Shangri-La Travel Tips in Winter

In Tibetan language, Shangrila means the sun and moon in the heart. With an average elevation of about 3459 meters, it is regarded as the pearl on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Bordering Tibet, it has the highest mountains and the coldest winter temperatures. If you would like to visit Haba Snow Mountain, Meili Snow Mountain and other snow mountain, winter is a good time to visit. Mingyong Glacier winds its way high and low, Kawagebo Peak glitters with the dawn light, primeval forested acres wears a plain silver outfit, the prairies turn silver white. Shangrila is a Fairy Tale of Winter.

1. Top Attractions of Shangrila Winter Tour

Meili Snow Mountain

The best time to visit Meili Snow Mountain is from October to next May. The best season is after the end of October, when you can view the main peak because of the nice weather, clean air and the high transparency there. However, in other seasons, it mainly depends on your luck to see the main peak. You are more likely to have a chance to see the snow-covered mountain in the early morning when when the sun rises.

Haba Snow Mountain

Haba Snow Mountain is the ideal destination for amateur mountaineers. A common tourist can reach the summit successfully at the elevation of nearly 5,400 meters if well equipped and prepared adequately. Best time to climb Haba Snow Mountain is between mid of March till end of June and mid of September till mid of December. Affected by the monsoons, fresh gales blow in January and February. From November to December, the light wind makes tourists more easily to climb up to the summit.

Napahai Lake

With a total area of 31.25 square kilometers and an elevation of 3266 meters, the state-designated wetlands area Napahai Nature Reserve is located in Shangri-la city. The natural reserve is flat, surrounded by mountains. When October steps in, flocks of black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese, white cranes, sheldrakes regularly come here looking for food and for fun. The prairie is golden with snowcapped peaks of the distance reflected in the lake. The black-necked crane, yellow duck, bar-headed goose and other large birds circling above the surface of the lake and frolicking in the grass.

Pudacuo National Park

Being one of the most bio-diverse regions in China’s Yunnan Province, Pudacuo National Park is the first national park in Chinese mainland which was announced on June 25, 2007. Pudacuo National Park is suitable for traveling all the year around. Different season has different scenery. In winter, the land will turns into a tranquil white paradise. In the beginning of winter snow, the mountains dressed in plain clothes, birds flying back and forth will be fully reflected in the lake. The number of black-necked cranes in the park has now reached nearly 50.

Songzanlin Monastery

Built in 1679, the monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple complex in Yunnan province and one of the famous monasteries in the Kang region, which belongs to the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism of the Gelukpa order of the Dalai Lama. It is reputed as the Little Potala Palace due to its complex of Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Located in the capital of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, it is also the most important monastery in southwest China.

2. Things to Do in Shangrila Winter Tour

Enjoying Snow Mountains

Winter is the best season to see the Snow Mountains in Shangri-la in Yunnan province. Snow Mountain Climbing is about the hiking and climbing tours to the famous mountains in Yunnan especially the Three Parallel Rivers Area. The ideal season to visit Meili Snow Mountain is winter and spring period between October to Next May. After the end of October, the weather is great and the visibility is high. Visitors can view the Kawagebo Peak at this period. Usually the snow mountain can be seem when the sun just rises. However, the weather of Meili Snow Mountain changed at every moment so that visitors may be lucky enough to view Kawagebo Peak.

Besides, other stunning snow mountains are also worth visiting such as Baima Snow Mountain.

Suggested Tours:

2 Days Kawa Karpo Meili Snow Mountain Tour from Shangri-La
4 Days Haba Snow Mountain Climbing Adventure with Tiger Leaping Gorge Tour
5 Days Shangrila Discovery with Meili Snow Mountain Pilgrimage
5 Days Haba Snow Mountain Circumambulation Hiking Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge Adventure (Finishing in North Slope)
7 Days Shangrila Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Village Trekking Tour
13 Days Three Parallel Rivers Circle Adventure with Tiger Leaping Gorge and Yubeng Village Hiking Tour

Exploring Tibetan Culture

The main minority ethnic group in Shangri-La is Tibetan. There you will have an opportunity to experience Tibetan life and learn about their lifestyle, religion and cuisine. One of the famous attractions is Songzanlin Monastery, which is reputed as the Little Potala Palace due to its complex of Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Built in 1679, the monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple complex in Yunnan province and one of the famous monasteries in the Kang region. Dukezong Ancient Town, one of the largest and best-preserved Tibetan residence groups in China, not only plays an important role in the Old Tea-Horse Road, but also serves as a corridor connecting Chinese and Tibetan language, people, religion and cultures.

Suggested Tours:

1 Day Shangri-La Lamaist Monasteries Tour
1 Day Napahai Lake Cycling Tour with Tibetan Village and Songzanlin Monastery
4 Days Shangri-La City Tour
5 Days Shangrila Discovery with Meili Snow Mountain Pilgrimage
7 Days Shangrila Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Village Trekking Tour

Seeing Winter Scenery

If you visit Shangri-la in winter, you can see an amazing different one. Don’t forget to see its ancient and tranquil winter scene. Winter (Nov to the next Apr) in Shangri-la however differs from one place to another along with natural change. Primeval forested acres wears a plain silver outfit, the prairies turn silver white, very easily leading one into a relaxation on the planet defined in the Winter’s Fairy Tale. If it snows, you can enjoy the snow scenery. Much more relaxing is a tour in the winter months. In winter, the sun is lower and the sky is clear, which casts beautiful light and illuminates the architecture and snow mountains perfectly. In general, the visibility is more brilliant compared to summer, as there is little rainfall and fog.

