Things to do in Diqing

I visited more than 10 years ago, and this return trip is still just as impressive. Now there are escalators, which are much more convenient than before and more friendly to those with limited mobility or the elderly, but there is an additional charge.

I didn't take many photos because I rented a mountain bike as soon as I entered. It cost 90 yuan. You absolutely must try it! It's incredibly exhilarating! The bike path was deserted, so you could stop whenever you wanted. You cycled around the lake, and then took a free boat ride to the end of the trail. Tranquil, thrilling, and authentic—we even encountered a pika along the way.

Nice peaceful and tranquil environment.Must visit if you are in Yunnan and always wanted to go to Tibet but for some reason couldn’t.This monastery is also called little Potala.

Songzanlin monastery is a wonder that shouldn't be missed if you decide to visit Yunnan. An impressive sight both from outside and inside, it immerses you in tibetan culture. There's not much to say, better to see with your own eyes. The whole monastery deserves no less than 2 hours. Take into account that the pressure here is at 0.68 atm, so walking up the stairs may take more time than expected. The main hall has several floors to explore — take your time. Out of respect to the monastery, there will be no photos of the inner parts, but believe an opinion of an experienced traveller: I've never seen such vibrant paintings and decorations in Buddhist temples before. If I ever get here again, I'll try to book an excursion to understand their meaning.

It was a lot of fun, the scenery along the way was beautiful, and there were various service points along the way. Of course, the service points in scenic areas are relatively more expensive, which is normal. If you have the opportunity, I would recommend driving yourself.

I read in a travel guide that horseback riding is risky and you might get ripped off, so I just hiked up the mountain. The first viewing platform wasn't worth it; the pond was full of mud and weeds. Just head towards the crowds. The higher you go, the better the scenery. Even on a rainy or cloudy day, the pond water was a beautiful blue. It was definitely worth the trip and the hike (hiking at an altitude of over 2,000 meters is quite tiring).

We were picked up by a private car, and the place felt like a self-entertaining hot pot restaurant; it was packed. There were local performances to watch, and the host was quite humorous. They gave us hada (ceremonial scarves) at the entrance, and the recommended butter tea was delicious.

After having a Tibetan meal in Dukezong Ancient Town, I saw some scenic views online and on a whim, my partner and I decided to drive there. It was winter, so the road conditions were quite dangerous. Because it was night, the roads were covered in black ice and snow. We didn't encounter many vehicles along the way, so it felt rather deserted, but thankfully we made it safely. We were also incredibly lucky to witness the sunrise over the sacred mountains—a sight I'd never seen before. I definitely want to see those sacred mountains again someday!

The horseback riding experience on the grassland was quite cost-effective. We rode for almost an hour, with someone leading the horses. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Napa Sea Grassland, and the children had a great time.