How to Spend 4 Days in Shangri-La - A Complete Itinerary for Shangri-La

Day 1 | Morning

Pudacuo National Park

Opening Hours: Open from 8:30am-4:00pm

Ticket Price: 100 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 4-6 Hours

Location: Pudacuo National Park Scenic Spot, Hongpo Village, Shangri-La, Diqing, China (near Shuoduhu Road)

Located in the center of the Shangri-La Scenic Area, Pudacuo National Park is an important part of the world's natural heritage, called the Three Rivers Convergence. It consists of three parts, namely Bitahai, Shuduhu, and the Xiagei Folk Culture Village. The park has beautiful scenery, a well-preserved ecological environment, quiet and clear mountain lakes, vast pastures, wetlands filled with flowers and lush virgin forests. Every spring, the park is filled with blooming rhododendrons, while the Autumn brings with it the rich colors of changing leaves.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Jerry: I went there in winter, so the park was covered in snow. The temperature was good, little over 0 degrees Celsius. People were playing in the snow, and the animals seemed enjoy it as well.

Trip.com User: This park was so beautiful. I would go again if I could. If you have time, check it out!

Day 1 | Afternoon

Having the chance to enjoy the charming Pudacuo National Park, Tiger Leaping Gorge next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss!

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Opening Hours: Open from 8:00am-5:30pm

Ticket Price: 45 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1 Days

Location: Tiger Leaping Gorge(Hutiaoxia Town), Shangri-La County, Diqing Prefecture

Tiger Leaping Gorge is famous for its size. It is located in the eastern part of Hutiaoxia Town, Shangri-La County. It is divided into three sections: upper, middle and lower gorges, with a total length of about 20 kilometers. In the middle of the gorge is the Jinsha River. On both sides are the snow-capped mountains of Yulong and Haba. The narrowest part of the river is only twenty or thirty meters and with the huge drop, the river flows very rapidly! Tiger Leaping Gorge is also a world-renowned hiking resort visited by many outdoor enthusiasts every year.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: CATATAN : Sebenar nya utk rute terbaik dan paling bagus bisa sewa mobil ( sekitar 200CNY ) di QIAUTOU minta anter ke NAXI GH lalu mulai hiking ke TEA HORSE GH / HALF WAY GH bermalam dan lanjut besok menuju finish di TINA GH dan sore lanjut ke SHANGRILA / LIJIANG jam 3pm. Utk hiking dr QIAUTOU sampai NAXI GH itu trek sulit dan tidak terlalu bagus ( boleh di coret dr daftar , ini dari pengalaman saya yg sudah melalui semua trek).

Gaviota798: Tiger leaping Gorge has been one of my favorite places in this part of China. You are free to track and hike without having to walk a million steps. the Gorge itself was heavy with rain when we went. If you don’t want to do the link hike you can have one of the home-stays or hostels take you up and enjoy the quiet night stay. We did go summer of 2020 so few people were traveling.

Day 1 | Evening

Looking for a bed nearby after finishing your journey at Tiger Leaping Gorge? YOLO Guesthouse is one of your top choices.

YOLO Guesthouse

Day 2 | Morning

Balagezong Grand Canyon

Opening Hours: 8:00-19:00

Ticket Price: 170 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1 Days

Location: Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Shangri-La County, Nixi Township, Yunnan

Balagezong Grand Canyon offers breathtaking natural scenery. Here, you can visit the deep canyon, the awe-inspiring snowy mountains. You can choose to kayak in the valley, or visit the primitive, photogenic ancient Tibetan villages. You will also see a thousand-year Bodhi tree, the branch of which resembles human palms. It's quite fantastic. The naturally-formed Buddhist tower is also a special attraction in the park. You have to trek from the end of the Jiala village road in order to visit the Buddhist tower.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Wandering Laowai: It takes about 2 hours via bus to get to Balagezong from Shangrila. From there you buy your entrance ticket and hop onto a bus which winds throughout the canyon, stopping frequently at villages and lookout spots. There is no other way to travel throughout this area, so you stay with the same bus and group all day long. Fortunately there was none of the blaring microphones that you are used to hearing when you see similar groups. There was a guide who lead us around a few sections (sans microphone), but he only spoke Chinese. It takes the whole day but was very much worth it. We went in the middle of December and the views of snow capped mountains and the surrounding environment were gorgeous.

