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Meet a Lama, Tibetan Home Lunch & Pottery or Brewery Visit
See Shangri-La through a Tibetan's eyes
5.0
|3 Reviews
Group size
Up to 8 guests
DURATION
7 hours
Booking type
Private trip
Group size
Up to 8 guests
- Experience highlights
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Availability
- More Info
- Host
- Reviews
Tibetan Wisdom, Family Lunch & Local Crafts
If you only have one day in Shangri-La and want more than a quick photo stop, this guided day trip gives you a much deeper look at Tibetan life. Instead of simply walking through Songzanlin Monastery like most visitors, you’ll explore Yunnan’s largest Tibetan monastery with a local Tibetan guide and have a private chat with a lama, a Tibetan Buddhist spiritual teacher who is respected for their knowledge, practice, and guidance in Buddhism. Sit down for a conversation on Buddhist practice, monastic life, and inner peace. You’ll also share lunch in a Tibetan family home, which is something most standard day trips don’t offer.What makes this day different is the local perspective. Your guide is Tibetan and can move easily between Tibetan, Chinese, and English, so you’re not just hearing facts. You’re understanding the beliefs, customs, and stories behind what you’re seeing. The visits are built around real local connections, so the day feels personal.In the afternoon, you choose which side of Shangri-La you want to explore next. Try Nixi black pottery, a centuries-old unglazed craft unique to this part of Yunnan, and shape your own piece. Or visit a local craft brewery using highland spring water and plateau-grown ingredients, for a look at Shangri-La’s newer creative side.*If you choose the Nixi black pottery experience, your piece will be fired and ready for collection the following day. If you’re leaving Shangri-La soon after, you’re still welcome to make a piece, though you may not be able to bring it home with you.What to ExpectPrivate cultural day trip in Shangri-LaVisit Songzanlin Monastery, built in 1679 and often called the Little Potala PalaceRare sit-down conversation with a lama about Buddhist wisdom and monastic lifeTraditional lunch in a Tibetan family homeChoose one afternoon experience: a craft brewery visit or a hands-on Nixi black pottery workshopLocal Tibetan guide throughout the dayHotel pickup and drop-off in Shangri-La includedBest for travellers who enjoy culture, conversation, and a more meaningful day
Experience highlights
What You’ll be Doing
Discover the cultural side of Shangri-La through Tibetan monastery visit, a family-hosted lunch, and hands-on local craft or brewery experience.
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What’s Included
A guided journey with an experienced local Tibetan guide
A rare sit-down conversation with a lama at Songzanlin Monastery
A Tibetan home visit with a traditional local lunch
Your choice of either a visit to the Shangri-La craft beer brewery or a hands-on Nixi black pottery workshop
Transportation (includes pickup and drop off to your hotel in Shangri-La)
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Who you’re supporting
Community Champion
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Next Available Dates
Prices shown in USD
Select Time for 20 Jun 2026
Additional Information
Start & Ends
Daily
09:00AM - 04:00PM
Suitability / Accessibility
- Vegetarian food available
- Halal food available
- Child Friendly (No Minimum Age)
Cancellation & other policies
Cancellation
Cancel 3 days before activity for a full refund
What to Pack
- Camera or phone for photos
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat or cap
- Lip balm and moisturiser
- Personal medication
- Reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Warm jacket or fleece
From
¥1,311.19
/person5.0(3)
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Meet your host
Founded by Tibetan Khampa explorer and former monk Dakpa Kelden, this journey is rooted in a deep connection to the ancient Tea Horse Road and Tibetan culture. After returning to Shangri-La as a teenager, Dakpa went on to establish one of the region’s first eco-tourism companies, with a focus on meaningful travel experiences, local communities, and cultural preservation.
Beyond tourism, he has also been involved in protecting Tibetan indigenous arts and heritage across the region.
For travellers, this offers a more locally rooted and personal way to experience the landscapes, culture, and stories of the Tibetan highlands.
Experience: 19 years
Speaks: Basic English, Fluent English, Chinese
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