Shangri-La

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Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: 42.1446
• Longitude: -75.400459

On Travellerspoint

• 4 Shangri-La Guesthouses
• 7 Shangri-La Hostels

Contributors

• Hien (43%)
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• magykal1 (30%)
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• Utrecht (26%)
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Introduction

Sompasteling Monastery, near Zhongdian

© All Rights Reserved magykal1

Shangri-La County (香格里拉县 Xiānggélǐlā Xiàn) is the new Chinese name for this ancient Tibetan county, previously known as Zhongdian County (中甸县 Zhōngdiàn Xiàn) to the Chinese, and Gyalthang to the Tibetans. In a wide, sweeping valley ringed by vast mountains, the town is the capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Deqin - the largest self-governing Tibetan area outside of the province of Tibet itself.

The renaming, inspired by the possibility that Zhongdian/Gyalthang could be the valley discovered in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon, is part of a drive to put the area on the tourist map - also evidenced by the rate of development in the town centre. "Shangri-La" or "Zhongdian" may also refer to Jiantang Town (建塘镇 Jiàntáng Zhèn), the capital of the county.

The town still retains a distinctly Tibetan feel, however - the trip from Lijiang takes you past huge traditional Tibetan farmsteads and windswept meadows grazed by Yak - and sights near to town include huge, remote mountains and lakes as well as the enchanting Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (松赞林寺 Sōngzànlín Sì).

Sights and Activities

• The Old Town, including hefty Tibetan wooden buildings (some old, and many that look rather older than they are), and several temples built onto a hill in the centre of town.
• The Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, one of the holiest monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism, and a fascinating structure in an awe-inspiring setting.
• Explore the surrounding countryside, including Napa Lake - more of a sodden bog, really, but an interesting wildlife sanctuary grazed by Yak and visited by rare birds - a good place for a stroll at the foot of some glorious mountains.

Events and Festivals

Getting There

By Plane

Diqing Airport (DIG) is located just a few kilometres from the capital, Jiantang Town. Airlines flying into DIG are China Eastern Airlines (from Kunming, Lhasa, Shanghai), China Southern Airlines (Guangzhou), and Shanghai Airlines (Kunming). There are daily flights from Kunming. Some flights to Lhasa are available, though not officially available to foreign tourists at the time of writing.

By Car

In 2007, the road to Lijiang via Hutiaoxia Town was still poor, however construction on improvements continues and it won't be long before Shangri-La is connected to the fast highway network.

By Bus

Buses run to Lijiang, Dali and Kunming via Hutiaoxia Town. It is possible to (legally) organise trips to Tibet from here.

Getting Around

By Public Transport

Buses run frequently across town, including particularly on the bumpy road to the Monastery.

By Foot

The Old Town is explorable on foot, including the pleasant stroll up the central hills overlooking the town.

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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