Birdwatching around Lakes

Napahai Nature Reserve is a wetland ecosystem protection zone to plateau seasonal lakes and marsh meadows. When October steps in, flocks of black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese, white cranes, sheldrakes regularly come here looking for food and for fun. Pudacuo National Park is another birdwatching places in Shangrila. In the beginning of winter snow, the mountains dressed in plain clothes, birds flying back and forth will be fully reflected in the lake.

Suggested Tours:

11 Days Northwest Yunnnan Bird Watching Tour
22 days Yunnan Birds Watching Tour

3. How to Prepare for Shangrila Winter Tour

Summer is normally the peak season for touring Shangrila, and most people think that it cannot be done in winter due to it being freezing cold and covered with snow. While it may well be a little cold in winter, with nighttime temperatures reaching as low as minus 10 degrees. While with the bright sun shining in the clear skies, it is quite warm in the daytime. For your lifetime Shangrila winter tour, here we give you some advice on how to prepare for Shangrila winter tour.

Make the Tour Theme Sure

Shangri-la tour involves many theme tours, such as Hiking Tour/Trekking Tour, Monastery Tour, Cycling Tour, Meili Snow Mountain Tour, Ethnic Minority Tour, Bird watching tour, Panorama Tour, etc. Tour packages including Shangri-la range from one day to 46 days. So make your tour theme sure first.

Make Travel Duration Sure

The travel duration decides where you can go to visit and what kind of theme tour you can choose. If you only spend one day visiting Shangri-la, you are recommended to visit the most famous Lamaist monasteries or cycle around the Napahai Lake and visit some Tibetan Villages to discover the Tibetan culture. If you want to visit more main attractions in Shangri-la, 2-3 days may be enough. For a 4-7 days tour in Shangri-la, You can add some adventure to your journey and more fully experience the beauty of Shangri-la such as snow mountain climbing and Yubeng village trekking.

Choose the Right Way to Enter Shangrila

The special location makes its transportation different from other areas in China. At present, tourists can fly to Shangrila directly or travel to Shangrila by road. The flights flying to Shangrila are limited and no rail line leads to this area yet. However, the Lijiang-Shangri-la rail route is under construction and is expected to operate in six years. Buses are the most common transport means in and around this area.

Find a Trusty Local Travel Agency

Once you have decided on where to go in Shangrila, then it is time to find a trustworthy and reliable tour operator to plan and arrange your tour to the region. Tour operators must be registered in order to legally operate in Yunnan, and Yunnan Exploration has over ten years of experience as a tour operator for foreign tourists to Shangrila and Yunnan. Normally, the travel consultants will ask for your needs and requirements, then helps you to agree an itinerary which will be the basis of your tour to Shangrila.

4. What to Pack for Shangrila Winter Tour

Necessary Documents

When traveling to Shangrila or Yunnan, you will need more than just your passport. It requires travelers to apply for an entry visa ahead of time. We can afford the invitation letter for you to help you apply the visa to China. Make sure you have one passport and pay attention to its expiration date. The expiration date is especially important, as visitors to mainland China require a passport that is valid for at least six months prior to the date of entry into the country.

Enough Clothes

It’s a little bit cold in the winter of Shangrila. So prepare enough winter clothes to keep warm. Because of the relatively high altitude, the temperature difference is large between day and night, it is suggested to  bring the thick coat and windproof jacket. Down and feather garments or fur coats, fur boots, thermal underwear, gloves, hats and so on are of great help for a Shangrila winter tour.

Skin Care Products

Pay attention to sun protection. Due to the strong solar radiation in the daytime, sun cream, sun hat, sunglasses and other sunscreen products will be needed. The sunlight in winter is rather skin-damaging in Shangrila. Prevent over-exposure to intensive sunshine and snow blindness.

Medicines for Emergency

Bring some medicines for emergency, like cold medication and medicines for preventing altitude sickness. If you have other disease, take your medicine with you.

5. Dos and Dont’s for Traveling in Shangrila

•  Know some basic information about Shangri-la, Yunnan and China, which can help you understand the local culture well.

•  Learn some tips about prevent altitude sickness.

•  Do not move too fast due to the high elevation.

•  Eat more vegetable and fruit, as well as drink more water may help you acclimatize to high altitude in Shangri-la.

•  Many of the shops are operated by locals. It is recommended that you walk around the old town first to ensure that you are paying a reasonable price.

•  In Shangri-La, you have to be very careful when buying Tibetan ornaments and jewelries as some are inferior in quality. You don’t have to be too careful if you just want to buy some for fun. However, always remember to bargain.

•  Always walk clockwise when in temples and monasteries, and pass mani stones and other religious artifacts on the left.

•  Do not touch statues and artifacts in the temples and monasteries as this is considered sacrilegious, and do not take photos inside the temples without permission.

•  Do not step on the threshold of a tent or house as it is considered to be bad luck for all inside.

•  Do not touch the head of the Tibetan people, and remember not to point the soles of the feet at another person or an altar.

•  Never discuss sensitive topics.