A winter trip to Shangri-La: exploring the mysterious plateau sanctuary

Number of days：3 days
Time: January
Tour kinds: Photography, Free Travel, Weekend Tour
Updated: 2024.01.16

In this bustling world, people are always chasing a fast-paced life, but occasionally, we need a place to relax and unwind. Shangri-La, this mysterious place in northwestern Yunnan, is like a pure spiritual corner, awaiting those who yearn to escape the hustle and bustle and find inner peace and tranquility.

Stepping into Shangri-La is like entering a fairytale world. Shangri-La in winter is like a blue and white painting, attracting countless travelers with its unique charm.

Winter is the off-season for tourism in Shangri-La, and there are very few tourists in Napahai. Here, you can stroll along the path by the lake, feel the winter sunshine and breeze, and enjoy the tranquility. Along the coastal highway, you'll occasionally see sheep grazing happily. Yaks roam the roadside, enjoying the warm winter sun.

In the winter in Shangri-La Panahai, flocks of birds fly in the sky, some high, some low, some fast, some slow, forming a beautiful picture. You can take photos of flying birds to your heart's content here and record these beautiful moments. Bird lovers shouldn't miss this opportunity. There are also flocks of wild ducks in the lake, like little elves on the surface.

Dukezong Ancient Town

Located in the urban area of Shangri-La, Dukezong Ancient Town is a world-renowned historical and cultural site.

Entering this ancient city, one finds winding stone-paved alleys lined with well-preserved traditional Tibetan buildings, each exuding a rich, time-honored atmosphere.

Dukezong Ancient City was a key town on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road and the first stop for horse caravans entering Tibet. Through the comings and goings of merchants and travelers, it has witnessed a wealth of vicissitudes.

In Dukezong Ancient Town, you can also rent a set of your favorite Tibetan costumes for photos, which costs around 100 yuan, including makeup.

You can also see cute local children walking their dogs on the roadside, looking very free and easy. At the entrance to Guishan Park in Shangri-La, there's a large, crystal-clear pool, said to be fed by an ancient spring. Many families in the city once drew their drinking water from this pool. Guishan Park doesn't require admission and offers a great view of Shangri-La. The park comprises a prayer wheel, a large Buddha temple, a Han Temple, the Red Army Long March Museum, and the Diqing History Museum. Standing on the top of the mountain, you can see the smoke rising from cooking fires in the evening, offering a panoramic view of the entire city. Dukezong Monastery is one of the holiest sites of Tibetan Buddhism. I was unknowingly overwhelmed by the solemn and awe-inspiring atmosphere, as if I could feel the purification and transcendence of my soul.

Go up the mountain along the small path next to it, and you will see the White Pagoda standing on the top of the mountain. The buildings and sculptures inside and outside the temple showcase the essence of traditional Tibetan architecture and craftsmanship. The Tibetan architectural style, dominated by red, white and yellow, exudes a solemn and mysterious feeling.

This trip to Shangri-La happened to coincide with the mysterious Gedong Festival at Songzanlin Temple. The Gedong Festival is a grand celebration held from the 26th to the 29th day of the Tibetan calendar every year to pray for good weather and a good harvest in the coming year. Stepping into the square of Songzanlin Monastery feels like stepping back in time. Monks, dressed in splendid attire and wearing masks of gods and demons, dance, surrounded by Tibetans in a circle. The scene is truly spectacular. Walking down the long stairs and looking back at the top of the mountain was very shocking. The package ticket is 95 yuan (including the entrance fee of 55 yuan, the sightseeing bus of 20 yuan, and the explanation of 20 yuan). The latter two are optional, but the sightseeing bus is still recommended.
Transportation: Take bus No. 3 from the ancient city directly, which takes about half an hour.
TIPS:
1. Visit the main hall in a clockwise direction. Do not wear a hat or sunglasses.
2. No photography is allowed inside the hall.
3. The entrance stairs are very high, and climbing stairs on the plateau is quite tiring. It is not recommended on your first day in Shangri-La. It is relatively easy to go up the slope to the left of the entrance, circle around, and then descend the stairs.
4. There are many places to rent Tibetan clothing next to the bus. If you are interested, you can rent a set before entering the temple.

Pudacuo

In winter, Pudacuo National Park's snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, and forests create a breathtakingly beautiful landscape.

In winter, only Shudu Lake and Bitahai are open to the public. Shudu Lake is a must-see. The cabins along the plank road have a Nordic feel. Standing by the lake in winter, the lake surface is rich in layers, and the sunlight shines down, making it sparkle beautifully. The scenic area is 3,600 meters above sea level. It is recommended not to engage in strenuous exercise and bring a thermos to drink hot water. The lake was frozen over and the surrounding mountains were covered with snow, creating a picturesque scene. It takes about 4 hours to walk along the boardwalk along the lake, stopping here and there to play. Strolling along the lakeside and admiring the magnificent scenery of the snow-capped mountains reflected in the lake, it feels like entering a fairy-tale world. The ice crystals on the lake sparkled in the sunlight, like a dream.

The ice crystals on the lake sparkled in the sunlight, like a dream.

There is also a wind chime prayer corridor by the lake, where you can leave your good wishes on this holy land.

Balagzon

Balagzon was once a place that could not be found on any map of the world. Isolated from the outside world for more than 1,300 years, it is known as the ultimate secret realm of Shangri-La. This winter, I finally set foot in this mysterious place. You can buy round-trip bus tickets and entrance tickets at the Diqing Tourism Group Tourist Service Center in Dukezong Ancient Town. The journey takes about an hour.

After arriving at the scenic area, you need to take the scenic area bus. It is recommended to take it directly to the pagoda. To go to the Shambhala Pagoda, you need to buy a separate ticket for 75 yuan at the Echo Wall Scenic Spot. The scenic area has an altitude ranging from over 2,000 meters to 4,200 meters, with a huge difference in altitude. The scenery along the way is different. In winter, the snow-capped mountains, prayer flags, wastelands, canyons, and forests are enough to be described as magnificent.

The Shambhala Pagoda is always covered with snow in winter. You can see the Qudeng Sacred Mountain, which resembles a round pagoda. This natural pagoda is particularly stunning against the vast snow. The Shambhala Pagoda is located northeast of the sacred Balagzong Mountain. The naturally formed pyramid-shaped peak, covered in snow, stands majestically against the sky, resembling a seated lama chanting scriptures and an unfolded scripture. There are small wooden houses nearby, and covered in snow, it looks like a Nordic landscape. Afterwards, we descended the mountain to the Echo Wall, where the canyon scenery was spectacular. You can experience the thrill of ziplining in the canyon. There is also a cliff path on the cliff, which used to connect Upper Bara Village with Nagla Village upstream of the canyon. Here you can appreciate the pristine and pure natural scenery and feel the tranquility and peace of being one with nature.

Itinerary & Accommodation

Itinerary
DAY1: Napahai - Dukezong Ancient Town
DAY2: Pudacuo - Songzanlin Monastery
DAY: Balagzong
Accommodation: Shangri-La Paradise Shenchuan Hotel

The hotel has a Tibetan style and is very unique. It is not far from the airport and the ancient town, making it convenient for travel.

You can see the hotel pool from the room, which makes you feel like you are on vacation.

On this snowy plateau, we can not only appreciate magnificent scenery but also experience the rich Tibetan culture and time-honored history. Every place exudes a unique and captivating charm. Let us embark on this wonderful journey together and explore the beauty and mystery of winter Shangri-La!