Zhongdian | China | Luxe and Intrepid Asia

The capital of the predominantly Tibetan prefecture of Diqing, Zhongdian was renamed Shangri-la, after the mythical, Tibetan-influenced setting of James Hilton's novel Lost Horizon. While Zhongdian did see a large increase in visitors and tourists after its name change, the city nonetheless managed to preserve its heritage and unique architecture, especially its flat-roofed, ornate buildings. Today, as in the past, Zhongdian is home to the Kham people, a distinct ethnicity of Tibetan origin famed for their warrior traditions.

Experiences

A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.

Lunch & Antiques

Have lunch at the Songsten Hotel, filled with the owner’s excellent collection of rare Tibetan antiques.

Songzanlin Monastery

Visit the Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan Province. Join the monks for a private blessing ceremony, before having tea with a senior lama in his private chambers. You will be able to visit parts of the monastery normally off-limits to visitors, including the kitchen, bedrooms and storage rooms.

Yak Dinner

Enjoy an authentic traditional dinner and cooking demonstration in the home of a local family. Savory yak-butter tea, stewed yak meat, and cheese made from yak milk are all staples in the local diet, highlighting the importance of the hardy animal to the people of this remote region. After dinner, join the locals for a dance in the village square, a unique local tradition that goes on most evenings.

Zhongdian Old Town

Drive into Zhongdian and explore the Old Town. Shop for Himalayan arts and crafts, such as prayer flags, thangkas, or painted, embroidered silk tapestries, jewelry and traditional clothes. Afterwards, visit the Zong Gu Monastery, home to the world’s largest prayer wheel, a towering, gold-painted monolith.

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China Itineraries

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Ultra Luxe

The Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan

Take in the serene natural beauty of the valleys and peaks of remarkable Yunnan, China as you spend 8 luxurious days traveling between Lijiang and the epic Shangri-la. Capture the incredible Yangtze River, hike through national forests, visit remote monasteries, and sleep in luxury at Songstam hotels.

Interests Trekking, Amazing Landscapes

Destination China

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Price Per Person: From $6,100

The Way to Shangri-La: Highlights of Yunnan

Spend 11 days luxuriating in China’s lush Yunnan province, making your way from Kunming to Dali, Shangri-la, and Lijiang. You’ll stop at local markets, enjoy a fascinating look into China’s lush nature at Green Lake Park and the Yangtze Valley, hike through the iconic Shangri-La, and stay at the luxurious Banyan Tree.

Interest Amazing Landscapes

Destination China

Duration: 11 days / 10 nights

Price Per Person: From $10,500

Traveling Yunnan's Tea Horse Road

Follow the scenic, one-time trade route of tea traders past, Yunnan, China’s Tea Horse Road. You’ll make your way from Xishuangbanna to Shangri-La on the Tibetan Plateau, taking in the Luosuo River and the Jianchuan Shibaoshan Grottoes, spending time in Lijiang’s Old Town, and sleeping in luxury at Banyan Tree.

Interest Heritage

Destination China

Duration: 10 days / 9 nights

Price Per Person: From $10,000

China's Magnificent Mountaintops by Private Jet

Spend 11 days traveling in sheer luxury as your private jet whisks you across China’s mountaintops. Starting in Beijing, you’ll discover the lush Shangri-La valley on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, observe colorful cliffs in Zhangye Danxia, and stay overnight in luxury hotels like Banyan Tree and Songstam.

Interests Amazing Landscapes, Unesco

Destination China

Duration: 11 days / 10 nights

Price Per Person: From $123,800

China's Spectacular Sights by Private Jet from Heaven Lake to Zhangye Danxia

Take in some of China’s most breathtaking natural surroundings as you travel 14 days from Changbaishan to Zhangye Danxia, stopping along the way in the stunning valleys of Shangri-La, below the majestic Huangshan Mountain, and aside colorful geocliffs millions of years old, staying at luxury hotels along the way.

