I’ve always wanted to visit Shangri-La, as I mentioned in my very first post. In my mind, Shangri-La had always felt a little mystical – something like Tibet – mysterious, holy, and deeply sacred. So yes, I was genuinely excited.
As the city faded behind us, the scenery gradually opened up into deep valleys, rivers cutting through mountains, and long stretches of road that made you want to sit quietly and simply take it all in.
By the time we arrived in Shangri-La, you could already start to notice the surroundings becoming more… Tibetan.
Oxygen Pit Stop
But first – a necessary pit stop to restock on oxygen.
Shangri-La sits at an average altitude of around 3,000 metres above sea level, which means the oxygen level here is significantly lower than the cities we had visited earlier. We were advised to purchase two bottles of oxygen per person, priced at roughly RMB 75 per bottle.
Altitude Tips
Our local guide told us that as tourists, we will definitely notice some level of discomfort of altitude sickness – loss of appetite, headaches, insomnia, breathlessness, and general discomfort. Simple advice: relax, don’t overthink, move slowly, walk slowly, no alcohol, no smoking – and trust your body.
Oh, and one more thing… we were told not to shower on the first night.
Hah. I know. Coming from a hot and humid country like Singapore, asking you not to shower is like WHAT?! NO WAY! But really, if you come to think about it, the weather was so cool that you don’t sweat buckets like in Singapore so it’s okay not to shower for one night. That said, they know it’s impossible to prevent everyone from showering, so they said take a quick 10–15 minute shower, with the bathroom door open to prevent heat buildup in the shower room.
Lunch Time
After our oxygen pit stop, it’s lunch time!!! I didn’t really have any loss of appetite – in fact I am hungry… feed me…
Lunch was served at a local hotel, and the food was comforting and satisfying – exactly what we needed before the afternoon’s highlights.
Ganden Sumtselling Monastery
After lunch, we visited Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan – often referred to as the “Little Potala Palace.” This was the attraction I was most looking forward to on the entire itinerary, and you’ll see why from the pictures.
Climbing the long flight of stairs felt almost symbolic – beautiful, humbling, and exhausting all at once. We were told to go slow, but even then, we were panting, pausing, and puffing oxygen along the way.
But once we made it to the top, the view was absolutely worth it.
We also came across an examination in progress and witnessed monks in the middle of their studies – a quiet, powerful reminder that this place is not just a tourist attraction, but a living, breathing spiritual centre.
Visiting a Local Tibetan Family Home
Next, we visited a local Tibetan family home, where we got a crash course in Tibetan house architecture, daily life, and traditional food and drinks.
We were served snacks and butter tea – and here’s a fun fact: I had butter tea before in Bhutan and didn’t like it at all. But this one? Surprisingly good. Maybe it really does depend on who’s brewing it.
Most of the snacks were made from barley, which is the staple crop here due to the harsh climate. It was a simple but meaningful experience that gave us a deeper understanding of local life and culture.
Dukezong Ancient Town & the World’s Largest Prayer Wheel
Our final stop of the day was Dukezong Ancient Town (pronounced as Du-Ke-Zong), and Guishan Park, home to the largest prayer wheel in the world.
You really need to put your body weight into it to get it moving.
After spinning the prayer wheel, we took a slow walk around the ancient town. Something about these streets always makes me think of the many layers of Chinese history that have passed through places like this.
Steamboat Dinner
Dinner tonight was steamboat – and honestly, nothing beats hot soup in cold weather. It was the perfect way to end the day.
Shangri-La Hospitality
We then checked in to our hotel – Shangri-La Hotel, of course. We would be staying here for two nights, and as expected, you really can’t go wrong with Shangri-La hospitality.
The evening ended with a welcome dance, a lovely and warm introduction to our stay in this magical place.
As the night settled over Shangri-La, it was time for a good rest, with Balagezong awaiting us the next day – another unforgettable chapter about to unfold in our Yunnan adventure.