Shangri-La
Gateway to the Tibetan Plateau · 香格里拉
Zhongdian renamed itself Shangri-La after the fictional paradise in Lost Horizon — and at 3,200 metres on the edge of the Tibetan plateau, with yak-grazed meadows, the great Songzanlin Monastery and Old Town lanes, it makes a fair claim. Altitude is real: plan a slow first day.
Don't miss
- Songzanlin Monastery, the Little Potala
- Pudacuo National Park's lakes and forests
- Dukezong Old Town and the prayer wheels
Best time to visit: May–June and September–October
Visas: Australian passport holders currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days — an arrangement scheduled to end on 31 December 2026, so confirm the rules for your travel dates.