Hello everyone, today I will review the Shangri-La trip, which is located in China. I must say that this trip was one of the first trips I took 3 years ago to travel the world, and it was the starting point that made me love photography to this day. Many of you may be surprised that coming here can change a person's life so much. From a child who was not interested in photography, not interested in traveling to new places, from a child who was addicted to computer games, to a person who loves to travel.

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Many of you may be wondering why this place, a place called "Shangri-La", is so magical that it can change a child's mind so much. If you are ready to read this review, let's read the meaning of this land first.

Shangri-La is the most wondrous land in the world, where foreign tourists want to travel to experience and conquer this wonderland. Shangri-La is located at an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level, where oxygen is relatively thin. The journey is not very convenient, and the accommodation is not luxurious, as it is still a tourist route that has not been officially opened as a tourist destination. However, Shangri-La can still attract tourists to visit it in an amazing way.

Shangri-La, a name synonymous with "a land where peace blossoms," a human aspiration immortalized in James Hilton's 1933 novel, The Lost Horizon. The fictional Shangri-La was later brought to life on the silver screen. Hilton describes it as "...the most magnificent mountain scenery in the world..." This idyllic land is known as "Shangri-La."

Shangri-La is a beautiful and mysterious land. The people live a simple life, with majestic snow-capped mountains, valleys, grasslands, rivers and lakes...

Just listening to the brief history and story of the movie The Lost Horizen written by James Hilton, how do you feel? It's starting to get interesting, isn't it? This trip we travel, starting from Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Shangri-La. Traveling from one point to another takes a long time. There were some parts where I fell asleep, so I didn't get to see much in one day. But it's not bad, because the scenery along the way is so beautiful it's indescribable. It's a vast land, with large mountains stretching out in all directions, creating a strange sight. The old houses along the way, the simple life of growing vegetables, raising animals, and living like people in the old days, made the journey even more interesting. Sometimes we didn't dare to sleep for fear of missing something. The roads are pretty good, but there are some sections with gravel and scary roads along the mountainside. So if you're coming here, it's a good idea to hire a local car and driver. That way, someone can take you around and make sure you're safe.

Food and drink

This restaurant serves a wide variety of dishes, including pork, mushrooms, duck, chicken, and vegetables, covering all five food groups. The taste is oily and savory, typical of Chinese cuisine. If you've ever been to China, you'll know what I mean. Haha! But most of the dishes are edible, so it shouldn't be a problem for us.

The tourist attractions are very diverse. Along the way, according to the cities we visited, it made us very excited about the weather. And the slightly cold weather, not much, is comfortable. Most of the terrain is large, magnificent mountains. Let's take a look at the tourist attractions in general.

1. Erhai Lake (Chinese: 洱海; pinyin: Ěrhǎi)

It is a beautiful lake and a famous tourist attraction in Yunnan Province. The lake has a circumference of 116 kilometers, an average depth of 11 meters, and a water capacity of 2.5 million cubic meters.

A very interesting place is to take a boat trip on Erhai Lake. This lake is flanked by the huge Cangshan Mountain, making it a great place to experience the beautiful nature. The first place is so impressive, what will the next place be like?

The day we went on the tour, there were many tour groups, so there were quite a few boats on the lake. The atmosphere was great, the wind was cool, and we stood at the front of the boat enjoying the view and taking pictures. We had a lot of fun.

The appearance of the boat used to travel to see this lake is divided into two parts: inside and outside. Choose the one you like, depending on how you want to see it.

Information you should know about Erhai Lake

[Spoil] Click to reveal hidden text• Erhai Lake, located in front of the Three Pagodas, is a freshwater lake on the plateau, hence its nickname "Pearl on the Plateau". The water in the lake is so clear that you can see the underwater scenery, and there is often mist rising above the vast lake, making the scenery around the lake even more beautiful. 2. Dali Ancient City

Built over 1,000 years ago, the ancient city of Dali remains remarkably well-preserved despite the passage of time. A popular tourist destination, the city offers a wealth of historical artifacts and souvenirs for visitors to enjoy.

The magnificent gate of the ancient city of Dali. The tower on top offers a panoramic view.

