Songzanlin Monastery

Afternoon in Shangrila – Chilly winds and the steps leading to Songzanlin Monastery

After nearly half a day of traveling, I arrived in Shangrila – a land situated over 3,000 meters above sea level, where the air is thinner and the cold wind blows in gusts. My first impression was... shivering cold.

Before heading out to explore, I stopped by a small shop to rent traditional Tibetan attire and get a light makeup done, which cost about 100 yuan. The ladies at the shop were incredibly sweet, chatting cheerfully while working. Their makeup skills were impressive – just a few minutes and I looked completely different, a mix of novelty and harmony with the surroundings.

From the shop, I headed straight to Songzanlin Monastery – the largest and most sacred monastery in Shangrila. From afar, the monastery stood majestically on the hill, glowing golden under the afternoon sun. But reaching it was truly a challenge.

The long, endless stone steps, combined with the thin air, made every step feel like a struggle. My heart raced, my breaths shortened, and I had to stop several times to take deep breaths and regain my composure. The biting cold wind added to the challenge, but when I looked up, the view before me was breathtaking – golden roofs, white walls, and prayer flags fluttering against the deep blue sky.

At that moment, I felt cold, tired, and out of breath... but also incredibly small and fortunate – to be standing in such a beautiful and serene place.

Post by Mraky | Nov 4, 2025