The Bottomless Lake at 3,800 Meters on the Shangri-La Plateau: The Blue Tear

Deep within Shangri-La, in the heart of Dilong Snow Mountain at an altitude of 3,800 meters, lies a hidden secret known as "Wodicuo"—the Bottomless Lake. It is the only high-altitude lake in Yunnan accessible by car, famous for its color-changing waters and pristine scenery, making it a paradise for niche travelers. 📍Detailed Address: Langdu Village, Gezan Township, Shangri-La City, Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Bottomless Lake 🎫Ticket Information: Only a 10 RMB per person sanitation management fee is charged (some sources mention a 30 RMB per person cleaning fee). 🛣️Transportation Guide 🚗Self-driving: About 2-3 hours from downtown Shangri-La, the last 30 kilometers are gravel roads; an SUV is recommended, and sedans should drive slowly. 🚕Car Rental/Carpool: Car rental costs about 500 RMB/day (round trip included), carpooling from the Old Town costs 120-150 RMB per person, and drivers usually know the route and can act as guides. 🖼️Photo Spots and Routes 1️⃣Main Bottomless Lake: The lake water changes color with the light; in the early morning, it reflects the snow-capped mountains like a mirror, and at dusk, it turns Tiffany blue or emerald green. Meadows by the lake are dotted with herds of cattle and sheep, rivaling the scenery of Pudacuo. 2️⃣Moss Forest: Cross the wooden bridge into a fairy-tale world, where century-old trees shade the sky, moss on the ground looks like jade, and dappled light creates a dreamlike atmosphere. 3️⃣Lakeside Hiking Trail: Starting from the wooden bridge entrance, passing through the moss forest, the clearing viewpoint, the Wuyou Tree, and the cattle and sheep grazing area. The entire route is about 5 kilometers and takes 3 hours to hike, suitable for beginners. 🍜Food Recommendations ✅Tibetan Breakfast: Before setting off, enjoy butter tea with barley cakes in the Old Town to warm your body and adapt to the high altitude. ✅Yak Meat Hot Pot: After returning to the Old Town, savor this tender meat and flavorful broth, perfect for warming up and replenishing energy. ✅Matsutake Sashimi: A seasonal delicacy from July to October, freshly picked matsutake mushrooms are sweet and fresh, definitely worth trying. 🏠Accommodation Suggestions 1️⃣Camping by the Lake: There is a designated camping area by the lake; bring your own gear or rent (about 100 RMB/night). Stargazing at night is a unique experience, but be sure to keep warm. 2️⃣Tibetan Homestays: Choose homestays in Langdu Village or near the Meixiang Cheese Factory, priced around 500 RMB/night, to experience Tibetan culture. 3️⃣Hotels in Shangri-La City: If you return to the city after a day trip, there are hotels of all levels available, convenient for visiting other attractions like Dukezong Ancient Town. Dukezong Ancient Town ❤️‍🔥Tips ✅Prevent Altitude Sickness: Avoid strenuous exercise, bring oxygen bottles and glucose oral solution, and allow 1-2 days to acclimate upon arrival at the plateau. ✅Weather Preparedness: Large temperature differences between day and night; even in summer, bring a windbreaker, sunscreen, and rain gear to guard against sudden weather changes. ✅Protect the Environment: Take all your trash with you, do not damage the moss forest, and help preserve this fragile and pure secret place. 🌸The beauty of Bottomless Lake lies in its originality and tranquility. When the noise of the city is filtered by the snow-capped lake waters, and the flickering screens are replaced by the real starry sky, I finally understood the meaning of "a pure land on earth." This secret place taught me that the most beautiful scenery can only be reached with a heart of reverence.