The Little Potala Palace: A Morning in Shangri-La
Our final morning in Shangri-La began under a cloudy sky as we headed to the magnificent Ganden Sumtsenling Monastery, often called the "Little Potala Palace." Its grandeur was striking, even against the mist. The monastery grounds were steeped in tradition and ancient craftsmanship.
I was particularly drawn to the vibrant textiles, predominantly orange, that adorned the monastery, their rich colors seemingly to glow in the muted light. Near one of the main halls, the intricate details of the Chinese architecture, especially the roofs, were remarkable, each tile and ornament a storyteller. Further on, a patient pack animal, a common sight, carried its load with the towering structures as a backdrop. Inside, the breathtaking creative arts, including various paintwork and symmetrical designs, highlighted the region's profound artistic heritage.
The monastery's serenity was occasionally graced by nature's delicate beauty; a lone pink flower caught my eye near a stone wall, a vibrant burst of color in the ancient setting. The morning light, softened by the clouds, still managed to accentuate the subtle browns in the weathered stone and wooden carvings.
As we prepared for our departure, a panoramic view of the town and its roofs from a higher vantage point offered a memorable farewell to Shangri-La, a scene forever etched in my mind and photographs.
Gears & Settings | Figures |
Camera | Sony A6700 |
Lens | Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN |
Creative Style | FL |
Date | 16 September 2025 |
Location | Shangri-La, Yunnan |
Yellow, Orange, Motif.#: 1 | SS: 1/125s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm | Wood stain, Still life photography, Chinese architecture.#: 2 | SS: 1/1250s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 84mm |
Umbrella, Fashion, Bag.#: 3 | SS: 1/1000s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 84mm | Yellow, Brown, Balcony.#: 4 | SS: 1/2000s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 84mm |
Chinese architecture, Japanese architecture, Temple.#: 5 | SS: 1/1600s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 84mm | Red, Orange, Brown.#: 6 | SS: 1/640s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -1.3 | FL35: 84mm |
Chinese architecture, Temple, Japanese architecture.#: 7 | SS: 1/3200s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -1.3 | FL35: 84mm | Brown.#: 8 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -1.3 | FL35: 84mm |
Brown, Iron, Symmetry.#: 9 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -1.3 | FL35: 84mm | Wall, Standing, Monk.#: 10 | SS: 1/4000s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -1.3 | FL35: 84mm |
Chinese architecture, Japanese architecture, Temple.#: 11 | SS: 1/2500s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -1.3 | FL35: 84mm | Orange, Brown, Wood stain.#: 12 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -1.3 | FL35: 84mm |
Orange, Ceiling, Chinese architecture.#: 13 | SS: 1/125s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -1.3 | FL35: 84mm | Chinese architecture, Japanese architecture, Temple.#: 14 | SS: 1/2000s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm |
Composite material, Paint, Balcony.#: 15 | SS: 1/2000s | ISO: 100 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm | Temple, Textile, Tradition.#: 16 | SS: 1/1600s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm |
Curtain, Window treatment, Triangle.#: 17 | SS: 1/1600s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm |
Wall, Symmetry, Curtain.#: 18 | SS: 1/1600s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm | Chinese architecture, Japanese architecture, Temple.#: 19 | SS: 1/1000s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm |
Textile, Brown, Linens.#: 20 | SS: 1/2000s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm | Textile, Motif, Creative arts.#: 21 | SS: 1/2000s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm |
Blue, Red, Orange.#: 22 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 250 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm |
Roof, Finial, Chinese architecture.#: 23 | SS: 1/1250s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm | Roof, Temple, Chinese architecture.#: 24 | SS: 1/1600s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm |
Tiger, Felidae, Panthera.#: 25 | SS: 1/1250s | ISO: 100 | F: 5.6 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 84mm |
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