Shangri-La Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Dukezong Ancient Town Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
is is not Tibet; this is the ancient town of Dukezong in Shangri-La
💞 Dukezong Ancient Town is the best preserved and largest Tibetan residential area in China.
The ancient town of Dukezong is built according to the mountain terrain, with uneven roads. These are old stones laid naturally over the years.
By 2021, deep horseshoe prints still remain on the stone roads, which are the tokens left by the horse caravans of the past.
📍 Address: Kangzhu Avenue, Shangri-La City, Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province
📌 Name: Dukezong Ancient Town Admission: Free
⏰ Visiting time: 1-2 hours is recommended.
⚫️ For the horse caravans traversing the Ancient Tea Horse Road, Dukezong Ancient Town is a major town on the route and also the first stop after entering Tibet, which is considered a relatively comfortable part of the journey.
📜 As the oldest castle on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, Dukezong Ancient Town welcomes the endless stream of merchants in the history of the Tea Horse Road with its unique geographical location and the vicissitudes of an ancient city.
At the same time, the development of commerce has also cultivated generations of great merchants from Dukezong Ancient Town.
Ma Zhucail is one of them. As a Tibetan partner of the 'Zhucail' firm, Ma Zhucail explored the outside world along the long historical footsteps of Dukezong Ancient Town.
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tip:
1️⃣ Be sure to visit Turtle Mountain Park in Dukezong Ancient Town, which is a great place to overlook the ancient town.
2️⃣ It is recommended to visit the ancient town in the afternoon or before evening, with the best spot located below Turtle Mountain Park.
Accommodation🏨
Most of the guesthouses are Tibetan style, and those who like different styles can experience it.
🍱 Tibetan Cuisine
Dukezong Ancient Town mainly offers Tibetan dishes such as yak meat hotpot, grilled mushrooms, beef patties, highland barley cakes, and buttered tea.
Some restaurants also provide Tibetan song and dance performances.
🚌 Transportation
You can take a bus to Shangri-La City or drive and park at the North Gate parking lo
Shangri-La Guide, this one article is enough
Here is a carefully sorted three-day trip to Shangri-La for you. In this fascinating place, five major landmarks are waiting for you to explore, every step is worthwhile!
🌏Itinerary Overview🗓Day1: Explore Dukezong Ancient City - Trace the mysterious steps of Songzanlin Monastery - Step into the lake and mountain scenery of Napahai🗓Day2: Bathe in the nature of Pudacuo National Park🗓Day3: Unveil the mystery of Balagezong
✅Dukezong Ancient City 🚩🔖No ticket required to enter the city. The Dukezong Ancient City hidden deep in time is the best preserved Tibetan residential area in China. The charming Sifang Street and the quiet Turtle Hill Park are worth a visit. Put on Tibetan clothes and enjoy the poetic life of the ancient city. You will find the chemical reaction between you and the ancient city boiling in the dim light. 📷🚎Recommended transportation: bus/taxi
✅Songzanlin Monastery 🗺🔖Ticket: 75 yuan. Known as the 'Little Potala Palace' in the East, the architecture is magnificent and awe-inspiring. During the Gedong Festival, it is lively and mysterious. Real love is hidden in the world. 🎊🚎Recommended transportation: bus/taxi
✅Napahai 🌊🔖Ticket: Free. Drive to avoid the hustle and bustle, navigate to 'Huanhai Road', take bus 12 directly, and feel the vastness and tranquility between heaven and earth. The section from Huanhai Road to the Alpine Botanical Garden is what I think is the most beautiful, enjoying the spiritual beauty of nature. 🔆🚎Recommended transportation: self-driving/bus
✅Pudacuo 🌲🔖Ticket + sightseeing bus: 138 yuan. Take the direct bus from the ancient city, book your desired ticket in advance, Pudacuo is like a forest fairy tale world dressed in silver. The winter scenery of Shudu Lake and Bita Sea is the best gift for every heart longing for nature. 🎁🚎Recommended transportation: bus/self-driving
✅Balagezong🗻🔖Ticket + sightseeing car: 147 yuan. This is the last secret of Shangri-La, a place that couldn't even be found on the map before. The enchanting snow mountains, deep canyons, blue-green rivers, misty forests, rippling glaciers, everything converges here. Climb the pagoda (an additional 75 yuan is required), and you can enjoy every inch of beautiful scenery in just one hour! 🧭🚎Recommended transportation: chartered car/self-driving
🏡I live in a mountain villa in Napahai, from the window you can overlook the mysterious Napahai. The decoration of the manor breathes a strong Tibetan style, and it is also equipped with an oxygen machine to provide intimate protection for your trip. 🛎
🗺If you have enough time, reserve one or two days to go to Deqin to see the Meili Snow Mountain. The beauty of the sunrise on the golden mountain will definitely make you return with a full load! ☀Wait for me to update the complete guide, welcome to adjust your luggage, embark on an exploration journey, Abujicuo, Yubeng, Tiger Leaping Gorge are all waiting for you🧳.
🎶Due to the word limit, any questions, please leave a message to ask.
Just got back from Shangri-La! Here comes the 3-day 2-night nanny-level guide!
Yunnan is synonymous with romance and sanctity🏔️ The most beautiful Shangri-La
In Tibetan, it means 'the sun and moon in the heart'
It writes the purity of the sky and the sanctity of nature❄️ The majesty and grandeur of Meili Snow Mountain tells the story of mystery and freedom!
