High-Speed Rail to Shangri-La

‘The plane dives downward at an astonishing speed. The lower it flies, the hotter the air becomes. The scorching earth below is like an oven with its door suddenly opened. Majestic peaks whistle past outside the porthole. The plane is flying along a tortuous canyon. At the bottom of the valley, one can see rocks and dried riverbeds everywhere, just like a floor scattered with chestnut shells…’ This is a passage from James Hilton’s ‘Lost Horizon’, describing the flight scene when he lands in Shangri-La. The Shangri-La described in the book is like a paradise, free from worldly distractions, and time seems to stand still. With the development of the times, the mysterious Shangri-La, this city blessed by the sun and moon, now has high-speed rail! From then on, Shangri-La has entered the era of bullet trains. What a delightful experience! It is a great honor to take the inaugural bullet train from Lijiang to Shangri-La. On the train, Tibetan people sing and dance. When exiting the station, they present Hada scarves and souvenirs to every passenger. The bag contains highland barley flowers and Tibetan pear jelly, full of the flavor of Shangri-La. The enthusiasm warms everyone’s heart. I love Shangri-La! The CR200J1-D Fuxing bullet train we are taking is specially designed for the plateau and cold environment: the window glass adopts an ultraviolet-resistant structure, the electric heating system guarantees the temperature inside the car, the train compartment seats can be rotated, and there is oxygen on board… Speeding towards the snowy plateau, the altitude rises from 2400m at Lijiang Station to 3274m at Shangri-La Station. There are a total of 13 stations along the line, connecting many famous scenic spots such as Lijiang Ancient City, Lashihai, Yulong Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Haba Snow Mountain, and Shangri-La, and passing through ethnic minority autonomous regions such as Tibetan, Yi, Bai, and Pumi… Let the train speed! Take the future of Shangri-La to soar together! Shangri-La Route Sharing: Day 1: Take the bullet train from Lijiang to Shangri-La and enjoy the night tour of Dukezong Ancient City. Day 2: In Dukezong Ancient City, change into Tibetan costumes, visit Napahai Lake and Songzanlin Monastery. Day 3: Pass by Tacheng to experience the Naxi ethnic style, head to Deqin, and arrive at the Wunongding observation deck in the evening to shoot Meili Snow Mountain. Day 4: Shoot the golden sunlight on the snow-capped mountains early, pass by Baima Snow Mountain, and go to Balagozong (see the Three Parallel Rivers Loop in the previous article). Day 5: Visit Baishuitai, Haba Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, and return to Lijiang Ancient City. Notes for Traveling to Shangri-La: √ To take the high-speed rail to Shangri-La, you can start from Kunming or Lijiang. After arriving at Shangri-La, it is recommended to charter a car or rent a car for touring. √ The changeable climate characteristics of the plateau region. The climate of Shangri-La has multiple characteristics such as monsoon climate, vertical climate, plateau climate, and cold temperate climate. Shangri-La has a relatively high altitude, thin air, a large temperature difference between day and night, strong sunlight, and dry climate. The annual average temperature is relatively low. The winter is long and cold, and the summer is short and cool.
Pay attention to sun protection and keeping warm. During winter, temperatures are low, the climate is dry, and ultraviolet radiation is strong. It is recommended to bring warm coats, down jackets, gloves, and anti-slip boots. Ladies should also prepare sun protection items such as sunscreen, sun hats, and sunglasses. Pay attention to preventing altitude sickness. Shangri-La is at a high altitude (3300 meters), and it is not advisable to engage in strenuous exercise or drinking alcohol. Eating more vegetables and fruits can prevent altitude sickness. Respect local religious culture. When encountering religious facilities, it is necessary to walk around in a clockwise direction. Do not pick up or sit on mani stones. Do not cross over ritual instruments or fire basins; prayer wheels and prayer drums should not be reversed; it is taboo for others to touch the top of the head. Protect the environment by taking away trash. Visiting the ancient city of Dukezong is the first stop for most people who come to Shangri-La. Dukezong ancient city is located in Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and is an ancient city with a history of more than 1300 years. It is the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential cluster in China. The name Dukezong comes from the fact that the Tang Dynasty Tubo Dynasty set up a fort here, named Dukezong, which means ‘City of Moonlight’ or ‘Castle Built on Stones’ in Tibetan. Dukezong was once an important town on the ancient Tea Horse Road and has now become a pedestrian street with a variety of local specialties. Monks holding Buddhist beads and girls taking photos in Tibetan costumes can be seen here. Visit the Turtle Mountain Park to see the large prayer wheel. Climbing the steps and catching your breath, stop to rest and feel the faint scent of Tibetan incense in the wind, listen to the Tibetan people singing ballads. It is at this moment that the feeling of being in a foreign land surrounds me from all directions. Turning the large prayer wheel three times is said to bring good luck. This is the largest prayer wheel in the world, standing 21.45 meters tall, with 1.24 million scriptures and mantras inside the wheel, and carved with patterns of snow mountains, rivers, forests, and traditional Tibetan auspicious eight treasures, national unity, and famous quotes from great people. [Travel Tips] Transportation: You can take a taxi or bus from Shangri-La County, or drive yourself. Admission: The ancient city is open for free, but some attractions require separate ticket purchases. Time: It is recommended to arrange half a day to one day to visit the ancient city attractions. Attraction recommendations: Turtle Mountain Park: Located at the highest point of the ancient city, you can overlook the entire ancient city and the surrounding beautiful scenery. Jamba Temple: It is the largest temple in the ancient city, with a 21-meter-high gilded Buddha statue inside. Si Fang Street: It is the central square of the ancient city, surrounded by many shops and restaurants, where you can taste local cuisine and buy souvenirs. The Long March of the Red Army Museum: It displays the history and culture of the Long March of the Red Army and is a good place to learn about the history of the Long March. Food recommendations: There are many restaurants and snack stalls in the ancient city where you can taste local special foods such as butter tea, tsampa, and highland barley wine.

