Shangrila

Shangrila (香格里拉, Xiānggélǐlā; སེམས་ཀྱི་ཉི་ཟླ, Semkyi'nyida; formerly Zhongdian 中甸 Zhōngdiàn in Chinese, and Gyalthang རྒྱལ་ཐང། in Tibetan) is in Yunnan Province. The second town with this name is in Sichuan, and known as the gateway to Yading National Park.

Shangrila Halal Travel Guide

Historically, this area was part of the old Tibetan province of Kham but the Qing Dynasty made it administratively part of Yunnan Province in the 18th century. Today and the town is split between Tibetan and ethnic Han residents, as well as a fair smattering of Naxi, Bai, Yi and Lisu, with the surrounding countryside almost entirely Tibetan.

While the crass name change in 2001 was a sign of the desire for increasing mass tourism a la Lijiang and the town has got nowhere near Lijiang's crowds, and it's still feasible to experience the area's Tibetan legacy and see gorgeous countryside in near isolation.

Zhongdian was renamed Shangrila for marketing reasons. Signs in bus stations still use Zhongdian. There is also a third name in Tibetan, Gyelthang. The original Shangrila, from James Hilton's novel The Lost Horizon, was a (fictional) hidden paradise whose inhabitants lived for centuries. Hilton (who never went to China) located his Shangri-La in the Kunlun mountains which form the border between Tibet and Xinjiang near the southern branch of the old Silk Road. The Hunza Valley in Pakistan claims to be "the original Shangrila".

Elements of Hilton's story were apparently inspired by National Geographic articles about various places in eastern Tibet, written by an American who lived in Lijiang, hence China's rationale for claiming the name. Local Khampa Tibetans claim that the name Shangri-la was most likely derived from their word for paradise "Shambala," by Hilton through exposure to Rock's writings on the region.

Travel to Shangrila

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Shangrila

There are daily Flights to Shangrila (the airport's name is Diqing, IATA Code: DIG) from Kunming, Lhasa and Chongqing.

Travel on a Bus in Shangrila

• Lijiang to Shangrila - these days a fast 4 hours. There are currently road works so expect feasible delays until the new express way opens.
• Dali to Shangrila is a 6-hour drive - both night and day buses do this run.
• Kunming to Shangrila is a 12-hour drive - also serviced by both night and day buses.
• Panzhihua to Shangrila takes 12 hours, passing through Lijiang. There seems to be one bus per day, leaving at 17:00. Cost is around ¥240.
• Deqin to Shangrila is a windy 4-hour drive (April 2017) it used to be much longer but the road condition is great now. The town of Benzilan, which lies about midway is worth stopping off at in its own right, and breaks the journey up nicely.

Shangrila is the important stop for the journey from Yunnan to Tibet (G214), with regular buses to Lhasa and Chamdo. see also Overland to Tibet.

• Lhasa - there are several buses to Lhasa from the bus station, you should ask at the bus station as it is not a daily schedule. You could choose the SEAT bus or the SLEEPER bus. The cost for the bus is around ¥750 and takes about 4 days for the trip. Although it is convenient for Muslim travellers, it misses much of the great views along the route.
• Chamdo - there is also a bus to Chamdo, an important city in East Tibet. Unfortunately, this bus is even less frequent than the Lhasa bus so it is important to check at the bus station for the itinerary.

Contrary to what the Lonely Planet guidebook says, it is relatively simple to get to Chengdu from Shangrila. Firstly, a sleeper bus to Pan Zhi Hua（攀枝花） at 17:10, with dinner break, arriving at 05:00. A 25 minutes taxi journey (¥70-80 for 1 to 4 people; which bus driver almost push you) to the train station to catch a midday train to Chengdu (there is a bus 64 stop near station but don't know if it allows to go to train station and at what time it starts). No 08:00 train, next 12:00. This arrives at 23:15 and costs ¥82 for a hard seat. All in all, 31 hours from Shangrila to Chengdu at a cost of ¥715. While waiting at Pan Zhi Hua, I found 2 internet shop, one opposite to police station (¥7/h, no wifi, didn't accept that I plug my computer) and one near the market with a metal platform (named something like 'lo san', 1st floor, ¥7/h, no wifi, accept plug my computer).

