Guishan Monastery in Shangrila, Diqing

Guishan Monastery in Shangrila, Diqing

Attraction Overview

Built in the very center of the Old Town, Guishan Temple with the largest prayer wheel, over 80 feet high lights up the night sky like a dazzling jewel. It offers a wonderful vantage point for looking over the Shangrila city.

Attraction Type: Temple

Chinese Name: 龟山寺(Pinyin: Guishansi)

Best Time to Visit: All-year-round

Recommended Visiting Time: One Hour

Open Hours: 8:30-21:00

Admission Fee: Free

Location: Guishan Park, Dukezong Ancient Town, Shangrila City, Yunnan Province

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📍Location

Address

No. 9, Lunhuolang, Dukezong Ancient Town, Jiantang Township, Shangri-La City, Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China

Elevation

Approximately 3,300 meters above sea level, located atop Turtle Hill (龟山) in the center of the ancient town, east of Moonlight Square (月光广场)

Transportation

  • About 10 minutes by taxi from Shangri-La city center to the ancient town

  • 5–10 minutes on foot from anywhere in the ancient town; the path is paved with stone and has a moderate incline

🏯Highlights of the Site

Attraction Description
Turtle Hill Grand Buddha Temple (龟山大佛寺) Originally built during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. Features a triple-golden-roof pagoda known as Chaoyang Tower (朝阳楼), housing statues of Shakyamuni Buddha and Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara. A place of thriving Tibetan Buddhist worship.
World’s Largest Prayer Wheel (世界最大转经筒) Standing 21 meters tall and weighing 60 tons, it takes 7–15 people to rotate. Spinning it once is said to bring the merit of 1.24 million prayer recitations.
Panoramic View of the Ancient Town Climb to the top of Chaoyang Tower for a full view of Dukezong Ancient Town, traditional Tibetan rooftops, and the distant Shika Snow Mountain (石卡雪山). Stunning at sunrise and after dusk.
Moonlight Square & Ancient Well (月光广场与古井) At the foot of the hill lies an ancient well with clear spring water—once the main water source for the town. Early mornings often feature local Tibetans collecting water.

📸Photography Tips

Best Times to Visit

  • Early Morning: Soft lighting, fewer tourists; a chance to see locals turning the prayer wheel or fetching water

  • Dusk: The setting sun casts golden light on the wheel and temple roofs, with rising kitchen smoke from the ancient town

  • Night: Illuminated prayer wheel and temple buildings—ideal for long exposure night photography

Recommended Angles

  • Front steps of the prayer wheel (low-angle shots + human interaction)

  • Third-floor railing of Chaoyang Tower (overlooking the ancient town with snow mountain background)

  • Beside the ancient well (low-angle candid shots of locals fetching water)

✅Practical Tips

Tip Recommendation
Admission Free entry, open all day
Altitude Alert At 3,300 meters, walk slowly uphill and avoid intense physical activity
What to Wear Large temperature differences between day and night—bring a windproof jacket. Dress modestly when entering the temple
Nearby Attractions Combine your visit with a night stroll in Dukezong Ancient Town, a trip to Songzanlin Monastery (松赞林寺), or a loop around Napa Lake (纳帕海)
Cultural Etiquette Always spin prayer wheels clockwise. Maintain silence inside the temple and never point at Buddha statues

✨One-Line Summary

“Only when you spin the prayer wheel on Turtle Hill and overlook the Moonlight City, can you say you’ve truly arrived in Shangri-La.”