Things to do in Shangri-La

Taking my elderly father on this trip was a very enjoyable experience. Our driver, Mr. Yang, was exceptionally kind and drove very smoothly. He arranged pick-up and drop-off in advance and was punctual. He introduced the sights and shared interesting anecdotes along the way. Despite the long journey, we stopped several times to explore, allowing us to enjoy the scenery and get some exercise, making the trip less tiring. He gave us ample time to visit the attractions without rushing us, which was very pleasant. Tiger Leaping Gorge is truly breathtaking during the rainy season (July-September) and is definitely worth seeing. At Baishuitai, the uppermost platform area has the best views. I suggest not rushing to take photos when you first see the blue pools; the best scenery is yet to come. There are many beautiful pools at the top, so save your time for the most stunning views later on. Comfortable, non-slip shoes are highly recommended.

Transportation is very convenient. There's a direct bus from the east gate of Duke Ancient Town, so you can easily catch it back after getting off the park shuttle. The scenery inside is beautiful, and the flow of traffic is smooth. It's worth a visit. There are three attractions you can get off at, and we visited all of them. The direct bus departs at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:00 PM, including a rest break.

A beautiful Tibetan monastery with stunning architecture and peaceful surroundings. The scenery is especially beautiful with the mountains in the background. Definitely worth visiting when in Shangri-La. To note: we have only bought the uphill ticket. After that we realised that we can take didi from the entrance

It was a 40-minute guided tour that took us around. It’s only useful if you understand Chinese, because there’s no translation. 这是一次40分钟的导览游，带我们逛了一圈。只有懂中文的人才听得懂，因为现场没有翻译。

The 108 hairpin bends are breathtaking, and the Shangri-La Canyon boasts stunning scenery and adorable wildlife, making it well worth a visit. Unfortunately, the Tongtian Canyon Trail was not open.

We were picked up by a private car, and the place felt like a self-entertaining hot pot restaurant; it was packed. There were local performances to watch, and the host was quite humorous. They gave us hada (ceremonial scarves) at the entrance, and the recommended butter tea was delicious.

The location is very convenient, the owner is very welcoming, and it's very close to the snow mountain. There's a Qingxi Reservoir Park right there, with beautiful scenery. This is my third time staying at their place, and the price-performance ratio is super high!

The horseback riding experience on the grassland was quite cost-effective. We rode for almost an hour, with someone leading the horses. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Napa Sea Grassland, and the children had a great time.

Overall, it's quite good. The queues aren't too long. The mountaintop (4449.5°C) is cool, there aren't many steps, and altitude sickness isn't severe. The only downside is that the cable cars aren't the traditional type; there are 3 or 4 together, and you have to wait over 5 minutes for the next one. There's no fog at the summit, and the scenery is superb, overlooking Shangri-La city and offering a view of 8 (or more) snow-capped mountains. You can also touch the copper coin in the toad's mouth and hang a five-blessing sash for good fortune. It's a great experience, but bring a windproof jacket. Hurry up and set off!

In late April and early May, the moss and grass aren't very green yet, the lake is beautiful, and the weather is unpredictable, offering a taste of all four seasons. It can rain one minute, then be sunny the next; clouds drift across the mountainside, then disperse to reveal snow-capped peaks. Remember to bring a raincoat. There are rockfalls on the road from Shangri-La, and snow accumulation on the mountains. Drive carefully near tunnels as there may be ice on the road.