You’ve probably spent hours sprinting across the jagged cliffs of Tequemecan Valley, wondering if that blue glow in the distance is actually a chest or just another bunch of Flamegranate. Honestly, the Natlan Shrine of Depths locations are some of the most frustratingly well-hidden spots HoYoverse has ever dropped. If you’re coming from the flat plains of Mondstadt or the verticality of Fontaine, Natlan’s "layered" map design is a total wake-up call. It's not just about walking to a marker; it’s about knowing which Saurian to possess and which crack in the floor is actually a secret tunnel.
We’re looking for those big, ancient stone gazebos glowing with Pyro energy. Each one gives you 40 Primogems. That's a huge deal when you're saving for Mavuika or trying to snag a Kinich constellation. But the real headache isn't just finding the shrines—it's getting the keys. Unlike the early days of Genshin, you can't just stumble into a domain and get rewarded with a key. You’ve gotta grind the Statue of the Seven and the Tablet of Tona.
Where the Natlan Shrine of Depths are Hiding
Let’s talk about the Tequemecan Valley shrine first because it’s basically the "welcome to Natlan" moment. If you head north from the Children of Echoes village, you’ll find it tucked away in a canyon area. It’s not out in the open. You basically have to hug the cliffside. I missed it twice because I was looking too high up. It sits at a lower elevation than most people expect.
Then there’s the one near the Basin of Unnumbered Flames. This one is a bit of a trek. You want to look toward the eastern side of the stadium. It’s perched on a ridge that overlooks the sulfurous veins. If you haven't unlocked the local Waypoints, bring a Koholasaur. Navigating the liquid phlogiston is way faster than trying to climb every single rock face. Trust me, your stamina bar will thank you.
The Toyac Springs shrine is arguably the prettiest. It’s located on the southern islands, surrounded by water and those annoying seagulls. You’ll see it glowing from a distance if you’re gliding down from the higher peaks of the Ameyalco Waters. This is the spot where you realize Natlan isn't just fire and brimstone; it’s got these weirdly tropical vibes too.
The Key Problem: Why You Can't Open Them Yet
Don't panic if you find a Natlan Shrine of Depths and realize you're empty-handed. It happens to everyone. Keys are locked behind two main progression systems. First, you have the Statues of the Seven. You need to collect Pyroculi—those floating red orbs—and offer them up. You usually get your first key at Level 2, and then more at Level 4, 6, 8, and 10.
But wait, there's the Tablet of Tona in the Stadium of the Sacred Flame. This works just like the Fountain of Lucine in Fontaine or the Sacred Sakura in Inazuma. You trade in Pyro Sigils (the things you get from opening normal chests) to level up the Tablet. It’s a slow burn. You won't get all the keys in one afternoon. It’s a marathon. You’ve gotta explore, do the world quests, and basically live in Natlan for a few weeks to see those rewards.
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Actually, the "Lost in the Woods" or "Shadow of the Mountain" questlines are great for this. They lead you to areas where chests are dense, which means more Sigils, which means more keys.
Saurian Mechanics and Shrine Access
If you aren't using the Saurians, you're playing Natlan on hard mode. To reach some of these shrines, you need the specific movement abilities of the local dragons. The Tepetlisaur is your best friend for anything in the Tequemecan Valley. They can burrow into the ground and climb vertical walls like they’re flat ground. I spent ten minutes trying to climb a cliff near a shrine only to realize there was a "molten gold" vein right there for a Tepetlisaur to zip through.
In the Toyac Springs, use the Koholasaur. They can surf across the water and even dash through the liquid phlogiston without taking damage. There’s a shrine that’s technically accessible by swimming, but it’s so far out that you’ll probably drown halfway there if you don't use the Saurian soul-leap mechanic.
The Yumkasaur (the green ones) are basically your grappling hooks. If a shrine looks like it's on a floating pillar or a high ledge in the Coatepec Mountain area, look for those grapple points. You can chain jumps together to bridge gaps that no glider could ever cross.
What’s Actually Inside These Things?
Each Natlan Shrine of Depths is a gold mine. Literally. Inside, you get a Luxurious Chest. Here is the breakdown of what you’re looting:
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- 40 Primogems (the main course).
- 10 Pyro Sigils (crucial for the Tablet of Tona).
- 4-star Artifacts (usually fodder, but hey, XP is XP).
- Mystic Enhancement Ore.
- A bunch of Mora.
- Hero’s Wit.
It might not seem like much individually, but when you multiply that by the ten shrines spread across the region, you're looking at 400 Primogems. That's a healthy chunk of a ten-pull. Plus, the Sigils you get from the chest actually help you get the next key from the Tablet of Tona. It's a loop. A very satisfying, loot-filled loop.
Common Misconceptions About Natlan Shrines
A lot of players think they can find all 10 shrines the moment Version 5.0 drops. You can't. HoYoverse always staggers these. Usually, only 4 or 6 are available in the initial map release. The rest are hidden in the "greyed out" parts of the map that come in 5.1, 5.2, and so on. If you're looking at a guide and can't find the last four, it’s probably because they don't exist in the game files yet.
Another thing: people think you need to finish the Archon Quest to get to them. You don't. You can literally walk into Natlan from Sumeru or the desert as soon as you finish the Prologue. However, I wouldn't recommend it. The enemies in Natlan have high HP pools and the "Nightsoul" mechanics can be a pain if you don't have a Natlan character or haven't learned the combat flow.
Also, don't ignore the "Monuments." Sometimes a shrine is blocked by a simple puzzle or a group of Wayob Manifestations. These are the big obsidian-looking statues that challenge you to a fight. If you see one near a shrine, clear it out first. It usually unlocks a nearby chest or a shortcut that makes getting to the shrine way easier.
Strategic Tips for Efficient Farming
If you want to be smart about this, don't hunt shrines in isolation. Mark them on your map with the "clover" icon when you see them, but don't go out of your way to open them until you have 3 or 4 keys in your inventory. It’s more efficient to do a "shrine run" all at once.
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Pin the location of every Pyroculus you find using an interactive map. Nothing is worse than being at Statue Level 9, needing one more key, and realizing you're missing two Pyroculi somewhere in the massive volcanic caves.
Focus on the "Children of Echoes" and "People of the Springs" reputation quests. Increasing your reputation in Natlan often gives you gadgets or tips that make traversal simpler. And check the world quests near the stadium. There’s a lot of lore buried there that actually explains why these shrines exist—they’re basically anchors for the Ley Lines that keep the Abyss from swallowing the nation whole.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
Start by hitting the Statue of the Seven in the Basin of Unnumbered Flames and dump whatever Pyroculi you've found. If you hit Level 2, you've got your first key. Immediately head to the Tequemecan Valley location. It's the easiest one to reach and will give you the initial boost of Sigils you need to start the Tablet of Tona levels.
Next, focus on unlocking the Waypoints in the southern islands. Use a Koholasaur to reach the Toyac Springs shrine. If you run out of keys, stop hunting shrines and shift your focus to the "World of Aranara-style" long-form quests in Natlan. These quests usually unlock sub-areas (like underground caves or hidden valleys) where the remaining shrines are tucked away. Keep an eye on your Pyro Sigil count; once you hit 30 or contextually appropriate amounts, warp back to the Stadium and check the Tablet for your next key.