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It's worth mentioning that after November 26, it only takes 5h high-speed train from Kunming to Shangri-La, this 3-day 2-night tour guide must be collected for future use❗️❗️
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🏔️About the route
𝐃𝓪𝔂𝟏: Arrive in Shangri-La in the afternoon➠ Have a meal in Dukezong Ancient City
𝐃𝓪𝔂𝟐: Dukezong Ancient City ➠Songzanlin Temple➠Pana Sea
𝐃𝓪𝔂𝟑: Meili Snow Mountain ➠White Horse Snow Mountain ➠Dali
🏔️About the attractions
➊Songzanlin Temple🎫Ticket window 55
As the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan Province, it is known as 'Little Potala'. The architectural style follows the essence of Tibetan religion, and it is a true Tibetan art museum!
➋ Dukezong Ancient City🎫Free
This is the best preserved and largest Tibetan residential group in China, and it is also very worth visiting from a cultural perspective. The 'Turtle Mountain Park' in the ancient city has the world's largest and heaviest gilded pure copper prayer wheel, and three circles can be turned to pray for disaster relief!
➌ Pana Sea🎫Free
It is only 6 kilometers away from Shangri-La City, it is translated as 'the lake behind the forest', and it is a national AAA scenic spot. It is recommended to charter a car, rent a car🚗 to the scenic spot and stop and shoot at any time! There are also lambs for photo shooting! It costs 20 yuan! We shared 10 yuan with others😆
➍Meili Snow Mountain🎫Free
The picture of the sunset golden mountain is really beautiful and tearful! Must go❗️People who see it will be lucky for a whole year!
It is 20 kilometers away from Feilai Temple, and it is an excellent position to appreciate the thirteen peaks of Meili Snow Mountain. It is recommended to charter or rent a car!
➎White Horse Snow Mountain🎫Free
When the layers of mountains and forests are all dyed into the eyes, you know that the beauty of fairy tales and the majesty of nature do not conflict, and the treasure check-in place with a view at every step is not to be missed by every traveler who loves snow and mountains!
➏Pudacuo (package ticket 168, including 68 tickets +70 scenic area transportation +30 round-trip bus tickets)
We didn't check in because of time, but the driver said that it was all pure natural scenery, and it was very out of the picture!
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🏔️About Tibetan clothes
There are a lot of Tibetan clothing halls in the ancient city. After comparison, we chose Yifan! Located opposite the White Pagoda in the ancient city! Wearing Tibetan clothes and makeup really reduces the age by 10 years❗️Super good-looking❗️Her photographer A Xin is very patient and nice! But remember to make an appointment in advance!
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🏔️About eating
Be sure to go to the local small restaurants! The price is affordable and delicious! Completely used to eating! The common people's home-cooked dishes and Xin Qiao snacks we have eaten are good!
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🏔️About accommodation
We stayed at Huazhu (No. 1 Shika Road, Shangri-La) Three people stayed in a double bed large room, the hot spring in the room is really cool! It's so comfortable to come back and take a bath after a hard day!
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🏔️Travel tips
🔸Meili Snow Mountain is really cold! Be sure to wear more clothes!
🔸The average altitude of Shangri-La is above 3400 meters, remember not to do vigorous exercise, running, jumping and other actions! Be sure to drink more water!
🔸Pana Sea is free again! No tickets!
🔸If you want to have a good Tibetan costume photo for a rare visit, you must make an appointment in advance! Go directly to the queue! And can't choose the clothes you like!
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Welcome to ask questions! I will reply when I see it!
Reborn from the ashes, the Tea Horse Road | Deqen Dukezong Ancient City
Reborn from the ashes - Dukezong Ancient City
🏯Dukezong Ancient City: Dukezong Ancient City, known in Tibetan as the 'City of Moonlight', is a city with a history of over 1300 years. It was once a window for cultural exchange between the snowy Tibetan region and the Yunnan ethnic culture, and a hub for economic and trade in the Sichuan-Tibet-Yunnan region. It is also the best preserved and largest Tibetan residential group in China, and a hub of the Tea Horse Road.
🔥Dukezong means 'City of Moonlight' in Tibetan, and is a town with thousands of years of history located on the Tea Horse Road. In 2014, Dukezong Ancient City suffered a devastating fire, with hundreds of buildings reduced to ashes in the blaze.
🌟Highlights:
1⃣️Turtle Mountain Park⛲️: 🈶️Home to the world's largest prayer wheel
2⃣️White Pagoda: Well preserved
3⃣️Moonlight Square: Enjoy Tibetan residences
📍Detailed address:
Kangzhu Avenue, Shangri-La City, Deqen Prefecture, Yunnan Province
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Tiger Leaping Gorge Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Yunnan Travel, the ultimate guide for the whole network
🎈In the scorching summer, looking for a place to escape the heat and travel🚶? Yunnan is a great choice🤩!
Here you will find the landscapes that people yearn for😍~
Peaceful Erhai Lake, cool Lugu Lake,
Pristine Blue Moon Valley, sacred Jade Dragon Snow Mountain,
And the lively Lijiang, romantic Dali,
Each place is as picturesque as a poem🤗!
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😜Below is a share of the travel tips for Yunnan📒~
💞1. Clothing advice
Due to the large temperature difference between day and night in Yunnan, remember to bring T-shirts, shirts, and a light jacket👕,
Add clothes in the morning and evening, and you can take them off at noon~
Bright dresses👗 look better in photos,
Match them with comfortable sneakers or casual shoes🥿, convenient for walking~
Remember to do sun protection🌞!
