Live Your Best Lives
Having traveled across half of China to reach Shangri-La, with no direct flights and an overnight layover in Kunming, the journey felt long and arduous. Stepping out of Shangri-La Airport, the high-altitude sky was a breathtaking blue, bathed in sunlight. Shangri-La has been imbued with countless dreamlike descriptions, a place close to the heavens, a dreamlike Eden, a utopia. Arriving here brings a profound sense of inner peace. After dropping off my luggage at the hotel, I headed to Dukezong Ancient Town. During the off-season, the area was sparsely populated, allowing for a leisurely stroll. I visited Guishan Park to admire the large prayer wheels. After climbing the steps until I was breathless, I paused to rest, smelling the faint scent of Tibetan incense on the wind and listening to the Tibetan folk songs. It was then that the feeling of being in a foreign land enveloped me. From the observation deck, I gazed down at the entire ancient town, the layers of blue-gray roofs stretching into the distance, the distant mountains already entering deep autumn. I came to attend the first world Shangri-La Cultural Tourism Festival. The grand celebration ceremony and the magnificent and wonderful ethnic culture unfolded before my eyes. The sounds of nature from the plateau and the dances full of vitality made me finally arrive at this dream place, the dreamlike Shangri-La.
After the celebration, we walked the Shangri-La Three Parallel Rivers Loop (Shangri-La-Weixi-Deqin).
The scenery along the way was breathtaking, with snow-capped mountains above and canyons below. We encountered the sky-high realm of Napahai, and the mist-shrouded Songzanlin Temple seemed like a miracle. We walked through the autumn of Baima Snow Mountain and stayed in the mysterious Balagzon Mountains. In a land steeped in ethnic culture, I wake in the morning to the aroma of burning cypress leaves and fall asleep at night beneath a brilliant starry sky. Along the way, I encounter parched river valleys, majestic glaciers, vibrant forests, and the Tibetan people, whose lives are filled with joy. Mules, horses, and yaks leisurely emerge from the towering mountains. The Merika Wagebo, silently watching, silently observing everything, cloaked beneath the clouds, is an inseparable presence for all living things. The vast world, the mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, every encounter in this world is a reunion with oneself. Because so many people say it's difficult to see the true beauty of Meili Snow Mountain, I had low expectations for my trip to Meili. It wasn't until I woke up in Deqin that all of the 13 peaks of Meili Snow Mountain appeared before my eyes. The sky was a deep blue, the air was crystal clear, and the mountains glowed, like a grand festival. The sudden surprise was completely unexpected. At the end of the year, I saw the golden peaks of Meili Snow Mountain in the sunlight. May good luck, health, and peace be with you.
Experience the traditional customs of the Naxi people
At the fog-top viewing platform
Songzanlin Temple seen from a distance
Passing by the skyscape of Napahai in autumn
Entering the secret realm of Balagzong
Itinerary and Notes
Day1 Arrive at Shangri-La - Check in at Hilton Shangri-La - Dukezong Ancient Town - Watch a performance at the Grand Theater
Day2 Shangri-La - Weixi (440 kilometers in total, 7 hours of driving)
Passing by Napahai, Songzanlin Temple, arriving at Tacheng, Tacheng rural tourism, The homestay is called Weixi Tianyu Tacheng Boutique Inn. Experience the folk customs of the Naxi people and go to Deqin. Arrive at Feilai Temple in the evening, check in Feilai Temple Hotel, and take pictures of the sunset scenery of Meili.
Day 3 Deqin-Balagzong (the whole journey is 140 kilometers, 3 hours' drive)
Get up early to take pictures of the magnificent scenery of the Meili Snow Mountain in the sun, and take pictures of the Baima Snow Mountain and the Jinsha River Bend on the way to the煐桑祭. We traveled to Balagezong and stayed at the Balagezong Miracle Hotel. We photographed the magnificent scenery of the Bala Grand Canyon, Mount Gezong, and other scenic spots. Dinner was held at the Balagezong Scenic Area.
Travel Tips
Due to the significant temperature difference between day and night, bring warm clothing.
The weather at high altitudes can be extremely volatile, with significant temperature swings between morning and evening. Check the weather forecast before heading out and bring warm clothing.
Adapting Your Body
Due to the thin oxygen content at high altitudes, I felt more fatigued. Upon arrival at high altitude, give yourself ample time to acclimate. Avoid rushing into strenuous exercise or climbing peaks. I took "Gaoyuan An" (Highland An) beforehand and took it for three consecutive days without any altitude sickness.
