Don’t wait to see this

The sunsets in Songzanlin Shangri-La are straight out of a painting. The sky transforms into a kaleidoscope of fiery oranges, pinks, and purples, as if nature itself is putting on a grand show just for you. And as the stars twinkle above, you'll find yourself lost in a moment of pure bliss, feeling like a tiny speck in the vast universe. Songzanlin Shangri-La in Yunnan is not just a destination; it's an experience that will leave you breathless and yearning for more. So pack your bags, my fellow adventurers, and let your wanderlust guide you to this magical place. Get ready to unleash your inner explorer and discover a world that will steal your heart and captivate your soul.

Step into the spiritual world of Buddhism

The Songzanlin Monastery, also known as the Guihua Monastery, is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhism and culture. Located in the scenic town of Shangri-La in Yunnan, this stunning monastery is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Yunnan. As you approach the monastery, you'll be struck by its beautiful architecture and the serene atmosphere that surrounds it. The monastery features several temples and prayer halls, each adorned with intricate carvings, colorful murals, and beautiful statues of Buddha and other deities. The main prayer hall is particularly impressive, with its ornate gold and red decorations and rows of prayer wheels that you can spin as you walk around the hall. Visitors can also observe monks as they perform their daily rituals and chant prayers, offering a glimpse into the spiritual world of Tibetan Buddhism. One of the highlights of visiting Songzanlin Monastery is the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The monastery is situated on a hilltop, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside that are simply breathtaking.

Shangri-la in summer ☀️

Shangri-la is a little rural, there's no high speed train running there, only coaches from nearby cities, but it is definitely worth a visit. Architecture in the area is Tibetan style as are the people, it's a whole different experience of China. Songzan Lin temple is incredible. Gilded in gold and red the monks are almost camouflaged. The complex is quite vast and will take at least half a day to explore. Take your time going up the stairs or even take a different route around the monastery.#tripblazers#yunnan#summervacation

Best time to visit Shangri-La Songzanlin

#fallingforfall Pictures speak louder than words ✌️ How to get there: taxi, close to city center What’s to see: old monastery with a magnificent surrounding, especially at this time of the year Time needed: 2-3h What to look for: those dumpling like treats 🥟 IG: andykoh_m8 #germaninchina #travellifestyle #aroundtheworld

Shangri-La`s treasure 🙏 Songzanlin monastery

It's been about 20 years that I read the book "Lost horizon" which motivated me to go onto a trip to Shangri-La where James Hilton's famous utopian adventure novel at the mythical sanctuary Shangri-La takes place. You fly into Diqing Airport with a short transit in Kunming and arrive at an altitude of 3600m above sea level. If you feel this might impact your health condition then take the place to the nearby Lijiang and get accustomed to to high altitude starting at 2300m above sea level (I highly recommend to do this). Songzanlin monastery which is slightly elevated on the hill, nestled into the beautiful mountains, overviewing the village and the nearby city Diqing. The monastery was built in 1679 and it's the largest Tibetian Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province. #unforgettableexperiences#awesomepic#nationalpark

Life Wheel

After we boarded the bus, purchased some local souvenirs and dressed a little bit for the place to go; we looked back ourself and we've turned into tibetans 🤴👸almost haha. Yes, we were preparing to go for a hike 🥾to the Songzanling monastery also called as the little Potala palace. For a while, we've been walking in an elevated road but soon after there is an whole array of steps that just appeared in front of us. Although it is a doable one, we were catching up our breadth👻 for a while because of the altitude of the whole Shangri-la city. It's a charming 🤩sight both from distance and seeing the temple very close. Later you can open your knowledge eyes, to know about the wheels of life in the buddhist temple and get enlightened🥸 !! #chinatravel #culturetrip #summervacation#hikingtrails

Significance in sight !

Around the world 🌍 with different beliefs and religions, comes different concepts. The importance and preaching of such concepts have been made through construction of religious institutions like temple, church, mosque and just statues sometimes. Although the main God is the primary one, the statuettes in the tower top has its own significance. One such observation I made is when visiting 松赞林寺 🛕 (Songzanling monastery). As I started observing one tower after another, the number of animals differed. There's a man leading at the front while riding on a rooster 🐓 followed by dragons 🐉 of different form. After some research, I got to know that if the number of dragons following the main man is more then that tower has the most important God of the temple. In this temple, the Buddha🪅, also called as Goddess of mercy was provided nine dragons in the top; remarking the tower as the most important. Rooster is believed to be eat out or chase all the evils out of our lives. It is simply amazing 🤩to see how symbols has intertwined into our ancestor's lives. #symbols #buddha #maydaytrip#urbanexplorer#happylaborday

Mythical beasts

As you can always notice in any religion, it is not just the humans that are part of it; animals are one of the most important part of it. Animals are used for their speed, ferocity, and power which are totally inhumane👹. By portraying a God with a beast, adds more power to the deity and makes them even more fearful. In Buddhism, it is sort of mixed that the blaring elephant 🐘 serve the purpose of intimidation while the deer 🦌 in there is more calm and serene. Deer symbolizes that you should always be ready to learn with humbleness and look up the sky for knowledge. #spiritual #shanghrila #maydaytrip#urbanexplorer#happylaborday