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✳️2. Transportation guide
Direct flights to Kunming Changshui Airport are cheaper✈, and also convenient for transfers~
You can take the subway in the city🚇, and trains or high-speed trains outside the city🚄,
Taxis or buses are also very convenient🚕~
🔰3. Tour routes 2
📍1. Various places - Kunming
Stay in hotels in Guandu District or Wuhua District for convenient transportation🚇~
When resting, you can go to Guandu Ancient Town or Jinma Biji Square,
Try the local snacks😋~
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📍2. Kunming - Stone Forest Scenic Area - Chuxiong
Check out the unique karst landforms🧐,
Go to the Yi Ancient Town at night, eat wild mushroom hot pot🥘,
Watch the Yi ethnic dance performance💃~
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📍3. Chuxiong - Dali Ancient City - Foreigner Street - Osprey Show - Jeep Tour around the Lake - Internet-famous Flower Sea - Dali
Take a jeep or yacht to tour around Erhai Lake🚤, take photos at internet-famous spots📸~
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📍4. Dali - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - Glacier Cableway - Lishui Jinsha - Lijiang Ancient City - Lijiang
To go up to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you need to take the cableway🚠,
Don't be fooled by other routes~
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📍5. Lijiang - Shuhe Ancient Town - Lashi Lake - Lijiang
Feel the tranquility in Shuhe Ancient Town🤫,
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lashi Lake🤩~
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📍6. Lijiang - Pudacuo - Dukezong Ancient City - Shangri-La
Explore the mystery of Pudacuo🤔,
Experience the charm of Dukezong Ancient City~
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📍7. Shangri-La - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang
Experience the thrilling excitement of Tiger Leaping Gorge🦁,
This is an unforgettable hiking trip~
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📍8. Lijiang - Lugu Lake Scenic Area - Stay at Lugu Lake
Lugu Lake is known as the 'Oriental Daughter's Country'🏯,
The scenery and customs here are very unique~
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📍9. Lugu Lake - Liwubi Island - Lake Tour
📍10. Home
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❤Tips: Yunnan attractions are quite scattered🤔, it is more convenient to join a local tour group👍,
There are pick-up services + accommodation + transportation + tickets🎫,
The average cost for a 10-day tour is about 1500 RMB💰, which is cost-effective,
And you don't have to worry about the itinerary🤗~
Yunnan Travel Guide | Yunnan Travel Instant Understanding Map | Yunnan Practical Guide Inventory
👭Go to Yunnan once, to appreciate the beautiful scenery of nature, to experience different ethnic customs🎉, to the sacred Tibetan area of Shangri-La, to see cattle and sheep running🐑, vast grasslands; to the ancient stone streets of Lijiang ancient city, to listen to the sound of small bridges and flowing water, ㊙️ to explore the stories hidden in the corners; 🌊 to the Cangshan Erhai in Dali, to see the wind, flowers, snow and moon, as if in a paradise.
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🌈Essential attractions
✅Yubeng: Paradise on the left, Yubeng on the right, suitable for novice hikers
✅Dianchi: Yunnan's largest freshwater lake, a good place to watch seagulls
✅Stone Forest: A spectacular karst landscape, very spectacular
✅Kunming Old Street: The most historical block in Kunming city
✅Guandu Ancient Town: One of the famous historical and cultural ancient towns
✅Dukezong Ancient City: Experience the horse gang culture of walking through the streets and alleys
✅Meili Snow Mountain: You can see the beautiful scenery of sunrise on the golden mountain
✅Songzanlin Temple: A sacred place, known as the 'Little Potala Palace'
✅Tiger Leaping Gorge: One of the deepest gorges in China
✅Pudacuo National Park: A truly unpolluted fairy tale world
✅Starlight Night Market: Asia's largest night market, a good place for Dai ethnic group photos
✅Manting Park: The royal garden of the ancient Dai royal family
✅Dai Ethnic Garden: Dai culture display, water splashing activities
✅Wild Elephant Valley: The only place in China with wild elephants
✅Lijiang Ancient City: World Cultural Heritage ancient capital, 'City of Romance'
✅Shuhe Ancient Town: A leisurely and quiet ancient town, suitable for relaxation
✅Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: A magical gift from nature, the cradle of Naxi love
✅Blue Moon Valley: The water is green, a beautiful scene with a built-in filter
✅Lugu Lake: A beautiful scene of water and sky, known as the 'Oriental Women's Kingdom'
✅Erhai: Sunshine, blue sky, Erhai, charming scenery
✅Dali Ancient City: Experience the slow life of literature and art, quiet and romantic
✅Shuanglang Ancient Town: The essence of Dali's scenery is in Erhai, and the essence of Erhai's scenery is here
✅Cangshan: One of Dali's famous 'Wind, Flower, Snow and Moon' four scenes
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💯Yunnan 5-day route
🔥Yubeng hiking 5 days:
D1️⃣: All over the country--Lijiang
D2️⃣: Lijiang Ancient City-Xiaozhongdian Grassland-Moon Bay-Feilai Temple
D3️⃣: Feilai Temple-Sunrise on the Golden Mountain-Xidang-Nanzheng Pass-Yubeng Village
D4️⃣: Yubeng Village-Seabuckthorn Forest-Xiaonong Base Camp-Ice Lake-Return the same way
D5️⃣: Yubeng Village-Primitive Forest-Pilgrimage Camp-God Waterfall-Return the same way
D6️⃣: Yubeng Village-Ninong Gorge-Lijiang
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🔥Lijiang Shangri-La Lugu Lake 5 days
D1️⃣: Lijiang—Eighteen Bay—Nise—Rige Peninsula—Lover's Beach—Lugu Lake
D2️⃣: Lugu Lake—Pig Trough Boat—Grass Sea—Baisha Ancient Town—Shuhe Ancient Town-Lijiang
D3️⃣: Lijiang—Blue Moon Valley——Jade Dragon Snow Mountain——Lijiang Ancient City——Lijiang
D4️⃣: Lijiang——Napa Sea Wetland Grassland——Tusi Banquet——Dukezong Ancient City
D5️⃣: Shangri-La——Songzanlin Temple——Tiger Leaping Gorge——Lijiang
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The closest place to heaven is Shangri-La
1. Itinerary: Shangri-La is a large scenic area, it is recommended to arrange at least 3 days for the tour. On the first day, you can visit the Songzanlin Monastery and watch the Tibetan cultural performance in Shangri-La in the evening; on the second day, go to Napahai, passing through the Tsike flower sea, Pu'an Temple and White Horse Snow Mountain; on the third day, you can go to Tiger Leaping Gorge, Snow Mountain Meadow, etc.
