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Located in the intersection of Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan, Shangri-La is the "Eden in dream". Since it first appeared in British novelist James Hilton's Lost Horizon in the 1939, it has been associated with the mystique of a place which could not possibly exist here on Earth. There are the lofty and continuous snowy mountains, endless grasslands, steep and grand gorges, azure lakes and the bucolic villages always leave a deep impression on visitors.
Shangri-La, formerly known as Zhongdian, is located at an altitude of 3,450 meters in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest Yunnan Province. Situated about 200 km from Lijiang (approximately 4 hours' drive), Shangri-La is a place where spirituality, scenic beauty, and Tibetan culture converge.
Highlights of Shangri-La
▪ Natural Sceneries: Due to the special geographic position, the natural sceneries are abundant, such as, Tiger Leaping Gorge(虎跳峡), Haba Snow Mountain (哈巴雪山), Pudacuo National Park (普达措国家公园)。
▪ Ideal Place for Adventure Tour: Shangri-La is an ideal destination for whom love climbing and hiking. As for hikers, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Haba Snow Mountain may be tourists' best choice.
▪ Minority Culture: The main minority ethnic group in Shangri-La is Tibetan, in addition to Han, Naxi, Yi, Bai, Dai, Zhuang, Miao, Hui, Lisu, Lahu, Wa, Yao, Jingpo, Blang, etc.
Why Visit Shangri-La?
1. Earthly Paradise in Lost Horizon
Shangri-La is often referred to as the “Earthly Paradise”, evoking the mythical land from James Hilton's novel "Lost Horizon." The region's clear air, blue skies, and breathtaking landscapes make it an ideal escape. Visitors are drawn not only by the natural beauty but also by the warmth of the Tibetan people and the serene atmosphere of the area.
2. Tibetan Monasteries, Villages & Ancient Towns
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Dukezong Old Town: A 1,300-year-old town that preserves ancient Tibetan culture and architecture, making it a must-see for history lovers.
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Tibetan Monasteries: Visit Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, or explore smaller monasteries scattered throughout the region.
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Tibetan Villages: Immerse yourself in the authentic life of the Tibetan people, where traditions and customs are passed down through generations.
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Pastoral Landscapes & Emerald Lakes: Shangri-La's green pastures and emerald lakes create a stunning environment, perfect for peaceful exploration and spiritual reflection.
3. Stunning Natural Beauty
Shangri-La is nestled in the "Parallel of Three Rivers" region, where the Nu, Jinsha, and Lancang Rivers converge. The area is dotted with majestic snow-capped mountains like Meili Snow Mountain, Baima Snow Mountain, and Haba Snow Mountain—making it a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers.
Overview
Shangri-La is the "Eden in dream". Since it first appeared in British novelist James Hilton's Lost Horizon in the 1939, it has been associated with the mystique of a place which could not possibly exist here on Earth. In Tibetan, Shangri-La means the "sun and moon in heart", an ideal home only found in heaven. There are the lofty and continuous snowy mountains, endless grasslands, steep and grand gorges, azure lakes and the bucolic villages always leave a deep impression on visitors. As a Chinese saying goes, "The earliest sunrise is seen in Shangri-La; and the most unique place is also there". Once you visit, you will fully appreciate the meaning of this saying.
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Attractions
Shangri-La is depicted as "Eden in dream" by British novelist James Hilton's Lost Horizon in the 1939, a famous area with numerous natural landscapes and unique Tibetan customs. The attractions listed below cover the top tourist spots in Shangri-La: the fabulous natural beauty of plateau, the sacred Songzanlin Lamasery, the magnificent Meli Snow Mountain, the unique terrace in Baishuitai, the Naxi black Pottery Village villages, the splendid Tiger Leaping Gorge and the peaceful Shudu Lakes. If you want to experience unique Tibetan customs and appreciate the wonderful natural landscapes, you can check the attractions first as to plan your trip better.
