Shangri-La Tours in China
Shangri-La is a fictional area described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by British author James Hilton. In the novel, "Shangri-La" is a mystical and harmonious valley, an earthly paradise and a permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world. In the book Lost Horizon, people who lived at Shangri-La are almost immortal, living years beyond the normal lifespan and only very slowly aging in appearance. One of such places is mentioned to be situated somewhere in Zhongdian, Yunnan. It is in somewhere in your heart after your China Shangri La Travel! Solo travelers, family groups or seniors will be mesmerized by Shangri La and we offer tours to meet all specifications.
Where on Earth is Shangri-La China?
In order to reveal this mystery, Chinese National Geography launched two field investigations to Daocheng in Sichuan and Zhongdian in Yunnan respectively in June 2003 and March 2004. From April 13 to May 2, 2004, as a complementary to the former two investigations, Chinese National Geography organized a 20-day field investigation by 8 relevant experts and reporters to Greater Shangri-La, mainly involves Sichuan’s Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan's Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture and Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Tibet’s Chamdo and Nyingchi. The investigation team delimited the range of Greater Shangri-La based on the standard of Chinese National Geography, from Nyingchi of Tibet in the west, to Luding of Sichuan (including the upper reaches of Minjiang River) in the east, from Ruoergai (the northernmost point of Sichuan) and the northernmost point of Shiqu County of Sichuan in the north (including Luoguo Prefecture of Qinghai and northernmost area of Gansu), to Lijiang of Yunnan Province in the south. In terms of longitude and latitude, the area is enclosed at 94-102 °E and 27-34 °N.
According to reports, Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibet are planning to collaborate on establishing a 'China Shangri-La Ecotourism Area'. The preliminary program will define the future Shangri-La area to be in the scope of Southwest Sichuan, Northwest Yunnan and Southeast Tibet. Administrative jurisdictions cover 50 counties of 9 adjacent prefectures in the three provinces, including Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture and Panzhihua in Sichuan Province, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Lijiang in Yunnan Province, Nyingchi and Chamdo in Tibet. This area is endowed with unique highland flora and fauna of snow mountains, lakes, grasslands, forests and wild animals, exactly the living portrayal of the world-known Shangril-La.
What our clients say about Shangri-La Tours
"To conclude, you personally deserve our special thanks: you have been most helpful and proactive throughout the planning of our tour and during the tour itself. It is a pity that we could not meet in person at some point but I should certainly consider China Culture Tour for future visits to China and recommend your services to friends... Read More
" Our entire family including our son, enjoyed the travels and activities during the trip Thanks for very careful organization and flexibility along the way. Meantime, if I can provide you any recommendations, I'd be more than happy to... Read More
"Here in Xi'an they have not been happy with the agency that has been responsible for their local tours. They say the guides have not been very informative and they have been directed to too many "shopping" experiences. (note: Xian tours was arranged by other agent but not CHINA CULTURE TOUR.)... Read More
"We contacted a number of tour companies in China and chose "China Culture Tours" over the others because our tour organiser, Grace Wang, was friendly, fluent in English, had an excellent knowledge of all the sites we wanted to visit and responded quickly to all the questions we had... Read More
China and Highlights of Yunnan Tours
16 Days South of the Clouds Yunnan with Ancient China: Beijing (3-5 nights): Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Forbidden City, Hutong, Mutianyu Great Wall, Peking Opera, Chinese Kungfu, Peking Roasted Duck, etc. Xian (1-2 nights): Museum of Terra-Cotta Worries, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall, the Mosque, Forest of Stone Steles Museum, Shaanxi History Museum, Chinese Noodle and Dumpling, shadow play, Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, etc. Kunming (1-2 nights): Yunnan Stone Forest, Yuantong Temple, Green Lake Park, Flowers and Birds Market, etc. Dali (1-2 nights): Dali Ancient City, Erhai Lake, Mt. Cangshan, Three Pagodas, Tie-dyeing, Local market, Xizhou Yan's Compound, etc. Shaxi (1-2 nights): Biking, Shaxi Old Town, Xingjiao Temple, Villages, Friday Market, the Ancient Tea–Horse Road, etc. Lijiang (2-4 nights): Old Town of Lijiang, Jade Spring Park, Mu's Residence, Lijiang Murals, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Village, Old Town of Shuhe, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Naxi Ancient Music, etc. Shangri La (2-3 nights): Songzanlin Monastery, Shangri La Old Town, Bitahai Lake, Tibet Villages, etc. Shanghai (1-2 nights): Nanjing Road, Jade Garden, Xitang Water Town, etc. View this itinerary
19 Days Secrets of Shangri La Discovery: Beijing (3-5 nights): Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Forbidden City, Hutong, Mutianyu Great Wall, Peking Opera, Chinese Kungfu, Peking Roasted Duck, etc. Xian (1-2 nights): Museum of Terra-Cotta Worries, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall, the Mosque, Forest of Stone Steles Museum, Shaanxi History Museum, Chinese Noodle and Dumpling, shadow play, Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, etc. Lijiang (2-3 nights): Old Town of Lijiang, Jade Spring Park, Mu's Residence, Lijiang Murals, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha Village, Old Town of Shuhe, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Naxi Ancient Music, etc. Shangri La (1-2 nights): Songzanlin Monastery, Shangri La Old Town, Potatso National Park, Tibetan Villages, etc. stay in Songtsam Shangri La. Tacheng (1-2 nights): About 4 hours driving from Lijiang to Tacheng, you’ll stay at the Songtsam Tacheng, gardens, fields, Yunnan Golden Monkey National Park and hiking, local family and learn about homemade honey. Benzilan (1-2 nights): About 3 hours driving from Tacheng to Benzilan, visit Villages, Natural Landscapes, the Locals, etc. stay in Songtsam Benzilan. Deqin/Meili Snow Mountain/Shangri La(1-3 nights): About 1.5 hours driving, Dongzhulin Monastery, Meili Snow Mountain, sunrise, Kawagebo, hiking, the village of Nixi, black pottery, handicraft workshop lacquer-painting, traditional Tibetan farewell dinner, stay in Songtsam Meili. Shanghai (1-2 nights): Nanjing Road, Jade Garden, Xitang Water Town, etc. View this itinerary
What to see in Shangri-La China?
