Yes Shangri-La is a REAL place! Located in the northwestern regions of the mountainous Yunnan province of China, Shangri-La is the capital city as well as the largest city of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Much like the mythical version of Shangri-La (Lost Horizon by James Hilton) that this city is named after, the real life Shangri-La is both mysterious and gorgeous. Oozing with ancient charm and Tibetan culture. Exploring Shangri-La city was the highlight of my recent trip to Yunnan China, there’s just so much to explore, especially for nature loves as this region of Yunnan is well known for gorgeous views and vistas of snow capped mountains and vast open plains.

In this blog, I’ll be sharing with you all the recommendations on things to do, what to eat, accommodations, and transports for this alluring city. So join me for I’ll be your tour guide for this Ultimate Shangri-La Travel Guide!

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How to Travel to Shangri-La City, China

Shangri-La City bus — *One of the busses that can bring you to the city of Shangri-La*

Traveling to Shangri-La, China is a bit difficult because the city is located in a pretty isolated and hard to reach area. You have a few options for getting to Shangri-La City:

By Plane

The Diqing Shangri-La Airport is the only airport in Shangri-La City and it’s located about 6 kilometers away from the city center. This is assuming you are traveling domestically, as the Diqing Shangri-La Airport only serves domestic flights.

There is a second option which I think is better for many of you. You can take a flight to the nearby (and more developed) Lijiang City at Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, and from there take a public bus to Shangri-La, the bus journey will take you about 4 hours. This leads on to the next option.

By Long Distance Public Bus

Beware though, the bus departure times can change depending on the weather. You’ll have a few options depending on where you are starting from:

Kunming -> Shangri-La - The distance from Kunming to Shangri-La is about 720 kilometers. Starting from the Kunming West Bus Station, expect the journey to last a good 9 hours.
Lijiang -> Shangri-La - The distance is closer at about 170 kilometers. You’ll want to start at the Lijiang Bus Station, the bus departs every 40 minutes and operates from 7:30 AM to 5:10 PM. Also, you can take the bus from Old Town of Lijiang to the Dukezong Ancient City (an attraction in Shangri-La).
Dali -> Shangri-La - Starting from the Dali North Bus Station, the distance is about 330 kilometers and the journey will take 6-8 hours.

The pricing varies but expect to pay around 60 - 200 RMB.

I went as a tour group so my transportation was already covered, but we started from Lijiang. So I would say that the second option (Lijiang to Shangri-La) is better as the travel times aren’t too long and tiring.

Best Hotels in Shangri-La City

Admittedly there aren’t a lot of hotels in Shangri-La, you’ll mostly find hostels or local inns. In my opinion this is fine as it fits into the atmosphere and vibe of Shangri-La being this “long lost” city high a top the mountain peaks.

Anyway here are a few hotels (not hostels) that I recommend

Shangri-La Resort

When I was on my Yunnan holiday, this was the hotel that I stayed at whilst I was in Shangri-La City. While the price was honestly pretty expensive, I can’t complain because Shangri-La Resort is a 5 star hotel with the highest luxury that you can find anywhere in Shangri-La. Seriously, the rooms are comfortable, the staff were very helpful and friendly, breakfast is included, and the decor is all very elaborate.

Not to mention the resort is located right in the middle of the city so there is easy access to all the major tourist attractions.

Agoda Rating: 9.3/10 (1,560+ Reviews)

Location: Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, China, 674400

Phone: +86 887 899 8998

Book a room at Shangri-la resort now!

Hilton Garden Inn Shangri-La

For a more western style accommodation, the global brand, Hilton Garden Inn is definitely where you should look into. Nice decorations, clean rooms, comfortable bedding, and a price that isn’t over the top.

Located in the middle of Shangri-La city, the Hilton Garden Inn is also a great home base to travel to all the attractions in Shangri-La.

Agoda Rating: 9.1/10 (2,135+ Reviews)

Location: No. 144 Changzheng Avenue, Shangri La, Deqen, China, 674400

Phone: Not provided

Book A room at Hilton Garden Inn Shangri-la Now!

