Shangri-La Highlights Private Day Trip to Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National Park & Dukezong Old Town

Tour Highlights
• Immerse in the breathtaking natural beauty and holy religious atmosphere of the unspoiled Shangri-La
• Admire Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Monastery in Yunnan
• Wander deep into the heart of Shangri-La's wilderness at Pudacuo National Park
• Stroll along Dukezong Old Town, a 1300-year-old town with Tibetan dwellings, majestic prayer halls and pagodas
• Experienced English speaking tour guide
• Overland round-trip transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments

About This Tour
• Departure: Daily departing from Shangri-La
• Tour Duration: Approximately 8 hours.
• Guide Languages: Chinese & English.
• Pick-up Time: Between 07:00 and 10:00, choose a departure time most suitable for you.
• Pick-up & Drop-off Place: Your accommodation in Shangri-La
• Advice on Meals: Lunch is not included in this tour, please have a big breakfast and pack snacks just in case you get a bit peckish during sightseeing. If you want to try authentic local food for lunch, please feel free to inform your guide who is always ready to help.

Tour Itinerary at a Glance
• Pick up from your accommodation in Shangri-La
• Visit Songzanlin Monastery
• Lunch on your own
• Visit Pudacuo National Park
• Stroll along Dukezong Old Town
• Transfer back to your accommodation in Shangri-La

Tailor This Tour to Meet Your Needs and Requirements
• If you want to modify this itinerary, please feel free to contact GoGrandChina by WhatsApp (+86-18309280878), Wechat (+86-18309280878) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com), we will create a tailor-made tour package for you.

Price Remark
• Prices are not valid during China's Official Holidays (such as National Day & Chinese New Year Festival etc.).

Price Inclusions
• Professional English language speaking private tour guide
• Air-conditioned vehicle with private experienced driver
• All admission tickets to sightseeing places
• All government taxes

Price Exclusions
• Hotel accommodation.
• Your personal expenses.
• Meals are excluded allowing you flexibility on menu.
• Travel insurance is not included. Please purchase before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Gratuities to guide & driver. They are customary and would be of great encouragement and reward for quality service.

Additional Info
• Shangri-La is 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) above sea level, be aware of High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• The itinerary is subject to change due to traffic conditions or bad weather.
• The itinerary is flexible; changes can be made upon written request from travelers.
• IMPORTANT: It is required by the government regulations that travelers must provide their name, gender, nationality, passport number and date of birth to their tour operator upon booking a tour. Failure to do so could result in being denied access or admittance to sites and attractions during sightseeing. When you book this tour, please complete all required fields at checkout. Please bring your passport with you on the tour.

Cancellation Policy
• You may cancel the booking and receive a full refund up to 24 hours prior to the date of your tour.
• Cancellation within 24 hours or after the tour begins is non-refundable.
• Cancellation request will be confirmed in 2-5 business days, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.

Why Travelers Have to Choose GoGrandChina Private Tours?
• Choose your most suitable departure time, whether you are an early bird or you prefer sleeping in.
• GoGrandChina private tours are more flexible, allowing you to adjust everything on your trip to your wishes.
• GoGrandChina tour guides will be at your service to make sure you get the most from each destination. They are there for you and are responsible for making your journey special – and your needs always come first.
• GoGrandChina offers comfortable and luxury vehicles with a private & experienced driver who’s always by your side and ready to take you to your next destination.
• No shopping stops & factory visits, no chance of getting ripped off.
• No hidden costs, rest assured that there are no nasty surprises.

Know Before You Go
• Shangri-La is 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) above sea level, be aware of High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).
• Keep your passport on you constantly. It might be needed to buy entrance tickets.
• Add us on WeChat (+86-18309280878) or WhatsApp (+86-18309280878) to reach GGC service staff at anytime.
• Pick-up time, guide's name & contact information will be confirmed by WhatsApp, WeChat or email.
• Your guide will hold GoGrandChina welcome sign with your name, waiting at the appointed meeting place.
• Meals are not included; please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations.
• Please note that if you book accommodation on Airbnb, you may not be picked up and dropped off at the door.
• We provide up to 20 minutes of waiting. If you don’t show up and cannot be contacted, this tour will be cancelled and you will receive no refund.

Hotel Pick-up & Transfer to Songzanlin Monastery
Your private guide will be holding GoGrandChina pick-up sign and waiting for you in your hotel lobby (or other appointed meeting place) at the appointed time. You will be transferred to Songzanlin Monastery in a comfortable private vehicle.

Visit Songzanlin Monastery
Also named Sungtseling Monastery, Songzanlin Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery situated 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the city of Zhongdian at elevation 3,380 metres (11,090 ft). Built in 1679, the monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province and is sometimes referred to as the Little Potala Palace. It belongs to the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism of the Gelukpa order. The Fifth Dalai Lama's Buddhist visionary zeal established the monastery in Zhongdian, in 1679. Its architecture is a fusion of the Tibetan and Han Chinese. At its peak, the monastery contained accommodation for 2,000 monks; it currently accommodates in its rebuilt structures 700 monks in 200 associated houses. The monastery has two major lamasery buildings – Zhacang and Jikang – apart from several smaller lamaseries. Numerous living rooms have also been built for the monks to reside. The main monastery structure built in Tibetan style has a gilded copper roof similar to the one at the Potala Monastery in Lhasa. The other buildings in the complex are built in Han Chinese style.

Lunch at Your Own Expense
Please feel free to ask your guide for suggestions and recommendations

Visit Pudacuo National Park
Pudacuo or Potatso, is China's first national park located about 25km east of Shangri-la. Duck into the foliage of Pudacuo National Park for a chance to escape the crowds as you wander deep into the heart of Shangri-la's wilderness. The must-see scenery in this park includes Lake Bita and Lake Shudu. Lake Bita is surrounded by mountains covered with ancient pines, oaks, and rhododendrons, and appears like an emerald in the heart of the mountains. Lake Shudu is surrounded by a forest of fir, spruce, and silver birch, and is home to lots of wild animals, such as squirrels, golden cats, and pheasants.

Stroll along Dukezong Old Town
Dukezong (Dorkhar, Tibetan name of Dukezong) Old Town is a small Tibetan town that has thrived for over 1,300 years. Tragically large parts of the old town were destroyed during a fire in 2014. Reconstruction process took place shortly after. Many locals had to be relocated, however the reconstruction process was sustainable and it recaptured the look of the previous city. The shops, guesthouses and cafes offer a peaceful and scenic view with the mountains serving as a backdrop. On the hill in the center of Dukezong Old Town, stands a Tibetan monastery which has one of the world's largest Tibetan prayer wheels, which was saved mainly because it is made of metal in recent decades. Visiting Dukezong is the closest way to get to Tibet without entering the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

Transfer Back to Your Hotel
Your guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Lijiang.