SJC1975: For mountain lovers this is a must visit location! We recommend you take your own car so you can drive yourself around the various locations without having to rely on the parks shuttle bus service. some amazing views and locations to visit inside the park. Stay two or more nights would be our recommendation depending on how much you love staying in the mountains. Would certainly come here again.

Day 2 | Afternoon

After finishing the tour at Balagezong Grand Canyon, you can head to Sungtseling, the most worth visiting place around the corner.

Sungtseling

Opening Hours: Open from 7:30am-7:00pm

Ticket Price: 90 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: No. 3, Niwang Road, Jiantang Town, Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Sungtseling—or Ganden Sumtseling Monastery—is also known Guihuasi (Temple of Returning to Norms). It is a large Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan and is also one of the centers of the Gelug (Yellow) School of Buddhism. Built in 1679, the temple was given its name by the fifth Lama. Sungtseling is built into, around and on the mountainside. As it looks similar to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, it is sometimes affectionately called the Little Potala Palace. Because of the temple's many cultural and religious treasures as used in Tibetan Buddhism, this site is absolutely worth a visit.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: The Songzanlin Temple is known as the "Little Potala Palace". The temple is built on the mountain and is very magnificent. The temple has a variety of colorful Tangka, gold and silver censers, Buddha Buddha, so that people's soul is quiet and peaceful.

Day 2 | Evening

Looking for a bed nearby after finishing your journey at Sungtseling? Clouds Glamping is one of your top choices.

Clouds Glamping

The Clouds Glamping is an ideal spot for travelers wanting to discover the city. Visitors to Shangri-La will find that the Clouds Glamping is a fantastic accommodation choice.

With multiple attractions nearby including Yunjie Gelanping Camping Site, Campnese梵塵·德拉露營地 and Habacun, guests will find plenty to keep themselves occupied.

This hotel makes a great place to kick back and relax after a long day of sightseeing. This Shangri-La hotel offers parking on site.

Our guests consider this hotel to have excellent service.

Day 3 | Morning

Shika Snow Mountain

Opening Hours: 8:00-16:10

Ticket Price: 220 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-4 Hours

Location: Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Shangri-La City Blue Moon Valley Shika Snow Mountain Scenic Area

Shika Snow Mountain is located in the southwest of Shangri-La County, about 7 kilometers from the county and adjacent to Napa Sea. In the local Tibetan language, Shika Snow Mountain means "mountain with red deer". Although it is called snow mountain, the rocks are exposed when the spring comes. In the lower mountains, the meadows are dense and the azaleas are in full bloom. It's pleasant to wander among there.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Misty: I have been to this place 4 years ago as a solo traveller, and would love to go back once travel restrictions are eased.

Hooooo: It was stunning! liked the top of the mountain and a small village in a valley.

Day 3 | Afternoon

Now we come to another great highlight in the city: Baishui Terrace.

Baishui Terrace

Opening Hours: 7:00-17:00

Ticket Price: 30 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: Baidi Village, Sanba Township, Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Baishui Terrace is located in Sanba Township, Shangri-La County and is the birthplace of Naxi Dongba teaching.According to legend, the gods of the Naxi people used to creat the terraces in order to let the local Naxi people learn how to cultivate the farmland. Therefore, the descendants were praised as the "fairy people".

Day 3 | Evening

For convenient access to more popular attractions, Hotel Indigo Diqing Moonlight City is the best places.

Hotel Indigo Diqing Moonlight City

The Hotel Indigo Diqing Moonlight City is a great choice for guests looking for accommodation in Shangri-La, having been recently opened in 2021.

