I am glad, I reached Shangri-la, China in August 2017, the highest place on earth I set my foot (and steal stone) , a place that made me catches my breath at an elevation of more than 3,000 meters going to 4,200 meters above sea level. It’s a paradise to me,
Name – the real Chinese name is Di Qing, but is popularly called Shangri-la in Chinese pin-yin is called XIANG GE LI LE and in traditional Chinese writing is 香格里拉 , it is located on the boundaries of Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan province.
How to go there – i went there from Li Jiang, the famous 800 years old village in Yunnan province. I planned the travel to visit famous places nearby with Li Jiang as the fulcrum and Shangri-la and Dali as the side-kick. From Li Jiang, there are tour package vendor that you can find in the Li Jiang old town, I choose one of them (from the beautiful tour vendor) and join a 3 days tour group.
Lack of Oxygen – the tour guide will offer oxygen in case of breathing difficulties. They offer also heavy jacket, its August and its not yet autumn or winter but due to its elevation, the temperature is cold.
What I am doing there – it has been my dream to reach Shangri-la since I came to China 20 years ago. I read several stories about this place, and finally reach the famous temple with a giant bell-ring that people tend to move clockwise while wishing for something good.
What was special – its the milk! I was told that “you never go to Shangri-la if you do not taste the milk” – – – sounds like “you never go to China is you do not go to the great wall”. Some locals sell the warm milk with their warm smile.
The peak – I am not prepared to hike, I am only interested to reach the famous temple and I did it! This mountain reach 4,500 meters above sea level and it requires gear to go there.
The company – we plan to travel around the world, while we can and while we are young – spread the wing and fly away. Shargri-la is just one of the famous place, yet difficult to reach.
Magnificent Landscape – Shangri-la is one of the beautiful landscape I ever seen.
Things not seen in the Big City – in one of the village, this is how it looks like the 7-11 store. The tent is awesome to me showing the traditional Tibetan style, and those wild pig — gosh! Its been a long time.
The Old Town – the beautiful Shangri-la old houses was diminished by fire one year earlier before my visit. I was told that its even more beautiful and older than the old town in Li Jiang (about 800 years), here is the remain as seen from the top on the foot of the Temple.
If you plan to visit Dali or Li Jiang do not missed to visit Shangri-la, and if you explore more place, share it to your friends (including me) and share it to the world about this magnificent place – wonderful China. Follow my adventure in Dali City. Thank you!