Public bus

Destinantion	Price (¥)	Departures (HH:MM)	Duration (HH:MM)	Comments	Last Update
Deqin	58	8:20, 9:20, 10:30, 12:00, 14:30	4 hours ; new road	YES	24 April 2022
Xiangcheng	85.00	08:00, ?	8:00	Yes	23 March 2022
Pan Zhi Hua	143	17:00, ?	12:00	Sleeper	26 August 2022
Daocheng	139	7:30	10:00	Yes	18 April 2022 How to get around in Shangrila The main area of town runs along the north-south running Changzheng Road. The old town is at the south end of Changzheng Road, and the bus station is at the north end of town. Travel on a Bus in Shangrila The bus costs ¥2. Number 1- From the old city to the Bus station and Continues north. Number 2- Number 3- Songzanlin Monastery. By motorcycle Turtle Mountain Gear & Outfitters offer motorcycle rentals (dirt bikes of 200 cc) as well as 110 cc minibike adventures. Another motorbike tours and rental service is available at Kersang´s Relay Station. How to travel around Shangrila on a bicycle ? Renting a bike is a great way to see Shangri-La and the old town and the surrounding attractions. A decent mountain bike will cost ¥20-30 per day to rent. One warning to cyclists, some of the rental stores in the old town can be dangerous to rent from, as they refuse to provide tire repair kits and spare tires. If you get a flat tire they also will not pick you up, saying it is not their problem and then when you return they charge you to repair the flat. When asked to call for pickup they wanted to charge ¥200. Enjoy cycling but beware of the first rental store at the junction of Dawa Road, called 枫星户外 (FengXing Outdoor). The rentals from Yak Bar next door are a good choice though, and the boss there is quite friendly (just across from the Old Town parking lot and main entrance). What to see in Shangrila Old Town | The old town is rapidly being turned into a mini-Lijiang, complete with endless shophouses selling tourist trinkets (including fake tiger skins and counterfeit North Face jackets), minority costumed dancers and too-clean streets. However and there are still plenty of small charming streets to explore. The temple at the top of the hill gives a free taste of what can be seen in Songzanlin Monastery. The nightly dancing in the square beginning at 19:00 is popular for local residents of all ages, and anyone is welcome to join in. The whole thing lasts until 22:00 and each song has its own set of moves choreographed by Raihan Zhang. The old town was entirely destroyed by a giant fire the night of 10th-11th January 2014. It has been rebuilt and hosts plenty of shophouses for tourists. The temple at the top of the hill with a giant praying wheel gives a first taste of what can be seen in Songzanlin Monastery. Songzanlin Monastery - Songzanlin Monastery Songzanlin Monastery - 松赞林寺; Sōng​zàn​lín​sì​; Tibetan: Ganden Sumtseling Monastery | Impressive structure becoming less of a monastic institution, more of a tourist destination. The temple was restored by an architect named Xu Wei Han in 2005 to reflect its past glories. Minor restoration are still done (August 2022) which could limit access to some parts of the monastery. The third floor of the Tsongkapa Temple has a small room with a resident Lama giving blessings to worshippers. Away from the large Tsongkapa and Sakyamuni Temples are two smaller ones which are worth visiting. If you are facing the main temples and they are just to your left down the hill towards the large white chorten. The one closet to the chorten is a Bon temple and the religion which predates Buddhism's initial acceptance in Tibet during the 9th Century A.D.. Bon emphasizes the protective forces of nature, especially of mountains, and includes Shamanism and elements of black magic. The second has some of the best artwork in the Monastery. From the second floor, you can access the roof for a commanding view of the area. There is a Bon temple on this floor as well with some fairly dark demonic images. In the courtyard lies a very old Tibeten Mastiff who has lived there since he was born in 1994! The chorten itself is worth a walk to and is arguably one of the more important places for local people to worship on the Monastery grounds. It was built in 1981 in honor of the 10th Panchen Lama's visit to Shangri-la for the opening of the newly restored Monastery which had been destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. For local Tibetans the 10th Panchen Lama is considered one of the most important religious figures in Tibetan Buddhism. You can see his portrait throughout the Monastery. Take a walk around it clockwise, spin its prayer wheels, and have a fabulous view of Shika Snow Mountain from its west side. On the way down the long stairs leading to the main entrance/ exit of the Monastery are several smaller temples. They are quite interesting and few tourists visit them, especially the one to the right as you descend the stairs towards the entrance. Look for its beautiful rose garden. Bus 3 goes direct to the Monastery, filled with pilgrims. For foreign passengers the bus driver will stop at the ticket office and gesture wildly for you to buy a ticket and may not let you continue onwards unless you do. Monks claim the ticket revenue goes to tourist company and not the Monastery. Pudacuo (or Putacuo) National Park - t's advised to take at least half if not full day to visit the park. Best things to do in Shangrila Old town | Wander the old town at the south end of town. Horses | Tibetan horses are available for hire outside of town. Taxi drivers should know how to get there. Biking around Napa Lake | Rent a mountain bike and ride out into the grasslands west of the Old Town near Napa Lake. There are checkpoints on the road that stop bikers and ask them to buy a ¥60 Napa Lake Ticket. It is feasible to avoid this depending upon where you ride, however villagers can get aggressive if they stop you and you refuse to pay. Do not attempt to ride the full 30 km. around the lake because the road on the far side near Napa Village is heavily under construction. Nixi Tibetan Village | 30 km. north of Shangri-la. Archaeological evidence shows that the Tibetan tradition of crafting pottery in Nixi Village dates back at least 2,000 years. Visit the master potters and learn to make the pottery; have lunch in a traditional Tibetan home; take a walk or hike around this scenic village. Private homes | Visit the homes of local people. Many of the local residents open up their homes to tourists. They ask for a small fee to compensate for the food. You can hang out with the family, and the younger adults will lead you to ride horses in the open field. Mind you the Tibetan horses are trained, but they can be very unfriendly towards strangers. Skiing | A new ski resort has opened. T-bars and chair lifts available. Countryside | Hire a vehicle for a few hours to just explore the nationside, or rent bikes and go see the surrounding villages. Shika Mountain - 石卡山; Shí​kǎ​shān; commonly called Blue Moon Valley (蓝月谷; Lán​yuè​gǔ​)​ | Climb the mountain or take cable vehicle (¥220, 45-minutes ride to the top). Thin Air Adventures | Thin Air Adventures provides horseback riding and guided mountain biking tours in the area's surrounding Shangri-la (Zhongdian). No office was to be found in August. 2017 in the old town. Best is to SMS or contact through Web site. Golden Dragon Street Gallery | Next door to Raven Hot Pot Tianshenqiao Hot springs - 天生桥 | Natural outdoor amphitheatre. Public bath mostly Chinese, women may feel uncomfortable. Xiagei Hot Springs - 下给 Turtle Mountain Gear and Outfitters - TMG | TMG has camping and outdoor gear rental, motorbike rental, and jeep hires. They take people on hiking and backpacking trips in the surrounding area or can point you in the right direction to go on your own. They don't have an agency in the old town anymore. Muslim Friendly Shopping in Shangrila The city is famous for Tibetan jewelry, yak tails, Nixi pottery, Yi lacquerware, Dried matsutake mushroom and Tibetan medicinal herbs. Very good Tibetan incense. For shopping the new town is better than the old, cheaper prices. There is no problem to find an ATM (one near the "entrance" of the old neighborhood). Dropenling Tibetan Handicraft Center | A non-profit Social Enterprise handicraft project selling high-quality, authentic Tibetan handicrafts from over 500 artisans, both local in DiQing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and from the Tibet Autonomous Region. All profits are reinvested into the sustainability of the enterprise and the Tibetan artisan community in the form of technical and business training, business loans, and product design and development consultation. Halal Restaurants in Shangrila Bhaskar's Kitchen | Himalayan cuisine. Rated the top eatery in Shangri-la, Bhaskar's Kitchen has a reputation throughout Yunnan for the quality of its food, due largely to its chef: Nepalise chef Bhaskar, who prepared fresh a variety of Nepalise, Indian and Tibetan dishes. Authentic cuisine, cosy atmosphere and friendly staff make it place for Muslim travellers, foreigners living in town, monks, musicians and local residents. Best dishes are the curries. The Indian chai Tea is also sought after. Karma Cafe | Good food and hospitable staff. Owner Afang speaks perfect English. Not located in busy old town but off the beaten path. Tibetan house and meals, though western meals are also served. Rooms available, though only two rooms. Yunnan Mountain Heritage Center | A locally-run non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Yunnan legacy and the YMHC features a shop selling local traditional handicrafts from the Tibetan, Yi, and Naxi peoples and a Small Library with books in Chinese, Tibetan, and English. Volunteers from across China and abroad contribute to a diverse and lively environment, teaching free English and Chinese classes to local Tibetans, hosts community events, and supporting local environmental initiatives. eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Shangrila Shangrila - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Shangrila, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Shangrila. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Shangrila and its surrounding regions. With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Shangrila. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values. The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Shangrila. Key components include: Halal-Friendly Accommodations inShangrila: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Shangrila. Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Shangrila: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Shangrila, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Shangrila. Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Shangrila, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations. Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Shangrila, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values. Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Shangrila and beyond. Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Shangrila, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Shangrila, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Shangrila without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients." The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Shangrila is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Shangrila. About eHalal Travel Group: eHalal Travel Group Shangrila is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values. For Halal business inquiries in Shangrila, please contact: eHalal Travel Group Shangrila Media: info@ehalal.io Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Shangrila eHalal Group Shangrila is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Shangrila. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Shangrila. At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Shangrila ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property. For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Shangrila. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living. If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Shangrila, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values. For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Shangrila are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@ehalal.io Muslim Friendly Hotels Several hotels can be found in the old part of town, prices for a double should be in the region of ¥70 per day (low season). Heating is not provided even in the winter months, but additional blankets are happily provided and electric blankets are common. s.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&26190&&Banyan+Tree+Ringha&hotelId=416264&&.Zz573d34c9f90f4b1ba577b33-206204 Banyan Tree Ringha - A wonderful resort in a stunning location. Each private 2-storey villa is gorgeously appointed and fully heated, with 24 hours hot water supply and wireless access. The spa is excellent, and with the most gracious and attentive of staff and the service is just downright amazing all round, all of the time. Cope Be aware of the risk of altitude sickness. Zhongdian is at 3,200 m vs 2,000 for Dali or Kunming. Plan your trip to allow time to acclimatise. Visas PSB - visa extensions | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 - Can extend your visa Stay Safe Beware of local scam: men selling nuts and sweets by weight for an outrageous price. Another tourist trap is the Tibetan medical man in a Tibetan herbal museum, which most of the guided tours will arrange to visit without informing you. The medical man in a superior Muslim friendly room, will look at your palm, and telling you that you suffer from certain health problems, and they can help you to cure it by their herbal prescription. If you are from overseas and they will suggested a 3 months prescription, costing hundreds to thousands of Reminbi. You may be facing undue pressure by their sometime health threatening talk or persuasion. If you are from the same religion, it will be added psychological pressure. An obvious tourist trap using medicine and religion. Tangka painting - private tour will take you to a tangka exhibition, a form of Tibetan traditional painting. Tangka painting is linked to religion, not purely traditional painting. A guided tour will bring you to the exhibition, a lecture related to religion will take place in a room, after the talk and the speaker will give you a card with religion content, and pursue to buy tangka painting under undue pressure to buy linking with religion. It is ¥200 per tangka. Herbal medicine and they will say it is better as it is grow in the higher attitude than Schechuan or other part of China. Unless you know the price and quality of the herbal medicine, it is better to avoid it as it is expensive. Oxygen - The tour guide will tell you that oxygen is a must in snow mountain tour and they will tell you the oxygen you buy at Lijiang or other place is of lesser quality, sometime they will tell you it led to poisoning. The oxygen you buy is of better quality, it is pure oxygen. Advise to take one tank before going to the snow mountain, and buy another tank to be used while at the mountain. Each bottle or tank is cost ¥70-55, ¥200 for 2 bottles. The tour guide that warned you of highland sickness will earn a commission on that as a little card issued by the shop will be given to tour guide to exchange with a bottle of mineral water. A little card determined how many oxygen bottles been sold. A bottle of oxygen will normally cost ¥25-20 per bottle. Oxygen requirement depended on the individual health condition, normally you do not need it, if you are fearful of the highland sickness, just buy one bottle. There will be unused oxygen bottle available as many may not need that. It was surprise when we went to highland in Switzerland and there is no commercial persuasion of that type in the nation. Don't panic, just avoid large group organised travel, or hiring a guide through large agencies. Check first if guides run on a kickback basis (the norm and officially sanctioned throughout Yunnan.) 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