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Eoin and Aisling spend a day exploring Shangri-La and its Tibetan culture. In Dukezong Ancient Town, they join a group to turn the 21-meter prayer wheel, an effort that leaves Eoin out of breath at the 3,100-meter altitude. They walk through the old town and a local park, then visit Songzanlin Monastery, founded in 1679 and modeled after the Potala Palace. From the ticket gate, they walk through villages and fields before reaching the monastery. Inside, they climb 146 steps to the main prayer hall and hear monks chanting and playing drums. They reflect on the area's quiet streets and mountain scenery, and Eoin calls it a strong contender for his favorite place in China.
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Dukezong Ancient Town and the prayer wheel
Shangri-La, in Yunnan province on the Tibetan Plateau, feels different from other places in China to Eoin and Aisling. They begin in Dukezong Ancient Town, looking at its golden roofs and detailed architecture. The central challenge is the world's largest prayer wheel, which stands 21 meters tall and weighs 60 tons. A group of about 40 people is needed to turn it. Eoin joins in, but the physical effort soon leaves him short of breath, with the 3,100-meter altitude adding to the challenge. From the area around the wheel, the pair see the old town and snow-capped mountains.
They also visit a park with a large Buddha statue; photography is not allowed there. The couple walk through the town's colorful streets, passing souvenir shops and food stalls. At a square with a stupa and prayer wheels, they see people offering photo opportunities with baby goats. These stops give them a view of daily tourism and local surroundings in the old town, alongside the larger religious sites.
Songzanlin Monastery
The visit continues at Songzanlin Monastery, described as the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan. Founded in 1679, it was modeled after the Potala Palace in Tibet. The complex sits beside a lake, with snowy peaks in the background. From the ticket gate, Eoin and Aisling walk for 20 minutes through local villages and fields to reach it. Admission is 55 RMB. Inside the grounds, they climb 146 steps to the main prayer hall. They hear monks chanting and playing drums, but do not film out of respect. The monastery once housed 2,000 monks and now hosts about 700.
A quieter pace in Shangri-La
After spending hours exploring, Eoin and Aisling talk about the calm they found in Shangri-La. They mention the absence of honking horns and shouting, and describe a relaxed atmosphere. Eoin says the place is a strong contender for his favorite in China. He points to the fir-tree-lined streets and the setting as part of what made the visit stand out. Their day combines the physical effort of the prayer wheel, a walk to the monastery, time in the old town, and views of the surrounding mountains and lake.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the experience of turning the giant prayer wheel like?
- A: It took a real team effort, with about 40 people pulling together. The wheel was heavy, and at 3,100 meters altitude I was out of breath quickly, but the view from the top was stunning.
- Q: How did Shangri-La get its name?
- A: It was originally called Jung Dian, then in 2021 it was renamed Shangri-La after the 1933 novel Lost Horizon, whose Himalayan paradise was said to match this area.
- Q: What was the most surprising thing you saw in the old town?
- A: The baby goats being rented for photo shoots were unexpected. People walked them on leashes like dogs, which was an unusual sight in the old town.
