Guishan Monastery in Shangrila, Diqing

?Location

Address

No. 9, Lunhuolang, Dukezong Ancient Town, Jiantang Township, Shangri-La City, Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China

Elevation

Approximately 3,300 meters above sea level, located atop Turtle Hill (龟山) in the center of the ancient town, east of Moonlight Square (月光广场)

Transportation

• About 10 minutes by taxi from Shangri-La city center to the ancient town

• 5–10 minutes on foot from anywhere in the ancient town; the path is paved with stone and has a moderate incline

?Highlights of the Site

?Photography Tips

Best Times to Visit

• Early Morning: Soft lighting, fewer tourists; a chance to see locals turning the prayer wheel or fetching water

• Dusk: The setting sun casts golden light on the wheel and temple roofs, with rising kitchen smoke from the ancient town

• Night: Illuminated prayer wheel and temple buildings—ideal for long exposure night photography

Recommended Angles

• Front steps of the prayer wheel (low-angle shots + human interaction)

• Third-floor railing of Chaoyang Tower (overlooking the ancient town with snow mountain background)

• Beside the ancient well (low-angle candid shots of locals fetching water)

✅Practical Tips

✨One-Line Summary

“Only when you spin the prayer wheel on Turtle Hill and overlook the Moonlight City, can you say you’ve truly arrived in Shangri-La.”