Weather in Shangri-La

Shangri-La, officially renamed from Zhongdian to capitalise on the Shangri-La myth, sits on the Tibetan plateau in northwest Yunnan at over 3,200 metres, where Tibetan culture, prayer-flag-strewn hillsides and the golden-roofed Songzanlin Monastery - the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan - dominate the landscape. It's a higher, harsher, more Tibetan world than Lijiang or Dali further south, and a common stop en route toward the Yunnan-Tibet border.

Best areas to stay in Shangri-La

Dukezong Old Town

The rebuilt old town area with Tibetan-style buildings, guesthouses, shops and a hilltop square with a giant prayer wheel.

Songzanlin Monastery

A major Tibetan Buddhist monastery complex on the edge of town, with golden roofs and active monastic life.

Napa Lake

A grassland and seasonal lake area near town, used by Tibetan herders and popular for short excursions.

Pudacuo National Park

A high-altitude national park with lakes, meadows and forests, reached by a short drive from town.

Getting to Shangri-La

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Flights

Fly into Kunming, then take a domestic flight directly to Shangri-La Airport, or a bus from Lijiang (around four hours).

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From London

~17-19 hours total from London including domestic connections

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Getting around

Taxis and buses cover the town and nearby sights; tours or hired drivers are useful for Napa Lake and Pudacuo National Park.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Shangri-La?

May to October offers the most comfortable weather at this altitude, though nights remain cool year-round; winter brings snow and very cold temperatures.

How do I get to Shangri-La?

Shangri-La has its own airport with flights from Kunming and other cities, and is also reachable by bus from Lijiang in around four hours.

Do I need to worry about altitude in Shangri-La?

Yes, at over 3,200 metres some visitors experience mild altitude effects - take it easy on arrival, stay hydrated, and allow a day to acclimatise before strenuous activity.

What is Songzanlin Monastery?

The largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, often compared to a smaller Potala Palace, with golden roofs and an active community of monks.

Is Shangri-La's Old Town worth visiting?

Yes, though much of the original old town was destroyed by fire in 2014 and has been rebuilt - it retains a Tibetan-influenced atmosphere with shops, guesthouses and a large prayer wheel on the hill above.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Songzanlin Monastery felt like a different country entirely compared to the rest of China we'd seen, and the old town at night with the prayer wheel lit up was atmospheric.

Grace L. · July 2024

★★★★☆

Felt the altitude a bit on arrival but it settled after a day, after which Pudacuo National Park was a highlight - completely different landscape to lowland Yunnan.

Owen B. · September 2023

★★★★☆

More Tibetan in feel than I expected from a Yunnan city, the monastery and surrounding grasslands were the standout, though the rebuilt old town felt a little new in places.

Cheng W. · May 2024