Xiaozhongdian
Shangri-La was originally called Zhongdian. In 2016, Shangri-La was officially upgraded to a prefecture-level city. In the southeast direction of the city, there is an open highland pasture called Xiaozhongdian. This is the southern gateway to Shangri-La, traversed by National Highway 214. It is only 180 kilometers from Lijiang to Shangri-La City. Along the way, you pass through Tiger Leaping Gorge (elevation 1800 meters) and arrive at the Xiaozhongdian Highland Pasture (elevation 3200 meters). To the east is the Haba Snow Mountain, which rises to 5500 meters, and to the west is the Qianhu Mountain, with an elevation of 4000 meters. This pasture extends all the way to the northern Shangri-La City. The natural scenery along the way and the unique customs and traditions of the Tibetan ethnic group in Yunnan have become an important part of Shangri-La tourism. In the next two years, with the completion of the Lijiang to Shangri-La highway and high-speed rail, travel time will be greatly reduced, injecting new vitality into tourism here.
Lao Village
Along the 214 National Road from the south gate of Shangri-La to Xiaozhongdian, there are many beautiful Tibetan villages. These villages are not overly commercialized and are rarely crowded with noisy tourists. Instead, they feature quiet country roads. These villages are so primitive, peaceful, and serene, offering a hidden beauty that is detached from the world. To capture the picturesque scenery of these Tibetan villages, one needs to delve deep into the village and take time to appreciate it slowly.
Napa Hai Yila Grassland
The best seasons to visit Shangri-La are summer and autumn. Besides the lush green meadows and blooming flowers of Pudacuo National Park, the Napa Hai Yila Grassland, which is closer to the city, offers an endless green pasture with herds of cattle and sheep, and a variety of wildflowers in full bloom, creating a picturesque pastoral scene. The scenic Yila Grassland faces the towering Shika Snow Mountain. The term 'Shika' is derived from the Tibetan language of Shangri-La, meaning 'mountain with deer'. The deer is one of the auspicious animals in Tibetan Buddhism, symbolizing 'auspicious longevity and the right path to dispel evil'. Therefore, Shika Snow Mountain is considered a guardian deity by the Tibetan people of Shangri-La.
Shangri-La Thousand Lakes Mountain
Thousand Lakes Mountain—this name might be unfamiliar compared to the well-known Shangri-La. In Tibetan, it is called 'Lamudongcuo,' meaning the Thousand Lakes of the Goddess or the Thousand Lakes of the Fairy. According to legend, a fairy was grooming herself here and accidentally dropped her mirror. The shattered pieces scattered among the mountains, forming numerous lakes. There are nearly 300 alpine lakes on Thousand Lakes Mountain, with Sanbi Sea and Dahei Sea at the center, all located at altitudes between 3800 meters and 4000 meters. It is considered the most concentrated area of alpine lakes in Yunnan. To make it convenient for more flower-viewing tourists to visit this beautiful and magical place, we can go for a light hike and explore the mysterious Thousand Lakes Mountain in less than a day.
Bigu Tianchi
Bigu is a pastoral point at an altitude of 3500 meters in Lianhe Village, Xiaozhongdian Township, Shangri-La. Therefore, this tranquil lake is called Bigu Tianchi by the local Tibetan people. Surrounding Bigu Tianchi are not only vast areas of virgin forests, lush pastures, and quiet herds of cattle and sheep, but also the most captivating sight—the rhododendrons by the lakeside. The rhododendrons here in Shangri-La form forests, predominantly featuring large, brightly colored yellow, white, and red rhododendrons. During the blooming season, from May to August, the lakeside becomes a beautiful garland encircled by the lake waters, with flowers of various postures and vibrant colors. The white ones are elegant and pure, the yellow ones are steady yet do not conceal their beauty, and the red ones are passionate and brilliant, merging into a silent floral chorus. Bigu Tianchi is a sea of flowers, a paradise of blossoms. The blooming season, from May to August, is the most beautiful time for Bigu Tianchi and the best time to visit.
