We’d like to say sorry to everyone, we have postponed this product! We were the first ones to go. The Songzan Yading Mountain Residence had its trial operation starting June 15, and we arrived at the hotel that same morning. We were among the first guests and stayed for three nights, experiencing the hotel and the entire Daocheng Yading scenic area deeply. As of today (June 18) when I’m publishing this post, I’m still at the hotel.
Although Songzan is still doing pre-sales before the official opening this time, we have prepared and edited the content before the promotion.
Let me introduce the product:
【Searching for Shangri-La】Songzan Xiang Yading Private Tour for 5 days and 4 nights, priced at 15,998 RMB for two people.
This price includes four nights at Songzan Shangri-La Linka – Songzan Yading Mountain Residence – Songzan Yading Mountain Residence – Songzan Shangri-La Linka with breakfast included + daily afternoon tea at the hotel + full-time vehicle rental (including fuel, tolls, and parking fees) + full-time driver + travel accident insurance.
The minimum group size is two, accompanied by one vehicle (typically a Land Rover or Mercedes van) and one driver.
Validity: From July 15 to October 31, 2024. During summer (July 15 – August 25), an additional charge of 700 RMB per room night is applicable for stays. During the National Day holiday (September 28 – October 9), a charge of 800 RMB per room night is applicable for stays.
If used before July 15, you will receive two tickets to the Yading scenic area and two 200 RMB dining vouchers; redeem by August 15 to receive two tickets for the Yading scenic area.
This product will be taken offline after June 18 (June 20). Based on the lowest opening prices, if you plan to go to Songzan Yading Mountain Residence, this is an excellent price, making it very economical for those who stock up.
Purchase link:
淘口令: 59￥ CZ0002 KXQGWBUtO2J￥ https://m.tb.cn/h.gUHHx5L/
This link belongs to Xiao Zhu Zhu; cancellations are allowed, and it can be refunded if expired or at any time. Importantly, you can use Huabei (a type of credit or layaway service) to stock up without redeeming and without repayments.
First, let’s talk about Songzan Yading Mountain Residence.
I can responsibly say that Songzan Yading Mountain Residence is fantastic! This is a landmark work by Songzan.
Previously, Songzan was focused on the Yunnan-Tibet route, but after the Songzan Yading Mountain Residence, they began to layout along the Sichuan-Tibet route. Next, they will have hotels in Litang, Xin Du Qiao, Kangding, Danba, and Four Girls Mountain… all these locations along the Sichuan-Tibet route.
Songzan Yading Mountain Residence is located in Yading Village, a national-level nature reserve and a 5A-level scenic area. This is a hotel within a 5A scenic area.
There are only 35 households in Yading Village, of which Songzan Yading Mountain Residence occupies 5. It is a hotel without walls because it integrates with the entire Yading Village.
What’s even rarer is that in each building of Songzan Yading Mountain Residence, there is a local “host family” living in it.
Currently, the hotel is in trial operation; of the five buildings, only one has been opened, and out of the total of 49 rooms, only 14 have been opened in the first phase. The reason the stay starts from July 15 is that Songzan wants to welcome everyone in the best condition.
Let me explain why we recommend staying in Yading Village when visiting Daocheng Yading.
Generally, there are four accommodation options for visiting Daocheng Yading: Daocheng County, Shangri-La Town, Renhe Village near the scenic area entrance, and the scenic area Yading Village itself.
It takes about 2 hours to drive from Daocheng County to Shangri-La Town. From Renhe Village at the entrance of the scenic area to Yading Village in the deep scenic area, there are another 35 kilometers of treacherous mountain roads, taking nearly an hour to drive.
Thus, it’s clear that Daocheng County is the furthest, and Yading Village is the only area where tourists can stay within the scenic area.
You might not have a concept of this, but if you’re planning a two-day trip to Yading with both long trails (to Milk Lake and Five Color Lake) and short trails (to Pearl Lake), then staying in Yading Village should be your first choice. Otherwise, you will have to spend at least an extra 2 hours on the road every day. Generally, this isn’t an issue, but we are dealing with a plateau here.
Previously, Yading Village had no hotels (only homestays), with very average accommodation conditions and not very cheap prices.
I can responsibly say that Songzan in Daocheng Yading is not only the quality ceiling but also the location ceiling.
The image below is taken in the lobby of Songzan Yading Mountain Residence, with the sacred mountain right in front of us.
As part of the first wave to check in, the Songzan hosts were especially warm, welcoming us with special Tibetan etiquette as we stepped out of the car.
We have been to a total of 18 Songzan hotels, and we’ve visited 17 of them.
Therefore, we also have the say when it comes to Songzan Yading Mountain Residence. Among so many Songzan locations, this one has comparatively better hardware.
Let me share some photos.
Personally, I particularly like the terrace at Songzan Yading Mountain Residence; the angle of viewing the sacred mountain is fantastic. If the weather is good in the morning, you can see the golden sunlight on the mountains.
All room types at Songzan Yading Mountain Residence have a snowy mountain view, with the smallest room area being 50㎡. All rooms have diffusion oxygen supply since the altitude here is 3950m.
The room type we stayed in this time was the deluxe snow mountain view twin room; let me show you the actual images.
It has a balcony with beautiful scenery outside.
Currently, the restaurant has one Central Plains-style yak hotpot restaurant, with two more expected to open later.
The offerings are quite good, and it’s not easy to find such yak hotpot in Yading.
Breakfast is currently served as plated meals, but it should become a buffet later; the first wave of opened rooms is simply too few.
When you check into Songzan, you can enjoy free afternoon tea every day.
Songzan Yading Mountain Residence has also opened a boutique shop.