Deqin of Yunnan Province: Meili Snow Mountain, CizhongCatholic Church, Baimang Snow Mountain, Mingyong Glacier
Diqing of Yunnan Province: Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lake Bita, Songzanlin Lamasery, Baishuitai, Lake Napa, Yila Grassland, Meili Snow Mountain, Baimang Snow Mountain, Flower fields in Xiaozhongdian Village, Tibetan family visit, Shangri-La Grand Canyon, Samage Nature Reserve, Pudacuo National Park
Dali of Yunnan Province: Three Pagodas in Chongsheng Temple, Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake, Shuanglang Village, Shanping Market, Luoma Market, Shaxi Ancient Town
Lijiang of Yunnan Province: Lijiang Ancient Town, Shuhe Ancient Town, Black Dragon Pool, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lashi Lake, Naxi Ancient Music
Chamdo of Tibet: Rawok Lake, Dongda Mountain, Bangda Grassland, Ancient Salt-Drying Fields,
Yanjing Town Salt-Drying Fields, Midui Glacier, Chambaling Monastery, Honglashan Snub-Nosed Monkey Reserve
Nyingchi of Tibet: YarlungTsangpo Grand Canyon, NamchaBarwa Peak, Pagsum Lake, Lulang Forest, Bayi Town, Nanyi Valley, Kading Valley, Peach Blossom Village, Guxiang Lake Scenic Area, Lulang Flower and Pasture Scenic Area
Sichuan Province: Giant Panda, Jiuzhaigou, Miyaluo Scenic Area, Ma’erkang County, Litang County, Daocheng County, Yading Village, Xiangcheng County
Note: Hotels in Chamdoand Nyingchi are of limited accommodation standard, at 3-star or below. Hotels in Sichuan Province in above-mentioned places (except for Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou) are of standard of inns and hostels.
Tips for Traveling in Tibetan/Shangri La Areas
People in Tibetan areas observe their own unique customs and traditions. It is very important to respect their religion and pay attention to their taboos. Here are some dos and don’ts.
1. Do not touch any cattle or goats with red, yellow or blue labels, because they are local people’s sacrifice to the Holy Spirit.
2. Do not enter a temple without permission. Smoking, touching statues or sutra is strictly forbidden. In some places it is not allowed to walk counterclockwise, and women are not allowed to enter certain areas.
3. When you enter a Tibetan tent or room, do not step on the threshold. Spitting in front of others is considered impolite.
4. When a Tibetan sticks out his/her tongue, it is a sign of respect rather than mock. Putting palms together is a form of etiquette.
5. Lamas don’t smoke, but some women even girls in pasture areas do. It is social convention for them to offer cigarette and tea.
6. Be careful not to catch a cold before you enter Tibet. It is suggested that you postpone your Tibet tour if you already catch a cold. Cold does not easily recover on plateaus, and if it gets worse it may cause pulmonary edema and other complications. It is necessary to prepare some medicine for cold, indigestion and stomach disorder.
7. The climate in Tibet is dry with poor oxygen and low air pressure. Prepare at hand some nasal ointment and throat lozenge to relieve discomfort in nose and throat caused by dry weather.
8. The intense ultraviolet radiation on plateau makes it important to protect yourself by wearing hat, sunglasses and sun cream.
9. Do not buy wild animal’s fur, horn or skull in Tibet. Mostly they were poached, and you will find yourself in big trouble when you leave Tibet with these things.
10. Don’t give money to local people you take photograph at/with, or take photos of them or their staff without their permission. You can give some food or medicine to enhance trust.
11. When visiting a Tibetan family, you should sit down cross-legged and don’t let your sole to face people.
12. It is very important to keep in mind that it is very impolite to touch a Tibetan people’s head. In their culture, their head should not be touched by others except for eminent monks and seniors.
13. Keep quite when you visit a lamasery, especially when religious rites are being held. Hunting or killing is strictly forbidden.
14. Don’t use paper printed with Tibetan characters to wipe or clean things. When you visit a Tibetan family, man should sit on the left and woman on the right. A fire at the door or a tree branch with red cloth on the door indicates this family has people in sickness, and does not welcome visitors.
Tailor-make Your China Shangri La Tour
