Moonlight Square

Moonlight Square

Shangri-La Moonlight Square is located at the foot of Turtle Mountain Park in Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It’s an unassuming little square that, during the day, is lined with smoky barbecue stalls. Here stands the world’s largest prayer wheel, where visitors can offer devout prayers. By night, it instantly transforms into a joyful leisure spot for local Tibetans, who, together with tourists of all ethnicities, dance joyfully in circles to lively Tibetan dances, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

The small hill to the east of the square is the famous Turtle Mountain Park, the site of the Shenzhichuan Provincial Governor's Office from the Tang Dynasty — historically known as the “Iron Bridge East City.” Legend has it that when the city was being built, someone standing on the mountain opposite the ancient town noticed that the great turtle-shaped mountain resembled a Buddha sitting on a lotus, so the layout of the ancient city was designed in the shape of an eight-petal lotus. With the passage of time, the lotus-shaped Shenzhichuan Provincial Governor's Office has vanished, replaced by a cluster of well-spaced Tibetan Buddhist temples.

On either side of the square are the Diqing Red Army Long March Museum and the Diqing Museum. There also stands the world’s largest prayer wheel, its golden form piercing the sky like a towering giant. It is said that reciting the six-syllable mantra while circling the prayer wheel three times brings happiness and wellbeing.

Moonlight Square is not large. Aside from the historical and cultural sights left behind by history, there are also horses, yaks, and Tibetan mastiffs available for visitors to take photos with.

Time Needed

1–2 hours

Transportation

Within walking distance in Dukezong Ancient Town

Admission

Free

Opening Hours

All day

Location

Jinlong Street, Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province