From Wikitravel

Shangrila (香格里拉), formerly Zhongdian is in Yunnan province. The town is split between Tibetan and Han Chinese residents, as well as a fair smattering of Naxi, Bai, Yi and Lisu, with the surrounding countryside entirely Tibetan. While the crass name change in 2001 was a sign of the desire for increasing mass tourism a la Lijiang, the town's got nowhere near Lijiang's crowds, and it's still possible to experience the area's Tibetan heritage and see gorgeous countryside in near isolation.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

There are daily flights to Shangri-la (the airport's name is Diqing, airport code DIG) from Kunming and Lhasa.

[edit] By bus

• Lijiang to Shangri-la - these days a fast 4 hours.

• Dali to Shangri-la is a 6-hour drive - both night and day buses do this run.

• Kunming to Shangri-la is a 12-hour drive - also serviced by both night and day buses.

Shangrila is the important stop for the journey from Yunnan to Tibet (G214),with regularly buses to Lhasa and Chamdo.

• Lhasa There are several buses to Lhasa from the bus station, you should ask at the bus station as it is not a daily schedule. You could choose the SEAT bus or the SLEEPER bus. The cost for the bus is around ¥550 and takes about 4 days for the trip. Although it is convenient for travellers, it misses much of the great views along the route.

• Chamdo There is also a bus to Chamdo, an important city in East Tibet. Unfortunately, this bus is even less frequent than the Lhasa bus so it is important to check at the bus station for the itinerary.

[edit] Get around

The main area of town runs along the north-south running Changzheng Lu (Long March Road). The old town is at the south end of Changzheng Lu, and the bus station is at the north end of town.

• Visa Extensions - PSB located in middle of town on east side of Changzheng Road, exactly opposite the gates to the 3-story Tibetan-style big government building.

[edit][add listing] See

• Old Town - The old town is rapidly being turned into a mini-Lijiang, complete with endless shophouses selling tourist trinkets (including fake tiger skins and counterfeit North Face jackets), minority costumed dancers and too-clean streets. However, there are still plenty of small charming streets to explore. The nightly dancing in the square beginning at 8 PM is popular for locals of all ages, and anyone is welcome to join in. The whole thing lasts for an hour and each song has its own set of choreographed moves.

• Songzanlin Monastery (松赞林寺) - Tibetan: Ganden Sumtseling Monastery - The impressive structure sits on a hill a few kilometers north of town. Take bus no. 3 (the green buses) heading north for ¥1, or a taxi for ¥20. Songzanlin monastery is the last stop. It's becoming less of a monastic institution, more of a tourist destination. Entry is ¥30. The temple was restored by an architect named Xu Wei Han in 2005 to reflects its passed glories.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Wander the 'old town' at the south end of town.

• Tibetan horses are available for hire outside of town. Taxi drivers should know how to get there.

• Go to the homes of the local. Many of the locals open up their homes to tourist. They ask for a small price to compensate for the food charge. You can hang out with the family, and the younger adults will lead you to the horse ride in the open field. (Mind you the tibetant horses are trained, but they can get very unfriendly towards strangers).

• Go skiing! A new ski resort has opened, about 15 minutes west of town on Shika mountain. T-bars and chair lifts. Price starts at ¥160 (including all equipment, fees) for 2 hours. Closed from Apr-Sep.

• Hire a vehicle for a few hours to just explore the countryside, or rent bikes and go see the surrounding villages.

• Climb up Shika mountain 石卡山 (also called Blue Moon Valley 蓝月谷). Or take cable car (¥220, 45-minute ride to the top)

• Visit Golden Dragon Street Gallery (next door to Raven Hot Pot).

• Hot springs at Tiansheng Qiao 天生桥 (natural outdoor amphitheatre, a bit expensive) or Xiagei 下给 (private rooms ¥30)

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Tibetan jewelry, yak tails, Nixi pottery, Yi lacquerware

• Turtle Mountain Gear - Opened in 2007 by an American who's a long-time resident of Zhongdian. Selling and renting quality outdoor gear, local travel and ticketing info, motorcycle rental, plus coffee and internet available. What more could you want? To get there - walk into old town from main entrance, take first right (before the square), follow that for a minute and you're there.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Arro Khampa, 'Flavors from the Gyalam'. Serving Tibetan, Indian, Nepali and Chinese cuisine. Add: Pijiang po, Old Town. Tel:887-8226442, 13988711656.

