6 Days to Shangri-la Valley of Shangri-la - Sanjia Village - Shuizhuang Village - Bala Village - Naidang Village - Bala Village - Shuizhuang Village - Shangqiaotou Village - Shangri-la

Shangri-la Ancient Town

Shangri-la Valley is located in the northwest of Shangri-la County. It is 76 klilometers (42 miles) away from the county, 81 kilometers (50 miles) away from Shangri-la airport. With a total area of 176 square kilometers, it connects the Birang Valley in the east, the Shangqiaotou Village in the south, the Derong County in Sichuang Province in the west and the Dongwang Village in the north. The highest peak in the Shangri-la Valley is the Balagengzong Snow Mountain with an altitude of 5,545 meters (18,192 feet), and the lowest point is the Shuizhuang Village with an altitude of 2,000 meters (6,561 feet). The main sight in this scenic area is the valley with its abundant topographical features and plants. The Tibetan customs and culture based on the Tibetan Buddhism and Holy Mountains infuse their spirit in this scenic area.

A stream winds Shangri-la Valley

On the first day, hire a car to drive to the Sanjia Village in Nixi Township. Upon arrival in the Sanjia Village, hike for 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) to the Shuizhuang Village. On the way, visit the Napa Lake, the wooden bowl factory in Sanjia Village, the Shuoqu River, the Red Army Bridge, the Shangri-la Valley and the earthen block built houses of local Tibetans. Napa Lake is a seasonal lake. In late summer and early autumn, there is abundant water in the lake as the Dinglong Pool, the Naqu River and the Quwang River pour into it, so a large lake is formed. In the winter and the spring, the lake dwindles and becomes a large area of marsh and meadow. "Napa” means “the lake behind the forest" in Tibetan. Stay overnight in the Shuizhuang Village.

On the second day, trek 26 kilometers (16 miles) from the Shuizhuang Village to the Bala Village. En route, you will pass the virgin forest and the Shangri-la Valley. Along your way in the Valley, you will hear the thunder of water and vapor will surround you in the air. Beetling cliffs and steep bluffs stands on either side, with slopes of 70-90 degrees. Go on to cross the Shuoqu River to reach the Bala Village. In the village, you will experience the primitive customs of local Tibetan. You can visit local Tibetan family and have dinner with them. Stay overnig ht in the village.

On the third day, trek 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) from the Bala Village to the Naidang Village. You can enjoy the landscape of the valley, see the local houses and villages, the alpine pasture, the plants and flowers, and overlook the main peak of Balagengzong. It will be a hard trip to climb the mountain today.

Sanjia Village, Shangri-la County

In the morning of the fourth day, walk to visit the ancient glacier of the Balagengzong and the pure lakes on the mountain, overlook the Badagengzong Snow Mountain. In the afternoon, you will hike back to the Bala Village.

On the fifth day, trek 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) back to Shuizhuang Village.

On the last day, trek 20km from Shuizhuang Village to Shangqiaotou Village. And then drive 60 kilometers (37.3 miles) back to Shangri-la.