When I first heard about Shangri-La County, I secretly knew it would be a heavenly place, filled with mountains and spectacular gorges.
I was right. The capital of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, Southern China is truly a land of sacredness and peace.
It is unique for its Tibetan culture and alpine landscapes, including the breathtaking Abuji Pasture.
Surrounded by lush mountains in Xiaozhongdian Town, the Abuji Holy Pasture is a mountain paradise, with dense forests, pristine lakes, grasslands, and vegetations among the meadows.
Tucked deep in the Tibetan Plateau, the Abuja Holy Mountain stands at an altitude between 3,300 meters to 4,380 meters. The hike covered about 17 kilometres, surrounded by rare alpine flowers, clear waters, and lush forests.
We set off early from Shangri-La County to the Abuji Holy Pasture. After a two-hour drive, mostly through a rough, bumpy off-road, we kick-started a 7-hour but strenuous hike ascending to 4,380 meters.
The hike featured one of the world’s richest hotspots of biodiversity, the Gyalthang region’s culture and natural sights. As a first-time Tibet traveler, it was a precious and eye-opening sight to see.
Along the hike we crossed the pass of Abuji Holy Mountain and trekked along the trails set by the nomads. The region is overfilled with various flowers and animals including wild yaks. Wild yaks are the large wild bovid native to the Himalayas.
The Abuji Lake is located at 4,380 meters above sea level, and is one of the most beautiful lakes in the surrounding area. Dubbed the bejewelled land by its inhabitants, there’s one point we were perched on a spot where Tibetans burn juniper and put up prayer flags from which we got a 360 degree view of the major ranges in Eastern Tibet.
The hike back was much more enjoyable than the hike up. The views were completely different and were irresistibly stunning. I was hooked on the picturesque scenery and stopped at the edge of the meadow to snap a few photos before resuming my hike.
We reached the trailhead before the sunset and officially bid goodbye to this spectacular Abuji Holy Pasture. It was undeniably a remarkable experience. I loved, especially the special interaction with the mother nature and every single moment with my hiking companions.
Then I wondered, “if I wasn’t given this opportunity to visit Shangri-La, I would not have been able to catch a glimpse of the yak pasture that we won’t find it in Malaysia.”
