Balagezong Grand Canyon
An all-in-one canyon scenic area deep in northwestern Yunnan, with Gezong Snow Mountain, the Tibetan village of Bala, the Gangqu River gorge plank walkway, and natural Buddhist stupas as the highlights
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- 08:00-16:30
- Ticket
- approx. CNY 150 (sightseeing shuttle included; subject to official pricing)
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
An all-in-one canyon scenic area deep in northwestern Yunnan, with Gezong Snow Mountain, the Tibetan village of Bala, the Gangqu River gorge plank walkway, and natural Buddhist stupas as the highlights. The thousand-year-old Tibetan village of Bala was long cut off from the outside world—villagers once needed two days to descend the mountain; Khampa man Sina Dingzhu devoted everything he had and spent more than a decade carving a road through the gorge (reportedly opened around 2013), earning him the name 'contemporary Yugong' (the legendary old man who moved mountains), and his story has been reported many times. The site combines snow mountain, gorge, river, and Tibetan village scenery; allow about half a day for the visit.
Getting there: About 2.5 hours by chartered car or scheduled bus from downtown Shangri-La
Photos
More in Shangri-La
- Dukezong Ancient Town
A major town on the Tea Horse Road and one of China's better-preserved Tibetan-style old towns: Sifang Street, Guishan Park and the world's largest prayer wheel (Jixiang Shenglichuang, the 'Auspicious Victory Banner', approx. 21 m tall, takes several people pushing together to turn) are its landmarks, and climbing Guishan Hill gives a bird's-eye view of the whole town
- Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
The largest Gelug (Yellow Hat) Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province, known as the 'Little Potala Palace': the Zhacang assembly hall rising against the hillside and its reflection in Lhamo Yangtso Lake are classic photo spots
- Pudacuo National Park
One of mainland China's first national park system pilot sites (designated around 2007): three sections — the Shudu Lake boardwalks, Militang Pasture and Bita Lake; a visit takes approx. 3-4 hours, at 3,500-4,100 m elevation
- Napa Lake (Yila Grassland)
A seasonal plateau lake-marsh wetland: high water forms a lake in summer and autumn, receding to Yila Grassland in winter and spring; the ring road around the lake suits cycling or a chartered car
- Shika Snow Mountain
A sightseeing snow mountain reached directly by cableway; the main peak stands at approx. 4,500 m, and 'Shika' means 'the mountain with red deer' in Tibetan
- Tiger Leaping Gorge (Upper Tiger Leaping)
A famous gorge where the Jinsha River carves between the Yulong (Jade Dragon) and Haba snow mountains, with a drop of over 3,000 meters between the river and the peaks on both sides; at Upper Tiger Leaping, take the plank walkway down to the river to see the rushing rapids at Tiger Leaping Stone