I've been mulling over going to China since college, I finally got the chance to do so. However, my first trip to the rising dragon wasn't in the usual places such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or even Xiamen. I decided to visit Yunnan first because of the things I discovered online.

Shangri-La is one of the highest places in Yunnan, if I'm not mistaken, it's around 3000 meters above sea level. I was a bit groggy from the journey from Kunming, but I was raring to explore this part of China. I felt a slight headache during the first day, because of altitude sickness, but I got used to it after a day.

I just got out of the overnight bus from Kunming to Shangri-La. I was still drowsy when I got to the hostel. It wasn't check-in time yet, so I was looking for something to do to pass the time. A French guest was planning to go to Sumetseling Monastery that date. She asked me if I wanted to tag along, since I had nothing and no idea what to do, I decided to join her.