You've probably seen them from a distance. Those glowing, translucent blue cages sticking out of the jagged volcanic rock or tucked away in the sprawling canyons of Teyvat’s sixth nation. If you’ve played Genshin Impact for any length of time, you know the drill: find a key, open the box, get 40 Primogems. Simple, right? Well, not exactly. Natlan is built differently. Its verticality is a nightmare if you’re just wandering aimlessly, and the Shrine of Depth Natlan locations are scattered across some of the most frustratingly tiered terrain we’ve seen since Sumeru’s rainforest.
Honestly, it's easy to get distracted. Between the Saurian mechanics and the constant lure of Pyroculus hunting, those Shrines often end up being markers on a map you "promise" to get back to later. But skipping them is a mistake. Beyond the obvious currency, these Shrines are essential for your Sigil economy. You need those Pyro Sigils for the Tablet of Tona. If you want those sweet, sweet rewards from the Flame of Tona system—basically Natlan's version of the Sacred Sakura—you need to crack these open.
Why the Shrine of Depth Natlan Locations Feel Harder to Find
Let’s be real. In Mondstadt, you could basically see a Shrine from the next hill over. In Natlan? The developers got sneaky. They’ve hidden these structures behind massive rock formations in the Basin of Unnumbered Flames and tucked them into the shadows of the Tequemecan Valley.
The geography of the Tribe lands—the Children of Echoes, the Scions of the Canopy, and the People of the Springs—is intentionally deceptive. You might be standing right "on" the icon on your interactive map, but the Shrine is actually 200 feet above you on a plateau that requires a specific Yumkasaur ability to reach. Or it’s 100 feet below you in a crevice you didn't notice because you were too busy dodging a Wayob Manifestation.
The vertical design isn't just for show; it's a gameplay loop. You aren't just looking for a building. You're solving a navigation puzzle. Most players I talk to struggle because they try to climb everything with Stamina. Stop. Use the Saurians. The Koholasaur is your best friend for the Shrines near the water, and the Tepetlisaur is basically a cheat code for the mountainous regions. If you aren't digging through the ground or grappling through the air, you're doing it the hard way.
Getting the Keys: It’s a Long Game
You can’t just walk up and pick the lock. You need Natlan Shrine of Depth Keys. In the 5.0 and 5.1 cycles, these aren't just handed out for completing the Archon Quest. Well, some are, but not all of them.
Primarily, you’re looking at two sources. First, the Statue of the Seven. As you offer up those Pyroculi, certain levels will grant you a key. It’s a slow burn. Second, the Tablet of Tona. This is where those Sigils come in. It’s a bit of a circular dependency: you need the Shrines for Sigils, but you need to turn in Sigils to get the keys for more Shrines.
💡 You might also like: All Barn Locations Forza Horizon 5: What Most People Get Wrong
Usually, level 8, 18, and 28 of the offering system are the big milestones. If you’re stuck at 9/10 Shrines, check your offering levels. You're likely just one level away from that final key.
Navigating the Basin and the Tequemecan Valley
The first few Shrines you'll likely encounter are in the Basin of Unnumbered Flames. There’s one sitting relatively out in the open, but it’s guarded by a pack of local fauna that can be surprisingly beefy if your world level just jumped.
Moving into the Tequemecan Valley, things get trickier. There's a Shrine of Depth Natlan located near the Sulfurous Veins that everyone seems to miss. It sits on a high ridge. If you’re coming from the teleport waypoint below, you’ll spend ten minutes trying to find a path up. The secret? Look for the Saurian spirits or the specific transformation points. If you transform into a Tepetlisaur, you can literally tunnel up the side of the cliff. It saves so much time.
Then there's the Toyac Springs. This area is beautiful, sure, but the water-based movement can be disorienting. There’s a Shrine here nestled near the coast. Don't try to swim to it. Use a Koholasaur to surf the spirit-ways or jump across the floating platforms.
The Rewards Are More Than Just Primos
Each Shrine contains a Luxurious Chest. That’s 40 Primogems, 10 Pyro Sigils, and a handful of artifacts and weapons that are mostly fodder. But it’s the Sigils that matter.
