At the Foot of the Himalayas

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Lijiang - Zhongdian
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 140.- per person

Explore China’s answer to Shangri-La, a peaceful Tibetan nook in the snow-capped mountains. Visit remote monasteries and soak up the spirit of the Himalayas. Wander through cobbled backstreets, meet friendly monks and gaze down upon green valleys. It’s a tiny taste of isolated Tibetan life. Removed from the buzz of the lowland cities, it’s a beautiful spot for a scenic break.

Days 1-2 – Arrival and free time – Zhongdian

Today, you’ll hop on the local bus from Lijiang for the scenic journey to Zhongdian, passing plunging valleys, pine forests and snow-capped mountains. After around 5 hours, you’ll reach Zhongdian, renamed as Shangri-La by the Chinese as a publicity stunt. You’ll stay in a simple guesthouse just outside the town, where you’ll be treated to a warm welcome and a panoramic view.

On Day 2, you can explore Zhongdian at your own pace. Wander through the ancient cobbled streets and soak up the Tibetan atmosphere, listening to soft chants drift from beyond the monastery walls. It is worth bearing in mind that the fire in early 2014 has destroyed some of the wooden buildings in the Old Town here but you can still experience the blend of Tibetan and Han Chinese cultures coming together.

The 300-year old Tibetan Ganden Sumtseling Gompa Monastery, located just outside Zhongdian, is a must-see during your time here. Home to more than 600 monks, it’s the most important Tibetan complex in southwestern China, steeped in sacred spirit, with spinning prayer wheels, pagodas and temples.