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Lhasa and Shangri La Tour Planning

June,10 2023 BY Lobsang Tsering

Planning a combined tour of Lhasa and Shangri La is a great way to enjoy the unique Tibetan culture and religion in two of the most authentic Tibetan areas in China. It can also showcase the differences and similarities between these two Tibetan areas, in terms of culture, religions, and landscape and scenery.

Due to the relative locations of these two cities, only 1,561 kilometer apart, this is one of the best combinations of TAR and Tibetan Area tours possible. And the planning is not as hard as you might think, with our expert advisors here to help with every aspect of your trip.

Should I Visit Lhasa or Shangri La First?

One of the major concerns for tourists is whether to start the tour in Lhasa or Shangri La. When you consider the relative altitudes of the two cities, Lhasa at 3,656 meters and Shangri La at 3,160 meters, you might think it better to start in Lhasa, so that you are descending to Shangri La, reducing the risk of altitude sickness as you descend.

Exploring the ancient monastery in Shangri La, China.

However, when it comes to altitude, it is actually better to ascend to an intermediate altitude first, to acclimatize there, before heading up to the higher altitude after. The altitude of Shangri La is ideal for acclimatizing at an intermediate altitude, which is normally between 2,800 and 3,200 meters. With the stop to tour around Shangri La for a few days first, you will be able to acclimatize to the higher altitude of Lhasa better once you arrive. - Learn more of expert tips for avoiding altitude sickness in Tibet.

How to Plan the Travel Route for Lhasa and Shangri La Tour?

An ideal tour itinerary for Shangri La and Lhasa would really need to start in Lijiang. You can get to Lijiang easily by flight from Chengdu, and spend a day in the city touring the sights, especially the Tiger Leaping Gorge and the Yulong Snow Mountain. - Check the classic Tibet tour from Lijiang and Shangri La.

The breathtaking scenery along the Dragon Pool bridge in Lijiang

From Lijiang, it is easy to get a bus to Shangri La, which departs every half-hour or hour throughout the day, seven days a week. The bus takes around 3 hours 30 minutes to reach Shangri La at a cost of just 62 yuan per person. Tickets can be bought on the day at the Lijiang Bus station on Changshui Road, next to the Naxi Hotel.

In Shangri La, the best time is a two-day tour, which covers the main sights of the area, including the Sumtsaling Monastery and the Potatso National Park, among others. From Shangri La, it is easy to get a flight to Lhasa, which depart from the Diqing Shangri La Airport daily at around 9:35 am and 10:20 am, arriving in Lhasa by 11:35 am and 12:25 pm respectively. This short flight of just two hours costs from around 230 US dollars, depending on the season. - Flight schedule between Lhasa and Shangri La.

In Lhasa, you can enjoy the stunning four-day tour of the Tibetan capital, which includes visits to the major attractions of the city, including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, and the Sera and Drepung Monasteries.

What is the Best Season for Lhasa and Shangri La Tour?

While both Shangri La and Lhasa can be visited at any time of year, for the best in weather, sights, sunshine, and landscapes and scenery, the best time of year to visit both Lhasa and Shangri La is from May to June and September to October. Spring is the first decent weather of the year, and after the cold of the winter, the temperatures are starting to warm up, with clear skies, little rain, and some amazing scenery as the spring blooms come out in both regions.

The stunning autumn colors of Shangri La makes it charming.

In autumn, the same reasons apply, though it is more for the stunning autumn colors of the leaves falling to blanket the ground than the blooming flowers. Autumn is a rustic time of year where color is concerned, and the cities both see the falling leaves, clear skies, and bright sunny weather that follows the end of the monsoon season of summer.

Top Things to Enjoy for Lhasa and Shangri La Tour

Day Tour in Lijiang

A tour of Lijiang is an ideal way to start the trip to Shangri La, as it normally includes a visit to the beautiful area of the Leaping Tiger Gorge and the Yulong and Haba Snow Mountains to the north of the city. One day is normally enough to tour around the city and travel the short distance to the north to the gorge, which is flanked by the two sacred Snow Mountains.

