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Shangri-La (Zhongdian), North Yunnan

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Shangri-La (Zhongdian) North Yunnan is one of those travel destinations that over the years became very popular. In the late 1980's Shangri-La was totally off limits for travelers. The road was bad, the chance you would be caught and send bad with a heavy fine was significant and locals were not much willing to bring you in the forbidden zone.

Vultures eating a yak carcass on the way to Shangri-La

By the mid 1990's Shangri-La was officially open to tourism. It was for many travelers who would not go to Tibet their chance to see some of the Tibetan culture. At the time the town was small, the now modern main street was no more then a dirty street.

There were a few reasons why people would visit Shangri-La. The first was one was of course the monastery a few kilometers outside the town: the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery.

The monastery itself is beautiful located, surrounded by farms and has quite a few monks in active service.

Getting there

Visit our getting there page for Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La for more info how what to expect when you cycle to Shangri-La.

There are daily flights from Kunming to Shangri-La which about 1 hour.

You can take a bus Shangri-La from Kunming if this is more convenient. There are two buses a day from Kunming and several buses from Dali and Lijiang.

Getting around

Shangri-La in north Yunnan is a relatively small town so you can easy go around on foot. There is a local bus every once in a while to the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, a few km north of the town but it is just as easy to get a taxi.

Hotels in Shangri-La

Gyalthang Dzong Hotel

The Gyalthang Dzong Hotel is a typical Tibetan building but with a unique architecture in Tibetan Lamasery- style.

The hotel brings international standards of service to the Tibetan borders while maintaining the small and cozy scale of a boutique hotel. In keeping with Tibetan Lamasery style, all rooms face inwards towards a central courtyard, which hosts al fresco dining and an informal outdoor space. Inside the rooms, the interior decor uses vibrant color and ethnic textiles to create an intimate ambience while exuding the spirit of an Angsana-managed hotel.

If you want to stay in Tibetan style, this is your single best option.

• Book NOW your holiday at the Gyalthang Dzong Hotel

Shiner Hotel Shangri-La

The Shiner Hotel Shangri-La is a modern hotel in Shangri-La. If a 4 star hotel is what you want, the Shiner will fullfill your needs.

• Book NOW your holiday at the Shiner Hotel Shangri-La

Huan Tai Hotel Shangri-La

The Huan Tai Hotel Shangri-La is another good optipn. It is counted as one of the best hotels in the city. The hotel has 145 rooms, with what you expect from a 3-4 star hotel.

• Book NOW your holiday at the Huan Tai Hotel Shangri-La

Near the bus station you may be able to get some rock bottom guesthouses.

Back to the top of Shangri-La North Yunnan

Back to the main Yunnan page

More about the road from Shangri-La to Litang and Chengdu 

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