Replenish fluids and nutrients
The dry climate at high altitudes can easily lead to dehydration. Therefore, it's important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Also, moderate sodium intake can help balance electrolytes.
Always wear a hat and SPF 30+ sunscreen.
Moonlight City, Dukezong Ancient Town
Shangri-La's Moonlight City, Dukezong, a millennium-traveling ancient town recommended by China National Geographic, is known as the "sun and moon in one's heart." The name Dukezong comes from the Tang Dynasty Tubo Dynasty, which established a fort here and named it Dukezong. The Tibetan language means "Moonlight City" or "Castle built on stone," a poetic phrase. This ancient city, dating back over 1,300 years, was once a key point on the Tea-Horse Road. Even today, horse hoofprints can still be seen on the stone pavements, relics left by the caravans of long ago. Following these hoofprints, walk along the quiet stone pavements and listen to the echoes of the ancient city's rich history. The architectural layout of the ancient city resembles an eight-petaled lotus flower, with Moonlight Square at its center and quaint Tibetan wooden houses surrounding it. This is the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential complex in China, once serving as a gateway for cultural exchange between the Tibetan Plateau and Yunnan, and a nexus for economic and trade between the Sichuan-Tibet-Yunnan region. The devastating fire in Dukuzong on January 11, 2014, reduced many Tibetan residences to ruins. However, wandering through the area, one can still discern the ancient city's former splendor. Most of the houses in the ancient city have been converted into inns, restaurants and shops. The shops sell local specialties such as Tibetan knives, yak meat, Tibetan jewelry, etc. The restaurants mainly serve Sichuan and Tibetan cuisine, with yak beef hot pot, butter tea and a wide variety of local specialties. There are monks holding Buddhist beads and girls wearing Tibetan costumes taking photos.
【Tour Guide】
Address: Kangzhu Avenue, Shangri-La City, Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province
Transportation: Take Shangri-La Bus No. 14/3 to Jiantang Health Center Bus Stop, then walk about 400 meters to arrive
Navigation: Dukezong Ancient Town
Tickets: Free
Duration: 1-2 hours
Watching a play at the Shangri-La Grand Theatre
The five-chapter drama tells a story of fleeting time. A sixty-year-old man, humming an ancient ballad, loses himself in memories, following the thread of time, experiencing the haze of the old society and ushering in the dawn, recalling his past life as a dream.
Chapter One: "Dawn": In 1936, the 26th Red Army Corps skillfully crossed the Jinsha River and entered Diqing, winning the support and solidarity of the people of all ethnic groups in Diqing through concrete actions. From then on, the red spark ignited this land, sowed the seeds of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and the people of Diqing welcomed the dawn of the day.
Chapter 2 "Hope" In 1950, Diqing was peacefully liberated, the people became masters of their own destiny, and the people of all ethnic groups worked together and helped each other, jointly writing a chapter of earth-shaking development. The light of hope shines brightly.
Chapter 3 "Casting Dreams" Entering the new era, the people of all ethnic groups in Diqing overcame difficulties, lifted themselves out of poverty, and embarked on a new journey. The light of happiness shines brightly on the snow-capped plateau.
Epilogue: "Harmony and Beauty" When dreams become reality and new ideas lead a new journey, the people of all ethnic groups in the Snowland embrace each other like pomegranate seeds, working together in unity and striving for common prosperity and development. The world's "Shangri-La" will become even more dazzling in the process of modernization.
Shangri-La Three Parallel Rivers Loop
Spend three days walking the Shangri-La Three Parallel Rivers Loop. In 2003, the Three Parallel Rivers in the Hengduan Mountains of northwestern Yunnan were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. As you journey toward the Meili Snow Mountain, you'll experience the ruggedness of the dry and hot river valley, the beauty of the Lancang River, and the vibrant energy of the Baima Snow Mountain. It's in this transformation that you'll appreciate China's vastness and the magical charm of the plateau. The winding mountain roads and the majestic First Bend of the Lancang River add a touch of awe to this pilgrimage. More than 40 million years ago, the Indian subcontinent collided with the Eurasian plate, creating an alternating pattern of towering mountains and mighty rivers, forming the unique Jinsha, Lancang, Nu, and Dulong rivers, which flow parallel but never converge. The 170-kilometer-long natural wonder, with majestic snow-capped peaks, treacherous canyons and rapids, and beautiful forests and snowfields, has created a world of rich geology, biology, and climate, forming a canyon complex rarely seen in the world. Under the influence of flowing water and the earth, a unique vertical climate has been formed. The river valley is dry and hot, the mountains are lush and green, and the tops are covered with ice and snow. This is the vertical climate of the Three Parallel Rivers area. We arrived in Weixi at noon on the first day. Tacheng Town is like a paradise, located in the lush valley of the lower reaches of the Lapu River, a tributary of the Jinsha River. Houses of various ethnic groups are scattered among the fertile farmland. Eight ethnic groups, including Tibetan, Naxi, Lisu, Han, Yi, Bai, Pumi, and Hui, live together in harmony and prosper together on this quiet land.