Interests Amazing Landscapes, Unesco

Destination China

Duration: 14 days / 13 nights

Price Per Person: From $201,100

PREFERRED HOTEL

Banyan Tree Ringha

Banyan Tree Ringha is in China’s Yunnan province, in a mountainous area that has been officially designated “Shangri-La” by the Chinese government and is part of Greater Tibet, both historically and culturally. The architecture reflects the local Tibetan culture: the 32 spacious lodges and suites are traditional Tibetan farmhouses with intricate woodcarvings, enormous pine pillars, smoky fireplaces and wooden balconies that have valley or river views. There are three restaurants to choose from: Llamo, which serves Chinese and Western dishes, Chang Sa, for Tibetan specialties, and Jakhang, a cozy teahouse with a large fireplace and an encyclopedic collection of teas. The Ringha has a divine Banyan Tree spa and a business center, but no fitness center or pool. The Shangri-La Airport (DIG) is a half-hour drive from the hotel.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Songtsam Benzilan

The tranquil village of Benzilan sets the scene for this property - an idyllic pastoral backdrop of wheat, barley and rice fields. The pace here is relaxed, giving harried travelers a chance to experience rural living, largely unchanged for centuries. Within the property, guests can enjoy all modern conveniences, with WiFi throughout the public zones and gourmet meals prepared by local chefs. The garden provides plenty of onsite space for chilling out and enjoying the breathtaking views of this unique location, while the nearby village provide endless hours of cultural discovery, interacting with the community and experiencing an almost forgotten way of life.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Songtsam Cizhong

Nestled in the base of the Upper Mekong River valley, the remote Songtsam Cizhong hotel is 5,900 feet above sea level and surrounded by fertile green fields dotted by prayer flags, farmhouses, and waterfalls. The small Tibetan town was discovered a century ago by French missionaries, who erected the beautiful, Gothic-style Cizhong Catholic Church that stills stands – albeit in a state of some disrepair – and holds services in Tibetan every Sunday to this day. There are even some wall paintings and facades inside the church that survived the Cultural Revolution. The hotel offers one room type, and all accommodations are spacious and equipped with all the essentials. Rooms can be appointed with either one king-size bed or two twins, and they have a deck from which guests can enjoy spectacular views. The hotel’s restaurant serves local dishes, along with afternoon tea and a modest selection of wines, and there is also a library and an on-site garden. The Tibetan village that the Songtsam Cizhong calls home is surrounded by the grapevine-covered slopes of local vineyards – note that local wines are available at the hotel, and there are also hiking routes through the mountainous surrounding region. Guided hikes through Catholic and Buddhist Tibetan villages can be arranged, as can chats with elderly villagers at their local Catholic churches.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Songtsam Linka Shangri-La

At 10,500 feet above sea level, Shangri-La is a land of majestic landscapes, diverse cultures, and deep spirituality. The town is located in a wide valley surrounded by mountain ranges on all four sides, and it enchants with the traditional Tibetan architecture that lines its streets. The Songtsam Linka in Shangri-La is located a short distance from the hustle and bustle of downtown Shangri-La among green valleys between Tibetan villages and Himalayan barley fields. Just a 20-minute drive from Diqing Shangri-La Airport, the hotel is composed of a number of hand-built stone structures erected on a hillside that faces the back of Songzanlin Monastery. Excellently appointed rooms are stylishly decorated with traditional Tibetan design aesthetics, and they offer spectacular views. For meals, guests can pick from Tibetan, Chinese, and Western dishes at one of the hotel’s two restaurants. There is a breakfast buffet in the morning and a selection of wines available later in the day. The hotel also houses a spa, which specializes in traditional Kum Nye Tibetan massages, a well-equipped library with a view, and two souvenir shops. Besides touring nearby Songzanlin Monastery, guests can also spend their days exploring the snowcapped mountains and picturesque valleys, wander through the Tibetan villages, and even go for cycling excursions around Napa Lake.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Songtsam Meili

This charming hotel must be one of the most remote hotels in the world, located in a tranquil village with just five families. It looks out onto one of China’s proudest features - the incredible Meili Xue Shan mountain range, of which each room in the hotel has a fabulous view. Since meals are included in the room price, guests need not worry about carrying around their wallet in this tranquil and relaxed environment. Instead, they may dine in the communal Tibetan restaurant, on anything from Western dishes, to traditional Tibetan yak cheese and barley wine. The cozy book bar provides an array of reading material for guests to enjoy, and bonfire parties are a wonderful occasion for guests to let their hair down, interact with other guests, and enjoy some traditional local performances.