8-day free tour to Shangri-La, Meili, Rizhao and Jinshan

Number of days：8 days
Time: October
Average cost: 6,000 yuan
With whom: and parents
Tour kinds：Free travel
Updated: 2023.12.12

Shangri-La, a place I've always dreamed of. Just before National Day, my yoga teacher told us he was going to Shangri-La and Meili. This news instantly ignited my dream of this elusive place, Shangri-La. I immediately searched online for a travel guide and booked a flight to Shangri-La for October 9th!

On October 9th, we flew to Kunming at 9:00 AM and then transferred to Diqing Shangri-La Airport. The transfer time was the shortest possible, at two hours. We arrived in Shangri-La at 4:00 PM. Shangri-La is approximately 3,200-3,300 meters above sea level. Worried about altitude sickness, after dinner, we went to the prayer wheels in Dukezong Ancient Town.

The prayer wheel is located at the top of a hill in the Big Buddha Temple, and you need to climb a flight of stairs to get there. As expected, climbing the stairs made me breathless. My mom said my lips were a little purple. It was also quite cold that day, so I guess I'm a bit uncomfortable and need to slowly adjust to the altitude. This prayer wheel is the largest in the world, and it takes more than 10 people to push it together to turn it.

On October 10th, I opted for a more relaxed itinerary, visiting Songzanlin Monastery. This temple, known as the "Little Potala Palace," is nestled against a mountainside, requiring a considerable climb, highlighting its grandeur. The temple's exterior is resplendent with golden jewels, and the towering Tibetan Buddhist halls, majestic and sacred, reach the sky. A visit can be completed in half a day. At noon, I returned to the ancient city for Tibetan hot pot and a tour. Then, back at the hotel, I made reservations for a visit to the Balagzong Grand Canyon the next day.

In the afternoon, we visited the Feilai Temple Observation Deck on Meili Snow Mountain to catch a glimpse of the snow-capped peaks. Unfortunately, the dense cloud cover only allowed a glimpse of the snowy peaks. After checking into the hotel, other guests mentioned a high probability of seeing the sun setting over the golden mountain the next day, raising our hopes, despite the rain forecast.

On the morning of October 14th, sunrise occurred at 7:22 AM. Since we had booked a hotel next to the Feilai Temple Observation Deck, we could directly view the snow-capped mountains from our own balcony. My mom woke up at six, ran out to the balcony, and then came back to tell me that the stars were shining brightly outside, with not a single cloud in sight. We'd have no problem seeing the Sun Shining over the Golden Mountains. I was instantly excited, opened the curtains, and started watching the snow-capped mountains. Downstairs, the Feilai Temple observation deck was buzzing with activity, and I rushed out to the balcony. The air outside was crisp and cool, and the Meili Snow Mountain was beginning to reveal itself in the morning light. Around seven o'clock, a ray of sunlight first illuminated the peak's peak, then gradually spread from top to bottom, like a golden mountain ignited by flames. Wow! It was my first time witnessing such a magnificent natural wonder, and I screamed with excitement. The crowd on the observation deck downstairs also erupted in excited screams. Thirteen peaks, like a continuous golden mountain range, shimmering with a dazzling golden glow! Sun Shining over the Golden Mountains! It's said that seeing them brings good luck for the whole year! We were so lucky!

October 15th was originally forecast to be sunny, and I was fantasizing about seeing the Rising Sun over Golden Mountain again. Unfortunately, the clouds gathered early in the morning, and I missed the chance to witness this amazing sight. So, not being able to see the Rising Sun over Golden Mountain is normal; otherwise, how could the Rising Sun over Golden Mountain be the dream of every traveler to Meili?

The Rising Sun over Golden Mountain brought our trip to Shangri-La to a perfect end!

We returned to Shanghai on October 16th.