant position throughout the Tibetan area and is a must-visit stop for tourists in Shangri-La. The temple is mainly decorated in red, yellow, and white, and the views are spectacular, whether you're looking at the architectural complex from afar or overlooking the scenery of Lamuyangcuo Lake from the temple. ⏰ Opening hours: 8:00-17:30 (entry stops at 5:00 pm) Suggested visiting time: About 2h, it's recommended to arrive in the morning, as it gets crowded after noon. 🚌 Transportation: Take a Didi from the old town to the ticket office of Songzanlin Monastery, which takes about 20 minutes. About tickets 🎫 It's more economical to buy tickets at the manual ticket counter. Tell the ticket seller you only need a one-way bus ticket up the mountain + entrance ticket. When coming down the mountain, you can take the public bus directly, which only costs 2️⃣ yuan to get back to the ticket office of Songzanlin Monastery or the old town. The ticket is 55 + 10 for the bus ticket up the mountain, totaling 65. The cost for a guide is extra, depending on what you need. If you're fit enough, you can even walk the 5km uphill (about 30 minutes). If you buy tickets from a machine, it's 81, and remember to bring your ID card❗️ 📷 About sightseeing: At the entrance, you need to climb stairs to reach the temple. Friends who are less physically strong in the plateau area should rest intermittently instead of rushing up all at once, and it's recommended to carry a bottle of oxygen to prevent altitude sickness. 4️⃣ key spots are: Songzanlin Monastery Gate Tower - Tsongkhapa Hall - Tshogschen Hall - Main Kangyur Sakyamuni Hall. Note that in Tibetan culture, you start from the left and walk clockwise. Do not take photos directly of the Buddha statues inside the temple!