Weixi Tianyu Tacheng Boutique Inn
We visited a homestay, which is located in the heart of the Three Parallel Rivers, facing the rice fields and backed by the Naxi sacred mountain. From the inn, we slowly went up the mountain along the country road. There were green barley fields interspersed among the walnut and chestnut forests. Simple villages were embedded in the forest, with smoke rising from the sky. The Lapu River meandered not far away. Nearby are the Yunnan Golden Monkey National Park and Bodhidharma Cave.
Address: Jiamuke Village, Tacheng Town, Weixi Lisu Autonomous County, Diqing Prefecture
Facilities: Comfortable guest rooms, Sunshine Ancient Tree Restaurant, cafe, book bar, Lapu Fire Pit Wine, chess and card activity room, self-service kitchen, tree house slide, children's rock climbing, parent-child camp, Sky Realm Infinity Pool, inner courtyard
Fee: 300 yuan per person
Experience Naxi folk culture
The shawl also has two long straps embroidered with a white background sewn on the upper end of the sheepskin. When wearing the shawl, the straps should be crossed in front of the chest, then wrapped around the back and tied tightly to the lower end of the sheepskin behind the waist. The naturally hanging ends of the straps are embroidered with patterns such as conch, water waves, lanterns, bees, and butterflies, symbolizing the virtue of the Naxi people to work day and night.
Watch the Naxi uncle rolling incense, make glutinous rice cakes with the grandmother, and have lunch with local bacon, blood sausage, stewed chicken soup, and wild mushrooms... The warm sun makes you feel warm. Cheers to the magical land of Yunnan with a glass of high-proof barley wine.
【Tour Guide】
📍Address: Hexuezhi Folk Culture Experience Hall
🗺️Next to the stadium of Qibie Village Committee, Tacheng Town, Weixi County
Meili Snow Mountain in the Sunlight
I bought hot coffee at the mobile coffee cart, looked at the mountain village in the distance, the isolated mountains, and the wind howling at dusk. Sitting on a camping chair, this moment is the ultimate enjoyment.
A must-do on the second day: wait for the sun to shine upon the Meili Snow Mountain.
You don't have to get up early to visit the Wunongding Observation Deck; you can see the Meili Snow Mountain from the rooftops of all the hotels and guesthouses in the area. By 6 a.m. the next morning, the rooftop of our hotel was already packed with people, and we hadn't expected to see such a saturated and visible view of the golden mountain. By daybreak, we walked to the observation deck, where it was already packed with people. Local children, curious, came running to ask for photos. Under the gaze of the sacred mountain, the morning began with such a lively atmosphere. Kawagebo Peak, the main peak of Meili Snow Mountain, stands at 6,740 meters, the highest peak in Yunnan. It remains unconquered by climbers and is the only peak prohibited for climbing due to cultural protection. Anyone who has done their homework will have heard of the mountain disaster that occurred there. After the Sino-Japanese joint mountaineering team's mountain accident, rumors circulated among the people that Kawagebo happened to be in Tibet to hold a mountain god meeting. When he came back and saw the climbers, he was furious and buried them. After that, all kinds of strange things happened, including villagers getting sick, livestock dying, mudslides and avalanches, which were all punishments from Kawagebo. It may sound overly superstitious, but who can explain the power of nature beyond science? With awe and the attitude of "better to believe than not to believe," Kobayashi Naorei of Beijing University's Department of Mountain Studies continued to try to understand what had happened. He visited Meili Snow Mountain again in 1996, lived in a village at the foot of the mountain, and wrote the book "Meili Snow Mountain." "Kawagbo embraces a complete world. The monsoon is blocked by the peaks, resulting in heavy snowfall, which in turn gave birth to glaciers and forests. Thanks to the nourishment of this glacial water and forests, people in arid areas can survive and reproduce. All living things here exist under the protection of Kawagebo."
【Tour Guide】
📍Address: National Highway 214, Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, use the navigation to Wunongding.
🚘Transportation: Self-driving is recommended, and free parking is available at the viewing platform.