We are currently walking on the city wall. From this point, we can clearly see the Erhai Lake where we went boating.

As we turn into the city, we will see the way of life (tourists) and the city, the old-style architecture that is still well preserved. In the middle of the city, the tower we see can also be climbed to enjoy the view. Some places charge, some don't. You have to look carefully.

It's rare to see a place like this in one's lifetime.

Information You Should Know About Dali Ancient City

This section provides essential information about Dali Ancient City, including its history, significance, and things to know before visiting.

[Spoiler] Click to reveal hidden text Dali Ancient City, built over 1,000 years ago, remains remarkably well-preserved despite the passage of time. Visitors will find both the south and north gates of the city still standing, their architecture mirroring each other. Scattered along the old street are ancient houses, and one of the old streets that once cut through the city has now become a bustling commercial district. The streets are lined with shops, and Bai merchants in traditional attire sell local products such as Dali marble, local fabrics, and silverware. Within the ancient city, a small street runs from east to west, lined with restaurants serving Chinese and Western cuisine, cafes, and tea houses run by foreigners. This street has earned the nickname "Foreigner Street." Its blend of old and new attracts a constant stream of international tourists, creating a unique and captivating scene.
3. Songzanlin Monastery

Let me tell you, this place is a major highlight and one of my favorite places on this trip. It was the first time I had ever seen such a large temple, a Tibetan temple where lamas reside and perform religious ceremonies. So I couldn't miss the opportunity to capture some photos here.

The image of a llama walking in front of Songzanlin Monastery truly captures the essence of Tibetan Buddhism.

The surrounding atmosphere wasn't very lively, but there were still tourists walking around.

Stepping out of the temple, we encountered the five-colored prayer flags. At first, we were unsure of their significance. Upon returning to Thailand, we researched and discovered that these flags are known as "Prayer Flags." Nepalese people believe that when the wind blows and flutters these flags inscribed with mantras, it is equivalent to offering prayers to the Buddha. This serves as a clever way to express faith and connect one's spirit to the Buddha. The book only mentions the meanings of four of the five flag colors: earth, water, wind, and fire.

Meaning of each color

Red means the sun.

Blue, or sky blue, refers to the sky.

White means clouds.

Yellow means the world.

Green means the ocean.

After we finished looking around, we started to walk up the stairs to the top. Since we were already there, we decided to go all the way up to see what the view was like from the top. At first, I thought it would be easy because the weather was cool. But in reality, even though the weather was cool, walking up hundreds of floors made me sweat and lose my breath. When we reached the top, we saw a panoramic view in front of us. It was so beautiful.

Walking on the deck, I saw the lives of Tibetan lamas playing and joking with each other. It was a very warm scene.

I heard that before we arrived, there was a storm that hit this temple quite hard. We can see that some houses have been damaged, and there are piles of wood waiting to be repaired in several places. We all pray that everything will pass soon and that everything will return to normal.

Information you should know about Lama Songqianlin Temple

[Spoiler] Click to reveal hidden textSongzanlin Monastery is a major temple in Shangri-La, located about 5 kilometers north of Zhongdian. The monastery was built during the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama in the 18th century, during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. It was modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa and is the largest Tibetan Lamaist monastery in Yunnan Province. With a history of over 300 years, the monastery still preserves the tradition of Tibetan people holding mask dances and playing long horns during festivals.

4. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Another highlight of this trip is that we will be going up a snow mountain. To get there, we have to take a cable car. But before we go up, there are people selling oxygen cans down below. I was surprised when I first heard this. Huh, just to go up, we need to use it? They said that the top is very high, 4,506 meters above sea level. After hearing this threat, we couldn't resist. So we all got one before going up. It's better to be safe than sorry, right?

On the way to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

As we arrived, we made our way to the ticket booth and took the cable car up to the top to admire the snow-capped mountains.

The view from the top is amazing. The cable car ride up was chaotic, with too many Chinese tourists pushing and shoving to get on without queuing. I didn't even get a chance to take a picture of the ascent. Haha! But once we reached the top, we were greeted with a spectacular view. Luckily, the weather was clear and there was no fog, so we were able to capture some beautiful photos.

