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Best Places to Travel in Shangri-La

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Updated Apr 13, 2026
By ChinaTravelVIP  
Shangri-La, known as the lost paradise, is a place rich in natural resources and historical relics. We will also present the best must-visit places to travel in Shangri-La.
Shangri-La, formerly known as Zhongdian, is located in the northwest of Yunnan Province. It serves as the political, economic, cultural, technological, financial, and information center of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. In 2002, the city was renamed Shangri-La in honor of novelist James Hilton and his book Lost Horizon. The name change led to a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting the city. It has become one of the starting points for journeys to Tibet. Known as the "lost paradise," Shangri-La is a place rich in natural resources and pristine historical relics. In this article, we will present the must-visit spots for traveling in Shangri-La.

Napahai

Covering a total area of 31.25 square kilometers and situated at an altitude of 3,266 meters, the state-designated Napahai Nature Reserve Wetland is located in the city of Shangri-La, Yunnan Province. Established in 1984, it serves as a protected zone for the plateau seasonal lake wetland and swamp prairie ecosystems. The reserve features flat terrain surrounded by mountains. In October, flocks of black-necked cranes, common garganey, white storks, and nightingales regularly arrive in search of food and leisure. The Napahai prairie is the largest in Shangri-La. Due to the humid climate, the local grass grows faster than in other areas. Every year in May, the Napa prairie turns lush green while grass in other regions barely begins to sprout. By early June, a variety of wildflowers bloom, and herds and flocks enjoy the prairie. Napahai Lake is a true paradise for all kinds of birds, especially waterfowl such as black-necked cranes, garganey, and numerous other goose species, as well as common pochard, Himalayan griffon, little egret, and white-tailed eagle.

Pradera de Yila

Covering a total area of 13 square kilometers, the Yila Grassland is the largest and most beautiful pasture in Shangri-La. Located 6 kilometers northwest of Shangri-La City, it is part of the Napa Lake in Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Named after the sacred mountain situated to the north of the grassland, Yila Grassland is the best place in Yunnan to experience the life of Tibetan herders. In summer and autumn, numerous small flowers bloom while flocks of cattle and sheep graze on the grass. The Yila Grassland is part of Napa Lake. In the summer, along with the four hills formed after the snowmelt in Napa Lake, and with the injection of over ten rivers including the Qu River and Naizi River, it forms a vast expanse. During the dry season, the lake gradually recedes, turning Napa Lake into endless green grasslands or wetlands, making it the golden season for grazing. Every September, a world of waterbirds gathers at Napa Lake, with Bar-headed Geese, ducks, black-necked Cranes, and other rare birds flying here from afar for winter.

Snow Mountain of Haba

The Haba Snow Mountain is located 120 kilometers southeast of Shangri-La City in Yunnan Province. The mountain rises 5,396 meters above sea level and is one of the highest peaks in Yunnan Province. It stands opposite the taller Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and towers 3,500 meters above the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The summit is a popular destination for amateur mountaineers, and its lower slopes are traversed by the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge trail. Its massif is considered the southernmost point of the extensive Shaluli Mountains, which in turn form part of the Hengduan Mountains.

Baishuitai

The Baishuitai is one of the most captivating tourist attractions in the mystical Shangri-La, an ancient Chinese relic dating back 200,000 to 300,000 years. Covering an area of three square kilometers, the Baishui Terrace is located at the foothills of the Haba Snow Mountain, 101 kilometers southeast of Shangri-La County. Its exact location is the Baidi Village of the Sanbe Ethnic Township in Shangri-La, Yunnan Province. The main attraction of the area is a massive white terraced pool formed by calcium-rich water gushing from springs at the summit of the formation. It has been described as the largest of its kind in China.

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