Share with your friends

Shangri-La tips

candid China advice

Best time of day
to visit the
Songzanlin Monastery

Go early in the morning or in the late afternoon to experience its tranquil character. It can be teeming with tour groups between those periods, especially in the late morning.

Photographing
Songzanlin Monastery

Indoor shots
Photographing inside the various temples is not allowed. External shots are okay (see photo).

Viewpoint
There is a hill in front of the lamasery complex that offers a superb panoramic view (admission fee charged).

Best seasons to
visit Shangri-Las

Mid-April to mid-June
Rainfall is light and the colorful countryside wildflowers are blooming.

Mid-September to November
Blue skies and crisp, refreshing air.

Least desirable season

From January to mid-March, temperatures plummet and snowfall can be heavy.

Shangri-La
vs Lijiang climate

When it's warm in Lijiang in the summer, it can sometimes be rather cold in Zhongdian. Play it safe. Pack layers.

Click

Page two

Page three

for more Shangri-La tips

Top 5 nearby attractions

Pronouncing Yunnan names

Yunnan highlights map

Lost Horizon - book & film

Wonders of China - Home page

Wonders of China - Locator map

World's Top 100 Wonders

World's Top 1000 Wonders

CNTO

sponsored ad

Explore my
candid country, region
and other travel guides
Click links for tips & insights

WONDERS OF ...	WONDERS OF ...	CRUISE GUIDES	SAFARI GUIDES	WORLD'S TOP WONDERS
America	Israel	Cruise tips/insights	Best 5 safaris	Top 100 world wonders
Antarctica	Italy	Adventure	Top 10 safari mistakes	Top 1000 world wonders
Australia	Japan	Alaska	Serengeti Migration
Austria	Jordan	Antarctica	Kenya vs Tanzania	OTHER TIPS & INSIGHTS
Bali	Mexico	Baltic	Top 10 safari animals	Best 10 world cuisines
Brazil	New Zealand	Bermuda	Luxury safari - What it's like	Great peasant dishes
Canada	Peru	Canada NE
Caribbean Islands	Philippines	Caribbean	SPECIAL TOPICS	MORE
China	Poland	Family	Top 10 travel lists	Site map
Croatia	Polynesia	Fjords of Norway	Seven wonders (ancient)	Testimonials
Czech Republic	Portugal	Galapagos	Travel quiz	About me & my credentials
Egypt	Scotland	Hawaiian	Travel quotes	About my website
England	South Africa	Honeymoon	How to pronounce countries	Email me your opinion
France	Spain	Luxury	Travel photo tips
Germany	Switzerland	Mediterranean
Greece	Thailand	Mexican Riviera
Holland	Turkey	Nile
India	Vatican	Persian Gulf
Ireland		River cruises
		Romantic
		Yangtze
		More cruises

�2012 HQP - Hillman Quality Publications / hillmanwonders.com

Lijiang and Shangri-La

Beijing & environs

Hong Kong & environs

Shanghai & environs

Shaanxi

Sichuan & Chongqing

Tibet

Yunnan

Wonders in other China regions

My other China pages

World wonders

More

Shangri-La tips

candid China advice

Best time of day to visit the Songzanlin Monastery

Photographing Songzanlin Monastery

Indoor shots Photographing inside the various temples is not allowed. External shots are okay (see photo).

Viewpoint There is a hill in front of the lamasery complex that offers a superb panoramic view (admission fee charged).

Best seasons to visit Shangri-Las

Mid-April to mid-June Rainfall is light and the colorful countryside wildflowers are blooming.

Mid-September to November Blue skies and crisp, refreshing air.