2. Best travel season: Shangri-La has a pleasant climate in spring and autumn, and the best travel time is between April and October.
3. Special delicacies: Shangri-La's special delicacies include butter tea, butter zanba, yak meat, Tibetan medicine hot pot, etc. It is recommended to try.
4. Dressing advice: Shangri-La is at a high altitude with a large temperature difference between day and night, it is recommended to wear warm and thick clothes. Also, if you plan to walk, wear non-slip shoes and hiking shoes.
5. Recommended attractions: In addition to the above-mentioned attractions, there are also Cangshan Erhai Scenic Area, Wenhui Road, Happy Valley, Blue Moon Valley.
6. Special attention: Most of Shangri-La's scenic spots are sightseeing by bus, it is recommended to book a regular tour group and pay attention to personal safety during the trip.
7. Accommodation advice: Similar to Lijiang Ancient City, Shangri-La also has many local characteristic inns and hotels. When staying, you can choose nearby homestays to experience local life. Also, pay attention to safety and take good care of your belongings.
8. Payment advice: It is recommended to bring enough cash, some scenic spots still do not support credit cards and mobile payments.
9. Transportation guide: There are city buses in Shangri-La, and tourists can also choose to rent a car or charter a car to the scenic area. It is recommended to understand the route and travel time in advance.
Shangri-La attractions are free, and the railway is open
On November 26, the Lijiang to Shangri-La railway (Lixiang Railway) was completed and opened to traffic. It takes as little as 1 hour and 18 minutes to get from Lijiang to Shangri-La, and as little as 4 hours and 30 minutes to get from Kunming to Shangri-La, which will effectively reduce the cost of travel for tourists.
✨ Recommended attractions
1⃣Pudacuo: In Tibetan, it means 'the holy land of the soul, the paradise in the dream'.
2⃣Tiger Leaping Gorge: Named after the legend of a fierce tiger leaping over the Jinsha River with the help of a huge rock in the middle of the river.
3⃣Dukezong Ancient City: In Tibetan, it means 'castle built on a rock', also known as the City of Moonlight.
4⃣Meili Snow Mountain: Known as one of the ten most beautiful mountain ranges in China.
5⃣Songzanlin Temple: A Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan, not only the center of the Yellow Sect in Sichuan and Yunnan, but also holds a significant position in the entire Tibetan area.
✨Discount policy: (for some attractions)
1️⃣Shanghai residents can enjoy free admission before December 31 this year.
2️⃣Yunnan residents can enjoy free admission in December.
3️⃣Tourists with valid student IDs can enjoy free admission in January 2024.
4️⃣Tourists with the Chinese zodiac sign 'Dragon' on their ID cards can enjoy free admission in February 2024, etc.
💡Travel Tips:
Due to the long distances between various attractions in Shangri-La, before going to the attractions, be sure to ask the local station about the traffic situation, including whether there are buses and whether the roads are good. If you charter a car, be sure to negotiate the price in advance.
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Pudacuo National Park Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Shangri-La in winter is incredibly beautiful! Here's a nanny-level guide to Pudacuo
【Opening】Pudacuo National Park is located in Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Here you can find mirror-like alpine lakes, beautiful grassy pastures, blooming wetlands, and pristine forests where birds and animals often appear.
🛬【Itinerary】Recommended visit time: 1-2 days.
- 🌄Shudu Lake: Take a bus from the scenic area to the tranquil trail (about 20min) and start hiking (about 3.2km). Walk straight to the return point and take a bus back to the entrance of the scenic area🚌
- 🏔Bitahai: Take a bus from the scenic area to the starting point (about 10min), walk forward to the viewing point (about 1.5km), and then return by the same route to take a bus back to the entrance of the scenic area.
⛺【Admission Fee】Ticket + shuttle bus fee: 💰138 yuan/person (half price for student tickets, no discount for bus fees)
⛺【Must-see Attractions】
- 🏞Shudu Lake: The plank road is built along the lake, and you can enjoy different views of the lake, meadow, and forest along the way.
