Searching for the Mysterious Horizon - Snow Mountain Mystery (Includes Shangri-La Guide)

Number of days: 10 days
Time: January
Average cost: 4200 yuan
With whom: and friends
Updated: 2021.08.10

James Hilton once wrote of a distant land, atop snow-capped mountains, at the very bottom of the earth, a mysterious horizon. And above this horizon lies a mysterious treasure land. In this treasure land, Tibetans, Yi, Naxi, and countless other ethnic groups live. Yaks, elephants, and countless other animals thrive here. Yellow fruit, cordyceps, and a plethora of plants thrive here. Snow-capped mountains, lakes, and countless other beautiful sights await you here! Let's explore Yunnan—the mysterious land of Shangri-La~~~

Kunming

Having just arrived in Yunnan, with a layover in Kunming, I couldn't wait to reach Shangri-La before I was captivated by Kunming's Dianchi Lake. The entire embankment was filled with countless seagulls, bound for the Indian Ocean for the winter. Their flocks were as dense as stars and as swaying as autumn water. (I don’t want to write any more text, just post the pictures!)

Dianchi Lake

Lijiang

From Kunming to Lijiang, we were lucky enough to encounter colorful clouds (the only time during the entire trip, we came just for the colorful clouds and didn’t check the weather, it was cloudy all the time). We were also lucky enough to see Erhai Lake on the train!

Erhai Lake

Lijiang in the Snow

Lugu Lake

First Arrival at Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake Starry Sky

Lugu Lake Grass Sea

Lugu Lake Lige Peninsula

Lugu Lake Sunset

Shangri-La

Morning in Shangri-La

Napa Haitianxie cute little girl

Napa Seaview Scenic Area

On the way to the glacier

Balagzong

Balagzong Shangri-La Grand Canyon National Park

Sunrise at Meili Snow Mountain

Pictures of Meili Snow Mountain

Meili Snow Mountain

Note: The copyright of all videos or pictures in this article belongs to Tianxie Lao Wu or Da Ge! ! !

Travel Guide (Focused on Shangri-La)

Itinerary: Wuhan & Kunming & Lijiang & Lugu Lake & Lijiang & Shangri-La & Lijiang & Wuhan

Wuhan-Kunming: You can take a flight. Flights are relatively stable and inexpensive, costing around 300 RMB. You can stay overnight in Kunming and visit Dianchi Lake and Xishan Mountain. Dianchi Lake doesn't require an entrance fee, but Xishan Mountain does. Xishan Mountain is located next to Dianchi Lake. You can spend the morning viewing Dianchi Lake from Xishan Mountain, then visit the Seagull Dam in the afternoon to see the seagulls. Then, rest in the evening and head to Lijiang the next day.

Kunming-Lijiang: You can take the train or high-speed rail. Tickets are quite affordable, costing just over 100 RMB. You can see Erhai Lake along the way; from Lijiang Railway Station, you can see Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a great viewing point. Accommodation near the Old Town is recommended, costing around 50 RMB per person in the off-season, but prices are unlimited in the peak season. You can visit Lijiang Old Town and the "Thousands of Love" area. Avoid shopping in the Old Town, as it's quite expensive. If you're looking for souvenirs, consider buying them outside the Old Town, such as Dianhong tea and Pu'er tea. Lijiang's Yunnan cuisine is more suited to mainland Chinese tastes. If you're visiting Shangri-La, it's recommended to eat more. Yak beef is likely the most common item you'll see in Shangri-La, which many people find unfamiliar. Also, try Erkuai (rice cake) in Lijiang! Duration: About one day. Lijiang to Lugu Lake: There are two-day routes to Lugu Lake. The first route connects you with a flight from Kunming to Lugu Lake, while the second route goes from Lijiang to Lugu Lake. Each route has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your personal preference. The journey from Lijiang to Lugu Lake is around 100 yuan, so ask the innkeeper. Entry to Lugu Lake requires a 70 yuan entrance fee. It's best to book your homestay in advance to enter the scenic area. Ask the innkeeper online if you'll have a lake view; if not, you'll miss out on the stunning scenery. On the bus from Lijiang to Lugu Lake, the driver will try to sell you his chartered car service there. It costs around 500 yuan per day, offering a more flexible itinerary. Alternatively, you can take a tour bus, but you'll need to follow a car, which can be time-sensitive. Avoid the boat rides at Lugu Lake; they're expensive, lack the scenic value, and personally, I find them unsafe. Duration: Approximately two days. Lijiang to Shangri-La: Drink Rhodiola rosea for about a week before departure. The altitude is high, so altitude sickness is a possibility! You can take a bus or private car from Lijiang to Shangri-La, with prices roughly around 80 yuan per person. Chartering a car is recommended for Shangri-La, as attractions are scattered throughout the city, requiring half a day's drive to get from one to the next. Public transportation is also inconsistent throughout the day, making it inconvenient. Chartering a car in Shangri-La generally costs around 700-1000 yuan per day (for a seven-seater commercial vehicle). Please note that tickets to Shangri-La are very expensive. Some places and internal programs do not accept student ID cards. The ticket price for Shangri-La is about 700 yuan. This does not include internal programs, and some tickets require student ID cards.

Shangri-La: Shangri-La>Balagzon; In Balagzon, you must respect local customs and follow the tour bus. The ticket price includes the bus fee.

Visit duration: about four days

Note: It is best to transfer from Shangri-La to Lijiang, as the air ticket to Shangri-La is very expensive.

Budget: