The Best Places to Visit in Shangri-La
Shangri-La, formerly known as Zhongdian, is located in the northwest of Yunnan province. It is the political, economic, cultural, technological, financial and information center of the autonomous prefecture of Dêqên. In 2002, the city was renamed Shangri-La in honor of novelist James Hilton and his novel Lost Horizons. The name change meant a significant increase in the number of tourists who visited the city. It has become one of the starting points for trips to Tibet. Enjoying the reputation of a "lost paradise", Shangri-La is a place rich in natural resources and pristine historical relics. In this article, we are going to introduce the best must-see places to travel around Shangri-La as well.
Lake Napahai
With a total area of 31.25 square kilometers and an altitude of 3,266 meters, the state-designated wetland area of Napahai Nature Reserve is located in Shangri-la city of Yunnan province. Established in 1984, it is an ecosystem protection zone from wetlands to seasonal plateau lakes and swamp grasslands. The nature reserve is flat and surrounded by mountains. Come October, flocks of black-necked cranes, greylag geese, whooping cranes and woodcocks regularly come in search of food and fun. The Napahai meadow is the largest in Shangri-La. Due to the humid climate, local grass grows faster than in other areas. Every year in May, Napa's prairie is green, while prairie in other areas is just beginning to sprout. In early June, a variety of wildflowers open and flocks and herds frolic on the meadow. Napahai Lake is a true paradise for all types of birds, especially aquatic birds, such as the black-necked crane, the black-faced goose, as well as many other species of geese, the common mallard, the Himalayan griffon, the egret and the white-tailed eagle.
Yila Grassland
With a total area of 13 square kilometers, Yila Grassland is the largest and most beautiful grassland in Shangri-La. It is 6 kilometers northwest of Shangri-la City, a part of Napahai Lake, Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan. It owes its name to the sacred mountain located to the north of the meadow. Yila Grassland is the best place to experience the life of Tibetan herdsmen in Yunnan. In summer and autumn numerous little flowers bloom while herds of cows and sheep graze on the grass. Yila Prairie is part of Lake Napa. One year for the summer, in addition to four hills after the snow melted into Lake Napa, with the Qu River, Naizi River and other rivers also injected more than ten, formed a vast ocean. In the dry season, the lake gradually recedes, Lake Napa became endless green grass or wetlands, grazing are the golden season. September of each year, a world of Napa Lake waterfowl, Bar-headed geese, ducks, black-necked cranes and other rare birds flown here from afar have winter.
Haba Snow Mountain
Haba Snow Mountain is located 120 kilometers southeast of Shangri-La city in Yunnan province. The mountain rises 5,396 m above sea level and is one of the highest peaks in Yunnan Province. It faces the highest Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and rises 3,500 meters above the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The top of the mountain is a popular destination among amateur mountaineers and its lower slopes are traversed by the popular Tiger Leaping Gorge trail. Its massif is considered the southern end of the extensive Shaluli Mountains, which in turn are part of the Hengduan Mountains.
The White Water Terrace
The White Water Terrace is one of the most attractive tourist attractions of the mystical Shangri-La, an ancient Chinese relief between 200,000 and 300,000 years old. Covering an area of three square kilometers, Baishui Terrace is located in the foothills of Haba Snow Mountain, 101 kilometers southeast of Shangri-La County. The exact location is Baidi Village of the Sanbe Village of Shangri-La, Yunnan Province. The main attraction of the area is a huge white deposit in the shape of a stepped pool, formed by calcium-rich water gushing from springs at the top of the formation. It has been described as the largest of its kind in China.