- 🏞Bitahai: Here you can see yaks. Be careful when interacting with small animals.
⛺【Photo Spots】
- 📸Shudu Lake: There are plank roads, lakes, and forests here, and every shot is a masterpiece.
- 📸Bitahai: Here you can see yaks, and taking photos with yaks is super photogenic.
🍩【Must-try Foods】
- 🍜Braised Beef Hot Pot: A specialty of Shangri-La, the meat is fresh and the soup is rich.
- 🍜Barley Cake: A traditional local snack, crispy and sweet.
🏨【Accommodation Guide】
- 🏠It is recommended to choose a hotel or homestay near Dukezong Ancient City, which is affordable and convenient for transportation.
🚌【Transportation Guide】
- 🚗Self-driving: It takes about 3-4 hours from Lijiang.
- 🚌Bus: Take a bus from Lijiang Bus Station to Shangri-La, and then transfer to a bus to Pudacuo.
🧡【Tips】
- 🌂Be careful of slippery roads in the snow season, try not to wear high heels.
- 🌂Keep warm, it is recommended to bring down jackets, scarves, gloves, etc.
- 🌂Pay attention to the weather forecast and avoid traveling in bad weather.
- 🌂Be aware of altitude sickness, it is recommended to take Rhodiola and other anti-altitude sickness drugs in advance.
Pudacuo Yunnan
For those seeking a little more adventure, the hiking trails in Pudacuo National Park offer a thrilling experience. I embarked on the Bita Lake trail, which took me through dense forests and blooming meadows. The sights and sounds of nature surrounded me, and with every step, I felt more alive and connected to the earth. It was an invigorating journey that left me with a sense of accomplishment and a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the natural world.
And let's not forget about the incredible wildlife that calls Pudacuo home. From adorable pandas to exotic birds, the park is a haven for animal lovers. I was lucky enough to spot a group of playful monkeys swinging from tree to tree, which added an extra layer of excitement to my adventure.
In addition to its natural splendor, Pudacuo National Park is also home to the local Naxi ethnic minority. Their vibrant culture and traditions can be experienced through the various cultural activities and performances that take place within the park. It's a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the region and gain a deeper understanding of the local way of life.
Pudacuo National Park
Pudacuo National Park is a vast nature reserve classified as a 5A tourist attraction in China. The park is located about 30 minutes drive from Shangri-La, China.
The park includes two scenic areas, Shudu Lake in the north, and Bita Lake in the south of the park. The lakes are surrounded by mountainous woods, streams and grass lands. If you're lucky, you'll see some wild animals.
As opposed to other parks I've been to in China, it seems that this park is completely natural. In order to preserve the nature around the lakes, walking is limited to a boardwalk along each lake. The boardwalk along Bita Lake is blocked midway for some reason.
Since the park is very big, shuttles take the people from the park entrance to the scenic areas.
#China #shangrila #pudacuo #shudu #bita
National park walk with yaks @Shangri-la 🍂
#fallingforfall
Pictures speak louder than words ✌️
How to get there: we came with a cab from Shangri-La (30min)
What’s to see: beautiful national park with lakes
Time needed: half day
What to look for: yaks :)
Don’t forget to bring your drone for some of these beautiful aerial shots 🛸
IG: andykoh_m8 #germaninchina #travellifestyle #aroundtheworld
fallingforfall
germaninchina
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Napa Sea(Yila Prairie) Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Just got back from Shangri-La! Here comes the 3-day 2-night nanny-level guide!
Yunnan is synonymous with romance and sanctity🏔️ The most beautiful Shangri-La
In Tibetan, it means 'the sun and moon in the heart'
It writes the purity of the sky and the sanctity of nature❄️ The majesty and grandeur of Meili Snow Mountain tells the story of mystery and freedom!
-
It's worth mentioning that after November 26, it only takes 5h high-speed train from Kunming to Shangri-La, this 3-day 2-night tour guide must be collected for future use❗️❗️
-
🏔️About the route
𝐃𝓪𝔂𝟏: Arrive in Shangri-La in the afternoon➠ Have a meal in Dukezong Ancient City
𝐃𝓪𝔂𝟐: Dukezong Ancient City ➠Songzanlin Temple➠Pana Sea
𝐃𝓪𝔂𝟑: Meili Snow Mountain ➠White Horse Snow Mountain ➠Dali
🏔️About the attractions
➊Songzanlin Temple🎫Ticket window 55
As the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan Province, it is known as 'Little Potala'. The architectural style follows the essence of Tibetan religion, and it is a true Tibetan art museum!
➋ Dukezong Ancient City🎫Free
This is the best preserved and largest Tibetan residential group in China, and it is also very worth visiting from a cultural perspective. The 'Turtle Mountain Park' in the ancient city has the world's largest and heaviest gilded pure copper prayer wheel, and three circles can be turned to pray for disaster relief!
➌ Pana Sea🎫Free
It is only 6 kilometers away from Shangri-La City, it is translated as 'the lake behind the forest', and it is a national AAA scenic spot. It is recommended to charter a car, rent a car🚗 to the scenic spot and stop and shoot at any time! There are also lambs for photo shooting! It costs 20 yuan! We shared 10 yuan with others😆
➍Meili Snow Mountain🎫Free
The picture of the sunset golden mountain is really beautiful and tearful! Must go❗️People who see it will be lucky for a whole year!
