|
|
 Shangri-La (Zhongdian , Gyalthang in Tibetan) Perched on a plateau at 3300 meters, Shangri La offers great experiences for trekking, botanical exploration and Tibetan culture.
The region is filled with beautiful mountains, grassland flowers, alpine lakes and traditional Tibetan villages.
Zhongdian County is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, which was inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2003.
Destination Information
|
|
Built by the 5th Dalai Lama in 1681, the temple is the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan. It was almost completely destroyed during the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966 - 1976), but has since been reconstructed, and today, Songzanlin Monastery houses 800 monks and lamas.
Constructed in the style of Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, the spiritual complex resides on top of a hill and consist of the Zhacang and Jikang lamaseries.
|
|
Located at an elevation of 3500 meters, Bita Lake offers easy treks and horse riding through dense coniferous forests. Wild flowers, moss covered woods and spectacular autumn colors are featured in this highland lake reserve.
|
|
A lake from July to September, Napa Lake is a rolling meadow for the rest of the year. From May to June, the plain is covered with wild flowers. During the winter, the rare Black-Neck Crane makes its home the nature reserve.
|
|
White Water Limestone Terrace is the second largest in the world. In autumn the valley is covered with red and pink wild flowers.
|
|
Rising 6,740 meters, Mount Kawakarpo is the highest peak in Yunnan. It is surrounded by 13 lesser peaks and at it's foot lies a rare monsoon glacier, at low latitude and high altitude.
Kawakarpo is one of the most important Tibetan pilgrimage sites. Tibetans believe that Mount Kawakarpo represents the mind emanation of the Lord Buddha. Every fall, pilgrims from Tibet, Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu come to circumambulate the mountain.
|
Weather & Travel Tips
Recommended Clothing
Due to the high altitudes (Shangri-La is 3,300 meters above sea level) and brilliant sunshine, a hat, sunglasses and sun block are indispensible and wearing your clothing in layers is recommended. Good, ankle-length boots are essential for trekking and walking.
|
Average Temperatures
|
| Month | Ave Temp (C) | Ave High (C) | Ave Low (C) |
| January | -4 | 6 | -12 |
| February | -2 | 6 | -8 |
| March | 2 | 10 | -5 |
| April | 5 | 13 | -2 |
| May | 10 | 17 | 3 |
| June | 13 | 19 | 8 |
| July | 13 | 19 | 9 |
| August | 11 | 19 | 9 |
| September | 6 | 18 | 7 |
| October | 11 | 15 | 0 |
| November | 11 | 11 | -7 |
| December | -3 | -3 | -12 |
|
| Season | Months | Temperature (C) |
| Spring | March - April | -2 to 13 |
| Summer | May - September | 5 to 19 |
| Autumn | October - November | -7 to 15 |
| Winter | December - February | -12 to 6 |
|
|
