TRIP to Shangri-La and Napahai Grassland
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ANGRYHAMA™ Travel Blogs provides unbiased
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China. Influenced by cinematic portrayals and effective marketing, these
destinations have become must-visit spots for travelers. The blog aims to
provide an authentic and unbiased perspective on whether these places live up
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We booked a 2-day (1 night) travel package from Dali (a city located in
Yunnan Province) to visit Shangri-La on the first day and Napahai Grassland on the second day, which will eventually
land us in a place called Lijiang (northwest of Yunnan Province). The
package cost CNY600 per person, which included accommodation for one night and
food (including breakfast, lunch and dinner). The price was reasonable, though
it excluded some parts of the extra tickets we need to purchase for attractions
we were exploring. It also included a nice cozy bus for transportation with a
tour group and a tour guide.
We started off our journey from Dali at
6.00am and boarded the empty bus which started off picking passengers from one location
to another. Inspired by the movie of the same name, Shangri-La (once known as
Zhongdian) was officially renamed in 2001. Don’t let the name confuse you, as
this place has absolutely nothing to do with the Shangri-La chain of luxury
hotels and in fact, it doesn’t even have a Shangri-La hotel within 400km from
this place. Furthermore, there is nothing really luxurious about this trip as
it is more of a cultural and scenic exploration kinda trip. For the FIRST Day,
our trip started from 6am to 9pm.
 |
| The Bus Stopping at Bai Han Chang for Breakfast (Not Included in the Tour Package) |
|
Attraction |
Altitude (m) |
Time
Spent |
Rating |
|
Tiger
Leaping Gorge |
1,850–1,900 |
1
hour |
★★★☆☆ (3.5) |
|
Guishan
Park |
3,100–3,300 |
1.5 hours |
★★★★★ (5.0) |
|
Pudacuo
National Forest Park |
3,400–3,600 |
2.5
hours |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
Note: High Altitude Sickness occurs mainly due to low amounts of oxygen in the air, a condition that generally triggers at 2,438m above sea level. As an example, the average altitude level of Hong Kong is approximately 47m only.
It's crucial to be aware that some
individuals (and even the tourist centre) may exploit the fear of high altitude
sickness to scam tourists into purchasing expensive oxygen tanks. They use
scare tactics, such as sharing stories of tourists who have died, to convince
you that the trip is perilous and that you need their overpriced oxygen tanks,
which can cost 3 times more than what you'd pay elsewhere. We fell for this and
spent nearly CNY1000 on immunity boosters and oxygen tanks, believing it was
necessary for a safe trip. These boosters not only tasted terrible but also had
no discernible effect on our immune systems. We found out on Xiaohongshu (小红书) and other social media only later that
there were many other similar complains. So, please do check this out first
before you go.
For anyone planning to travel to
altitudes higher than 2,438 meters, it's advisable to consult with a doctor
first. If you have a heart condition or if your doctor recommends against
high-altitude travel, it's best to heed their advice or consider not making the
trip at all. Buyer beware: don't let fear tactics lead you into unnecessary and
costly purchases.
1) Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡 Hǔ Tiào Xiá)
• Altitude: ~1,850–1,900 m
• Time Spent: 1 hour
• Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 3.5/5
Located in eastern Hutiaoxia Town and
stretching 20 km, the gorge is undeniably dramatic, with roaring river views
and steep cliffs. That said, it gets very crowded, and beyond the initial awe,
there’s little to engage with unless you're into hiking. The entrance fee is
CNY 70, though I recommend the free walking route if you're feeling
adventurous. A must-see? Maybe once.
• Altitude: ~3,100–3,300 m
• Time Spent: 1.5 hours
• Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5
An absolute gem—and free to enter.
Highlights include the impressive Big Buddha Temple from the Qing Dynasty and
the towering 21-meter Giant Prayer Wheel, which contains 12.4 billion “OM MANI
PADME HUM” prayers. Spinning it is said to bring good luck. The panoramic views
of the ancient town and distant mountains are breathtaking, though climbing the
stairs can be strenuous, especially due to the altitude.
3) Pudacuo National Forest Park (普达措国家森林公园 Pǔdácuò Guójiā Sēnlín Gōngyuán)
• Altitude: ~3,400–3,600 m
• Time Spent: 2.5 hours
• Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5
Opened in 2007 as China’s first national
park, Pudacuo is famed for its pristine landscapes and Instagram-worthy
scenery. After entering, a 20-minute shuttle ride takes you to attractions like
Shudu Lake. Though home to over 100 endangered species, we didn’t spot any—but
glimpses from the shuttle ride offered a hint of local wildlife. It’s also a
celebrity-favorite wedding destination. Just a heads-up: expensive lighters are
restricted, and it’s wise to bring an oxygen canister if you're sensitive to altitude.
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