There are two main viewing platforms for viewing Meili Snow Mountain, one is Wunongding Viewing Platform and the other is Feilaisi Viewing Platform. The Wunongding Observation Deck, also known as the Thirteen White Pagodas Welcoming Deck, is located in Wunongding Village, hence its name. The view of Meili Snow Mountain from this spot is even more majestic, offering a wealth of photo opportunities.
Autumn in Baima Snow Mountain
Autumn rubs away the old leaves. Do you want to hear new stories? The quiet river opens its eyes and smiles, saying: There are always people returning home, and there are always ships leaving the shore. ——Jian Ying, "Floating Boat"
After bidding farewell to Meili Snow Mountain, we soon entered another autumn secret—the Baima Snow Mountain.
Located in the middle section of the Hengduan Mountains, the Baima Snow Mountain forms the watershed between the Lancang and Jinsha Rivers. It lies at the junction of Yunnan, Tibet, and Sichuan. In late autumn, the alpine coniferous forests of the primeval forests turn golden, with countless fallen pine needles piled like a carpet. Tall, straight pine trees stand densely on the cliffs, their shimmering golden light expanding like waves, surging from high to low. Against the backdrop of the plateau's pristine blue sky, clear sunshine, and pristine white snow, the vibrant colors of the forests radiate – this is the true essence of autumn!
[Visit Guide]
📆Autumn view of Baima Snow Mountain: mid-October to early December
🚘Route: Depart from Deqin, take National Highway 214 (now Provincial Highway 236)
🗺️Route: From the top of Meili Snow Mountain in Wunong Peak to Baima Snow Mountain Pass, continue along the mountain road, about a 40-minute drive
🏔️Altitude: Baima Snow Mountain Pass 4294 meters
⚠️Tips: The scenery was so beautiful and we were so excited that we ran and jumped to take pictures after getting off the car. It was so funny that we had to take so many pictures that we all had to breathe oxygen after getting back on the car. Please note that you should exercise less at high altitudes
Sacred Mountain Balagezong
"We're finally here! We're at Balagezong!"
Our bus guide, Luosang, asked everyone to get off the bus, pick up their luggage, and prepare to transfer. Once inside the Balagezong scenic area, we took an internal bus for nearly an hour, spending the night in Bala Village.
Balagezong, this magical place, in addition to its unique natural landscape, is full of religious colors, with the Buddha's hand reaching out from the Bodhi tree, a naturally formed white pagoda sacred mountain... and there is also the magical figure Snadingzhu who seems to be the chosen son of God and a hero in the eyes of the locals. On the bus, the tour guide played an interview from "The Reader" for everyone, letting us know that there is such a touching story here...
Get to know Snadingzhu
Snadingzhu is the founder of the Balagezong Scenic Area. He is a hero who changed the fate of Bala Village for 1,300 years. Bala Village was once almost isolated from the outside world. The only access to the outside world was a 30-kilometer-long horse and man post road built in 1979. It took more than four days to walk from the village to Shangri-La County. When the young Sina Dingzhu worked as a blacksmith's helper, a spark unfortunately flew into his eye. The harsh environment delayed the best time for treatment, causing him to lose the sight in one eye. This made him determined to build roads in the future. At the age of 13, Si Nadingzhu left his hometown and ventured to Guangzhou. The opportunities of reform and opening up, coupled with his innate business acumen, enabled him to rapidly accumulate wealth. He opened the first hardware and machinery store and shabu-shabu hotpot restaurant in Diqing Prefecture, becoming a renowned local multi-millionaire. In 2004, Sina Dingzhu resolved to use his savings to build a highway. His tens of millions in assets turned into hundreds of millions in debt. Over 10 years, he built a 6.5-meter-wide, 35-kilometer-long asphalt road through the cliffs of his hometown, transforming it into the Balagzong National Park. Building a highway is no easy feat for a single individual. After overcoming countless difficulties and dangers, he faced repeated trials and tribulations. In 2013, a series of earthquakes completely destroyed the highway Sina Dingzhu had painstakingly built, causing heavy losses to the scenic area and trapping hundreds of district employees in a canyon. He acknowledged that difficulties are temporary; proactive responses will usher in hope. Si Nadingzhu's perseverance, tenacity, and hard work have been recognized by society and he has received numerous awards. He proudly stated that villagers' annual incomes have gone from 1,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan. Life has truly improved! It's a pity his father didn't get to see it. A documentary that brought tears to my eyes, a tribute to this remarkable man, made me feel that the entrance fee was worth it.