Read MoreClimate
Climate
Read MoreTransportation
Located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, Shangri-la has an average altitude of 10,761 ft (3,280 m). The special location makes its transportation different from other areas in China. The only airport in this area, Diqing Airport, operates limited flights every day. No rail line leads to this area yet. However, the Lijiang-Shangri-la rail route is under construction and is expected to operate in six years. Buses are the most common transport means in and around this area. Aside from buses, taxis, chartered cars and horse rides are widely used by local people and visitors.
Read MoreTravel Tips
‣ Best Time to Visit Shangri-La
Read MoreMaps
To have better understanding about Yunnan Shangri-La (Zhongdian)’s location, attractions and transportation, you can check our detailed maps: Map of Shangri-La City, Map of Shangri-La Attractions, Map of Shangri-La Tour Routes, Map of Shangri-La Transportation, Map of Shangri-La Location, Map of Meli Snow Mountains and Pudacuo National Park.
Read MoreAccommodation
The mystical Shangri-La offers various hotels from 5-star luxury to the budget. Most of them are constructed in Tibetan-style providing you very cozy and unforgettable stay. No matter you want to stroll in Shangri-La downtown, or extend to Deqin County to explore Meili Snow Mountain, you always get the right hotel to stay! Yunnan Exploration will provide the best service for you.
Read MoreDining
Shangri-La's population is formed largely of Tibetans together with many ethnic minorities. This creates a opportunity to be immersed in beautiful scenery while enjoying local food and drinks, Tibetan Cake (sweet and crisp), Zanba, Pipa Meat, Saimi Lamb ,Guoben Hot Pot, butter tea, yogurt, and Suolima (a kind of Tibetan Liquor brewed with the highland barley) are the most popular. Zanba is the Tibetans' staple food, made from highland barley flour. Usually, the locals like to eat Zanba with buttered tea. Buttered tea is high in energy providing sustenance from the cold plateau climate. Pipa Meat, a non-greasy preserved form of pork is a delicious food usually kept for entertaining guests.
Read MoreCulture
Shangri-La is inhabited by many different ethnic groups, with the Tibetans comprising the majority of the population. There is inhabited by almost 13 different ethnic groups, such as Tibetans, Naxi, Yi , Bai, Hui, with the Tibetans formed the majority of the population. All the minorities keep their own unique customs, traditions and architecture styles which make the Shangri-La a picturesque villages. There you will have an opportunity to experience Tibetan life and learn about their lifestyle, religion and cuisine. The unique scenery, highlighted by plateaus, together with the fascinating ethnic culture makes Shangri-La very attractive and charming to visit.
Read MorePhotos
Shangri-La is depicted as "Eden in dream" by British novelist James Hilton's Lost Horizon in the 1939, a famous area with numerous natural landscapes and unique Tibetan customs. The attractions listed below cover the top tourist spots in Shangri-La: the fabulous natural beauty of plateau, the sacred Songzanlin Lamasery, the magnificent Meli Snow Mountain, the unique terrace in Baishuitai, the Naxi black Pottery Village villages, the splendid Tiger Leaping Gorge and the peaceful Shudu Lakes. If you want to experience unique Tibetan customs and appreciate the wonderful natural landscapes. Want to know more about Shangri-La, please check the photos.
Read MoreShopping
Shangri-La is a mountain paradise, with dense forests, alpine lakes, grasslands, and gorges distributed among the meadows and plains. It is abundant with various herbs. There are some typical local products in Shangri-La that you can take. So when travel to Shangri-La City, visitors can buy some medicinal herbs at local shops.
Read MoreEducation
Compared with other cities in Yunnan, the education in Shangri-La City is not very good. The schools in Shangri-La City are limited to kindergartens, middle schools.
Read MoreAdministrative Divisions
In 1996, the government of Yunnan Province of China set up an investigation group to do a research on the Shangri-La topic. They had a conclusion after a year of hard work. Until 2014, Shangri-La City has 4 towns: Jiantang Town (建塘镇), Xiaozhongdian Town(小中甸镇), Hutiaoxia Town(虎跳峡镇), Jinshajiang Town(金沙江镇).
Read MoreLocation Infomation
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