Balagezong - Shangri-la Grand Canyon

Balagezong Scenic Area, located about 31 miles (50km) northwest of Shangri-la County, belongs to Hongshan Section in the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas. It earns very high admiration for the mysterious ancient Bala Village, hospitable villagers, holy snow mountains, plank road over Gangqu River, and precipitous gorges, especially Shangri-la Grand Canyon. It is a pure land isolated from the outside world, waiting for visitors to discover its unique beauty with rich Tibetan culture.

Walking through the gate, you might notice there is a luxuriantly green bodhi tree. Having gone through three thousand years of rain and wind, the tree is still strong and vigorous. Interestingly, there is a branch resembling a hand of the Buddha, protruding from the trunk. Signifying epiphany and wisdom, the bodhi tree has long been regarded divine, attracting endless stream of Buddhism followers to pray here.

Balagezong Scenic Area spans an area of 43,490 acres (176 square kilometers) and only part of it is open to tourists. By shuttle buses in the scenic area, visitors can get access to Bala Village, Shangri-la Grand Canyon, and Heaven-leading Gorge.
 

Bala Village

The first stop you will arrive at is Bala Village on the mountainside. It is the only village in this vast land in the past years. Tibetan scripture records that millions of years ago, a group of people tried to find an ideal place without wars and miseries. After innumerable hardships they finally settled down in the Bala Village. Till now, it is still a secluded land with Tibetan wood houses. At the end of the village, colorful sutra streamers around Marnyi stones sway in the wind. In the distance, Balagezong Snow Mountain can be seen dimly through the mist, making the village more attractive.
 

Shangri-la Grand Canyon

After visiting the village, you will have a thrilling journey in gorges. It is said that the Blue Moon Valley described in the book Lost Horizon is within this scenic area. The U-shaped Shangri-la Grand Canyon, formerly called Birang Grand Canyon, is the main gorge with distinctive vertical climate. Various terrain veins and foldings form a natural cliff painting. In the primitive forests, rare flowers and herbs are scattered around grotesque vines and age-old trees. When the rain falls or the snow on the mountain melts, the water converges to waterfalls pouring down from the cliffside. Strolling in the narrow gorge with a profusion of trees, one will feel that he is in a tropical rainforest. Also, it is a breathtaking experience to walk on the plank road for an hour, with Gangqu River running beneath. After the visit, visitors can walk back along the plank road or take a raft in the river at the cost of CNY 120 per person.
 

Heaven-leading Gorge

What waits you is a branch gorge of Shangri-la Grand Canyon - Nanka Zhuorong Gorge whose name means a gorge leading to the heaven in Tibetan language. Therefore, it is also called Heaven-leading Gorge or Tongtian Gorge. The gorge actually leads to Balagezong Snow Mountain, a sacred mountain. With a drop of over 11,500 feet (3505m), two cliffs stand opposite to each other almost vertically. Heaven-leading Gorge is so narrow and deep that you can only see a strip of sky overhead. In the gorge you will find an echo wall enabling sounds to reverberate for a long time.

The greatness of Balagezong is more than what mentioned above; the rest needs to be discovered by hiking. However, with a high altitude and harsh conditions, hiking in the Balagezong Scenic Area is a highly demanding task.
 

Balagezong Snow Mountain

The pyramid-shaped Balagezong Snow Mountain is a holy mountain among Tibetans, thus attracting lots of pilgrims every year. With an altitude of 17,408 feet (5306m), it is the highest mountain in Shangri-la County. Three snow-clad peaks, which are believed to be the incarnations of three daughters of a mountain God, tower into the clouds against the sunshine. The white snow and clouds floating on the clear sky make the mountain all the more sacred and mysterious, presenting a shocking view.

Around the peaks, there are perpetual glaciers. The glacier tongue can reach down to 12,100 feet (3,688m). Besides, 18 plateau lakes scatter around Balagezong Snow Mountain. They are as pure as jade in this land.
 

