Shika Snow Mountain rises to 4,500 metres about ten kilometres southwest of Shangri-La. A cable car runs from the base at 3,300 metres to a viewing platform near the summit ridge, which on a clear day takes in the entire chain of peaks west of the town and, in good visibility, the Meili range another 150 kilometres north.
The summit platform sits well above the tree line and the air is thin — give yourself a day or two to acclimatise to Shangri-La before coming up. There are short walking trails near the top platform; the longer trails on the lower flanks are best in spring and summer when the rhododendrons flower. Mid-mornings are usually the clearest time of day; clouds build through the afternoon.