Porsche Travel Experience Shangri-La: roadtrip to the top of the world
A unique Porsche roadtrip to the Himalayas
Porsche 911 Carrera against backdrop of mountains in Shangri-La, China
The legend of Shangri-La in the Himalayas has captivated people for nearly a century. Now, you too get closer to this mythical venue at the wheel of a 911
Ever since 1933, when Lost Horizon – the best-selling novel by British-American author, James Hilton – was published, people have been seeking to uncover the secret of an idyllic location high in the Himalayan mountain range. This mythical place that Hilton called ‘Shangri-La’ has become a by-word for a life of peace and harmony. In 2001, fiction became real when the Chinese city of Zhongdian decided to adopt 'Shangri-La' as its new name. Since then, it’s become a lot easier to get closer to the legend of Shangri-La in real life.What’s more, you can do so at the wheel of a Porsche 911 on the Porsche Travel Experience Shangri-La. Joining us to sample its route is multiple Chinese Tech Ski champion, Yoki Youqing who, along with mountain guide, Karen Zhang, uncover the reality behind James Hilton’s utopia and also to make a few turns on skis in the eternal snow of Tibet’s sacred mountains.
Yellow Porsche 911 Carrera in front of display of prayer flags on Tibetan plateau
Ahead of their journey along the route of the Porsche Travel Experience Shangri-La, skier Yoki Youqing and her travelling companion, Karen Zhang, take a moment to pause with their Porsche 911 in front of a colourful prayer flag tent Photo: Moritz Attenberger
Porsche Travel Experience Shangri-La: the expedition beginsOur expedition starts in the provincial capital of Lijang. Despite its size, it has largely retained its traditional charm, earning it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and one that fascinated Austrian explorer Joseph Rock, who travelled through this remote corner of China more than a century ago.Rock’s former home is now a museum and a special highlight for participants of the Porsche Travel Experience. The aroma of countless restaurants wafts through the alleys of one of China’s best-preserved historic towns, where the influences of the region’s various ethnic groups blend together in a unique culinary fusion. And in good weather, the first of Tibet’s range of snow giants – the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains – can be seen towering above their roofs.Just a few kilometres to the north, the Jinsha River – one of the main tributaries of the mighty Yangtze – has carved deep into the rock in the Tiger Leaping Gorge, creating one of Asia’s most spectacular canyons. Today, participants of the Porsche Travel Experience Shangri-La are able to take an escalator down to its base.It’s from here that we follow the route north, where colourful Tibetan prayer flags and dazzling white pagodas greet us at spectacular viewpoints.
Yellow Porsche 911 Carrera in Lijang, China in front of traditional Chinese archway
The Porsche Travel Experience Shangri-La begins in Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage site Photo: Moritz Attenberger
Driving a Porsche in the Himalayas: temples, lakes and clear airHere, in the clear mountain air, and at an altitude of 3,450 metres (11,319 ft), the sky seems close enough to touch. It also gives us a first sense of what has defined the unfathomable legend of Shangri-La for almost a century. We become more mindful of our lungs breathing. Our hearts beat faster. And somehow our perception also seems more vivid as a result.The bright red and gold of the Buddhist temple complexes burns itself into our consciousness, as do the citizens of Shangri-La going about their daily business. As we head into the nearby Potatso National Park, with its crystal-clear lakes and high plateaus, we are thrilled by our repeated encounters with traditional Tibetan families and their horses.
Yellow Porsche 911 Carrera is admired by Tibetan monks and two women
Yoki and Karen’s bright yellow Porsche 911 Carrera S attracts attention from a group of Tibetan monks Photo: Moritz Attenberger
Not far from Shangri-La rise the Meili Snow Mountains, a range of snow-capped peaks that hold special significance for both the Chinese and people from the region of Tibet. The highest of them stands out like a sparkling solitaire – Nyainqênkawagarbo. Towering to an altitude of 6,740 metres (22,112 ft) and still unclimbed, it's one of the holiest mountains for Tibetan Buddhists. For locals, even attempting to climb it borders on blasphemy, which would inevitably provoke the wrath of the gods.Karen, in her role as experienced mountain guide, knows this too, of course. We go quiet as she tells us about a tragic accident in 1991, when all 17 members of a Japanese expedition lost their lives after attempting the ascent, despite numerous warnings.
