Balagezong Grand Canyon

📜🏞️History records that many centuries ago Tibetan people searched for a place to live far away from war and misery. 🏘️🏔️ They settled down in what is now called Balagezong after overcoming much difficulty, and Bala became the symbol of an ideal home and paradise. 🧞The legend on the other hand, states that many years ago, hidden within what is now a National Park was a remote village called Bala. The village had no contact with the outside world until one day a small boy, a blacksmith's apprentice, got hurt while welding molten metal. In order to receive medical treatment his father took him to Shangri-la. It was then that the boy saw a glimpse of civilization for the first time - roads, shops, temples. Amazed by what he saw he spent over 3 decades accumulating wealth and investing it into his birthplace despite the anger and despise he received from the locals. His biggest challenge was building a road that would connect the Bala village to the rest of the world. The challenging topography mage the road building impossible but after many years of hard work the work was done. 🗓️Today Bala Village is a part of the Balagezong National Park. And it was the second stop of our tour. 1️⃣The shuttle bus first took us to Shambhala Stupa scenic area. 2️⃣From there we went to the mentioned village of Bala before 3️⃣ spending some time at the scenic area (or Echo Wall). 4️⃣Our last stop was the Grand Canyon and keep in mind, it took half of the day to complete a tour. We have started at 8:30 am and finished at 16:30. For hiking lovers it would take much longer, if you wish to complete the hiking tour AND see all the above listed places. 🪷 To say it's worth the visit would be an understatement. Keep in mind, the Tibetans searched for a perfect place to build their home, and chose this location for that exact reason. #travelchina #yunnantravel #nationalpark #balagezong #mountainview #shangrila #canyon #passionpassport #mountaingetaway #shambala

to getting there, it's pretty easy, organized by a tourist group, by taxi (don't know the cost) and from Shangrila it's about 2 hours, so it's possible to do in one day there's also one hotel inside the park if someone wants to spend the night over there in the village there are some restaurants. the tour will take one day and the scheduled is fixed as it's not possible to use the own car, it's necessary to take the internal bus, so if you want to enjoy some place (there are different stops), you can't. there's also a zip line, which I recommend to do as the view is amazing and it's pretty long #historicculture#ancientarchitecture#naturalwonders#hiking#nationalpark

"The Super Detailed Travel Guide to Balagezong" ||| Balagezong, a place that once didn't even appear on the map, is located at the junction of Sichuan, Tibet, and Yunnan. It has an altitude range from 2050 meters to 5545 meters. The scenic area is full of winding mountain roads, which were built by a Balage local named Sina Dangzhu with a huge investment. There's a very touching story, which the scenic area's shuttle bus will show in a video for passengers, so I won't go into too much detail here. When you see the snow-capped mountains, canyons, rivers, and forests intertwined with each other, you are truly shocked by the picturesque and majestic scenery, and you can't help but marvel at the wonders of nature and admire Sina Dangzhu's perseverance in road building, which allows us to see such a mystical paradise. Words can't express the feelings, every casual snapshot is a masterpiece, no filter needed! 🔹Transportation: The scenic area is quite far from the center of Shangri-La city, it is recommended to drive for 1.5 hours or take the scenic area's shuttle bus from the Dukezong Ancient Town. 🔹Ticket: 170 RMB per person, including the shuttle bus within the scenic area. ▪️Currently open attractions and the recommended order of visit within the scenic area: ① Millennium Bodhi Tree (outside the scenic area, next to the ticket office) ② Balagezong Buddha Stupa ③ Balage Village ④ Echo Wall (with a glass walkway, an additional 1 RMB for shoe covers) ⑤ Shambhala Stupa (snow mountain, with significant temperature differences and high altitude) ⑥ Shangri-La Grand Canyon 🔸Suggested time for visit: 1 day. 🔺Important notes: 1. The scenic area is particularly large, and only Balage Village has a café and such, where prices are relatively expensive. It is recommended to bring your own food and drinks. 2. After entering the ticket gate, you directly board the scenic area's shuttle bus, which comes with a dedicated driver and tour guide who will accompany you throughout the visit. At each attraction, you will be informed of the visiting time, and after visiting, you return to the bus to go to the next attraction (remember the license plate number), forming a small tour group. It's essential to be punctual, otherwise, the driver will leave and you'll have to wait for the next bus, which is a waste of time and may not have a seat for you. 3. At the Echo Wall, there are two options: - After visiting the Echo Wall, continue up the mountain to the Shambhala Stupa, which is a 1.5-hour round trip by bus. Here, you need to switch to a special shuttle bus for the mountain, which departs every hour. Remember to bring warm clothes and an oxygen bottle. - After visiting the Echo Wall, go directly down the mountain to the Shangri-La Grand Canyon and return. 4. Actually, one day of visiting time is quite rushed, and we didn't have time to go to the Shambhala Stupa. If you have plenty of time, you can choose to stay in the scenic area, although the conditions might be a bit basic, and you won't need to pay for a ticket to re-enter the scenic area the next day.

