Shangri-La Private Day Trip: 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

About This Tour
• Departure: Daily departing from Shangri-La
• Tour Duration: Approximately 8 hours.
• Guide Languages: Chinese & English.
• Pickup Time: Between 07:00 and 10:00, choose a departure time most suitable for you.
• Pickup & Drop-off Place: Your accommodation in Shangri-La
• Advice on Meals: Lunch is not included in this tour. We recommend having a substantial breakfast and bringing snacks in case you get hungry while sightseeing. If you'd like to experience authentic local cuisine for lunch, feel free to inform your guide, who will be happy to assist.

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

Price Remark
• Prices are not valid during National Day (Oct 1-7), Chinese New Year, and Labor Day (May 1-5).

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

Price Exclusions
• Hotel accommodation.
• Meals are excluded allowing you flexibility on menu.
• Your personal expenses.
• 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 Information
• Confirmation will be received at the 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
• Cancellations made 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time will receive a 100% refund.
• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour's start time or after the tour begins are non-refundable.
• Cancellation request will be confirmed within 2-5 business days, with refunds issued within 14 working days.

Tailor This Tour to Meet Your Needs
• If you want to customize this itinerary, contact us via WhatsApp (+86 139 1083 0737) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com). We'll create a tailor-made tour package just for you.

Know Before You Go
• Keep your passport with you throughout the tour; it may be needed to buy entrance tickets.
• Pickup time, guide's name, and contact information will be confirmed via WhatsApp or email.
• Your guide will be at the meeting point, holding a GGC pickup sign with your name.
• Meals are not included; please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations.
• If you book an Airbnb, please note that door-to-door pickup and drop-off might not be provided.
• There's a 20-minute grace period for waiting. Failure to show up will result in tour cancellation & no refund.

Hotel Pickup & Transfer to Songzanlin Monastery
Your private guide will be holding GoGrandChina pickup 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.