When you get to Shangri-La, how can you not try the local specialties? Here are five must-try dishes that will take your taste buds on a spontaneous journey.

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1. Butter tea

A daily essential drink for the Tibetan people and one of the most representative foods of Shangri-La. It's made with butter extracted from yak milk, tea leaves, and salt, resulting in a golden, clear tea that’s smooth and rich. butter tea not only provides a lot of calories to help fight the cold but also quenches your thirst, making it an ideal drink for the plateau region. You can enjoy authentic butter tea in Tibetan restaurants or homestays in Shangri-La.

2. Yak meat Hot Pot

A local specialty that uses free-range yak meat as the main ingredient, paired with various vegetables and mushrooms, simmered in a rich broth. The yak meat is tender, low in fat, and has no gamey taste, offering a unique flavor. Sitting around a Hot Pot of steaming yak meat on a cold day is definitely a great pleasure.

3. Matsutake

Known as the "king of mushrooms," it's one of Shangri-La's specialties. The main harvesting period is from mid-July to early September when the matsutake is thick, delicious, and nutritious. In Shangri-La, you can try various matsutake dishes like matsutake chicken stew, matsutake sashimi, and grilled matsutake. Each bite is a tantalizing treat for your taste buds.

4. Chang

Made from the main grain produced in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau—qinhai barley. It has a clear color and a long-lasting taste, making it one of the main drinks for hospitality in Tibetan areas. When you arrive in Shangri-La, the warm-hearted Tibetan people will serve you a cup of qinhai barley wine, allowing you to enjoy the unique charm of Tibetan culture while savoring the fine drink.

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5. Tsampa

One of the staple foods for the Tibetan people, made from flour ground from qinhai barley mixed with butter tea or qinhai barley wine, rolled into balls for eating. It has a soft texture, is sweet and tasty, and is very filling, making it an ideal energy source for the plateau region. You can taste authentic tsampa in Tibetan restaurants or homestays in Shangri-La and experience the traditional food culture of the Tibetan people.

Besides these five dishes, Shangri-La has many other specialties like yogurt, milk residue buns, and Nixi earthen pot chicken waiting for you to discover. While exploring Shangri-La, take your time to step into local restaurants or snack stalls to taste these authentic foods, making your trip even more colorful.