Things to do in Shangri-La

We were picked up by a private car, and the place felt like a self-entertaining hot pot restaurant; it was packed. There were local performances to watch, and the host was quite humorous. They gave us hada (ceremonial scarves) at the entrance, and the recommended butter tea was delicious.

The horseback riding experience on the grassland was quite cost-effective. We rode for almost an hour, with someone leading the horses. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Napa Sea Grassland, and the children had a great time.

I was fortunate enough to see Meili Snow Mountain and the three sacred mountains of Daocheng Yading. The guides were all very professional. I am quite heavy, and the guides accompanied me the whole way, helping me on some of the more dangerous sections. My teammates also encouraged me the whole time, which helped me complete my first high-altitude trek. I am really grateful to the guides!

In late April and early May, the moss and grass aren't very green yet, the lake is beautiful, and the weather is unpredictable, offering a taste of all four seasons. It can rain one minute, then be sunny the next; clouds drift across the mountainside, then disperse to reveal snow-capped peaks. Remember to bring a raincoat. There are rockfalls on the road from Shangri-La, and snow accumulation on the mountains. Drive carefully near tunnels as there may be ice on the road.

- Magnificent Natural Landscape: Haba Snow Mountain's main peak, at 5396 meters, is the fourth highest peak in Yunnan Province. Its summit is perpetually snow-capped, its peak towering and majestic. It boasts my country's southernmost maritime temperate glacier and preserves ancient glacial relics such as horn peaks, arêtes, and U-shaped valleys. Furthermore, the mountain features numerous moraine lakes, such as the Black Sea and the Round Sea, offering captivating scenery. - Abundant Ecological Resources: Located in the heart of the "Three Parallel Rivers" World Natural Heritage site, Haba Snow Mountain experiences significant altitude variations, resulting in seven vertical climate zones and a typical vertical vegetation landscape. This has fostered a rich diversity of biodiversity, including 102 species of mammals, 1125 species of vascular plants, 186 species of birds, and many rare and endangered species.

Visited the Dafo Temple and the giant prayer wheel there is seriously impressive! Spinning it with the locals felt really calming and special. Plus, the view from the top is amazing🥺 you can see all of Shangri-La! It's a peaceful and meaningful stop for sure 🩵

At the end of Dukezong Ancient Town in Shangri-La is Moonlight Square. The hill to the east of the square is the famous Guishan Park in Shangri-La. The park consists of buildings such as prayer wheels, Big Buddha Temple (Chaoyang Tower), Han Temple, Red Army Long March Museum and Diqing History Museum. Standing on Guishan Park, you can look up and see the majestic and endless snow-capped mountains, which is very spectacular. Looking down, you can see the whole city of Shangri-La. There are no high-rise buildings here. The smoke from the city and the shimmering water of Qinglongtan can be seen in full view.

Entering Shangri-La and reaching the plateau dam area, Xiaozhongdian is a village with an altitude of 3,500 meters. The terrain is suddenly open and the scenery is magnificent. Meadows, flower clusters, barley racks, yaks are constantly passing by on both sides of the road... Unfortunately, the time was short and I was unable to taste real barley wine, tsampa, and butter tea, experience the Tibetan dwellings and customs with earth and wood planks, watch the ferocious "Eastern Divine Dog" Tibetan Mastiff like a lion, and experience the processing of the Kawa and Kazhu Tibetan knives that can cut through iron.

长江第一湾位于香格里拉与丽江之间，海拔1850米，万里长江从“世界屋缘”青藏高原奔腾而下，从巴塘县境内进入云南境内，与澜仓江您江一起在横断的高山深谷中穿行。到了中甸先得沙松碧村突然来了个100多度的急转弯，转向东北，形成了罕见的V字型大弯，“江流到此成逆转，奔入中原壮大观”，人们称这天下奇观为“回长江第一湾”。这是大自然赋予人类的一块现宝。而根据季节和天气的不同，美丽的长江第一湾时而秀丽，时而壮观，形成了四季不同的景色。最佳观景点：长江第一湾观景台主要分布在丽江市玉龙纳西族自治县◎石鼓镇，最佳观景点需登高俯瞰，包括收费观景台、免费徒步路线及山顶平台等多种选择。

"Altay" in Yunnan ——Laoyao Mountain Between the mountains, from low peaks to high mountains There is another niche secret place in Yunnan that is worth visiting You have your Altay, I have my Laoyao Mountain Although Laoyao Mountain is not well-known, but its beauty and mystery are unforgettable. There are dense primeval forests, clear streams and steep peaks here, forming a beautiful natural picture. During the hike, the whole journey is full of beautiful alpine meadows, the towering snow-capped mountains stand in the distance, alpine rhododendrons and cattle, sheep and horses dotted in between. Mysterious Forest Laoyao Mountain, if you are an outdoor enthusiast, Laoyao Mountain is definitely a place not to be missed. The terrain here is diverse, with both flat grasslands and slightly steep mountain roads. This is an extremely leisure route. The primeval forest on the top of the mountain is towering, and you can overlook Haba Snow Mountain and Yulong Snow Mountain from a distance, which can satisfy your dreams of grassland, pasture, forest and snow-capped mountains at the same time! Travel guide—— Depart from Lijiang or Shangri-La at around 8 am, take a car to the hiking starting point of Laoyao Mountain, and hike to Laoyao Mountain. This route is relatively easy, and you can take photos and check in while walking. It takes about three to four kilometers from the hiking starting point to the top of the mountain. You can see the snow-capped mountains, meadows, forests, wooden houses, and fences. Laoyao Mountain is very small and there are few people hiking. The temperature difference in the mountain is very large, so you can see different scenery every day. At around 4:30 pm, go down the mountain to Tiger Leaping Gorge Town to check in. Hiking mileage: about 3-4 kilometers Driving distance: about 80 kilometers (arrange a 5-seater or 7-seater car) [Scenery] [Fun] [Value for money]