Discover the beauty and charm of Shangri-La from Lijiang on a fully customisable private tour with an experienced English-speaking guide.
Explore signature spots designed to give you an in-depth understanding of Shangri-La's history, culture, and natural wonders while catering to your personal interests and pace.
Choose from Shangri-La's iconic attractions, cultural landmarks, or hidden gems. Popular stops include:
Pudacuo National Park: renowned for its ecological significance and breathtaking natural beauty. It is home to Bita Lake, known for its legends and pristine conditions, and Shudu Lake, celebrated for its clear waters and vibrant wildlife. The park offers an array of activities such as hiking and bird-watching across different terrains from lakes to lush pastures, perfect during the colourful seasons of spring and summer.
Dukezong Ancient Town: enchanting thousand-year-old streets, traditional white-painted Tibetan houses, and vibrant prayer flags, delivers a vivid snapshot of Tibetan culture. This town is designed in an eight-petal lotus shape, reflecting the geomatic features of this mountainous area. Known as 'moonlight city' for its silver glow at night, the town was an essential stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Visitors can immerse themselves in a rich cultural tapestry through local crafts, performances, and teahouses within this town.
Songzanlin Monastery: stands out for its architectural resemblance to Lhasa's iconic architecture Potala Palace. It serves as a central cultural and spiritual site in Shangri-La. Its unique designs together with valuable religious artefacts and detailed murals depicting Buddha's life, offers insights into Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery's setting on Foping Mountain affords visitors stunning landscape views, enriching their visit with both spiritual and visual delight.
Napa Sea: a seasonal lake in the plateau, the four seasons of Napa Sea have their own characteristics. In the late summer and early autumn, it is the rainy season. At this time, the water is large, and the Napa Sea is a large lake. The summer water is full, the grass grows with small flowers, and the sheep, cattle, and horses graze in groups, blending with the grasslands. The autumn grasslands are golden and the snow peaks are reflected in the lake. In the dry season of winter and spring, the lake surface shrinks or even dried up, turning into a large swamp.
Baishui Terrace: the birthplace of Naxi Dongba teaching. According to legend, the gods of the Naxi people used to create 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”. Dubbed “China’s Cotton Castle,” this natural limestone terrace resembles a frozen waterfall. The turquoise pools, formed by calcium-rich springs, glow under sunlight—perfect for photography.