In Natlan, the economy is tight. Upgrading the Tablet of Tona unlocks high-tier rewards like Mystic Enhancement Ore, Mora, and those precious Crowns of Insight. If you’re trying to max out Mualani or Kinich, or whatever new Pyro powerhouse HoYoverse drops next, you cannot afford to leave these Shrines locked.
📖 Related: When Was Monopoly Invented: The Truth About Lizzie Magie and the Parker Brothers
- Primogems: 40 per Shrine.
- Adventure EXP: A nice chunk to help hit the next World Level.
- Sigils: 10 per chest, essential for the Tona system.
- Artifacts: Usually 3-star or 4-star, great for leveling up your better gear.
Common Mistakes When Hunting Shrines
People treat the Shrine of Depth Natlan like a checklist. They find a map online, see ten pins, and try to hit them all in twenty minutes. That’s how you get frustrated.
The biggest mistake? Ignoring the "Nightsoul" mechanics. Natlan has these unique combat and movement buffs that are often tied to the areas around Shrines. If you find yourself struggling to reach a high-up Shrine, check if there's a nearby trial or a movement mechanic you’ve ignored.
Another thing: the map layers. Genshin finally added multi-layered maps, but they aren't perfect. A Shrine might look like it's underground because it's slightly shaded on the mini-map, but it's actually just tucked under a natural stone arch. Always rotate your camera 360 degrees when you reach the pin on your map.
The Cultural Context of the Shrines
It’s worth noting—though most skip the lore—that these Shrines aren't just random loot boxes. They are ancient structures that predate the current tribal setup. They're remnants of an older Teyvat. In Natlan, a land defined by "The Resurrection" and the ongoing war against the Abyss, these quiet, blue-glowing structures feel almost eerie. They don't match the vibrant, graffiti-splattered aesthetic of the Children of Echoes. They are silent witnesses.
Is there a secret achievement? Usually, yes. Once you open all the Shrines in the current version of the Natlan map, you'll pop an achievement in the "Natlan: The Land of Radiant Blaze and Burning Vows" category. It’s an extra 10-20 Primogems, which isn't much, but it feels good to see that 100% completion stat on your map.
What to do if you can't find the last key
If you are 100% sure you've explored every inch of the map and you're still missing a key, check your quest log. Some keys in past regions were locked behind specific world quests. While Natlan has moved away from this slightly—favoring the offering systems—there are often "hidden" quests that trigger when you enter specific sub-zones.
👉 See also: Blox Fruit Current Stock: What Most People Get Wrong
Check the "Lost in the Woods" style quests or anything involving the Saurians. Sometimes, a key is a reward for helping a specific tribe member with a particularly long and arduous task.
Final Strategic Tips for Efficient Farming
Don't go alone. Seriously. If you have a friend who has already cleared the map, hop into Co-Op. They can’t open your Shrines for you, but they can act as a beacon. Having someone stand at the actual location while you navigate the cliffs makes the process 10x faster.
Also, mark them as you go. Use the in-game pin system. There is nothing worse than looking at a guide with 10 locations and not remembering which 4 you already opened three weeks ago.
- Prioritize the Statue of the Seven offerings. This is the most consistent way to get keys early.
- Focus on the Tablet of Tona. The rewards here are better than the individual Shrines anyway.
- Master the Yumkasaur. Their grapple is the most efficient way to reach the Shrines in the Scions of the Canopy region.
- Watch the skies. Some Shrines are visible only when gliding from a high teleport waypoint.
The Shrines are a rite of passage in every nation. Natlan’s are no different, just a bit more vertical and a lot more colorful. Get your keys, find your Saurian companions, and start the hunt. Those 400+ total Primogems are waiting.
Next Steps for Completionists
Start by checking your inventory for any existing keys you might have forgotten. If you have zero, head to the nearest Statue of the Seven and see how many Pyroculi you need for the next level. Once you have a key, head to the Tequemecan Valley first, as those Shrines are generally easier to access than the ones hidden in the complex verticality of the Scions of the Canopy territory. Keep a close eye on your Pyro Sigil count—every 30 you collect from exploration and Shrines should be immediately taken to the Tablet of Tona to unlock the next tier of rewards and potentially your next key. After clearing the Shrines, shift your focus to the "hidden" exploration objectives in the same sub-regions to maximize your Primogem gain for the current banner cycle.