GreenTree Inn Shangri-La City Bus Station

For a cozy atmosphere, and a budget conscious price tag, I recommend the GreenTree Inn. While not as elaborate as the other hotels that I’ve recommended. The GreenTree Inn does the job and provides all the necessary amenities as well as comforts.

The location is a bit further away from the city center but it’s still pretty conveniently located. Not to mention there a bunch of restaurants and a market nearby so, you don’t have to worry at all about finding something to eat!

Agoda Rating: 8.5/10 (418+ Reviews)

Location: China, Yunnan, Di Qing Zang Zu Zi Zhi Zhou, Shangri-La City: 674400

Phone: +86 198 0887 8998

Book a room at GreenTree Inn Now!

Exploring Shangri-La City, China

As previously mentioned, the real life city of Shangri-La is named after the famous novel ‘Lost Horizon’ by James Hilton, however this was change was brought on by the Chinese government’s desire to boost tourism in the region. Prior to the name change in 2001, the city was originally named Zhongdian.

For those of you won’t don’t know, the name ‘Shangri-La’ is a Tibetan word that translates to ‘The Land of Sacredness and Peace’. I will say, the name is very fitting though as Shangri-La city does feel like a mountainous paradise that’s hidden away from the world, full of amazing historical sites and cultures to discover.

tibetan naxi people nakhi — *Simple living creates happy smiles!*

On the topic of discovering “hidden cultures”, Shangri-La City is home to about 20 different ethnic groups, the majority of which are Tibetans. An ethnic minority that you will hear a lot of when you are traveling in Yunnan, China are the Nakhi (or Naxi) people. These are nomadic people who lives in the mountainous regions of north western Yunnan.

While Shangri-La isn’t the main hub for Nakhi culture (that would be the nearby Lijiang City), you’ll still be able to experience a lot of Tibetan culture and definitely dip your toes into the many areas of Tibetan Buddhism.

yulong snow mountain blue moon valley — *The views at the Blue Moon Valley is unbelievably beautiful*

If you are the type who likes being active, Shangri-La has got you covered. I’ve mentioned before that the city is located in a mountainous region, yeah, It’s the perfect place for hiking and trekking.

Although I must warn you, in fact I’ve warned people many times before in my previous blog posts about attractions in Yunnan China. Please purchase a portable oxygen tank. Being located at a high altitude, the oxygen levels are really low making it difficult to breathe. It doesn’t matter if you are healthy or physically fit, your body cannot fight mother nature.

You will struggle to breathe, especially if you plan on visiting famous attractions in Shangri-La City like the Songzanlin Monastery or the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

You can purchase portable oxygen tanks at various pharmacies, hospitals, and vendors throughout Shangri-La City. They go for around 40 - 100 RMB, I recommend purchasing them at hospitals because the ones sold openly in public are… let’s just say, not the greatest quality air…

Dukezong Ancient Town — *Traditional architecture combined with bright neon lights, feels sort of cyberpunk*

Shangri-La City is located about 3,100 meters above sea level so the weather can be pretty cold all year round. However the sun still shines as bright as ever and even while I was walking around atop the Songzanlin Monastery during the early days of spring, I was still sweating from the god rays of the sun. There was still a nice windy breeze though.

That being said, the perfect weather to visit Shangri-La City is during the seasons of Spring or Autumn.

While in James Hilton’s novel, Shangri-La City may be a hidden paradise. The real life Shangri-La is anything but hidden. So expect there to be a lot of local Chinese tourists as well as overseas tourists if you are traveling during peak holiday seasons.

Things to Do in Shangri-La City

Shangri-La is mostly nature and Tibetan Buddhism. The Diqing Province is home to some amazing natural wonders, some are even labeled as a World Natural Heritage Site such as the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan. I am not much of a religious person so these natural sites are the attractions I enjoyed visiting the most.

That’s not to say the religious architecture in Shangri-La isn’t worth a visit! Some of the most fascinating bits of Tibetan Buddhist culture can be discovered here.