Two-Day Visit in Shangri La

With two days to spend in Shangri La, you have plenty of time to tour around the sights of the main city, as well as travel out to the first national park in China, to the east of the city.

Smtsaling Monastery, the largest monastery in Yunnan.

Sumtsaling Monastery - Renowned as the largest monastery in Yunnan Province, Sumtsaling Monastery was constructed in 1679, on an auspicious site divined by the 5th Dalai Lama. Built-in a style similar to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, this stunning monastery is known locally as the “little Potala”. The monastery is also the site of the Gedong Festival.
Dukezong Ancient Town - Dukezong Ancient Town in Shangri La is the most historic site in the city, dates back to the 7th century Tubo Empire of Songtsen Gampo. The largest and best-preserved Ancient Town in China’s 147 Tibetan areas, Dukezong was once an important stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road.
Guishan Park - In the center of Jiantang Town in Shangri La, the Guishan Par is an interesting place to visit, but you need to be pretty fit to conquer the steep climb up the hill in the center. The park has several small Buddhist temples dotted around, and the top of the hill sports a Buddhist temple and one of the largest prayer wheels in the world. Standing 21 meters tall and weighing 60 tonnes, it takes four people to turn it.
Potatso National Park - 22km to the east of Shangri La lies the Potatso Park, the first-ever National Park in mainland China, opened in 2007. The park is the location of two beautiful small lakes, Bitahai Lake and Shuduhu Lake, which are surrounded by primeval natural forests, expansive marshlands, lush alpine meadows, and verdant green valleys. Walkways to make it easier to get from one place to another.

4-Day Visit in Lhasa

No trip to Lhasa is really complete without visiting the amazing sites of interest in the capital of Tibet, known as the City of Sunshine. From the sacred to the divine, to the souvenir, Lhasa has it all, and something for everyone. - Check the popular Lhasa tours in Tibet.

Potala Palace is one of the most striking buildings in the world.

Potala Palace - Built in the 17th century as the center of governance for the ancient monastic rule in Tibet, the Potala Palace is one of the most striking buildings in the world, and can be seen for miles in every direction from the city. The iconic landmark of Tibet’s capital, this beautiful red and white palace became the winter palace of the Dalai Lama when Norbulingka took over as the seat of the Dalai Lama’s power in Tibet in the 18th century.
Jokhang Temple - The sacred Jokhang Temple, in the old town of Lhasa, is deemed to be the most sacred man-made site in Tibet, and one of the holiest pilgrimage destinations in the world. Built-in the 7th century to house the ancient statue of Buddha brought to Tibet from Tang Dynasty China, this ancient temple is one of the most astounding buildings in Tibet.
Barkhor Street - Barkhor Street is the best place in Lhasa for getting a good bargain when shopping, and the perfect place to find some real authentic Tibetan handicrafts as souvenirs of the trip. The streets are also the ritual kora route for devout Buddhists and pilgrims, who trudge around the circuit of the Jokhang Monastery reciting the prayer, spinning prayer wheels, and often prostrating at various points in the circuitous route.
Drepung Monastery - Located at the foot of Mount Gephel in western Lhasa, Drepung Monastery is one of the “Great Three” Gelug university monasteries, which also includes Sera Monastery and Ganden Monastery. The largest monastery in the TAR, Drepung is around five kilometers to the west of the downtown area of Lhasa, and once housed as many as 10,000 monks and lamas.

Dramatic monk debate in Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery - Another of the “Great Three”, Sera Monastery lies to the north of Lhasa, around five kilometers from the city center. The name comes from the blooming wild roses, known as “sera” in Tibetan, which was found on the hillside behind during the construction in the 15th century.