It is 20 kilometers away from Feilai Temple, and it is an excellent position to appreciate the thirteen peaks of Meili Snow Mountain. It is recommended to charter or rent a car!
➎White Horse Snow Mountain🎫Free
When the layers of mountains and forests are all dyed into the eyes, you know that the beauty of fairy tales and the majesty of nature do not conflict, and the treasure check-in place with a view at every step is not to be missed by every traveler who loves snow and mountains!
➏Pudacuo (package ticket 168, including 68 tickets +70 scenic area transportation +30 round-trip bus tickets)
We didn't check in because of time, but the driver said that it was all pure natural scenery, and it was very out of the picture!
-
🏔️About Tibetan clothes
There are a lot of Tibetan clothing halls in the ancient city. After comparison, we chose Yifan! Located opposite the White Pagoda in the ancient city! Wearing Tibetan clothes and makeup really reduces the age by 10 years❗️Super good-looking❗️Her photographer A Xin is very patient and nice! But remember to make an appointment in advance!
-
🏔️About eating
Be sure to go to the local small restaurants! The price is affordable and delicious! Completely used to eating! The common people's home-cooked dishes and Xin Qiao snacks we have eaten are good!
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🏔️About accommodation
We stayed at Huazhu (No. 1 Shika Road, Shangri-La) Three people stayed in a double bed large room, the hot spring in the room is really cool! It's so comfortable to come back and take a bath after a hard day!
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🏔️Travel tips
🔸Meili Snow Mountain is really cold! Be sure to wear more clothes!
🔸The average altitude of Shangri-La is above 3400 meters, remember not to do vigorous exercise, running, jumping and other actions! Be sure to drink more water!
🔸Pana Sea is free again! No tickets!
🔸If you want to have a good Tibetan costume photo for a rare visit, you must make an appointment in advance! Go directly to the queue! And can't choose the clothes you like!
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Welcome to ask questions! I will reply when I see it!
National Geographic didn't lie to me, I photographed birds in Shangri-La
The black-necked crane singing high, the purple swamphen striding forward, the egret as white as snow, the teal like embedded turquoise... The Napa Sea in Yunnan, Shangri-La in winter, is a colorful world of hundreds of bird species. It attracts a large number of bird scholars and ecological photographers from home and abroad to this plateau pearl.
📌National Geographic really didn't lie to me, I saw flocks of birds while touring the lake yesterday. My camera used a 200mm focal length, most of the time I could only take atmospheric shots. Occasionally when a bird flew over my head, I had the chance to capture the moment of flight.
📸I saw many photography enthusiasts with 600~800mm focal length lenses to 'shoot birds', the dynamic details of the birds they captured were too good, and I was instantly tempted.
💡Ordinary tourists can bring a telescope to watch birds, the wetlands are fenced, and you cannot enter privately. Be careful of passing vehicles when taking photos and bird watching on the lake road.
⚠️The altitude of Shangri-La city is about 3300m, it is a plateau area, pay attention to keep warm in winter, do not exercise vigorously to avoid altitude sickness.
🎫Napa Sea Scenic Area is an open scenic area, no admission fee. Please pay attention to protect the ecology and take away the garbage when entering.
Seamless Shangri-La Tour - Comprehensive Nanny-level Guide
🚄 Transportation
The high-speed train departs from Lijiang at 8 am, and with only a 49 yuan ticket, you can seamlessly reach Shangri-La. After leaving the station, take the No. 1 bus (2 yuan fare) directly to the north gate of Dukezong Ancient City, seamlessly connecting your journey.
🏠 Accommodation
Choose to stay near the south or north gate of Dukezong Ancient City, not only is it convenient for transportation, but it is also close to Songzanlin Temple and Napahai, making your trip easier. Remember, don't choose a hotel in the center of the ancient city, dragging luggage on the slate road is not an easy task.
👗 Tibetan Costume Rental Experience
There are many shops in the ancient city that rent Tibetan clothes. Choose the style you like, it is recommended to book in advance the night before, so there are more choices, and go directly to the store the next day to create your Tibetan style! The off-season price is 68 yuan per day, remember to bring your own false eyelashes, they will not be provided for free here.
🏰 Dukezong Ancient City
Want to take a photo in front of the world's largest prayer wheel? Then go to Turtle Mountain Park during the day, the photo effect at night is not so ideal. At 7:30 in the evening, the Guozhuang dance begins on time at the Sifang Square (remember to search for 'Sifang Square', not 'Sifang Street'), don't miss this cultural feast.
🕊️ Songzanlin Temple
Online tickets are only available in packages (90 yuan), but you can actually bring your ID card to the offline window, only buy tickets (55 yuan) and the uphill bus (10 yuan), which can save 25 yuan. After the tour, take the No. 3 bus directly from the temple gate back to the ancient city. Don't believe those people who take you to Napahai for 10 yuan at the gate, they might take you to a private horse farm and let you ride a horse to consume.
🌊 Napahai
Napahai and Yila Prairie are the same place, but the name changes with the seasons. The lake tour is highly recommended for self-driving. Napahai is a free attraction, no tickets are needed, navigate to 'Ring Lake Road', play clockwise, and the scenery is beautiful all the way. But be aware that the water road can only be experienced during the summer flood season. The average price for renting an electric car around the lake is 80 yuan, remember to ask clearly about the battery life and whether it can go around Napahai. The wind in Napahai in December is very strong, remember to wear a hat and keep warm. Want to hold a lamb for a photo? That costs about 20 yuan. Want to ride a horse? Remember to bargain! Route A is 160 yuan, Route B is 128 yuan, and the horse riding project in the scenic area is no longer open after 18:00.