The sacred Tibetan mountain, Nyainqênkawagarbo, towers over the landscape
The sacred mountain of Nyainqênkawagarbo is an icon of the region. Revered as a spiritual location to Buddhists, it remains unclimbed to this day Photo: Moritz Attenberger
The dream of getting close to this mystical peak, of skiing down the eternal snow that covers it and its surrounding summits, has driven Yoki ever since she decided to pursue a career as a ski racer. She has won the Chinese championship title in the Tech Ski discipline five times in a row, conquering awe-inspiring mogul runs and deep powder slopes, as well as carving wide turns into the mountain sides.Ascending into the mountains in a Porsche 911The journey continues with Yoki – a judge at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in China – driving the 911 Carrera S towards a small Tibetan village on the upper reaches of the Mekong. It’s here where we plan to begin our ascent to our base camp and the snowfields beneath the glacier-covered peaks.The journey there is breathtaking, the road taking us from the headwaters of the Yangtze River to elevations above 4,000 metres (more than 13,100 feet). Just before Deqen, the starting point for our ascent to the base camp, the glowing golden roofs of Dongzhulin Monastery tempt us to take a short detour off the main road. From there, we get a spectacular view of the Yangtze – and, soon after, our first glimpse of the Meili Snow Mountains.
Temple complex in Shangri-La, China, decorated with colourful prayer flags
Colourful prayer flags and Buddhist temples are a constant sight and a direct link to the vibrant Tibetan culture Photo: Moritz Attenberger
Our 911 comes to a halt – at least for now – in a small Tibetan mountain village. We cross the Mekong river, which here still bears its Chinese name of Lancang Jian, on a dilapidated bridge, but then the roads become so impassable that we have to continue our little expedition on foot.By now we are having to carry everything on our backs through the thin air – not just Yoki’s ski gear but also food for several days, tents, sleeping bags and photographic equipment.High altitude skiing on a Porsche Travel Experience adventureJust before we arrived in Tibet, our mountain guide, Karen, scouted the area with an advance group and reported good snow conditions. Yet, as we arrive at the agreed spot in mid-June, there’s no snow in sight, and we have to adjust our plan on the fly. Rather than going to the base camp, Karen and the core team march on in a tough trek to another high-altitude camp, close to remaining snowfields where Yoki can ski.After reaching the top, we first need to be patient. After two days and a cold night, the heavy clouds that had covered the peaks finally part for a brief moment. Yoki and our photographer, Moritz, strap the skins under their skis and climb up to one of the snowfields.
Woman skis on Chinese mountain
Yoki makes her descent down a slope in the shadow of the Nyainqênkawagarbo mountain to make a dream come true Photo: Moritz Attenberger
This is where a dream of Yoki’s comes true. With a view of the sacred peak of Nyainqênkawagarbo, she leaves her tracks in the snow – an unforgettable experience, as indeed is the entire trip. For starters, for the first time in her life she has sat behind the wheel of a Porsche 911. She likens its agility to what she experienced on skis on Olympic mogul slopes.Experiencing nature up close in the region of Tibet, with its towering mountains, has given Yoki new insights into this part of her homeland. But the mountain roads in the foothills of the Himalayas are an equally fascinating, memory-making experience for those of us more used to driving in Alpine conditions too.
Consumption and emission information 911 Carrera S (WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 10.7 – 10.2 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 244 – 232 g/km; CO₂ class: .
Continue reading
Porsche Macan Electric in Provence paint on wooden bridge in Slovenia
Porsche Travel Experience Slovenia: alpine tranquillity, wondrous hotels The Porsche Travel Experience Slovenia offers participants soaring alpine passes, great driving and stays in hotel designed by star architect, Špela Videčnik. She explains her inspiration Read more
Tetsu Ikuzawa and Mai Ikuzawa at the Porsche Experience Center Tokyo
A guide to the Porsche Experience Center Tokyo with racing legend Tetsu Ikuzawa Tetsu Ikuzawa’s pro racing career may be over, but it’s impossible to keep the legendary Japanese racing driver away from fast cars and challenging circuits. He and his daughter, designer Mai Ikuzawa, put the Porsche Experience Center Tokyo to the test Read more
Timo Bernhard breaks Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record in Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo
Timo Bernhard on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack The Nürburgring Nordschleife is a racetrack that pushes your boundaries. Motorsport legend, Timo Bernhard, provides insights into the challenge of the Green Hell – which Porsche Track Experience participants can experience for themselves Read more
Related topics