Ganden Sumtsenling Monastery: A Morning in "Little Potala Palace"

Introduction

On our last day in Shangri-La, a cloudy morning greeted us as we made our way to the majestic Ganden Sumtsenling Monastery. This "Little Potala Palace" stood grand against the misty sky. As we explored the grounds, the air was filled with a sense of tradition and ancient craft.

I found myself captivated by the vibrant Textile, Orange, Tradition adorning the monastery, their rich colors seeming to glow even under the muted light. Near one of the main halls, the intricate details of Chinese architecture, Roof, Landmark were a sight to behold, each tile and ornament telling a story. Further along, a Pack animal patiently carried its load, a familiar scene against the backdrop of the towering structures. Inside, the Creative arts, Paint, Symmetry on display were breathtaking, showcasing the deep artistic heritage of the region.

The serenity of the monastery was occasionally punctuated by the delicate beauty of nature; a lone Flower, Petal, Pink caught my eye near a stone wall, a small burst of color in the ancient setting. The morning light, though diffused by the clouds, still managed to highlight the subtle Brown, Visual arts, Creative arts found in the wooden carvings and the weathered stone.

As we prepared to leave, the image of the Town, Roof, Morning from a higher vantage point offered a panoramic farewell to Shangri-La, a memory etched in my mind and in the photographs I had captured.

Gears & Settings

Gears & Settings

Figures

Camera

Sony A6700

Lens

Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN

Creative Style

FL

Date

16 September 2025

Location

Shangri-La, Yunnan

Photos

Fashion, Fur clothing, Fur.#: 1 | SS: 1/3200s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Flower, Petal, Plants.#: 2 | SS: 1/640s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Creative arts, Paint, Symmetry.#: 3 | SS: 1/25s | ISO: 100 | F: 1.4 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Landmark, Finial, Monument.#: 4 | SS: 1/1000s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Chinese architecture, Roof, Landmark.#: 5 | SS: 1/1000s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Town, Roof, Morning.#: 6 | SS: 1/1250s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Brown, Visual arts, Creative arts.#: 7 | SS: 1/100s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Wood, Brown, Orange.#: 8 | SS: 1/80s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Chinese architecture, Pack animal.#: 9 | SS: 1/1000s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 84mm

Flower, Petal, Pink.#: 10 | SS: 1/400s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Flower, Petal, Garden roses.#: 11 | SS: 1/500s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Textile, Orange, Tradition.#: 12 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 200 | F: 1.4 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Craft, Market, Natural material.#: 13 | SS: 1/160s | ISO: 100 | F: 1.4 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Market, Natural material, Craft.#: 14 | SS: 1/100s | ISO: 100 | F: 1.4 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Brass, Bronze, Antique.#: 15 | SS: 1/50s | ISO: 320 | F: 1.4 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Cat, Felidae, Felinae.#: 16 | SS: 1/3200s | ISO: 100 | F: 1.4 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Flower, Petal, Spring.#: 17 | SS: 1/400s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Flower, Petal, Yellow.#: 18 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Wall, Stone wall, Building material.#: 19 | SS: 1/1600s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

#: 20 | SS: 1/1000s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

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