Welcome to Shangri-La in Yunnan Province, China. This place, known as a 'paradise on earth', will bring you a fantastic travel experience!🌈 📅 Best travel time: It is recommended to go to Shangri-La between April and October. The weather is pleasant and the temperature is suitable during this period, allowing you to fully enjoy the beauty of nature. 🌄 Must-visit attractions: 1️⃣ Tiger Leaping Gorge: Take a boat through one of the deepest gorges in the world, with waterfalls splashing along the way and spectacular scenery. 2️⃣ Ancient City: Step into the ancient city of Shangri-La and feel the strong Tibetan cultural atmosphere. Walking through it is like going back in time. 3️⃣ Baishuitai: Climb up to Baishuitai and overlook the snow-capped mountains of Diqing surrounded by mountains. Looking far away, it feels like being in a fairyland. 🍽️ Recommended food: 1️⃣ Shangri-La butter tea: Taste the authentic Tibetan butter tea, which is rich in flavor and sweet in the mouth. 2️⃣ Zanba: Try a bite of Zanba made from highland glutinous rice. The taste is chewy and fragrant, which will definitely make you remember it. 3️⃣ Shangri-La yak meat hot pot: Put fresh yak meat slices into the pot, accompanied by fragrant vegetables, and enjoy a warm hot pot feast. 😍 Travel experience: During my trip in Shangri-La, I felt like I was in a fairy tale world. The city's architecture is full of Tibetan characteristics, and the charming scenery is intoxicating. Feeling the power of nature, on the boat in Tiger Leaping Gorge, I was shocked by the magnificent gorge scenery, and my mood instantly became bright. Stepping into the ancient city, the Tibetan-style buildings on both sides of the street exude a strong cultural atmosphere, making me feel like I have traveled back to ancient times. Every bite of Shangri-La's food is memorable, and every interaction with the Tibetan people makes me feel their warmth and innocence. Shangri-La is a place where the soul can be purified. Whether standing on Baishuitai overlooking the snow-capped mountains of Diqing, or strolling in the city's alleys, you can feel the power of nature and the unique charm of Tibetan culture. This is the most beautiful fairyland in my heart, and I hope you can also come once and experience the miracle of Shangri-La!🌸✨

Getting There - From the Information centre at Dukezong Ancient Town, get on a bus at 09:00. There is no need to book, we just showed up and it seems there are so many options. Tickets were ¥220 for a round trip to Balagezong Grand Canyon and includes the entry to the scenic area. It is about an hour and a half drive through a pass - the views are spectacular which makes the long drive worth it! Attractions - After arriving, the bus will stop at each scenic spot, all you have to do is get off and take in the great views and nature! Food & Restaurants - There are plenty of local food options to choose from but I would recommend trying the small tea house. They serve trafitional Tibetan butter tea, vinegar wine - as they call it (tastes like spirits or similar to vodka to me) and dried yak meat. We tried the fried fermented milk, butter tea, buckweat bread and yak meat which was enough and rich in flavor! At around 17:30, you get back on the bus after seeing 5 different scenic spots and arrive back at Dukezong Ancient Town at around 19:00. There was never a minute where we felt rushed, bored or didn’t know what to do! This trip layout is perfect for any local or tourist and a must do! #naturaloxygenbar

