Mist & Majesty: Ganden Sumtsenling Monastery, Shangri-La's Little Potala

Introduction

Our Shangri-La trip concluded with an early, misty visit to Ganden Sumtsenling Monastery, the "Little Potala Palace". Its massive, impressive scale was immediately apparent.

The grounds were stunning, featuring intricate, traditional craftsmanship, particularly the elaborate Chinese architectural details and roofs. Deep orange fabric draped everywhere looked incredible in the soft light, with a patient pack animal nearby. Inside, the art was breathtaking: symmetrical, detailed, and mind-blowing.

A lone pink flower bloomed by an old stone wall, its color contrasting with the rich browns of the stone and carved wood, highlighted by the morning light.

Leaving offered a final, unforgettable panoramic view of the entire town and its rooftops.

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

Wall, Temple.#: 1 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Travel, Leisure, Vacation.#: 2 | SS: 1/3200s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Wall, Temple.

#: 3 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Brown, Geology, Soil.#: 4 | SS: 1/2000s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Flower, Petal, Yellow.#: 5 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Flower, Petal, Pink.#: 6 | SS: 1/800s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Flower, Petal, Flowering plant.#: 7 | SS: 1/1000s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 84mm

Monk, Temple, Lama.#: 8 | SS: 1/640s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 84mm

Yellow, Petal, Wildflower.#: 9 | SS: 1/1000s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Sister & Brother, Happiness, Temple.#: 10 | SS: 1/640s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Girl, Portrait, Headgear.#: 11 | SS: 1/800s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Kimono, Pink, Happiness.#: 12 | SS: 1/640s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 84mm

Wall, Brick, Temple.#: 13 | SS: 1/800s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Flower, Petal, Temple.#: 14 | SS: 1/500s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 84mm

Temple, Pedestrian.#: 15 | SS: 1/1250s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Architecture, Chinese architecture, Landmark.#: 16 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Chinese architecture, Roof, Morning.#: 17 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Landmark, Chinese architecture, Temple.#: 18 | SS: 1/3200s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Stupa, Place of worship, Landmark.#: 19 | SS: 1/3200s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Architecture, Town, Roof.#: 20 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Pagoda, Temple, Chinese architecture.#: 21 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Architecture, Chinese architecture.#: 22 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Textile, Orange, Linens.#: 23 | SS: 1/1600s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Concrete.#: 24 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

Architecture, Roof, Landmark.#: 25 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm

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