Live Your Best Lives
Traveling is a relaxation of the body and mind, an exploration of the soul. In our busy lives, we need to give ourselves some time to find those beautiful scenery and feel those unique cultures. Shangri-La's name comes from James Hilton's novel "The Vanishing Horizon", which represents people's yearning and pursuit of a better life. This is a realistic version of "paradise on earth", with snow-capped mountains, meadows, lakes, and ancient cities...... The beauty you can imagine is here!
Back then, the ancient tea horse road was rugged and dangerous, and the secret paradise was out of reach for ordinary people. Although there is an airport in recent years, flights are often affected by the weather, and at the beginning of the year, Shangri-La transferred from Kunming, and because of Shangri-La's sudden heavy snowfall, the flight was canceled and had to drive 7 hours from Kunming. Now that the Shangri-La high-speed rail bullet train is open, it only takes 1.5 hours from Lijiang to Shangri-La, and the ancient tea horse road has added a new mode of transportation. This time we flew to Lijiang first, took the first high-speed train from Lijiang to Shangri-La, and then drove all the way back to Lijiang.
About the route:
Day1: EMU from Lijiang to Shangri-La, night tour of the ancient city of Dukezong.
Day2: Dukezong Ancient City - Napa Sea - Songzanlin Temple
Day3: Balagzong
Day4: Baishuitai - Haba Snow Mountain - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang Ancient City
DAY1:
had the honor to board the Fuxing train from Lijiang to Shangri-La on November 26, passing through meadows, forests, and lakes, from Yulong Snow Mountain to Meili Snow Mountain, in just an hour and a half. There is a new mode of transportation in and out of Shangri-La!
On the first high-speed rail bullet train, many Tibetans from Shangri-La were dressed in costumes, singing and dancing, and their joy was beyond words.
Arriving at Shangri-La Station, the beautiful local girl gave each passenger a special souvenir, a very memorable day. Diqing Prefecture has since completely ended the history of no railways and integrated into the national railway network. From Kunming and Dali Station to Shangri-La Station, it can be reached in 4 hours and 30 minutes and 3 hours and 58 minutes respectively, and the dream of high-speed rail traveling all over Yunnan is about to come true.
Dukezong Ancient City
Dukezong Ancient City is backed by snow-capped mountains and is the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential complex in China. It is less than 10 kilometers away from Shangri-La high-speed rail station.
The ancient city of Dukezong is an ancient city full of history and culture, which was once the hub of the ancient tea horse road. The buildings, streets, and customs all reveal the wisdom and emotions of the Tibetan people.
Thearchitectural style is unique, mostly Tibetan-style wooden buildings, bright colors, staggered, I strolled through the streets of the ancient city, feeling the historical atmosphere here.
At the center of the ancient city is a large Buddha temple, with a unique architectural style that incorporates cultural elements from Tibetan, Han, Naxi and other ethnic groups. The temple houses a huge golden Maitreya Buddha statue, which is 21 meters tall and solemn and sacred.Around the Buddha statue, there are many Tibetan believers praying devoutly.
Coming out of the Big Buddha Temple, I came to the commanding heights of the ancient city of Dukezong - Guishan Park. The night view is spectacular, and it is a great location for a panoramic view of the ancient city. Standing on the top of the park, you can see the buildings of the entire ancient city, staggered and layered. In the distance are rolling mountains, forming a beautiful picture with the ancient city.
golden prayer bucket that has entered the Guinness World Record is not to be missed, made of pure copper, tens of meters high, and requires more than a dozen people to turn at the same time.
As night fell, the ancient city of Dukezong was brightly lit. The night view of the ancient city has a unique flavor, with lanterns, lanterns, and neon lights decorating the ancient city gorgeous.
Rows of shops lined the stone road sell a variety of special goods, such as Tibetan silver jewelry, thangkas, Tibetan carpets, etc.
I walked into a Tibetan bar and the atmosphere was very welcoming. I ordered a glass of highland barley wine and sat in the corner quietly listening to the mesmerizing music.
DAY1:
Napa Sea
/>Early the next morning, we drove 30 minutes from the ancient city to the nearby Napa Sea, with beautiful lakes and mountains. The reflection of the snow-capped mountains, the breeze blowing, and the lake surface are filled with layers of waves, forming a beautiful picture that makes people feel like they are in a fairyland. 
The lake is a vast grassland with green grass and herds of cattle and sheep grazing leisurely on the grassland. I walked along the grassland, feeling the breath of nature, and felt particularly comfortable.
