Lijiang – Shangri-La by High Speed Train

Transportation

• High-Speed Train Information: The Lijiang-Shangri-La Railway (丽香铁路), with a designed speed of 140 kilometers per hour and a total length of 139 kilometers, officially opened for operation on November 26, 2023. The fastest travel time from Lijiang to Shangri-La is 1 hour and 18 minutes. This railway connects many famous scenic spots, including Lijiang Ancient Town (丽江古城), Lashi Sea (拉市海), Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山), Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡), Habu Snow Mountain (哈巴雪山), and Shangri-La, and is known as the “Beautiful Yunnan Sky Road.”
• Other Transportation Options: If you choose to depart from Kunming, the fastest travel time to Shangri-La is 4 hours and 30 minutes。

Train Schedule

Scenic Spots Recommendation

• Shangri-La: Shangri-La is the capital of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州) and is rich in natural and cultural landscapes, such as Songzanlin Monastery (松赞林寺) and Pudacuo National Park (普达措国家公园).
• Jianchuan County (剑川县): Located in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (大理白族自治州), Jianchuan County is an important stop along the Lijiang-Shangri-La high-speed railway. Famous attractions in Jianchuan County include Jianchuan Ancient Town (剑川古城), Shibao Mountain (石宝山), and Shaxi Ancient Town (沙溪古镇).
• Jianchuan Ancient Town: Built during the Tang Dynasty, Jianchuan Ancient Town has a history of over 1,300 years. The architecture within the town blends elements of Han, Bai, and Tibetan cultures, showcasing the charm of multiculturalism.
• Shibao Mountain: Known for its strange peaks and rocks, deep valleys, clear streams, and rich vegetation, Shibao Mountain is a landmark scenic spot in Jianchuan.
• Shaxi Ancient Town: An important post station on the Tea Horse Road, Shaxi Ancient Town has preserved many buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Food Recommendations

• Shangri-La: Tibetan specialty dishes, such as butter tea (酥油茶), Zamba (糌粑), and highland barley wine (青稞酒).
• Jianchuan County: Jianchuan tofu (剑川豆腐), Jianchuan butter tea (剑川酥油茶), and Bai ethnic grilled fish (白族烤鱼).

Accommodation Suggestions

• Shangri-La: You can choose to stay in hotels or homestays in the urban area of Shangri-La, or opt for characteristic inns near Pudacuo National Park.
• Jianchuan County: Jianchuan County offers a variety of accommodation options, including hotels in the county town, homestays, and characteristic inns near the scenic spots.

Practical Tips

• Travel Time: It is recommended to visit in spring or autumn when the weather is more pleasant.
• Precautions: Before your trip, prepare sunscreen, rain gear, and comfortable shoes to adapt to the variable weather and terrain.
• Cultural Experiences: You can participate in local Bai ethnic traditional dance performances or Tibetan cultural experience activities.