For those planning to visit Shangri-La, I sincerely recommend you consider Balagezong! It's fun and beautiful, and it won't make you feel tired. The scenic area has snow-capped mountains, rivers, forests, and canyons. You can experience the skywalk, high-altitude cableway, glass walkway, and rafting, which are really hard not to love! Regarding the cost, the high-altitude cableway experience is thrilling (see pictures 5 and 6), but it's very fast, and the whole process only costs 120 yuan for just thirty-four seconds. We didn't get a chance to try rafting and don't know if it's open. The dining in the scenic area is relatively expensive (pictures 9, 10, 11), with a meal costing at least 138 yuan. The hotel front desk helped us book tickets, and the bus ticket from Dukezong Ancient Town to the Balagezong scenic area cost 230 yuan. If you want to play in the snow, you must also purchase a ticket for the Shambhala Pagoda, which is probably at the top of the mountain, priced at 75 yuan. Overall, the expenses are a bit pricey, but I think it's very worthwhile.

⛰ The natural landscape is majestic and unique, and the combination of entertainment projects and natural landscapes is great, and the culture is well preserved 📍Newly opened scenic area: The service is very good, the guide is detailed, and the time is reasonably suggested. Because we didn't grasp the time well, we almost missed the car back to the city. After explaining the situation, the staff immediately arranged a small car to send us directly to the bus next to the mountain (although this is still necessary to grasp the time or self-driving) 🧑🏼‍🌾The staff are almost all local indigenous people: they know the local culture and history, and the lifestyle is like a finger, and the introduction is detailed 1️⃣Balazhuomarakang (temple): See 21 mother gold bodies at once, and learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture with the guide 2️⃣Echo Wall: The plank road on the edge of the cliff, you can see the rugged mountain road that the villagers needed to enter and exit the village back then. At the end is a glass plank road, reflecting the unique pure blue sky and white clouds of Yunnan, as if walking in the clouds; there are also 39 yards of large feet that can barely step on the hollow plank road, and the toes can be stretched to the 800 meters high in the air to blow the wind; There is also a 800m high-altitude zip line on the canyon, I am counseled 3️⃣The highest point of more than 4,000 meters above sea level is the king of Balagezong: Xiangbala Stupa. This stupa is naturally formed by the mountain, it is the supreme secret of Tibet, and it takes 52 hairpin bends to come up. The vegetation changes vertically, and the loneliness of the valley at the top is very worth a visit. The Grand Canyon: The river comes from the Gongga Snow Mountain, and along the way it merges the purest snow water from nine snow mountains, also called Jiutou River, with great momentum, flowing between the canyons. In fact, you can see the whole view on the Echo Wall, which is very spectacular. Its main play is rafting 4️⃣The above several attractions can actually be visited in two days, and Balagezong also has a hiking route, which is completely different from these landscapes. This line takes three days, with an altitude of 3000-4000. It is said that it will pass through alpine meadows and meet with the herders who have withdrawn from the top of the mountain. Interested friends can do some strategy

I never thought that this would be the most surprising stop on my Shangri-La journey. ⏳Tour Time: 2 days 🌟Highlights: 📍Shambhala Pagoda At an altitude of over 4000 meters, it takes 30 minutes by scenic area bus from the Echo Wall, the mountain road is rugged, it is recommended to bring plastic bags, staff say that in winter (usually December to March of the following year) it may be impossible to reach due to thick snow or ice on the road, so make sure to plan your time well, it's definitely worth a visit! 📍Echo Wall The Cliff Miracle Hotel I stayed at offers 1 person's rafting or cable car ride, the cable car costs 40💰, rafting costs 120💰, if you want to experience both, it's more cost-effective to pay for the cable car yourself. 📍Shangri-La Grand Canyon The hotel arranges for a car to take you to the entrance of the attraction, if you have luggage, staff will arrange for it to be stored in a designated place, you can pick it up after the tour. The hiking distance is not far, the scenery along the way is very good, and you can choose to raft on the way back. 📍Thousand-Year Bodhi Tree After visiting the Grand Canyon, take the scenic area bus to the entrance of the Balagezong scenic area, where there is a thousand-year-old Bodhi tree, famous for a Buddha's hand growing out of its roots, now the perimeter has been fenced off, and you can only use your phone to zoom in for a look. 📝Note tips: 1️⃣Due to limited conditions, there are not many hotels in the village, and there are few restaurant choices, so you can bring your own food, and the hotel can also order meals, but the taste is generally bland. 2️⃣If you stay in a hotel within the scenic area, the hotel will arrange for a butler to create a group to notify you of the visiting route and departure time. 3️⃣There are many steps in the village, and it is quite dark at night, so it is recommended to tour according to your physical condition.

