Balagezong / Shangri-La Grand Canyon

Balagezong Grand Canyon

Adventure | Landscape | Photography



Insider View

Balagezong Grand Canyon is a huge scenic area in Shangri-La, the shortest way of visiting it will take you 1 day; inside the scenic area, there are hotels, restaurants, and shops; between the tourist spots, you should take the official shuttle bus.

Our suggestion: if this is your 1st or 2nd time in Shangri-La or you have less than 1 week to spend in Shangri-La, you can totally forget this place.
— Your China Specialists


Unique Experience

  • To be explored.

Basic Information

  • Official Website: http://www.balagezong.com/
  • Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Visiting Time: 1-2 days
  • Chinese Name: 巴拉格宗
  • Address: 225 Provincial Rd, Weixi Lisuzuzizhixian, Diqing, China

Overview – Balagezong Grand Canyon

The Balagezong Grand Canyon is located in Nixi Township, northwest of Shangri-La, Yunnan, at the junction of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet. It is one of the important scenic spots in the “Three Parallel Rivers” World Natural Heritage.

There are many scenic spots, including snow-capped mountains, canyons, glaciers, rivers, plateau lakes, virgin forests, and the holy original village of Bala Village, the Millennium Phoenix Bodhi Tree, and the Shambhala Stupa, as well as Tibetan customs.

The Balagezong Snow Mountain, with the highest altitude of 5545 meters in the scenic area, is the highest peak in Shangri-La County. The lowest point is the Shuizhuang on the border with Sichuan Province. The river valley’s average elevation is about 2650 meters, and the annual average temperature is about 14.8 degrees Celsius.

Source: Official Website: http://www.balagezong.


Attractions

Tongtian Canyon

There are a large collection of palm trees in the canyon, whose height can be up to 10 m. Some stand alone like street lamps; some grow against walls like their sons; some hug and nestle against others as if they were couples. You can also see a mountain palm grove on the cliff with an area of ​​about 5 acres. There, tall and upright trees with green leaves are entangled with vines, making you feel like you entered a tropical rain forest.

Many biological experts believe that most of the palms in Yunnan are artificially cultivated, and wild mountain palms are only distributed in areas with an altitude below 2000 m in Dehong Prefecture and Gongshan County, featuring tropical climates. However, vast expanses of palms distributed in the Bala Gezong Scenic Area are an exception.

Millenial-old Bodhi Tree


Deep into the Gezong Mountain, there is a millennial-old bodhi tree. Its sacred power can awaken people and make their dreams come true. The bodhi tree in Bala Gezong has watched flowers blossom and wither for more than 3,000 years. Legend has it that, during one journey of Buddha Sakyamuni to preach his sermons, he took a rest under this bodhi tree. When Venus rose in the sky, he was fully enlightened and eventually became Buddha.

Bala Village


This is where gods live, the real Shambhala. Thousands of years ago, the industrious, simple, and honest people of Bala Village escaped the distant war zone and made up their mind to find peace and tranquility. Finally, they settled down in the heavenly pure world and multiplied into a clan.


For more than 1,300 years, the people of Bala Village have lived a farming life. They supply their own needs, going out for work after sunrise and coming home before sunset. They are blessed by as well as devout to holy mountains.

Shambara Natural Pagoda

“Shambala Buddha Pagoda” stands in the north of Shandong Province, one of the main landscapes of the Secret Land of the Balag Sect. The pyramid-shaped by nature resembles a Buddhist Pagoda in Tibetan religion with sacrifices and scriptures. It is known as a “natural pagoda bestowed by God.”


In front of the pagoda, two big mountains resemble lamas sitting and chanting sutras and open sutras. Three high mountains echo each other and are known as the three treasures of Buddha, Dharma, and monk. For thousands of years, stand in the cold wind and keep the wind, frost, rain and snow, and years of quiet.

Cliffside Glass Walkway

There are four sightseeing platforms at the best site for photography on the 1106 m walkway.

Shangri-La Grand Canyon

The Shangri-La Grand Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in Yunnan and even the whole country. It is about 154 kilometers in length. It is different from the V-shaped canyons that many people have seen before: the “V-shaped canyon” has a narrower bottom, and the more The upper part is open, and the cliffs and bottom of the Shangri-La Grand Canyon are U-shaped.