When do the leaves change in Shangri-La — Northwest Yunnan?

Typically September 1–October 31

A two-village trekking base reached only on foot or by mule, Yubeng sits at 3,050 to 3,150 meters below Kawagarbo, the 6,740-meter sacred summit of the Meili Snow Mountains that Tibetan Buddhists have never allowed anyone to climb. Forest along the trail to the glacier turns color through September and October.

Don’t miss: Foot- and mule-access only village · Below the unclimbed Kawagarbo summit · Trail to Meili's glacier

Typically October 1–October 31

China's first officially designated national park protects a plateau of alpine lakes east of Shangri-La, Shudu Lake sitting at 3,705 meters ringed by spruce and fir. Birch along the lake's east shore turns gold through October, framed by early snow on the surrounding peaks.

Don’t miss: China's first designated national park · Shudu Lake at 3,705m · Birch on the lake's east shore

A seasonal plateau lake eight kilometers from Shangri-La town, Napahai fills with water in summer and recedes into the Yila Grassland by winter. In autumn the grassland turns gold and the wetland draws migrating black-necked cranes, with Khampa herders grazing yak on the surrounding pasture into October.

Don’t miss: Seasonal lake and Yila Grassland · Black-necked crane migration · 8km from Shangri-La town