Pick Best-Value Hotels for Lhasa and Shangri La Tour

Shangri La has a wealth of hotels of all ranges, from five-star luxury to economy guesthouses for those on a budget. The major hotels in Shangri La are:

Mgallery Songtsam Retreat

Mgallery Songtsam Retreat - 5-star offering outstanding stay right next to Sumtsaling Temple. 25 minutes from the airport, with spacious bathrooms, luxury spa treatments, and a great restaurant.
Shangri La Paradise Hotel - a 5-star hotel, is on the main thoroughfare in Shangri-La old town, 10 minutes from the airport. The courtyard with the pool is enclosed with trees and plants like an indoor garden. The huge breakfast buffets have Chinese, Tibetan and Western food.
Shangri-La Zhaxidele Hotel - a 4 star Tibetan-style hotel, transportation is 1 km to downtown Shangri-La and 6 km to Diqing Airport. Beds have heaters and a humidifier. Restaurants are a welcome surprise and great facilities are a reason to stay at the Shangri-La Zhaxidele Hotel.
Shangri-La Shiner Hotel - a 4-star hotel in Shangri-La, the Shiner Hotel is built with a traditional Tibetan style. It has one Chinese Restaurant and 6 private dining rooms, the ideal place for private parties.
Deqin Guanjing Tiantang Hotel - a 4-star hotel in Deqin, this is the only Tibetan-style hotel in Feilaisi, with fantastic mountain views from all rooms.
Shangri La Melody Hotel - The 3-star Shangri-La Melody is near Gaden Sumtsaling Monastery. A budget hotel at a very reasonable price, the wake-up service is complimentary, with wireless high-speed Internet access.

Enjoy the Gourmet Cuisines During Lhasa and Shangri La Tour

Shangri La has a wide number of restaurants to choose from, which offer a multitude of cuisines, from Tibetan and Chinese to Western, Nepali, Indian, and many others. The best restaurants to try, according to Lonely Planet, include the Silent Holy Stones, the Rebgong, the Compass, the Tara Gallery Café and Bar, and the famous Flying Tigers Café.

Travel Documents Needed

Tibet Travel Permit - This is required for entry to Tibet and to travel around in the area of Lhasa.
The following travel documents will be taken care by your Tibetan guide in Tibet. He will get all of them for you properly when needed.
Alien’s Travel Permit - required for travel to the “unopened” areas of Tibet outside Lhasa, including Shigatse.
Restricted Areas Permit - This is often called the “Military Permit”, and is required for travel to military-sensitive areas such as Ngari, Nyingchi, etc.
Frontier Pass - While most tours will not actually cross the border out of China, the Frontier Pass is required for all tourists traveling in the areas of the Chinese border with India, Nepal, and Bhutan, which includes Mount Everest and Mount Kailash.

Extra Expert Tips for Lhasa and Shangri la Tour

While the climates of Shangri La and Lhasa are somewhat similar, it is a lot cooler in Lhasa in the spring and autumn, so while you can get away with fewer warm clothes in Yunnan, you will still need them for a tour of Lhasa. Both Lhasa and Shangri La are major Tibetan areas, with a devout Buddhist population, so you need to respect their customs, and always cover up the legs, shoulders, and arms when entering a temple or monastery. A combined tour of Shangri La and Lhasa can be done on a budget in the winter months, as there are fewer tourists and the hotels and transport are often a lot cheaper. And for Lhasa, the best idea for budget travelers is to join a Group Tour with other like-minded travelers.

Conclusion

As both Lhasa and Shangri La are major Tibetan destinations, there is no better-combined tour to show you the major similarities and differences between the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region and the unique Tibetan area in Yunnan Province. And with their close proximities (relatively), these two Tibetan cities make for a great combined trip of authentic Tibetan experiences.

About the Author - Lobsang Tsering

I am a tour guide in Tibet an was Born in Kham Tibet, I am the father of 2 little girls, bachelor's degree. I have more than 7-years experience of being a tour guide in Tibet. I am a warm, friendly, knowledgeable and attractive guy.

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