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Pottery workshop in Shangri-La with a potter shaping clay on a worktable, surrounded by tools and ceramics
Traditional Tibetan monastery with ornate multi-storey pagoda roofs against blue sky in Shangri-La during daytime
Pottery workshop in Shangri-La with a small group shaping clay at wooden tables, inside a warm community room
Woman in a pink headscarf pouring tea from a small kettle at a traditional Tibetan home visit in Shangri-La
Tibetan brewery tasting in Shangri-La with several glass cups of amber craft beer on a carved wooden board
Khampa Caravan host seated in a rustic wooden room in Shangri-La, meeting Tibetan cultural guide during a home visit
Bottles of craft beer with colourful labels lined up at a brewery counter for tasting in Shangri-La
Pottery workshop in Shangri-La with a potter shaping clay on a worktable, surrounded by tools and ceramics
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Pottery workshop in Shangri-La with a potter shaping clay on a worktable, surrounded by tools and ceramics
Traditional Tibetan monastery with ornate multi-storey pagoda roofs against blue sky in Shangri-La during daytime
Pottery workshop in Shangri-La with a small group shaping clay at wooden tables, inside a warm community room
Woman in a pink headscarf pouring tea from a small kettle at a traditional Tibetan home visit in Shangri-La
Pottery workshop in Shangri-La with a potter shaping clay on a worktable, surrounded by tools and ceramics
Traditional Tibetan monastery with ornate multi-storey pagoda roofs against blue sky in Shangri-La during daytime
Pottery workshop in Shangri-La with a small group shaping clay at wooden tables, inside a warm community room
Woman in a pink headscarf pouring tea from a small kettle at a traditional Tibetan home visit in Shangri-La
Tibetan brewery tasting in Shangri-La with several glass cups of amber craft beer on a carved wooden board
Khampa Caravan host seated in a rustic wooden room in Shangri-La, meeting Tibetan cultural guide during a home visit
Bottles of craft beer with colourful labels lined up at a brewery counter for tasting in Shangri-La
People seated for tea in a colourful Tibetan room in Shangri-La, with a host preparing drinks as part of a home visit
Warm Tibetan kitchen cooking over copper pots and an open flame at a home lunch in Shangri-La, host-led experience
Beer tasting in a rustic bar in Shangri-La, with glasses on a table as a guide presents bottled brews to guests
Guests sharing a Tibetan home lunch around a decorated table in Shangri-La, host-led by Khampa Caravan in a traditional room

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
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  • Host
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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

People seated for tea in a colourful Tibetan room in Shangri-La, with a host preparing drinks as part of a home visit
Meet a lama and learn Buddhist Wisdom
Traditional Tibetan monastery with ornate multi-storey pagoda roofs against blue sky in Shangri-La during daytime
Explore Songzanlin monestary with guide
Pottery workshop in Shangri-La with a small group shaping clay at wooden tables, inside a warm community room
Tibetan Family Lunch
Pottery workshop in Shangri-La with a potter shaping clay on a worktable, surrounded by tools and ceramics
Nixi Pottery Workshop
Bottles of craft beer with colourful labels lined up at a brewery counter for tasting in Shangri-La
Shangri-La Craft Brewery
Khampa Caravan host sitting in a traditional Tibetan home in Shangri-La, welcoming you for lunch and a pottery or brewery visit
Guided by a Local Tibetan guide

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_based

Community Champion

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Next Available Dates

Prices shown in USD
Select Time for 06 Aug 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
¥1,317.55
/person
5.0(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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