You've seen them. Those glowing, obsidian-like gazebos tucked away in the jagged cliffs of Natlan. If you've played Genshin Impact for more than ten minutes, you know the drill: find the key, open the door, and pray the Luxury Chest inside finally gives you a decent artifact. But the Shrine of the Depths Natlan layout is a bit different than what we saw in Fontaine or Sumeru. Because of the verticality of the Land of War, half the battle isn't just knowing where they are on a map—it’s figuring out which Saurian you need to possess just to reach the front door.
Honestly, Natlan’s map is a vertical nightmare if you’re just running around as a human character. You’ll find yourself staring at a shrine high up on a plateau, wondering why your stamina bar is so small. Don't stress. Getting to these shrines is basically a rite of passage for anyone trying to max out their Pyro Sigils and hit Level 50 at the Tablet of Tona.
Where the Shrines Actually Are
The first few shrines are scattered across the initial three tribes' territories: the Children of Echoes, the People of the Springs, and the Scions of the Canopy.
One of the easiest ones to snag is sitting right in the Tequemecan Valley. If you teleport to the waypoint north of the Children of Echoes, you can practically see it. It’s perched on a ridge. You’ll want to grab a Tepetlisaur (those little brown drill-dinos) because they can literally climb walls. Trying to climb that cliff manually is a waste of time. Just burrow up the side and you’re there.
There is another one tucked away near the Sulfurous Veins. This one is a bit more annoying because the terrain is so fractured. I’ve seen people spend twenty minutes circling the base of the mountain because they missed the specific Saurian spirit incense at the bottom. Look for the orange glow. If you’re in the Basin of Unnumbered Flames, look toward the south. There’s a shrine sitting on a high bluff that overlooks the stadium. It’s a great view, though the chest inside is usually just filled with 40 Primogems and some three-star weapons you’ll use as fodder.
How to Get the Keys Without Losing Your Mind
You can't just pick the lock. You need a Natlan Shrine of the Depths Key. Historically, HoYoverse spreads these out across the main progression systems of the region.
- The Statue of the Seven: This is the big one. As you offer Pyroculi to the statues, you’ll unlock keys at specific levels (usually levels 2, 4, 6, and so on).
- The Tablet of Tona: This is Natlan's version of the Sacred Sakura or the Fountain of Lucine. You dump your Pyro Sigils here. You’ll get your first key relatively early, around level 8 or 10.
- Archon Quests: Sometimes they tuck a key into the rewards for completing a major act of the Natlan storyline. It’s worth actually doing the dialogue-heavy quests if you want those chests.
The reality is that you won’t be able to open every Shrine of the Depths Natlan has to offer in one sitting. Since Natlan is being released in chunks, only a handful of shrines are available in the initial 5.0 and 5.1 patches. If you see a shrine on a cliff but the game says "Area not yet available," you just have to wait for the next update. It’s frustrating, I know.
Why the Rewards Matter More This Time
In older regions, these shrines were just "nice to have." In Natlan, they feel mandatory. Why? Because of the Sanctifying Elixir.
We finally have a way to craft artifacts with specific main stats and sub-stats, but the "cost" is high. You need to scrap leveled-up artifacts to get the materials, and the Luxury Chests inside the shrines are one of the most reliable ways to get high-tier fodder and the Sigils needed to progress the Tablet of Tona. Every shrine you open brings you closer to a Pyro Damage Goblet with actual Crit Rate on it.
Also, don't forget the Primogems. Each shrine gives 40. That doesn't sound like much until you realize that clearing the whole map's worth of shrines is basically half a ten-pull. If you're F2P and saving for Mavuika or a Kinich rerun, you can't afford to leave these sitting on the map.
Navigating the Terrain Challenges
The Shrine of the Depths Natlan locations are designed around the "Nightsoul" mechanic. If you’re using Natlan characters like Mualani or Kachina, you have a massive advantage. Kachina’s Turbo Twirly makes scaling the vertical cliffs of the Tequemecan Valley trivial.
If you don't have the local characters, use the Saurians.
- Use the Yumkasaur (the green ones) for the shrines in the Scions of the Canopy area. They have a grapple hook ability that lets you sling yourself across canyons.
- Use the Koholasaur (the blue ones) for any shrines located near the waters of the People of the Springs. They can surf across the water and even jump through those spirit-flow currents.
There’s one shrine specifically that sits on a pillar of rock in the middle of a canyon. I tried gliding to it from the highest peak and still fell short. The "correct" way is to find a Yumkasaur, use its tongue to grab a flame-pomegranate, and blast yourself upward using the resonance points. It feels more like a platformer than an RPG sometimes.
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Common Misconceptions About These Shrines
I've seen a lot of people online complaining that their keys aren't working. Nine times out of ten, they’re trying to use a Sumeru key in Natlan. It doesn't work that way. Each region has its own specific key.
Another thing: people think the chests respawn. They don't. Once you open a Shrine of the Depths Natlan, it’s done. The blue glow disappears, and the building becomes a permanent, empty landmark on your map. It would be cool if they reset every year, but HoYoverse hasn't gone that route yet.
The Strategy for Efficient Hunting
Don't go hunting these one by one. It's inefficient.
Wait until you have at least two or three keys in your inventory. Then, set aside thirty minutes to do a "shrine run." Use the official Teyvat Interactive Map if you have to, but honestly, just looking for the blue icons on your in-game mini-map works fine once you’re in the right neighborhood.
The best way to handle this is to integrate it into your Pyroculus hunting. If you’re already climbing a mountain for a floating red orb, check the surrounding ridges. The developers love putting shrines in "blind spots"—places where you wouldn't normally look unless you're intentionally exploring the edge of the map.
Actionable Steps for Your Map Completion
Start by focusing on the Tablet of Tona. Spend your Sigils there first. It’s the fastest way to get your first three keys without having to hunt down every single Pyroculus in the desert.
Once you have a key, head to the Tequemecan Valley first. It’s the least complex terrain. From there, move to the Coatepec Mountain area. Make sure you have a Saurian "possessed" before you start the climb; it saves so much frustration.
If you're stuck and can't find the last available shrine, check the underground layers. Natlan has several "levels" to its map, and while most shrines are above ground, a few are tucked into deep ravines that look like caves on the 2D map.
Check your Reputation Level in the main city as well. While it doesn't give keys directly, the resonance stones you unlock there will help you find the Pyroculi you need to level up the Statues of the Seven, which does give you keys. It's all connected. Get those chests open, grab your 40 Primogems, and move on to the next one.