Must-see attraction in Balagzong
Entrance fee: 170 yuan
Millennium-old Bodhi tree
A bodhi tree stands tall on a cliff face in the Balagzong scenic area, its trunk seemingly clinging to the cliff face. Its branches and leaves, like a phoenix's tail, stretch across the cliff face, covering nearly 400 square meters of rock face. This bodhi tree nestles tightly against the cliff face of Balagzong. This thousand-year-old phoenix bodhi tree is the symbol and guardian of Balagzong.
What's even more amazing is that a "hand" grows from the waist of the tree and stretches into the rock crevice. The branches are like arms and the branches are like fingers. The "five fingers" are exactly the same, and the length is also natural, very similar to the hand. The surface is dark brown, like an old man who has gone through vicissitudes of life. The "Bodhi Buddha Hand" is respected by people who come to worship as the divine hand that heals pain and suffering. Eminent monks often come to meditate. Has the power to attract wealth
Shambhala Pagoda
The mountain in the scenic area resembles a round pagoda, so people also call this naturally formed pagoda a "natural pagoda" and is one of the main landscapes in the scenic area. Shambhala Pagoda is located in the northeast of Gezong Snow Mountain. Its mouth is 4,250 meters above sea level. The natural pyramid-shaped peak is covered with white snow and stands majestically in the sky. Next to it are the "Lama Squatting Statue" and the "Sutra Statue". These three peaks are known as the Three Treasures of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. They are the sky-limited pagodas predicted by the Buddha Sakyamuni after he became a Buddha. They are also spiritual mountains that can eliminate people's own turbidity and evil obstacles.
According to Buddhist scriptures, the Shambhala Pagoda is an ideal holy place for all living beings in the world and the Kunshan Mountains in Tibetan areas to unite to the Dharma. It is also the place where Dharma meetings are held on the Godly Mountains. The Shambhala Pagoda is the world's unique mysterious and holy natural Pagoda recorded in the Tripitaka, a supreme Tibetan secret realm, and a spiritual sacred mountain Pagoda where humans and gods can communicate.
Bandanlam Holy Mountain
Altitude: 2400M
Recommended tour duration: 15 minutes
The road from the canyon to Bala Village is a veritable sky road. On the way, you will pass the Bandanlam Observation Deck. From the observation deck, you can have a panoramic view of the entire canyon and the towering Bandanlam Holy Mountain.
Echoing Wall
The glass platform with a drop of 700m, stepping on the cliff, and the even more frightening hollow plank road, it has a strong sense of experience and is very fun to go with a group of people. When there are few people, you can lie down and take photos with the snow-capped mountains and rivers.
You need to spend 1 to purchase environmentally friendly shoe covers
Cliff zipline 💰120 Experience the feeling of weightlessness at high altitude in the abyss.
Shangri-La Grand Canyon
Kayak Rafting Project 120
The Grand Canyon has a hiking plank road. The whole journey takes 2 hours. If you have enough time, you can complete the entire journey. The rafting will not be very intense. It is very slowly driving on the clear green water, with cliffs on both sides. At this moment, I want to say, "The apes on both sides of the bank can't stop crying, and the boat has passed the Ten Thousand Mountains."
Balagezong Snow Mountain Cliff Miracle Hotel
Sina Dingzhu is a high-end Buddhist culture-themed hotel. It is a very shocking hotel, located halfway up the mountain. If you come in late September, it will be surrounded by snowy mountains. The room is very big, and the staff who got off the bus presented Hada. The hotel is in Bala Village. You can go to the village for a stroll through the door. The mountain spring flows along the village and it is very quiet at night.
Price: 500 per person in the off-season
Hotel package: includes 1 ticket for two people to the Balagezong Scenic Area + 1 ticket for the kilometer-high glass plank road + 1 ticket for one person to the thrilling zip line or the kilometer-high canyon rafting + 1 Tibetan Buddhist incense burning platform to pray and hang prayer flags
Meals: Hot pot at the hotel for dinner, and a very rich breakfast
The little brothers sang for us
After the meal, all the staff sang and danced around the campfire
The sky was already full of stars on the way back to the room
Bala Village
A Tibetan tribe with an ancient civilization of more than 1,700 years is located on the mountainside at an altitude of 2,900 meters under the Gezong Snow Mountain. It has a simple and peaceful paradise, with mountain springs rushing down, and the snow-capped mountains in the distance are shrouded in clouds and mist, making them even more mysterious and magnificent. I closed my eyes, with the sun shining on my face and the breeze blowing gently. I felt the gifts of nature and the power of life flowing here.
Yinshan Muye Coffee
I can drink a very special ghee dirty. It tastes great. Everyone praised it and the taste is super good.
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