At the end of the grassland, there are mountain peaks with clouds and mist and snow-capped mountain tops. There is a high slope overlooking the panoramic view of the Napa Sea, and the lake and mountains are refreshing.
The wetland reserve of Napa Sea is home to many rare animals, including black-necked cranes, white swans, wild ducks, etc. in different seasons, you can see black-necked cranes, white swans, wild ducks, etc. playing by the lake, feeling the magic and beauty of nature.
Songzanlin Temple
Songzanlin Monastery, not far from the ancient city of Dukezong, is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan. Tibetan style, built on the mountain, layered on top of each other, like a golden castle, known as the "Little Potala Palace" of Shangri-La, and one of the thirteen forests in Tibet.
Regarding its history, it dates back to 1679 AD when it was called "Kadan Songtsenlin". Take a walk, learn about the culture and history, and feel the power of faith.
There are many exquisite murals and sculptures in the temple, which are the culmination of Tibetan plastic art, and the internal murals are very exquisite, and it is also known as the "Tibetan Art Museum". It has a great atmosphere and is well worth seeing. Ordinary people can also easily be infected by the charm of architecture, art and culture.
At Songzanlin Monastery, you can feel the strong Tibetan cultural atmosphere and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. When you come to Shangri-La, you must not miss it.
Check-in camera position:
Many young ladies and brothers change into Tibetan clothes, there are many camera seats, look for more, it is easy to take beautiful photos.
1. There is a white pagoda square on the way from the bus, where you can take a panoramic view of the entire temple.
2. At the foot of the mountain after entering, squat down and shoot on your back to take pictures of the steep trail and the building.
3. The yellow wall after reaching the top is suitable for taking portraits, and many people like it.
4. There is a sign for the best photo spot on the left turn of the yellow wall, just take a picture here.
5. The main entrance of the main hall, several windows and aisles on the white wall are very suitable for framing.
3. By the lake in front of the temple, you can take a panoramic view and reflection of the entire temple, and it is even better in the morning with morning fog.
Tips:
: Transportation: Very close to the ancient city, just take the bus if you are not in a hurry.
Tickets: The package includes tickets
for the shuttle bus, and you can also buy tickets separately with your ID card, and it takes about 15 minutes to walk in.
DAY3:
Balagzon
/>Balagzon on the third day is a very niche and mysterious attraction, but the view is spectacular! There are canyons, rivers, snow-capped mountains, grasslands...... You can also experience glass plank roads, rafting and other projects. Living in the scenic spot, I saw Rizhao Golden Mountain in the morning. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to drive from Songtsenlin Temple to Balagzong. 
Generally speaking, secret places are usually out of reach. The deepest part of Shangri-La, a place that was once not found on the map, with its spectacular canyons, crystal clear streams, ancient villages and bizarre geological wonders, today boasts a magical name - Balag Dzong.
Origin: Legend has it that the Snow Mountain of Gezong is the protector of Shangri-La, while the Balag Sect is a holy place that everyone yearns for but cannot reach, and has been isolated from the world for thousands of years. When he was young, he suffered an eye injury and had the opportunity to get out of the mountains for the first time, and after he became prosperous, he lost his family wealth and took a huge debt, and it took ten years to build this plateau sky, so that the world could see the true face of Balag Zongdian.
Explore the secret place:
Take a sightseeing bus up the mountain from the gate, and the winding mountain road with dozens of big bends in a row makes people feel the hardships of this project. The view from the air is quite shocking.
Recommended itinerary: Millennium Bodhi Tree - Echo Wall - Shambhala Pagoda (optional item) - Bala Village - Shangri-La Grand Canyon.
Shambhala Pagoda: The mountain is the tower, the tower is the mountain; Rock walls, pagodas, snow-capped mountains, wastelands, prayer flags, etc. are integrated into a paradise deep in the plateau at an altitude of 4,000 meters. After the heavy snow, it is even more silver-wrapped, which is particularly sacred.
Bala Village: A Tibetan village with a history of more than 1,300 years, surrounded by high mountains, retaining the traditional style of the ethnic group, and a small museum records the bits and pieces of the ancient tea horse road. The ghee dirty of "Hidden Mountain Muye" coffee is an Internet celebrity, and outside the window is the pagoda under the mountains, and a few kittens are leisurely. There are several hotels in the village, the best place to see the sunshine in the morning.
