Greater Shangri-La

The Hengduan Mountains where Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibet meet: the "Shangri-La Eco-tourism Zone" of Shangri-La, Daocheng Yading, Meili Snow Mountain and Lugu Lake.

Greater Shangri-La is a tourism-region concept jointly launched by Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibet, covering southern Garzê in Sichuan (Daocheng, Xiangcheng, Derong, Litang), Diqing and Lijiang in Yunnan (Shangri-La, Deqen, Lugu Lake) and southern Chamdo in Tibet (Markam). The region's backbone is the Three Parallel Rivers of the Jinsha, Lancang (Mekong) and Nu (Salween), and highlights include the golden sunrise on Meili Snow Mountain, Pudacuo National Park, Tiger Leaping Gorge, the three sacred mountains of Daocheng Yading, the white Tibetan houses of Xiangcheng, the thousand-year-old salt fields of Yanjing in Markam, and the Mosuo culture of Lugu Lake. The classic "Greater Shangri-La loop" takes about 8–12 days: Lijiang–Lugu Lake–Daocheng Yading–Xiangcheng–Derong–Shangri-La–Deqen–(optional extension to Markam)–Lijiang. Transport is by self-drive or chartered car; Lijiang, Shangri-La and Daocheng Yading have airports, and the Lijiang–Shangri-La railway is open. Altitudes range from 2,400 to 4,500 m, roads are mostly mountain national highways, and landslides are a concern in the rainy season. This is also a meeting point of the Tibetan, Naxi, Pumi, Mosuo and other peoples, with rich traditions of mountain and lake circumambulation and monastery festivals. If time is limited, you can do just a single section such as Shangri-La–Deqen or Daocheng Yading and still enjoy the best of the region.

Destinations

Itineraries