The mountain peak was incredibly beautiful. The day we went, there wasn't much snow cover, perhaps because it was already late winter. I'm not sure.

There are also activities to play on the top floor. It's so cool 555. Anyone who wants to try, please come.

Some people dressed up in ancient costumes to take pictures. It was really beautiful.

People are still pouring in, filling up every space. But it's lively, not lonely.

Information you should know about the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

[Spoiler] Click to reveal hidden text• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, also known as Yulong Xueshan, is located northwest of Lijiang Old Town. It is a towering mountain with snow-capped peaks all year round. The mountain range encompasses diverse landscapes, including valleys, streams, cliffs, and Naxi grasslands. From afar, the mountain range resembles a dragon in flight. The white snow that covers it looks like white jade, contrasting with the blue sky, resembling a white dragon in the sky. Hence, the mountain range is named Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Tourists can take a cable car to the viewing platform on the mountaintop, which is over 3,356 meters high and 4,506 meters above sea level, to enjoy the panoramic views and natural scenery at the most beautiful spot. Along the way up the mountain, admire and immerse yourself in the cold embrace of nature. Moreover, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the origin of the Naxi people's legend, who have lived in the plains of this region for thousands of years. The mountain range is densely covered with plant life. In spring, wildflowers bloom in vibrant colors. People gather to herd their livestock, such as goats, sheep, and yaks, to graze on the grass.

5. Lijiang Old Town

We arrived at the ancient city of Lijiang at midnight. The lights in the city were already on, waiting for us. The atmosphere was beautiful. The old architecture was still there, it hadn't disappeared. There were many people, tourists, and street musicians playing to create a lively atmosphere. There were also groups of people exercising at night.

The wall has a beautiful pattern at night.

The large, old water turbine at night is a popular spot for photography and is considered a landmark of this place.

Many tourists come to take photos with this large water turbine at night.

The city lights are still brightly lit. There are many souvenir shops, restaurants, and even bars. For those who love nightlife, this city is a great place to come out and enjoy the beauty of the night.

This city is also known as the "Venice of the East".

Information you should know about Lijiang Ancient Town

[Spoiler] Click to reveal hidden messageLijiang Ancient Town, with a history of over 800 years, boasts a unique architectural style, history, and culture that sets it apart from other ancient towns in China. This is because it has been home to the Naxi people since ancient times. The town has also been dubbed the "Venice of the East" and is a World Heritage Site. Lijiang Ancient Town has managed to preserve its historical beauty remarkably well. It features tightly packed cobblestone paths, traditional Chinese wooden buildings, streams flowing past almost every house, ancient stone arch bridges, willows swaying in the breeze along the streams, and streets in the old town converging at the "Sifangjie" square market, the center of commerce. 6. "Impression Lijiang," a spectacular show by Zhang Yimou (Impression Lijiang, Culture Show in Lijiang Ancient Town)

It was a truly impressive show. The grandeur of the stage, the hundreds of spectators, and the multitude of performers were all breathtaking. The powerful music kept us captivated, and the backdrop of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain perfectly complemented the narrative of the performance. We were completely mesmerized and couldn't take our eyes off the stage.

Information you should know about the show

[Spoiler] Click to reveal hidden textIMPRESSION LIJIANG, a grand show directed by world-renowned director Zhang Yimou, transforms the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain into a backdrop and uses the grasslands as a stage. With over 600 performers, dazzling lights, sound, and costumes, the show tells the story of the lives of the various ethnic groups in Lijiang.

7. Baishui River (白水河)

This is one of the last places where we saw crystal-clear, emerald-green water, with the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as a backdrop, as always. It's a great place to relax after days of sightseeing. It's truly beautiful.

Nature remains beautiful and magnificent. China is another country that still has interesting and diverse things to offer visitors due to its vast size. I promise to return to China again someday to visit another place. If we ignore the manners or the toilets, everything will be truly amazing, especially the nature and the ancient architecture.

This concludes my review. Thank you to all my friends who have been following me. I hope this will be of some benefit to my friends who are interested.

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