Shangri-La Grand Canyon: Steep landforms, huge drops, diverse ecology, naturally formed plateau canyons, is a gift from heaven to Balag Zong. Or hike along the boardwalk to see 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 gate welcomes guests, and after wind and rain, it is still vibrant, and the small trunk sproutes large branches and leaves, climbing a whole cliff wall.
Echo wall: The naturally formed huge mountain hollow is named after the loud echo, along the suspended plank road on the cliff wall, 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, you can also experience the zip line, flying on the top of the plateau.
In Balag Zong, you can feel the magnificence and mystery of nature, and you can also learn about the depth and colorfulness of ethnic minority cultures, and you might as well add this stop to your trip to Shangri-La.
Transportation & Tickets
It takes about 2 hours to drive from Dukezong Ancient City, the ticket is 170 yuan, and the online ticket is 165 yuan.
The package ticket is 225 yuan, including tickets and a bus from the ancient city of Dukezong to the scenic spot and a shuttle bus in the scenic area.
To go to the Shambhala Pagoda, you need to buy a separate ticket at the Echo Wall attraction for 75, which is highly recommended.
DAY4
whitewater platform
About 3 hours drive from Balagzon to Baishuitai, Baishuitai is a natural wonder formed by calcium carbonate dissolved in spring water, the white stone steps are layered, like a white terraced field, the water surface shines different colors under the sun, it is really like a fairyland, you can feel the magic and beauty of nature. Much like the landscape of Pamukkale in Turkey. Perfect for taking photos with a drone.
This is the birthplace of the Naxi Dongba religion and the holy place of the Naxi people, and every year on the eighth day of the second lunar month, the Naxi people will go to Baishuitai for sacrificial activities.
Baishuidai is a great place to take pictures, and it's best to have aerial photography to get a panoramic view. The bright clothes are more obvious in aerial photography, and the close-ups are smaller and fresher when taken lightly.
Tips:
Transportation: It is recommended to drive by yourself, two hours drive from the ancient city of Dukezong. There are also buses to reach.
Tickets: 30
: Many locals at the foot of the mountain pull horses to ride, 50 yuan to the top of the mountain, 10 yuan can only walk for five minutes. It's still a bit high to climb.
: If you have a drone, you must bring it, the scenery is completely different.
Be careful to take artificial trails and do not destroy natural stone steps.
Haba Snow Mountain
Baishuitai is only half an hour's drive from Haba Snow Mountain, and the snow-capped mountain at an altitude of 5396 meters is sacred and solemn from the observation deck. If you like the outdoors and have the courage to challenge yourself, you can try the hiking route, it will be a very memorable experience. Haba Village at the foot of the mountain is more primitive, where you can rest and eat.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
/>The last stop, Tiger Leaping Gorge, is one of the deepest canyons in the world, located in the upper reaches of the Jinsha River, named after the legend that a tiger once jumped over the river from a boulder in the middle of the canyon. When I came here this time, I didn't see the tiger, but I appreciated the magnificence and thrill of the Tiger Leaping Gorge. 
Tiger Leaping Gorge is located in Tiger Leaping Gorge Town, Shangri-La City, with a total length of about 20 kilometers, divided into upper, middle and lower sections, the peaks on both sides of the canyon are towering into the clouds, and the river water is rushing and roaring, which is very shocking. Among them, the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge is the most perilous.
The Tiger Leaping Gorge is just a viewing point, and it passes by in a hurry. The river winds along the mountain wall, and you can enjoy the flow of the river and the scenery of the canyon up close. The river rushed in the canyon, hitting the rocks and splashing countless splashes.
Shanghu Leaping Gorge is a paid scenic spot, and you can walk or take the elevator down to the river. When I came into close contact with the river, I was shocked by the sight in front of me. The water of the Jinsha River rushed down, hitting the boulders in the canyon, splashing and making a deafening sound. The river is very dark in color, showing a dark green color, as if a green ribbon is dancing in the canyon.
It is the narrowest part of the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge called "Tiger's Mouth", where the river is squeezed into a slender waterline and pours down from above the canyon. On one side of the waterline is a steep mountain wall, and on the other side is a bottomless canyon, which makes people feel terrified.
The roar of the river echoes in my ears, like a passionate symphony, making people feel the power and shock of nature.
It takes about two hours to drive back to Lijiang from Tiger Leaping Gorge, this high-speed rail + self-driving tour of Shangri-La and Lijiang, the time spent on the road is greatly reduced, and the travel experience is greatly improved. It's really good news for friends who have little vacation and are short on time.
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