🌿 Pudacuo
You must go to Pudacuo early, otherwise there really isn't enough time. From entering the scenic area to leaving the scenic area, it is recommended to reserve 4 hours. The scenic area bus takes about 20 minutes to Shudu Lake, and the return trip needs to gather 25 people before it can leave. Now there are not many people in the off-season, but the scenic area closes at 4 pm. Shudu Lake has a 3.3km walk, Bita Lake has a 2km walk, and wearing sports shoes is the wisest choice.
🏔️ Meili Snow Mountain
November to March of the following year is the best season to watch Meili Snow Mountain. Choose a hotel near Feilai Temple for accommodation. From Shangri-La Station, there are direct buses to Deqin-Feilai Temple on the roadside, the fare is 80 yuan, very convenient. After watching the sunrise over the golden mountain of Meili, those who like hiking can take a bus to Yubeng next to Feilai Temple, and those who are obsessed with glaciers can go to Mingyong Glacier.
🏞️ Balagezong
I personally do not recommend going to Balagezong, the tickets are expensive, the transportation is inconvenient, and the cost performance is not high.
🍴 Shangri-La Restaurant Recommendation
Ama's butter tea, Shunshun Snacks, Caisheng Restaurant, Jingjing's Mani Stone, these restaurants are all the taste of Shangri-La, not to be missed.
Take this guide and make your Shangri-La trip as comfortable as at home, enjoying every beautiful moment!🎉🎉🎉
Dali-Shangri-La 5-day tour
✨ Hey, buddies! I recently went to Dali and Shangri-La, it's really beautiful! 🏞️ This guide will take you to experience my itinerary in Dali and Shangri-La, hoping to provide you with some travel inspiration.
📍 First stop: Dali
On the first day, we arrived in Dali and first went to Napa Lake. Napa Lake is a beautiful plateau lake, the grassland and blue sky by the lake are really beautiful! Then we went to Shika Highway and Black Bean Coffee Shop, experiencing a leisurely time. ☕️ Then we went to Shangri-La Alpine Botanical Garden, where there are many rare plants, which is eye-opening.
📍 Second stop: White Horse Snow Mountain
On the second day, we arrived at the White Horse Snow Mountain, the autumn scenery here is simply beautiful! The golden pine forest, the white snow mountain, and the flying prayer flags make people feel like they are in a fairyland.
📍 Third stop: Shuo Da Village & Shangri-La
On the third day, we arrived at Shuo Da Village, a secluded little village where you can admire the sunrise and reflection of Meili Snow Mountain up close, it's really beautiful! 🌄 Then we returned to Shangri-La and visited the Dukezong Ancient City, experiencing the rich Tibetan culture.
📍 Fourth stop: Bottomless Lake & Songzanlin Monastery
On the fourth day, we went to the Bottomless Lake, the plateau lake here is pure blue, and it's great for viewing the autumn scenery. Then we went to Songzanlin Monastery, the architecture here is magnificent, making people feel the pure faith. We also went to the Little Zhongdian Reservoir and took a distant photo with Haba Snow Mountain.
📍 Fifth stop: Back to Dali
On the last day, we returned to Dali and ended this wonderful journey.
✨ Travel tips:
The weather is colder in autumn and winter, it is recommended to bring a thick coat and sunscreen. 🌅
Self-driving is the best way to travel, but be aware that the road surface at the pass is prone to icing. 🚜
Booking accommodation and dining in advance can better control the travel budget. 🏨
Don't forget to try local specialties, such as yak meat hot pot and butter tea. 🍲🍵
Make new friends during the trip and share the joy of travel together! 👫
✨ This trip to Dali-Shangri-La has brought me a lot of gains, not only admiring the beautiful natural scenery, but also experiencing the rich Tibetan culture. If you also want to experience a different trip, try this route, I believe you will have an unforgettable journey! ✨
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Balagezong Grand Canyon Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Shangri-La | Balagezong, the once lost hidden world
Shangri-La | Balagezong, the once lost hidden world.
Most hidden worlds are usually out of reach. In the deepest part of Shangri-La, a place that was once impossible to find on a map, there are spectacular canyons, clear streams, ancient villages and strange geological wonders. Now it has a magical name - Balagezong.
📌Origin: Legend has it that Gezong Snow Mountain is the protector of Shangri-La, and Balagezong is a sacred place that everyone yearns for but cannot reach. It has been isolated from the world for thousands of years. When Snadindzhu was young, he had the opportunity to leave the mountains for the first time because of an eye injury. After becoming wealthy, he spent all his family wealth, carried a huge debt, and spent ten years building this plateau sky road, allowing the world to see the true face of Balagezong.
🧭Explore the hidden world:
Take a sightseeing car up the mountain from the main entrance, and the winding mountain road with dozens of big turns makes people sigh at the difficulty of this project. The view from the air is quite shocking.
Recommended itinerary: Millennium Bodhi Tree - Echo Wall - Xiangbala Stupa (optional) - Bala Village - Shangri-La Grand Canyon.