Shopping Recommendations: Within the ancient city, there are numerous shops and stalls where one can purchase local specialty souvenirs, such as Tibetan carpets, silverware, and Tibetan incense. The ‘Little Potala Palace’ Songzanlin Monastery, also known as ‘Gandan Songzanlin Monastery’, is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, with a history dating back to 1679, constructed during the 20th year of the Kangxi Emperor’s reign. The monastery is built against the mountain, with a grand scale, featuring red eaves, pink-white walls, and golden rooftops, showcasing a unique architectural style that blends Tibetan, Han, and Nepalese cultural elements. Under the scorching sun of the plateau, wandering through the smoke of burning cypress leaves, one can spend the entire day taking photos, sunbathing, chanting scriptures, praying, and carefully observing the numerous cultural relics and artworks within the temple, including Buddha statues, Thangkas, and murals… Surrounded by green mountains and lakes, I feel a sense of inner peace. Address: No. 3 Niwang Road, Shangri-La, Diqing, Yunnan. Transportation: Free parking. Hours: 07:00-22:00. Admission: Adult 90 yuan. Tourist Tips: To truly capture the essence of the visit, it is highly recommended to wear Tibetan attire for photos. The average cost for a Tibetan costume in Shangri-La is 99 yuan, with a variety of styles to choose from, including makeup and hair styling, without time restrictions. Compared to the costume shops in Dukezong Ancient Town, these offer better-looking and more diverse styles. It is suggested that friends wear their costumes and first visit Dukezong for photos, then proceed to Songzanlin Monastery. Respect for local culture dictates that Tibetan attire photoshoots are limited to the square and outdoor architecture; no photography is allowed inside the temple. Songzanlin Monastery is located in a high-altitude area, so bring water and snacks, and remember to walk slowly and rest. The final secret land, Balagezong, was once a secret place that could not be found on any map, filled with divine signs, such as the Bodhi tree with an outstretched ‘Buddha’s hand’, a natural sacred mountain resembling a pagoda, and the figure of Sina Dingzhu, who seems like a chosen one. Sina Dingzhu is the founder of the Balagezong scenic area and the hero who changed the fate of Balage Village for 1300 years. Once, Balage Village was almost isolated from the rest of the world, with a five-day journey to leave the mountains, and anyone who fell ill would likely die on the way. Sina Dingzhu, as a child, lost the sight in one eye due to a delay in treatment. From that moment on, he dreamed of building a road for Balage Village. At the age of 13, he went out to do business and, after more than twenty years of hard work, he used all his accumulated wealth to build a road back home, spending ten years and incurring a huge debt, finally creating this road of life for Balage Village. Since then, Balagezong has also appeared on the world map. A must-visit spot in Balagezong is the Millennium Bodhi Tree: Growing on the cliff, the entire trunk of the Bodhi tree seems to cling to the rock face, with branches and leaves resembling a phoenix’s tail, covering nearly 400 square meters of the rock surface. What’s more magical is that a ‘hand’ grows from the tree’s waist, reaching into the rock crevice, with the trunk resembling an arm and the branches like fingers, akin to the hand of an old man who has experienced the vicissitudes of life.
