Little Know Shangri-la - Zhongdian

Zhongdian is also known as Shangri-la and is a bright pearl mounted in the "Great Triangle" connecting Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet. Shangri-La is depicted as the Eden in dreams, a fascinating land out of this world. Lofty and continuous snow-covered mountains, endless grasslands, majestic canyons, azure lakes and very quaint villages promote the reputation of an eternally pure and tranquil land to this ideal home of dream. Many people can not find a place as the spiritual home until they arrive at Zhongdian.

On the Shangri-La tour most visitors mainly intend to get in a close touch with this wonderland by car, cycling or even trekking. Songzanlin Monastery - reportedly the biggest Tibetan monastery complex in the province, Bai Shui Tai - a picturesque limestone formation, Tiger Leaping Gorge - a sheer gorge which has a well marked trail and good tourist infrastructure and as well as Bita Hai - a lake featuring a small island in its middle and is a popular destination, are all worthy to be visited.

Songzanlin Monastery: Originally built in 1681, the Songzanlin Monastery is the largest and the most important Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery in Yunnan province. It now has more than 700 Buddhist monks. The architectural style of the building is a faithful imitation of the Potala Palace in Tibet, hence the name "Small Potala Palace". There are hundreds of small houses for Buddhist monks and living Buddhist in the Songzanlin Monastery. In addition, the monastery has 8 wing buildings, among which one premier temple has 108 pillars in its main hall and can house 1,600 monks sitting and chanting scriptures.

Baishui Terrace: Located in the foothills of the Haba Snow Mountains, 101 kilometers (about 62 miles) southeast of the Zhongdian County, Baishui Terrace covers an area of 3 square kilometers. With a history of 200,000 to 300,000 years, the Baishui Terrace is the birthplace of the Naxi ethnic minority Dongba culture and widely accepted as the holy land of Dongba Region. Spring water flows down from the mountain, leaving the crystallized sodium carbonate along its slope, giving the impression of a marble sculpture.

Tiger Leaping Gorge: Stretching 15 kilometers from the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain of Lijiang to Haba Snow Mountain of Zhongdian, Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiaoxia) is regarded as one of the deepest gorges in the world with a depth of 3,000 meters. Here, the river twists and turns and vigorously swash against the rocks, the breakers sent up a fountain of spray. The charm of tiger leaping gorge is attracting millions of domestic and overseas tourists.

Bita Hai: Situated about 32 kilometers (about 19.9 miles) away from Shangri-La County (zhongdian), Bita Hai covers an area of 166 hectares. Bita Lake, a fault lake, is an intact natural attraction with various species of flora and fauna and picturesque landscapes. In Tibetan language, Bita means "a piece of land as soft as cattle hair felt". With an altitude of 3,539 meters (about 11,608 feet), the lake is the highest in Yunnan Province. The main attraction of this area is the Tibetan folklore, the primeval forest, the highland meadow, and the highland flowers and plants.

Recommended Shangri-La tours:

• Day 1 Arrive in Lijiang Airport to Hotel Transfer (Lijiang) and visit The Ancient City
  


• Day 2 Lijiang Visit Shuhe Naxi Village, The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yak Meadow
  


• Day 3 Lijiang Overlook for The First Bend of the Yangtze, Tiger Leaping Gorge
  


• Day 4 Lijiang Visit Haba
  


• Day 5 Lijiang to Zhongdian(Shangri-La) Today will be one more strenuous hiking tour to Baishuitai, white water terrace, which means "growing flower" in Naxi. Reach Zhongdian(Shangri-la) in the afternoon.
  


• Day 6 Zhongdian(Shangri-La) Visit Songzanlin Lamasery and a visit to Napa Lake and Tibetan Family are also arranged today.
  


• Day 7 Zhongdian(Shangri-La) to Kunming Hotel to airport Transfer (Zhongdian(Shangri-La), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Kunming), The Stone Forest
  


• Day 8 Depart Kunming Hotel to airport Transfer (Kunming)