A Glimpse of the Tibetan World in Shangri-La

The Lost Horizon

One of the roads from the Tiger Leaping Gorge was leading to Shangri-La. It was not really a mystical and mythical Himalayan utopia but a city originally called Zhongdian. Since December 2011 it changed its name to the place out of James Hilton’s novel to promote tourism in the area.

Shangri-La City

Located at 3,317 meters it was one of the coldest places I visited during my trip in China. It was also the last stop before heading back to Lijiang and Kunming and later flying to much warmer Laos.

It was not the novel Lost Horizon, that introduced Shangri-La to the world in 1933 but amazing photographs of the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (Songzanlin Monastery). It’s sometimes also referred to as the Little Potala Palace. That monastery was a reason that made me want to venture out all the way to this northwestern part of Yunnan.

Ganden Sumtseling Monastery

Exploring the Monastery

This 300 year old Tibetan Monastery belongs to the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism of the order of the Dalai Lama. It’s the largest of this type in Yunnan. Although it was heavily damaged during the Cultural Revolution the temples and main parts of the monastic complex were rebuilt in 1983.

Songzanlin Monastery

When I arrived in a morning a gilded stupa and tiles at the top of the temple were shining brightly in the winter sun. The views from a foothill gate entrance were already impressive. When I climbed to the rooftop of the Tsongkapa temple they got even better. Just picture this! The statues of two golden deer were flanking a Dharma wheel and overlooking the lake. Stunning.

The rooftop of the Songzanlin Monastery

Ganden Sumtseling Monastery has two major lamasery buildings, Tsongkapa and Sakyamuni Temples and several smaller temples. Inside the main assembly hall I came across monks chanting with deep voices, playing the Tibetan horns and other instruments. It was fascinating and slightly haunting. In a smaller temple I found an old monk praying together with a novice, who was just a little boy. We were surrounded by Buddha images, golden lamps and Tibetan scripture.

Monk at the monstery in Shangri-La

Around the Old Town

After my visit and a walk around the lake I returned to Shangri-La’s old town. It was sadly burnt down back in 2014 and is currently in the process of being reconstructed. With an exception of few shops, restaurants and the Golden Temple with a large prayer drum there is not much to see or explore. On top of the small hill behind the old town there is Baiji Temple. It’s also known as the 100 Chicken Temple. I definitely recommend the views of Shangri-La from that place. I also loved that it was covered in prayer flags.

100 Chicken Temple

Tavern 47 was an amazing place to stay while in Shangri-La. It was actually so highly recommended by other travellers that a group of hikers getting there from Tiger Leaping Gorge almost had to fight to book beds in a dorm. Me included! Luckily the owners did their best to accommodate everyone. We could all enjoy a lovely atmosphere and brace the cold together. My tip – book in advance and try Tibetan porridge with yak milk for breakfast.