Sky Mirror: The mirror surface allows people to see an inverted world. In the lake, the sun, moon, stars can rise, and the sky can be filled with green trees and flowers. Here, there are not only blue skies and white clouds, but also Gezong Snow Mountain and eagles. With a random shot, it is a visual blockbuster. Bala Village: Located deep in the mountains, it is a secluded and quiet ancient village. The earthen walls and flagstone roads have endured the vicissitudes of time. Standing in it, it seems as if one has returned to that era. Echo Wall Glass Plank Road: At an altitude of 3000 meters, the vertical drop reaches 1700 meters. From every angle, one can see the magnificent mountains and rivers and rural scenery, experience the exciting’suspended’ feeling, and also take beautiful photos. Shambhala Stupa is regarded as a symbol of the ‘Shambhala Kingdom’ in Tibetan Buddhism. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Shambhala Kingdom is considered a mysterious and beautiful place, a pure land and paradise where there is no pain and trouble, only happiness and joy. After turning 108 bends, the natural stupa rushes into the eyes. The white snow has turned into clouds in the sky and rushes towards people when looking up. Seeing it once is the purification of both eyes and soul. The majestic Shambhala Stupa, where the mountain is the stupa and the stupa is the mountain. Shangri-La Grand Canyon: The rocks on both sides of the canyon are jagged and the lake water is sparkling. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, hiking in the canyon, listening to the gurgling flow of streams and the melodious singing of birds. You can experience the joy of flying by taking the zip line or take a speedboat to drift down. Accommodation in Bala Gezong. If you just come in on a tour bus with a group and take a quick look around, it would be far too regretful… To feel such a majestic place as if a miracle has descended, stay a little longer! It is recommended to stay overnight directly! After reading many posts complaining about the Bala Gezong scenic area, they are all talking about the expensive tickets and expensive projects. Then staying here won’t this problem be solved! The snow mountain cliff miracle hotel where we stay is also built by the divine person Sinadenzu of Bala Gezong. I never had any expectations for hotels in the mountains. I didn’t expect it to be so good and modern. Now the room price is 988, including one set of double tickets for the scenic area, one set of glass plank road at a thousand meters above sea level, one set of exciting zip line at a thousand meters above sea level or one set of leisure rafting in a thousand-meter canyon, and one set of praying and hanging prayer flags at the Tibetan Buddhist incense-burning platform. The room is very large and has air conditioning and floor heating. When getting off the bus, staff members present us with hada. At night, we eat local specialties and chicken soup hot pot. At night, the sky is full of stars and the bright galaxy. Everyone dances around the bonfire. Calculate this price. I think the cost performance is very good. Waking up the next day is the high-end game! Push open the door and see the shocking golden mountains illuminated by the sun until the valley is completely bright. After having breakfast, stroll to Bala Village to play. Mountain spring water flows along the village. The sun is warm. Prayer flags, stupas, Tibetan coffee, Gesang flowers, museums… I love this simple and quiet secluded from the world.
Baishui Terraces, a Chinese version of Pamukkale, is known for its fluffy, calcium carbonate-rich spring water that flows slowly over the gentle slopes of the mountains. The intense high-altitude sunlight causes the water to evaporate significantly, allowing calcium carbonate to gradually accumulate. Over time, this process creates a spectacular sight resembling cotton and clouds, akin to tiered fields, with the pooled water turning into sapphires under the sunlight, thus earning the name ‘Fairy’s Abandoned Fields.’ This natural wonder has been around for thousands of years. Bai Shui Terraces is located in Bai Di Village, San Ba Township, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is not only a natural landscape but also the birthplace of the Dongba religion of the Naxi people. Numerous Dongba temples and cultural relics, such as the ancestral temple of Dongba religion, Bai Shui Palace, surround the area. These cultural relics and temples are not only important venues for the Naxi Dongba religion but also crucial windows for understanding Naxi culture and history.