The Tibetan Buddhist Songzanlin Monastery

The Songzanlin Monastery is the most iconic piece of human architecture within Shangri-La City. Located at an altitude of 3,380 meters, the Songzanlin Monastery was built in 1670 and it’s the largest Tibetan Buddhist Monastery within the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan.

The Songzanlin Monastery is a collection of buildings featuring classic Tibetan and Han Chinese style architecture with gold gilded roofs and warm red painted accents. Within the buildings are actual prayer rooms where the monks congregate as well as a statue of the Buddha.

If you want more info, I’ve written a blog post about my experiences Exploring the Songzanlin Monastery. The monastery is truly an impressive piece of architecture, and if you reach the top, you’ll get a beautiful 360 view of Shangri-La city.

The Gorgeous Tiger Leaping Gorge

The Tiger Leaping Gorge is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan that I talked about earlier. This gorge is actually one of the deepest gorges in the world being 3,790 meters deep if you are measuring from the peak of the mountains. You can even spot the gargantuan Jade Dragon Snow Mountain looming in the distance.

The gorge features 4 platform levels spanning from the top of the gorge (the visitor center) all the way down to the bottom where the river flows. The Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the most beautiful natural vistas aI have ever seen, I am not kidding. I’m a city kid so seeing impressive natural landscapes is rare for me. Or maybe I’m just easily impressed.

If you want to discover more about the Tiger Leaping Gorge as well as learning about the ‘Tiger’ in the name then check out my blog about Exploring The Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Go Skiing at Haba Snow Mountain

If you like extreme sports (or just like adventuring) then the Haba Snow Mountain is definitely the place for you. Hiking up the Haba Snow Mountain is absolutely breathtaking, both physically and mentally (from the views you see up there). Being at an elevation of 5,396 meters above sea level, It feels like you are climbing up the 6 levels of Buddhist heaven.

Though please be careful as it can be quite dangerous, especially if you’ve never hiked up snowy mountains before. It’s not an easy feat, be sure to bring the proper equipment and necessary gear. In fact, I recommend going with a tour group such as this 5 Day Yunnan Tour, it’s much easier as they tour guides will prepare all the necessary gear for you as well as bring you to pretty much all the points of interests in Yunnan.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Speaking of mountains, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain! Scaling this 4,506 meter tall mountain is easier than the previous Haba Mountain. However, it’s still a bit of a struggle due to the lack of oxygen, so remember to bring an oxygen tank!

Scaling this mountain begins with chill ride on a cable car all the way up to the visitor center, from there it’s up to you to walk up to the highest observation point which is 4,680 meters above sea level. The highest publicly accessible observation point in the world!

The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the most impressive natural scenery that I’ve ever experienced.

The Baishuitai (White Water Terraces) of the Blue Moon Valley

Baishuitai blue moon valley — *If I was a fish swimming in these waters I would be happy (aside from the pollution…)*

Another crazy sight is the Baishuitai terraces of the Blue Moon Valley, or to be honest, the Blue Moon Valley in general. Located a the base of the Yulong Mountain Range, the Blue Moon Valley is a set of lakes boasting some pretty unique rock formations. No I can’t comment on the authenticity of these rock formations but they do look pretty cool.

I would also like to point out the very bright and crystal clear cyan blue waters. Combined with the cool breeze flowing through the valley, as well as the backdrop of the Yulong Mountain Ranges, the views here are really spectacular.

The Blue Moon Valley park consists of 3 scenic view points, so you could take a bit of time exploring the area.

If you don’t wanna climb either the Haba Mountain or the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, I highly recommend you check the Blue Moon Valley in stead. Plus this is one of the few places where you can catch take pictures with a wild white Yak! (Though I question the ethical-ness of this activity…).

Explore the Dukezong Ancient Town

The Dukezong Ancient Town, translates into “Moon City” and is a special place in the Deqin Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It’s one of the largest and most well-preserved residences for the Tibetan minority group in China. This town was constructed around the late 7th century AD meaning that the Dukezong Ancient Town holds over 1,300 years of ancient Tibetan culture, language, religion, and traditions.