📍Xiangbala Stupa: The mountain is the stupa, and the stupa is the mountain; rock walls, stupas, snow mountains, wastelands, prayer flags, etc. are integrated into a paradise in the depths of the 4000-meter-high plateau. After a heavy snowfall, it is even more silver-clad and particularly sacred.
📍Bala Village: A Tibetan village with a history of more than 1300 years, surrounded by high mountains, retains the traditional ethnic style. A small museum records the bits and pieces of the Ancient Tea Horse Road. The butter dirty of 'Hidden Mountain Bathing Wild' coffee is a hit on the internet. Outside the window is the stupa under the mountains, and a few kittens are leisurely. There are several hotels in the village, which is the best place to watch the sunrise over the Golden Mountain in the morning.
📍Shangri-La Grand Canyon: The rugged terrain, the huge drop, the diverse ecology, the naturally formed plateau canyon, is a gift from heaven to Balagezong. Either walk along the plank road and enjoy the cliffs, waterfalls and deep valleys. Or drift down, fresh and exciting, feel the heartbeat of nature.
📍Millennium Bodhi Tree: The thousand-year-old Bodhi tree at the entrance welcomes guests. Despite the wind and rain, it is still full of vitality. The small trunk sprouts a large number of branches and leaves, covering a whole cliff.
📍Echo Wall: The natural huge mountain recess is named for its loud echo. Along the suspended plank road on the cliff, you can overlook the Shangri-La Grand Canyon and the snow-capped mountains. The Sky Mirror at the end is like a blue high-altitude swimming pool. Looking down is very exciting, and you can also experience the high-altitude zip line, flying on the top of the plateau.
In Balagezong, you can feel the grandeur and mystery of nature, and also understand the depth and colorfulness of minority culture. The trip to Shangri-La might as well add this stop.
Transportation & Tickets
🚗It takes about 2 hours to drive from Dukezong Ancient City, the ticket is 170 yuan, and 165 yuan online.
🎫The package ticket is 225 yuan, including the ticket and the bus from Dukezong Ancient City to the scenic area and the shuttle bus in the scenic area.
The ticket to Xiangbala Stupa needs to be bought separately at the Echo Wall scenic spot for 75, highly recommended. Shangri-La Balagezong Scenic Area
Shangri-La's final secret realm, Balagezong
Balagezong, a secret realm that was once unfindable on any map, is full of miracles everywhere, the Buddha's hand stretched out by the thousand-year-old Bodhi tree, the natural sacred mountain that resembles a stupa, and the character Sna Dingzhu who seems like the chosen one.
Sna Dingzhu is the founder of the Balagezong scenic area and the hero who changed the fate of Bara Village for 1300 years. The former Bara Village was almost isolated from the world. It took five days to get out of the mountains. If someone got sick, they could only die on the road. Sna Dingzhu's one eye was injured and delayed treatment and completely blinded when he was a child. Since then, he has dreamed of building a road for Bara Village. At the age of 13, he went out to do business, fought for more than 20 years, accumulated tens of millions of wealth all used to go home to build roads, spent ten years, carried a huge debt, and finally had this life road of Bara Village. Since then, the world map finally has Balagezong.
Balagezong: A hidden beauty of China
If you’re in Yunnan province, make sure to take a trip up to Shanghai-la for some of the most incredible sights, food, and experiences you’ll ever have. Meet real Tibetan people, see mountains that make Shanghai’s sky scrapers look like children’s toys, and witness beauty unlike anything you’ve ever seen. This is a trip not many foreigners will get to experience but it’s well worth the difficult journey for the once in a life time experience. #yunnan #Shangri-la #china #chinatravel
Nicholas Michael Soentgerath Balagezong Grand Canyon Park
Balagezong Grand Canyon park is located about 1.5-2 hours drive from Shangri-La, towards the north. The park contains some of the following scenic areas and attractions:
- Tibetan Cultural Experience Center
- Bala Village
- Echo Wall High-Altitude Glass Skywalk
- Shambara Natural Pagoda
- Gallery Road
- Bodhi Tree
Since the park is very big and steep, it is required to use the shuttle buses of the park to go from place to place.
The Tibetan Cultural Experience Center is actually a Tibetan Buddhist temple, which you can enter and even go up to the second floor.
The Bala Village does not seem to be a real village. It is a complex of buildings belonging to a hotel inside the park. In the village there are two restaurants, one is the hotel's, and a second one sells traditional Tibetan food.
The Echo Wall High-Altitude Glass Skywalk is reached after a relatively short hike along a path attached to the side of a cliff. From the skywalk you will be able to see a big part of the canyon. No one in the group that I traveled with attempted to shout in order to hear an echo. On the way back you can ride on a zipline for an extra fee.
To go to Shambara Natural Pagoda you have to pay an extra fee (I'm not sure if it's 75 or 100RMB). Since I chose not to go there, I'm not sure what there is to see. According to the pictures I saw, it is a mountain peak in the shape of a Pagoda.
The Gallery Road is a raised road along the river flowing in the canyon. The water there is crystal clear and flows rapidly. After walking about half an hour, you reach a boat house at the end of the road, where for an additional 100RMB you can choose to take a rubber boat back to the beginning of the gallery.
The Bodhi Tree is located near the parking lot of the park, outside the park entrance. It is an ancient holy tree (a few thousand years old) growing on a cliff wall.
The road to the park is beautiful, and I would consider it part of the attraction.
#China #shangrila #balagezong
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