Little Potala

As we all know the famous Potala palace in Tibet, there's a little replica in Yunnan too. Yes, the 松赞林寺 (Songzanling monastery) in Shangrila also has the main deity as Sakyamuni buddha. They also have statues of Maitreya🍃, and many other buddhas. It is highly believed that these little Tibetan population in Yunnan🏞️ has migrated during the olden trading days and then lead to the build of this Little Potala palace. In general, the buddha community have divisions like red head, yellow head, blue head based on their ideologies 🗣️ And here, it is the most revered yellow head which also symbolizes the prosperity✨. So you can see the temple painted in yellow. Totally, it was such a spiritual feeling😇. #shangrila #littlepotala #maydaytrip#urbanexplorer#happylaborday #maydaytrip#urbanexplorer#happylaborday

I visited in the cloudy day. It is not beautiful at all. You should visit the temple first. After that I recommend you to walk around the lake to see the another view and to see yaks. There have yaks around the lake

Songzanlin Monastery, Shangri-La

You must visit here when you arrive in Shangri-La! It is the largest Lama temple in Yunnan Province, over 300 years old. The entrance fee is 90 yuan per person. The interior is very beautiful. You can easily take a taxi to the temple, and then take a bus again. Inside the temple, you have to climb many steps to reach the top. It is recommended to bring an oxygen can and smelling salts, as they can be very helpful. On the way back, if you stay in the ancient town, you can take a bus in front of the entrance to go down to the ancient town for only 2 yuan per person.

📍Songzhanlin Monastery, Shangri-La 🇨🇳

Songzhanlin Monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist Temple located in Shangri-La, Yunnan Provinceof China. Visiting on November 7 (1 degree celsius here in the morning) &located 3380 above sea level which easily to get altitude sickness here. Lamuyangcuo Lake - The last picture shows the place whereby vultures flying around the sky above the platform for sky burials rituals. Opening Hours : 08.00am - 18.00pm Entrance Fees : CNY115

Little Potala Palace in Yunnan 🇨🇳

📍Songzanlin Monastery, Shangri-la Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Yes, this is also called the little Potala Palace in Yunnan as it is also the biggest and largest Buddhist Monastery in Yunnan. A lot of people come here to admire its beauty and take photos wearing their Tibetan costumes. You can rent the costumes from Duzekong Old Town. There are also people who come here to offer their prayers. There is also a vegetarian restaurant when you get to the top so in case you get hungry and thirsty, rest assured that you can get them there. Entrance Fee: 70 rmb How to get here: You can just take a didi or taxi to come here. Just have a picture of it or its Chinese name and show it to the driver. Elevation: 3,380 meters above sea level. Enjoy! #mytripvlog #tripblazers

Songzanlin Monastery：Scared Splendor

Songzanlin Monastery, also known as Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, is a magnificent spiritual sanctuary nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of Yunnan Province, China. Situated in the enchanting town of Shangri-la, this iconic Tibetan Buddhist monastery stands as a testament to centuries of religious devotion and cultural heritage. As you approach the monastery, you are immediately captivated by its grandeur. The sprawling complex showcases traditional Tibetan architectural elements, with ornate golden roofs, colorful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, and intricate carvings adorning its walls. It exudes an aura of serenity and reverence, inviting visitors to step into a world of tranquility and spiritual enlightenment. Inside the monastery, a sense of awe washes over you as you explore its sacred halls and courtyards. The air is filled with the soft murmurs of prayers, the flickering light of butter lamps, and the scent of incense wafting through the air. Intricate Tibetan Buddhist murals grace the walls, depicting vibrant scenes from Buddhist scriptures, while statues of deities and enlightened beings inspire a sense of reverence and devotion. The monastery is not only a place of worship but also a center for Tibetan Buddhist study and practice. It is home to hundreds of monks who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Observing their daily rituals and engaging in conversations with the monks can offer profound insights into Tibetan Buddhism and its profound teachings. From the monastery's vantage point, perched atop a hill, panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes unfold before your eyes. Snow-capped mountains, verdant valleys, and vast expanses of meadows create a picturesque backdrop that adds to the monastery's allure. The tranquility of the setting allows visitors to find solace and inner peace, making it an ideal place for meditation and contemplation. For those seeking a deeper connection with Tibetan Buddhism, Songzanlin Monastery offers the opportunity to participate in religious ceremonies and rituals. From observing the morning prayers to witnessing the mesmerizing cham dances performed by the monks, every experience in the monastery is imbued with a sense of spirituality and cultural significance. Visiting Songzanlin Monastery in Yunnan Province is an extraordinary journey into the heart of Tibetan Buddhism. It is not only a visual marvel but also a place where one can witness the devotion, wisdom, and deep-rooted spirituality of the Tibetan people. Whether you are a spiritual seeker, a history enthusiast, or simply someone in search of tranquility, this majestic monastery promises an unforgettable experience that resonates with the soul.

songzanlin Lamasery - another must see on your Yunna list

amazing views, magnificent temples and Buddha statues especially inside the first chamber where they are gorgeous and enormous Buddha statues, each unique and protected behind a wall of glass, facing hundreds of monks in prayer restaurants / food: good food options and affordable shopping: definitely cheap and a wide variety of cultural and religious art of acts, all blessed by the monks