Things to do in Shangri-La

I visited more than 10 years ago, and this return trip is still just as impressive. Now there are escalators, which are much more convenient than before and more friendly to those with limited mobility or the elderly, but there is an additional charge.

The boardwalk is gentle and easy to walk on, perfect for those who aren't in a rush. The air is clean, and the squirrels, meadows, and fir forests create a truly relaxing atmosphere. The autumn colors in the scenic area aren't quite at their peak yet, but the shuttle bus wait time is short, making for a comfortable experience.

November 3rd is already the off-season. Driving to the parking lot indicated by the navigation, I was directed to parking lot number 2 because I was from out of town. Parking lot number 2 had many empty spaces, but the staff then told me to go to another parking lot. I immediately argued with them, and they reluctantly let me in. They really are taking advantage of every little thing. Overall, it was a good experience. The scenic area was well-organized, the signage was clear, and the Tibetan Buddhist temple was magnificent. Worth a visit.

Beautiful temple complex, but unfortunately not a lot of information about the history and significance of each temple in English. I booked a ticket with a “round trip ticket” but it felt like the bus was included for all tickets because no one checked after entering the complex. Note: you’re not allowed to take photos inside any of the buildings, which makes a lot of sense but just bear in mind.

Even in late autumn, the scenery in Balagezong Scenic Area remains beautiful. Driving along the roads within the scenic area is invigorating, allowing you to completely escape the hustle and bustle of big city life – it's incredibly therapeutic.

I read in a travel guide that horseback riding is risky and you might get ripped off, so I just hiked up the mountain. The first viewing platform wasn't worth it; the pond was full of mud and weeds. Just head towards the crowds. The higher you go, the better the scenery. Even on a rainy or cloudy day, the pond water was a beautiful blue. It was definitely worth the trip and the hike (hiking at an altitude of over 2,000 meters is quite tiring).

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 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.

Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Lijiang side was excellent! The views were even better than the Shangri-La side. There were fewer steps to walk, yet I could still reach the higher and lower platforms, unlike on the Shangri-La side. For anyone planning to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, try to book the Lijiang side: there’s no need to pick a time slot or pay separately for the different platforms (higher/middle/lower).Note: the Lijiang and Shangri-La sides are not connected, so please book the correct side you want to visit.丽江侧的虎跳峡太棒了！景色比香格里拉侧更好。台阶更少，却仍能到达较高和较低的观景平台，而香格里拉侧则不行。给所有想去虎跳峡的人一个建议：尽量预订丽江侧，因为不需要选择时间段，也不用为不同平台（高/中/低）分别付费。注意：丽江侧和香格里拉侧并不相连，所以请预订你想去的那一侧。