Now, let’s move on to Daocheng Yading.
Daocheng Yading is known as the “soul of Shangri-La”.
In 1928, American explorer Joseph Rock introduced Daocheng Yading to the world through National Geographic magazine, igniting a wave of searches for Shangri-La in the Western world.
In 1995, renowned Chinese photographer Lü Linglong visited Daocheng Yading for four consecutive years, “rediscovering” its unparalleled beauty through his lens.
In 2016, the film “Across the World” sparked another round of popularity for Daocheng Yading.
You must go to Daocheng Yading with your most beloved person, at the melting morning of Daocheng Yading, or in the evening filled with stars.
Yading has three sacred mountains: Yangmaiyong, Xiannairi, and Chanadorje. These are the sacred mountains in the hearts of the Tibetan people, representing Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Vajrapani Bodhisattva respectively.
Yading has three holy lakes: Milk Lake, Five Color Lake, and Pearl Lake. Milk Lake is at an altitude of 4600m, and Five Color Lake at 4700m. They are beautiful, but one must act within their capabilities.
Yading has Chonggu Temple, which is located at the foot of the Xiannairi Peak and is the oldest temple within the Daocheng Yading scenic area.
This is a must-visit place; whether you take the long or short trails, you will pass by here.
Additionally, Yading features snowy peaks, glaciers, rivers, lakes, canyons, plateau meadows, and primitive forests… the most exquisite and concentrated scenery is gathered here.
Yading is beautiful throughout the year.
Spring and summer are intertwined, making Yading an alpine pasture blooming with flowers.
Autumn truly transforms it into a fairy tale world where snowy mountains, colorful forests, and lakes are within reach.
In winter, the sacred mountains are covered in snow, creating a scene of silver and white.
Don’t ask if Daocheng Yading is worth visiting; the question is whether you can go and whether you dare to go.
The altitude of Songzan Yading Mountain Residence is 3950m, and Yading’s highest point, Five Color Lake, is at 4700m. This altitude may easily lead to altitude sickness.
Thus, you will need a good accommodation environment and rooms equipped with oxygen diffusion systems.
As for how to enjoy the Yading scenic area, we have organized a chart.
It’s basically a long route (round trip): Zha Guan Peng – Chonggu Temple – Luorong Cattle Farm – She Shen Cliff – Milk Lake – Five Color Lake; there is an electric cart from Chonggu Temple to Luorong Cattle Farm, and horse riding is available from Luorong Cattle Farm to She Shen Cliff.
There’s also a short route (round trip): Zha Guan Peng – Chonggu Temple – Pearl Lake.
Now let me talk about the product at Songzan Yading Mountain Residence.
There are no individual rooms available, only the route. The reason is that it’s not so easy to travel to Yading Village by yourself; having a Songzan driver and vehicle is much more convenient.
Additionally, there’s limited room inventory at Songzan Yading Mountain Residence.
This route includes one night in Shangri-La (Songzan Linka) – two nights in Daocheng Yading (Yading Mountain Residence) – one night in Shangri-La (Songzan Linka), making a total of a 5-day, 4-night trip.
Let me share a photo; this segment is mainly about Shangri-La and Daocheng Yading.
There has always been controversy over the true location of Shangri-La (Shambhala), but it’s generally considered to be either Diqing or Daocheng Yading.
This route directly connects these two destinations and is part of the grande circuit of Shangri-La.
Having introduced Daocheng Yading and Songzan Yading Mountain Residence above, I will now speak about Shangri-La and Songzan Shangri-La Linka.
Shangri-La is a place you must visit in a lifetime. “The Lost Horizon,” “the place closest to heaven,” these descriptions captivate every visitor’s heart.
I have been to Shangri-La four times; it’s highly engaging, but you must hire a vehicle, as it’s not easy to reach many places otherwise.
This place, which you must visit in your lifetime, certainly deserves the title of “paradise on earth.”
Songzan Shangri-La Linka
Songzan Shangri-La Linka was once a MGallery by Sofitel and is my favorite MGallery in the country.
Songzan Shangri-La Linka faces the Songzanlin Temple, and from most rooms and public areas, you can feel the serenity and peace of the nearly 400-year-old Songzanlin Temple.
This is the Linka hotel, which is much larger than the Mountain Residence.
There is a museum in the Songzan Shangri-La Linka hotel, with many collections.
There are three gift shops, as well as a reading room, an art museum, a Thangka painting studio, and a flagship store for the brand “Bird of Prey.”
Importantly, the hotel also has its own horse ranch and archery range.
Therefore, if you stay at Songzan Linka, you should definitely spend more time within the hotel.
Here’s a recommended itinerary for 5 days and 4 nights:
Day 1: Airport pickup or high-speed rail pickup (some who go to Shangri-La may take the Lijiang high-speed rail), visit Songzanlin Temple and Dukezong Ancient Town, check into Songzan Shangri-La Linka.
Day 2: Morning at Napa Lake, afternoon travel to Daocheng Yading, check into Songzan Yading Mountain Residence (approximately 5.5 hours drive).
Day 3: Long trail in Yading scenic area, Zha Guan Peng – Chonggu Temple – Luorong Cattle Farm – She Shen Cliff – Milk Lake – Five Color Lake. Stay at Songzan Yading Mountain Residence.
Day 4: Short trail in Yading scenic area, Zha Guan Peng – Chonggu Temple – Pearl Lake; return to Shangri-La in the afternoon and check into Songzan Shangri-La Linka.
Day 5: Return to the airport or train station.
The outbound and return journeys follow two different routes. On the way back, Shangri-La will cross the Erchu Mountain Pass, passing through another rhododendron forest to reach the destination.
