Guishan Tortoise Hill in Shangri-La, Diqing
✨ Highlights
World’s Largest Prayer Wheel (世界最大转经筒)
Rising as tall as a 5-story building, this golden prayer wheel is decorated with the Four Bodhisattvas—Manjushri (文殊), Samantabhadra (普贤), Avalokitesvara (观音), and Kṣitigarbha (地藏)—as well as the Eight Auspicious Symbols. It usually requires over ten people to rotate it. Tradition says turning it clockwise three times brings blessings, good fortune, and peace.
Dafo Temple (大佛寺, also called Chaoyang Tower 朝阳楼)
The most iconic structure in Guishan Park and the largest in Dukezong Old Town (独克宗古城). As the highest point of Shangri-La (香格里拉), the tower offers sweeping views of the old town, Guihua Temple (归化寺), and the surrounding modern city.
Best Viewing Platform
The hilltop is the best spot to capture panoramic views of Dukezong Old Town (独克宗古城) and the distant snow-capped mountains.
📌 Basic Facts
Name: Guishan Park (龟山公园)
Location: Dukezong Old Town (独克宗古城), Shangri-La (香格里拉市), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province
Built: Kangxi Period, Qing Dynasty (清康熙年间)
Entrance Fee: Free
Suggested Visit Duration: 0.5–1 hour
Opening Hours: Open all day
🗺️ How to Get There
Guishan Park is located inside Dukezong Old Town (独克宗古城). Once you enter the old town, it’s just a short walk to the park.
📅 Best Time to Visit
Season: April to October is the most pleasant period. Mid-April is especially beautiful when peach blossoms bloom against a backdrop of snowy mountains and temples.
Time of Day: Visit at sunset for stunning golden-hour scenery and a chance to see both the old town at dusk and its night view. At night, the giant prayer wheel lit under the stars is especially spectacular.
📸 Photography Tips
From the hilltop, capture panoramic shots of Dukezong Old Town (独克宗古城) and the surrounding mountains.
Use the giant prayer wheel and Dafo Temple (大佛寺) as your main subjects, particularly striking when illuminated at night.
A wide-angle lens works best to capture the full scale of the prayer wheel.
🚶 Suggested Route
Start from Moonlight Square (月光广场) in Dukezong Old Town (独克宗古城).
Walk up the stone steps to Dafo Temple (大佛寺/朝阳楼) and climb the tower for panoramic views.
Continue to the World’s Largest Prayer Wheel (世界最大转经筒) and join locals in turning it clockwise.
End at the viewing platform for a breathtaking view of the old town and snow mountains.
On your way down, explore Moonlight Square (月光广场), Diqing Red Army Long March Museum (迪庆红军长征博物馆), and Diqing Museum (迪庆博物馆/迪庆藏族自治州民族博物馆).
⚠️ Travel Tips
Altitude: The park is at a high altitude, so climb slowly to avoid altitude sickness.
Sun Protection & Warmth: UV rays are strong at this elevation; bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Temperatures drop quickly after sunset, so bring warm clothes.
Respect Local Customs: Always rotate the prayer wheel clockwise.
Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes for climbing stone steps.
Combine Visits: Since Guishan Park is small, you can easily combine it with visits to the nearby museums and Dukezong Old Town (独克宗古城).
