By plane
There are daily flights to Shangrila the airport's name is Diqing, airport code DIG from Kunming Lhasa and Chongqing.
By bus
Lijiang to Shangrila - these days a fast 4 hours. There are currently road works so expect possible delays until the new express way opens.
Dali to Shangrila is a 6-hour drive - both night and day buses do this run.
Kunming to Shangrila is a 12-hour drive - also serviced by both night and day buses.
Panzhihua to Shangrila takes 12 hours, passing through Lijiang. There seems to be one bus per day, leaving at 5pm. Cost is around ¥140.
Deqin to Shangrila is a windy 6-hour drive. The town of Benzilan, which lies about midway is worth stopping off at in its own right, and breaks the journey up nicely. Summer/ Fall 2010: due to construction along this route people are reporting it taking close up to 15 hours for this ride.
Shangrila is the important stop for the journey from Yunnan to Tibet G214, with regular buses to Lhasa and Chamdo. see also Overland to Tibet.
Lhasa - there are several buses to Lhasa from the bus station, you should ask at the bus station as it is not a daily schedule. You could choose the SEAT bus or the SLEEPER bus. The cost for the bus is around ¥550 and takes about 4 days for the trip. Although it is convenient for travellers, it misses much of the great views along the route.
Chamdo - there is also a bus to Chamdo, an important city in East Tibet. Unfortunately, this bus is even less frequent than the Lhasa bus so it is important to check at the bus station for the itinerary.
Contrary to what the Lonely Planet guidebook says, it is relatively simple to get to Chengdu from Shangrila. Firstly, a sleeper bus to Pan Zhi Huaï¼ææè±ï¼ at 5.10pm, with diner break, arriving at 5am. A 25 minute taxi journey Y70-80 for 1 to 4 people; which bus driver almost push you to the train station to catch a midday train to Chengdu there is a bus 64 stop near station but don't know if it allows to go to train station and at what time it starts. No 8am train, next 12am. This arrives at 11.15pm and costs Y82 for a hard seat. All in all, 31 hours from Shangrila to Chengdu at a cost of Y315.While waiting at Pan Zhi Hua, I found 2 internet shop, one opposite to police station Y3/h, no wifi, didn't accept that I plug my computer and one near the market with a metal platform named something like 'lo san', 1st floor, Y3/h, no wifi, accept plug my computer.