• Compass Cafe, Located in the old town, just next to the old town square. Now open with new 2008 menu. The best wood-fire Pizza! Serve one of the best Hot Chocolate. Equip with a nice imported Espresso machine. Cozy atmosphere and its heated. Excellent service! Wireless available (it's free).

• Hongxin Restaurant 红心餐厅, across from the big Longfengxiang Hotel on Heping Lu. Decent restaurant, serves some Tibetan dishes (baba, pipa meat).

• Korean Restaurant (aka Yak Bar). Tasty Korean fare - seafood pancakes, sushi, zucchini rolls, table-top bbq, bibimbap.

• Noah Cafe 挪亚. Best western food in town. Wireless available, for a price.

• Puppet Restaurant,Old Town Street Tel: 0887-8225485 Mob: 13988782100. Great Tibetan food in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Full of locals rather than tourists.

• Qionglai Restaurant 邛崃餐厅, on Wujin Lu, not far from Paradise Hotel. Great Sichuan dishes.

• Raven Hot Pot 乌鸦火锅, Old Town. The building is an old house that's been very nicely renovated. Great hot pot. Can even whip up a vegetarian version of it. Excellent sun room on the top floor with great views of town. An experience!

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Traveller's Club 旅行者俱乐部 - recently renovated. Friendly boss Wandou. Located just north of the old town.

• Raven Cafe/Bar 乌鸦酒吧 - this place is a nice surprise, in the old town just up from the square. Good coffee, homemade cakes, quesadillas, and all manner of cocktails. Both locals and foreigners working here. They've got wireless. Pool table upstairs.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

Several budget guesthouses can be found in the old part of town, prices for a double should be in the region of ¥50 per night (low season). Heating is not provided even in the winter months, but additional blankets are happily provided and electric blankets are common.

• Bright Hotel - Amenities include western style toilets, 24-hour hot water, and free wireless internet and computer to use at reception for free. Laundry ¥2 per piece. Owner can help with booking tours. Clean, comfortable rooms. Five minute walk from main square. ¥90 double bed standard room.

• Harmony Guesthouse 融聚客栈 - In the old town, just up from the square, opposite The Raven. Rooms are cozy and clean. En-suite rooms have just been added (May 2008). Popular with travellers.

• Shangri-la Traveller Club (HI Affillited), 98 Heping Road Tel: 0887-8228671/6878210 E-mail: qiuzhang13@163.com Web: [1]. Great youth hostel with clean and comfortable dorms and rooms with electric blankets. Good hot showers and decent toilets. The best part is the bar/restaurant/common room with a wood fired-stove. The staff are friendly, even if a little eccentric! Good travel advice and information. Dorm beds cost ¥20 (¥15 for HI members). Information correct as of 18 January 2008.

[edit] Splurge

• Gyalthang Dzong Hotel Tel:+86 887 822-3646, Fax:+86 887 822-3620, E-mail:gyalthang@angsana.com - opened in 1996, the hotel is the home base for travelers heading to/from in the Kham region of Tibet and beyond. Beautifully situated on an alpine meadow in the lap of Ru Ta Po Hill, it was designed in the traditional Tibetan dzong architectural style. The renovation preserved the traditional character of the hotel and enhanced many of the Tibetan aesthetic elements, while making it more comfortable and luxurious for guests.

• Songstam Hotel 颂赞绿谷酒店 - next to Songzanlin monastery, about 10 minutes from town centre. The most charming hotel in Zhongdian. Excellent service and beautiful rooms.

• The Compass Lodge Have only 4 units of town house (double story per unit) with a courtyard. Fully heated, 24 hours hot water and wireless. Excellent for families with children. Its right in the middle of Old Town Square.

[edit] Get out

[edit] Public Bus

Destinantion	Price (¥)	Departures (HH:MM)	Duration (HH:MM)	Lunch-Stop	Last Update
Deqin	40.00	08:20, ?	5-9:00 Depending On Weather	No	23 April 2008
Xiangcheng	66.00	07:30, ?	6:00	Yes	23 April 2008

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