Shangrila City Culture

Religious Culture

Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism is the most significant religious belief in Shangri-La. Songzanlin Monastery (松赞林寺), known as the “Little Potala Palace,” is the most famous Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the region and serves as an important religious and cultural center.

Dongba Culture

Dongba culture is the traditional religious culture of the Naxi people (纳西族), characterized by Dongba pictographs (东巴象形文字), Dongba paintings (东巴绘画), and Dongba rituals (东巴祭祀). Baishuitai (白水台) is the birthplace of Dongba culture and hosts annual Dongba cultural tourism events.

Folk Culture

Traditional Festivals

Tibetan New Year

One of the most grand celebrations, featuring visits among friends and family, reunion feasts, and Guozhuang Dance (锅庄舞) performances.

Horse Racing Festival

Held every May, this is one of the most exciting traditional festivals in Shangri-La, featuring horse racing, bullfighting, and cultural performances.

Dragon Boat Festival Horse Racing Festival

Celebrated during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), this event includes horse racing, artistic performances, and bonfire parties.

Ethnic Costumes

Shangri-La’s ethnic groups have unique traditional attire, such as the Tibetan Chuba (藏袍) and the Naxi shoulder cape (披肩), reflecting deep cultural heritage.

Culinary Culture

The local cuisine is primarily Tibetan, featuring Tsampa (糌粑), Butter Tea (酥油茶), and Highland Barley Wine (青稞酒), along with Naxi specialties like Preserved Pork Rib Hotpot (腊排骨火锅).

Traditional Crafts

Tibetan Black Pottery Making

The Nixi Black Pottery (尼西黑陶) is a recognized intangible cultural heritage, and its handmade products are popular souvenirs among visitors.

Dongba Paper Making

Dongba Paper (东巴纸) is a unique handmade craft of the Naxi people, valued for its cultural significance and intricate production process.

Cultural Activities

Guozhuang Dance

A traditional unaccompanied group dance of the Tibetan people, Guozhuang Dance (锅庄舞) in Shangri-La has both Old Guozhuang (旧锅庄) and New Guozhuang (新锅庄) styles, with diverse dance steps.

Cultural Performances

Shangri-La frequently hosts performances showcasing Tibetan and Naxi folk music and dance, offering an artistic glimpse into the region’s diverse culture.

Cultural Experience Activities

Events such as the Dongba Cultural Tourism Festival (东巴文化旅游活动) at Baishuitai (白水台) allow visitors to engage in Dongba Paper Making (东巴纸制作), Dongba Drum Making (东巴鼓制作), and Dongba Pictograph Writing (东巴象形文字书写).

Cultural Heritage

Dukezong Ancient Town

Dukezong Ancient Town (独克宗古城) is China’s best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential town, once a key stop on the Tea Horse Road (茶马古道).

Pudacuo National Park

Pudacuo National Park (普达措国家公园) is a vital part of the Three Parallel Rivers World Heritage Site (三江并流世界自然遗产), offering stunning natural landscapes and rich ecological resources.

Shangri-La Shambhala Wheel Mandala

Shambhala Wheel Mandala (香巴拉时轮坛城) is a cultural landmark integrating heritage research, exhibitions, and Tibetan cultural education.

Traditional Cuisine of Shangri-La

1.Yak Meat

Raised at altitudes above 3,500 meters, Yak Meat (牦牛肉) has a rich texture and is commonly braised, stewed, or air-dried into jerky.

2. Matsutake Mushroom

Known as the “King of Mushrooms,” Matsutake (松茸) is a rare wild edible fungus with a distinctive aroma and tender texture.

3. Pipa Meat

A traditional Tibetan cured meat (琵琶肉) with a glossy, flavorful, and tender texture.

4. Highland Barley Wine

A low-alcohol drink made from highland barley (青稞酒), widely enjoyed by Tibetans during festive occasions.

5. Earth Pot Chicken

Earth Pot Chicken (土锅鸡) is a local specialty, slow-cooked in a unique clay pot for a rich and aromatic taste.

6. Butter Tea

A staple Tibetan drink made from tea leaves, salt, and butter (酥油茶), offering a creamy, aromatic experience.

7. Tibetan Yogurt

Known in Tibetan as “Shuo” (说), Tibetan Yogurt (老酸奶) is a nutritious dairy product traditionally made from milk after butter extraction.

8. Tsampa

A staple food made from roasted barley flour (糌粑), typically mixed with butter tea and shaped into small dough balls.

9. Guoben Hotpot

Guoben (锅奔) is a wild highland vegetable used in this nourishing hotpot (锅奔火锅), which also includes potatoes, tofu, and pork tripe.

10. Braised Spicy Liver

Popular along the Jinsha River (金沙江) and in Weixi Lisu Autonomous County (维西傈僳族自治县), Braised Spicy Liver (卤肝辣子) is known for its bold and numbing spiciness.

Shangri-La’s profound cultural heritage and vibrant traditions attract visitors from all over the world, offering them an immersive experience into the heart of Tibetan and Naxi cultures.