Shangri-la Stupa

At the northeast of the snow mountain stands the Shangri-la Stupa. It is actually a mountain resembling a round-based stupa and two mountains beside it look like a Lama and an unfolding sutra. As the only natural stupa all over the world, it enjoys a great reputation.
 

How to get to Balagezong

Tourism buses bound for Balagezong Scenic Area are available at the north gate of Dukezong Ancient Town in Shangri-la County. Generally speaking, they depart at 8:30 from March to October and at 9:00 from November to the next February. The fare is CNY 60 for a round trip. It takes about one and half an hour for a single trip.
 
Admission Fee CNY 230 (CNY 170 for entrance ticket and CNY 60 for the shuttle bus).
Children below 3.6 feet (1.1m) can enter for free.
Opening Hours 8:00 - 16:30
Recommended Time for a Visit 0.5 - 1 day
- Last updated on Nov. 11, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Balagezong - Shangri-la Grand Canyon
Asked by hfau from MALAYSIA | Nov. 11, 2024 11:59Reply
the experience of snow
in december, can we really touch and play with the snow in balagezong? or we can just look at the snow from the far? or probably no snow yet in december?
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Nov. 11, 2024 19:28
00Reply


Yes, you can play with snow there in December.
Asked by Wani from MALAYSIA | Nov. 10, 2024 22:38Reply
how to go to Meili Snow Mountainfrom dukezong city? Can reach by scenic bus?
Answers (1)
Answered by Rita | Nov. 11, 2024 19:26
00Reply


Yes, you can take a direct bus at Shangri-la Bus Station near Dukezong to the snow mountain. It's advised to book the ticket in advance through the WeChat mini program 迪庆交运 or purchase at the bus station one day before.
Asked by syu from THAILAND | Nov. 09, 2024 06:55Reply
could we make this trip in just a day by bus?
if we take the bus early in the morning from dukezong ancient town to balagezong, could we return back to the town in the same day? or need 2 days if we go there by bus?
Answers (1)
Answered by Rita | Nov. 10, 2024 17:52
00Reply


It's possible. You can take a direct bus at north gate of Dukezong Ancient City to Balagezong, and the bus departs from Balagezong at 16:00 - 17:00. Just tell the driver you will go back to Dukezong in the afternoon, and he or she will tell you the departure point.
Asked by hfau from MALAYSIA | Nov. 07, 2024 13:45Reply
Hi, really need your helps to enlighten on the experience between those 2 as mentions below
Hi, between Balagezong and Meili Snow Mountain, which one do you think provide the best to experience snow? Without the need to hike that much. Because I have shortage of time, so I can only choose one place between those 2.
Answers (3)
Answered by Emily | Nov. 07, 2024 19:15
00Reply


I personally think Meili is better for snow views. And you don't need to hike much. There are several observation platforms you can drive to directly.
Answered by hfau | Nov. 08, 2024 08:47
00Reply


thank you so much for your replies. can we really touch and play with the snow in meili snow mountain? or we can just look at the snow from the far?
Answered by Emily | Nov. 10, 2024 17:46
00Reply


You can play with snow on or after the snowy day, but you cannot see the famous golden snow mountain of sunrise if it's snowy.
Asked by sharon tan from SINGAPORE | Aug. 20, 2024 01:12Reply
How to go Balagezong Scenic Area from tiger leaping gorge? How long it takes? What is the distance?
Hi, I am a visitor from Singapore. Travelling from Dali to tiger leaping gorge and sleep 1 night. Next morning will like to go Balagezong Scenic Area. How to travel there? What is the distance? How long it takes to reach? Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Aug. 20, 2024 20:12
00Reply


No direct buses run between and the distance is about 185km. You will need to share a car with others to Dukezong Old Town East Gate and take a direct bus there to Balagezong. The drive may take 3-4 hours.
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