Shangri La Airport is located approximately 7km away from this hotel. Famous local attractions Ancient City Tibetan Scripture Hall, Yueguang Plaza and Diqing Museum of the Red Army Long March, can all be reached with a short walk.

In their spare time, guests can explore the hotel's surroundings. This Shangri-La hotel features parking on site.

There's never a dull moment at this hotel, our guests indicate that the facilities are excellent. This hotel is particularly popular with those traveling with families.

Day 4 | Morning

Shudu Lake

Ticket Price: 40 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: Shudu Lake, Shangri-La, Deqen, China

Shudu Lake is located in the northeast of Shangri-La County, in the scenic area of Pudacuo National Park. On late autumn mornings, under the blue sky and white clouds, the water vapor on the surface of the Shudu Lake is condensed, with the mist swirling over the water's surface attracting countless photographers to view this wonder. On the shore of the lake is a grassland with beautiful scenery. The grassland has a walk along the lake where you can stroll along the boardwalk, take pictures, and enjoy the natural splendor.

Reviews from Real Guests:

JaceBG: Shudu Lake, on the north side of the park, is a 20-minute bus ride from the park entrance. Enjoy spectacular sceneries as you walk along the lake. This tranquil grassland features a number of interesting plant species, includingmushrooms, spruce trees, and wildflowers, making for an idyllic alpine scene.

LynnMaeyoga: beautiful lakeside trip to enjoy the view and nature

Day 4 | Afternoon

When time permits after visiting Shudu Lake, don’t forget pay a visit to Yila Prairie.

Yila Prairie

Opening Hours: Open from 8:00am-7:00pm

Ticket Price: 30 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: Shangri-La, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Located in the northwest of Shangri-La County, Yila Prairie is a beautiful prairie in the Shangri-La area. Yila, Tibetan means "Leopard Mountain", because the legendary Yila Prairie is located in the north of the Leopard Mountain is a "Shenshan", hence the name. Running on the vast grasslands makes people feel relaxed and happy. The Yila Prairie and Napa Sea are actually one and are a seasonal plateau wetland. Whenever the rainy season comes, many rivers such as the Milky River around Shangri-La are here, the water surface rises, and the grassland is submerged. At this time, it is called “Napa Sea”; when the rainy season passes, the water level drops, revealing a large wetland, which is called “ Yila Grassland."

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: There are many ways to get here without paying entrance fee. But you should just get into the main entrance. 100cny ticket including a horse riding tour. Quite fun actually. A half way stop to let you taking photo with the yak at 20cny. The yak owner was very enthusiastic at taking photos for you and instructing you how to pose :)) You can cosplay too (20cny). I love to ride electric bike here too. A short ride from the old town. You should try that instead of taking a cab

LynnMaeyoga: Tila Prairie is beautiful and open grasslands with horses. nature is better with horses.

Day 4 | Evening

Don’t forget to book Arro Khampa by Zinc Journey Shangri-La in advance, because all the tourists head to Yila Prairie love staying at it.

Arro Khampa by Zinc Journey Shangri-La

The Shangri-La Arro Khampa (Xianggelila Aruo Kangba'nansuoda Zhuangyuan) is a stunning Tibetan themed hotel just 5 km (3.1 mi) from Diqing Shangri-La Airport.Diners can enjoy eating at the barbecue, Chinese, Japanese, and Western restaurant facilities. A lobby bar, bar, and coffee shop are on site serving a selection of drinks. Room service is also an option.A business center and meeting rooms are available to those traveling on business.Guests can relax with a massage, or head to the hot spring, spa, or sauna. Other recreational activities include a gym, swimming pools, table tennis, pool, snooker, billiards, basketball, a library, tanning salon, game room, tennis, football, fishing, golf, hiking, skiing, as well as a nightclub and karaoke for guests in the mood for a livelier time. Free Wi-Fi in public areas as well as both free and charged parking are available at the Shangri-La hotel.

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.