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Pudacuo National Park

Shangri-la

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China's first national park, this collection of small mountain lakes is about 25km east of Shangri-la. From the visitor centre, a 20-minute bus ride drops travellers on the shore of Shudu Lake (Êô¶¼ºþ, Sh¨³d¨± H¨²). Follow the 3.3km wooden boardwalk around the shore of the lake, where buses wait to whisk you back to the visitor centre.

Smaller Bita Lake (±ÌËþº£; B¨¬t¨£ h¨£i) was closed indefinitely at the time of research, but if or when it reopens expect ticket prices to get considerably more expensive. There's an 8.30am bus (?30 round-trip) from Shangri-la directly to the park; make sure to confirm the return time before you get off.

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View more attractions

Nearby Shangri-la attractions

1. Gyalthang Ringha Monastery

14.39 MILES

One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Yunnan, local monks claim this small hilltop temple in a walled forest reserve is at least 500 years old and perhaps¡­

2. Ganden Sumtseling Gompa

15.15 MILES

This 300-year-old Tibetan monastery complex about 4km north of the old town is home to around 600 monks. Extensive rebuilding has robbed the monastery of¡­

4. Guishan Buddhist Temple

16.12 MILES

Atop 'Great Turtle Hill' in the heart of the old town, this modern temple stands on the site of an original 1667 construction consecrated to a replica of¡­

5. Zhu¨£nj¨©ng T¨¯ng

16.12 MILES

This huge prayer wheel just beside Guishan Temple stands at 21m high and contains 100,000 small prayer wheels. At least six people are needed to make it¡­

6. Shangri-la Thangka Academy

16.21 MILES

Thangka master Lobsang Khudup trains young students in painting and Buddhist philosophy here. Even if you're not in the market to buy, it's worth stopping¡­

7. B¨£ij¨© S¨¬

16.61 MILES

For the best views over Shangri-la, head to this delightfully named and little-visited temple. The temple has a couple of monks inside and a handful of¡­

8. N¨¤p¨¤ H¨£i

18.89 MILES

Some 7km northwest of Shangri-la you¡¯ll find the seasonal Napa Sea, surrounded by a large grassy meadow that pushes right up to the mountains. Between¡­