Shangri-la in Yunnan province is no doubt a beautiful place to visit. It’s one of the most well known tourist heaven so many sites are popular and sometimes crowded. I have visited there twice before so I wanted to see something lesser known. Owner of our hotel recommended Balagezong National Park to us, which turned out to be my favorite spot of the trip. The road to and inside the park was personally financed by a former villager lived inside this valley, who determined to improve life of those still in the village. It was done and opened to public as a national park only around 10 years ago, which is comparatively new in Shangri-la. Scenery inside the park is simply stunning. Designated tourist bus brought us first to the top of the valley to enjoy the view from above. The hanging walkway built on rock looked scary but it offered an excellent view of the massive gorge, which lead us to a glass bottom viewing platform. Be prepared if you are scared of height. Final stop was deep down the gorge, walking along the river on the beautiful walkway was healing and brought us close to nature. Highly recommended for everyone who plans to visit Shangri-la. #nationalpark #urbanexplorer #shangrila

Balagezong, a secret realm that was once unfindable on any map, is full of miracles everywhere, the Buddha's hand stretched out by the thousand-year-old Bodhi tree, the natural sacred mountain that resembles a stupa, and the character Sna Dingzhu who seems like the chosen one. Sna Dingzhu is the founder of the Balagezong scenic area and the hero who changed the fate of Bara Village for 1300 years. The former Bara Village was almost isolated from the world. It took five days to get out of the mountains. If someone got sick, they could only die on the road. Sna Dingzhu's one eye was injured and delayed treatment and completely blinded when he was a child. Since then, he has dreamed of building a road for Bara Village. At the age of 13, he went out to do business, fought for more than 20 years, accumulated tens of millions of wealth all used to go home to build roads, spent ten years, carried a huge debt, and finally had this life road of Bara Village. Since then, the world map finally has Balagezong.