Within walls of the city are also a few landmark attractions that I would recommend you check out:

The Giant Prayer Wheel - A large vertical prayer wheel, touted as being the largest in the world at 21 meters high.
Square Street - The center of the Dukezong Ancient Town, here is where you can find various cafes, shops, and restaurants.
Guishan Park - This is a park that’s built in levels on a sloping hill. On the top level you can catch a great view of the entirety of the Dukezong Ancient Town.

Not to mention that once the sun sets, the whole town is lit up with vibrant neon lights. These elaborate bright lights do hint that Shangri-La has a nightlife aspect to its humble city life which I will talk about later. ;)

Foods to Try in Shangri-La City

tibetan food stew — *A soup/stew made with butter, mushrooms, and vegetables*

Being in the Deqin Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, a lot of foods you’ll find in Shangri-La are Tibetan cuisine rather than the Eastern Chinese cuisine that you might be familiar with.

Tibetan food emphasises natural ingredients that grow in the mountainous terrain. The main carbohydrate is grain and you’ll often find proteins such as Yak, Goat, or Mutton. Dishes are often oily, very hearty, and stewed with a lot of potatoes, fats, and so on.

Some dishes that I recommend you try are:

Pipa Pork - A kind of bacon made traditionally in Tibet, most often used in stews or stir fry
Tsampa - A staple Tibetan food, roasted barley balls, eaten as a main carb with other dishes
Butter Tea - The national beverage of Tibet, made with Yak butter
Thukpa - A hand pulled noodle dish served in a stew with vegetables and meats

tibetan food — *A spicy Mala style stir fry with dried mushrooms, veggies, and noodles*

Being a city kid from Bangkok, I was very unfamiliar with Tibetan cuisine, so for every meal I had in Shangri-La, actually for all the meals I had throughout my Yunnan holiday, I was very excited to try out the food.

I would say that the dishes are very spicy, using a lot of Szechuan peppercorns, and roasted chilis. It’s a very unique type of cuisine and one that I wished wasn’t so niche.

Shangri-La City Nightlife

dukezong ancient town nightlife — *Who would expect such a traditional Tibetan town would have such a bustling nightlife scene*

Surprisingly, the nightlife in Shangri-La is bustling! From traditional Tibetan folk dances, to lively bars, and karaoke cafes, I recommend you stay near or at the Dukezong Ancient Town if you are interested in experiencing the nightlife scene of Shangri-La City.

My tour guide told me that local Chinese tourists from all over the Mainland travel to the Yunnan Province, and the younger crowds love coming to Shangri-La due it it’s nightlife scene.

The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the Pijiangpo street in the Dukezong Old Town. Here is where you’ll get a chance to see a lot of the traditional side of Tibetan culture in the form of performances and dances like the Guzhuang Dance, the Xianzi Dance, and the Reba Dance.

So if you’re looking for a vibrant nightlife scene, Shangri-La won’t disappoint.

Recommended Shangri-La City Tours

It’s hard to find tours that only focus on Shangri-La City as it’s just one of many points of interests throughout Yunnan, China. At most expect to spend just 2 days in Shangri-La. Therefore a lot of tours will bring you all over Yunnan to places like Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang, which is a good thing because the province of Yunnan has so much to offer for adventurous travelers like you and I.

Here are some tours that I recommend, if you are a foodie like me, the 3rd one will be perfect for you:

6 Day Shangri-La in Dali, Lijiang, Yunnan Tour - Encountering Cangshan Erhai Lake & Climbing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Viewing Rizhao Jinshan Mountain

5 Day Once in a Lifetime Yunnan Tour - Yubeng Village, Ancient Temples, Rizhao Jinshan Mountain
8 Day Dali to Lijiang Food Tour - Explore and eat your way through the ancient Tea & Horse Road as well as major attractions like the Tiger Leaping Gorge and Erhai Lake.

Alternatively, you can use the widget below to search for more tours.