Desti Hostel

Shangri-la


Unusual upmarket hostel located in a huge converted Tibetan house in a village just outside town, close to the grasslands and mountains. Tibetan-run, it has numerous communal areas, while dorms are heated and come with individual reading lights, USB sockets and comfy beds. Private rooms retain the original wood features of the former house.

The real draw here is the chance to interact with the local villagers. You can herd yaks, help a Tibetan family farm before eating with them, study Tibetan and thangka painting, ride horses or trek into the mountains. It's a 20-minute bike ride from town.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Shangri-la attractions

1. Bǎijī Sì

1.98 MILES

For the best views over Shangri-la, head to this delightfully named and little-visited temple. The temple has a couple of monks inside and a handful of…

2. Shangri-la Thangka Academy

2.25 MILES

Thangka master Lobsang Khudup trains young students in painting and Buddhist philosophy here. Even if you're not in the market to buy, it's worth stopping…

3. Guishan Buddhist Temple

2.37 MILES

Atop 'Great Turtle Hill' in the heart of the old town, this modern temple stands on the site of an original 1667 construction consecrated to a replica of…

4. Zhuǎnjīng Tǒng

2.38 MILES

This huge prayer wheel just beside Guishan Temple stands at 21m high and contains 100,000 small prayer wheels. At least six people are needed to make it…

6. Gyalthang Ringha Monastery

5.44 MILES

One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Yunnan, local monks claim this small hilltop temple in a walled forest reserve is at least 500 years old and perhaps…

7. Ganden Sumtseling Gompa

5.52 MILES

This 300-year-old Tibetan monastery complex about 4km north of the old town is home to around 600 monks. Extensive rebuilding has robbed the monastery of…

8. Nàpà Hǎi

6.89 MILES

Some 7km northwest of Shangri-la you’ll find the seasonal Napa Sea, surrounded by a large grassy meadow that pushes right up to the mountains. Between…