|Shangri-La|The place closest to heaven. Shangri-La is a mysterious and beautiful place, located in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the northwest of Yunnan Province, China. This place is known to the world for its unique natural scenery and rich Tibetan Buddhist culture. The name Shangri-La comes from the novel 'Lost Horizon' by British writer James Hilton, which depicts a distant and tranquil paradise, that is, Shangri-La. Shangri-La's natural landscape is very magnificent. There are majestic snow-capped mountains, the most famous of which is the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This snow mountain with an altitude of over 5000 meters, with its peaks and ridges, and the snow on the top of the mountain all year round, gives people a sense of grandeur and magnificence. In addition, Shangri-La also has beautiful lakes, such as Napahai and Bitahai, with clear and transparent lake water. In addition to natural landscapes, Shangri-La also retains a rich Tibetan culture. There are many Tibetan Buddhist temples, such as Songzanlin Temple and Bai Nationality Daguan Temple, which are important places for Tibetan Buddhists. In these temples, you can see the scene of monks chanting and chanting, and feel the solemnity and tranquility of religion. 🌈Attractions 1. Dukezong Ancient City Go to the ancient city to see the Moonlight City of Shambhala 2. Turtle Mountain Park Inside the edge of Dukezong Ancient City, it is within walking distance. There is the world's largest prayer wheel. The lights are better at night. It is quite spectacular. Songzanlin Temple Known as the Little Potala Palace, wearing Tibetan clothes to take pictures there is quite out of the picture. You can buy tickets offline directly for 55r. 3. Napahai It is recommended to come to Napahai from June to August. At that time, the grass has grown. The grassland looks good when the weather is clear. The grass may not have grown in other months. Pudacuo Park Forest, wetland grassland, lake scenery, it is the same as Napahai to see the season, the scenery will be better when the grass grows from June to October. Scenic area ticket price: 168 yuan 4. Pudacuo Scenic Area Ticket: 68 yuan 5. Pudacuo Scenic Area Sightseeing car ticket: 70 yuan Round-trip direct bus ticket from the ancient city: 30 yuan Meili Snow Mountain See the sunrise, very spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge The flood season in summer is more spectacular, you can go from Lijiang, or you can go to Shangri-La and then take a car 🍱Food 1. Mom's butter tea You can try butter tea in the Tibetan area. This one is in the ancient city. The taste feels okay. Highland barley biscuits 2. Highland barley cake It is also a local specialty, 3. Hot pot You can try yak hot pot. Of course, you have to try yak hot pot when you come here. It's spicy, cheap and large portions of beef. Yogurt can be a yogurt here, but some of the yogurt sold near the ancient city is very sour 4. Shangri-La Yak Cheese Their yak cheese is quite famous but you need to order it in the store in advance, but many people recommend it online 🏠About accommodation We live in a homestay called Tibetan House Courtyard. There are two floors. The first floor is a place to drink and the second floor is accommodation. The boss is Taiwanese, gentle and kind. 🌈About altitude sickness Don't wash your hair or take a bath on the day you arrive in Shangri-La, and don't walk fast or run or do vigorous exercise, otherwise you will easily lack oxygen and cause altitude sickness. Although I did not have altitude sickness, I also prepared a bottle (25/bottle) of oxygen just in case~ ❤️Warm reminder Shangri-La in December is really cold, you can persuade one is one! You must bring down jackets! Shangri-La in December is very cold, minus four or five degrees, you must bring more warm clothes! Don't bring summer skirts, you can't wear them, autumn clothes can be used as a base 🚗🚙Transportation: Bus/Chartered Bus: Lijiang Bus Station - Shangri-La Bus Station, the earliest bus is 8:00 when you go, and you can arrive in two and a half hours~; the latest bus when you come back is 7:30 in the evening, all are high-speed, the scenery is average, always in the tunnel, so it is a dark piece Chartered/self-driving, usually take the 214 National Road, the scenery is more beautiful, you will see Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Haba Snow Mountain. 👉Geographical location: Located in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, China, near the border between China, Myanmar and Bhutan.

When it comes to Balagezong, you might know nothing about it. However, this mysterious place hidden among the mountains boasts breathtaking natural scenery and rich cultural history. Balagezong is a travel destination that will leave your soul in awe! 🌄 Enchanting Natural Scenery 🌄 Balagezong, located north of Shangri-La, features stunning snow-capped mountains, vast forests, and crystal-clear lakes. This magical land feels like a paradise on earth, especially during sunrise and sunset when the sky is painted with magnificent hues, leaving you breathless. The sky here is so purely blue that it seems to cleanse your soul. 🏰 Ancient Cultural Heritage 🏰 Besides its natural beauty, Balagezong also carries a long history and unique culture. It was once an ancient kingdom, leaving behind many old castles and temples. Walking through this land, you can deeply feel the weight of history and appreciate the unique charm of Tibetan culture. The ancient castles and temples stand tall in the river of history, telling tales of past glories. 🍽️ Tempting Cuisine 🍽️ What’s a trip without delicious food? In Balagezong, you can savor authentic Tibetan cuisine, such as rich barley wine, fragrant butter tea, and delicious tsampa. These foods are not only tasty but also packed with nutrients, giving your taste buds a delightful feast. 🏃‍♀️ Abundant Outdoor Activities 🏃‍♀️ Balagezong is also a paradise for outdoor sports. Whether you are into hiking, mountain climbing, or cycling, there is something for you here. You can challenge yourself, get close to nature, and enjoy the fun of outdoor activities. Whether you are scaling peaks or wandering through forests, Balagezong can satisfy your longing for nature and exploration. 💖 Conclusion 💖 Balagezong is a unique travel destination with magnificent natural scenery, a long history, authentic cuisine, and abundant outdoor activities. If you wish to escape the hustle and bustle and seek a unique travel experience, consider embarking on a journey to Balagezong. Here, you will witness the grandeur of nature and the richness of cultural history, letting your soul immerse in the enchanting scenery. Pack your bags and embark on this wonderful journey to Balagezong! 🎒🏞️