Transportation: Drive from Shangri-La City along National Highway 214, and it will take approximately 3 hours to reach Bai Shui Terraces. The route passing Bai Shui Terraces, Haba Snow Mountain, and Tiger Leaping Gorge is highly recommended.

Admission: 30 CNY per person.

Note: Protect the environment and cultural relics by not littering or trampling on the landscape. Be mindful of sun protection and altitude sickness.

Haba Snow Mountain, located southeast of Shangri-La City and facing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain across Tiger Leaping Gorge, is a mountain that has been rapidly elevated under the strong influence of the Himalayan orogeny and subsequent Quaternary tectonic movements. The highest peak reaches an elevation of 5,396 meters, while the lowest river elevation is only 1,550 meters. The upper part of the mountain is relatively flat, while the lower part is steep and cliff-like, presenting a view that is both majestic and mysterious in its beauty. ‘Haba’ is a Naxi term meaning ‘golden flower.’

Admission: The ticket price for Haba Snow Mountain is 100 CNY per person, and the viewing platform is free.

Recommended duration for visiting: It is suggested to allocate 1-2 days to explore Haba Snow Mountain.

Attractions:

Haba Village: A small village at the foot of Haba Snow Mountain, where you can enjoy beautiful snow-capped mountain and pastoral scenery.

Haba Snow Mountain Base Camp: The starting point for climbing Haba Snow Mountain, with guesthouses and restaurants providing accommodation and catering services.

Black Sea: A high-altitude lake on Haba Snow Mountain, with clear water and surrounded by dense forests and alpine meadows.

Haba Snow Mountain Main Peak: The highest peak of Haba Snow Mountain, accessible by cable car or on foot.

Tiger Leaping Gorge, the First Gorge of the Yangtze River, is described by China National Geography as follows: ‘The beauty of Tiger Leaping Gorge lies in the unbridled surging of the river and the towering waves, in the profound and extraordinary depth of the canyon and the towering peaks.’ Upon arriving, I could hear the deafening roar at the entrance. Descending along the steep plank road to the bottom of the canyon, the river becomes even more ferocious. The banks are like cliffs carved by knives, steep and perilous. The river roars past, with rapid currents and thundering waves crashing against the rocks on the shore, as if thousands of troops were galloping.

The south bank of the Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic area is Yulong Snow Mountain, and the north bank is Haba Snow Mountain. Tightly confined by the high mountains on both banks, after the river flows into the gorge, it is only more than 50 meters wide. At the narrowest point, a tiger or leopard can leap over it. Hence, it is named Tiger Leaping Gorge. The vertical height difference of the gorge is more than 3,900 meters. It is one of the deepest gorges in the world. The entire scenic area includes three parts: Upper Tiger Leaping, Middle Tiger Leaping, and Lower Tiger Leaping. Tiger Leaping Stone is one of the most famous scenic spots in Tiger Leaping Gorge. A huge stone is located in the center of the gorge. According to legend, a tiger once jumped over the river from it. Ticket price: 45 yuan per person for the Shangri-La section of Tiger Leaping Gorge; 65 yuan per person for the Lijiang section. Elevator: 100 yuan for the whole journey, 40 yuan for the downward journey (there are many activities on the platform). Time: 8:30 – 17:30. Precautions: The terrain is steep and the road is narrow. Please wear comfortable and non-slip shoes and appropriate and comfortable clothes when visiting. The cliffs on both banks are steep. Be careful to avoid obstacles when flying drones. There are places for taking pictures in the scenic area. A 2-inch small photo is given for free, and a large 8-inch laminated photo costs 20 yuan. They are all printed out and placed there. I bought one. Hahaha. And there is also an electronic version…

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