Yunnan Travel Notes - The Silent "Shangri-La"

When taking a taxi in Shangri-La, the driver told us that Shangri-La is beautiful in spring, summer and autumn, but winter is really lonely. We may have come in the wrong season.

There is a trace of regret, but I also secretly yearn for its beauty in spring.

Sightseeing

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge is between Lijiang and Shangri-La.

Tiger Leaping Gorge is the largest canyon on the Jinsha River (Yangtze River) and a world-famous grand canyon. Tiger Leaping Gorge is located in the southeast of Shangri-La, 105 kilometers away from Shangri-La City, 35 kilometers away from the First Bend of the Yangtze River, and 88 kilometers away from Lijiang. kilometers, divided into three sections: Upper Tiger Leaping, Middle Tiger Leaping and Lower Tiger Leaping. It is one of the main tourist routes operated by Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge Management Co., Ltd. There are many reefs in the gorge, with 21 dangerous shoals, 7 slumps up to 10 meters high, and 10 waterfalls. The water of the Yangtze River is held hostage by the two snow-capped mountains of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba. The altitude difference is more than 3,900 meters. The depth of the canyon is among the highest in the world. The narrowest point is only about 30 meters. According to legend, a tiger descends from the mountain and crawls on the rocks in the river. If you lift your feet slightly, you can fly across it, so it is called Tiger Leaping Gorge.

-- "Baidu Encyclopedia"

The water in the Upper Tiger Leaping River is relatively gentle, while the water in the Middle Tiger Leaping River is relatively rapid.

After coming out of Lijiang Old Town, there were several foreigners in the car who went to Zhonghutiao for a day's hike. They were really brave young people. The scenery of Tiger Leaping Gorge did not attract us. We only stayed here for about two hours before heading towards Shangri-La.

Shanghutiao Landmark

Upper Tiger Leaping Canyon

The wind along the river is very strong and the light is not good, which is very unfriendly for portrait photography. Of course, the more important reason is that we drove early in the morning and neither Xiaoyu nor I wore makeup, so we didn’t take any good photos of tourists in Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Dukezong Ancient City

Dukezong Ancient City Plaque

I think strictly speaking, Dukezong Ancient City cannot be regarded as an attraction. There is no special natural landscape, but there are various shops inside with simple decoration, creating a unique Tibetan cultural environment.

There are some unique Tibetan buildings in Dukezong Ancient City.

A characteristic building that cannot be named

The world's largest prayer wheel

There is the world's largest prayer wheel in the ancient city of Dukezong.

The total weight of the prayer wheel is 60 tons. The body of the prayer wheel is pure copper and gold-plated. The height of the prayer wheel is 21 meters. The four great Bodhisattvas Manjusri, Samantabhadra, Avalokitesvara and Ksitigarbha are embossed in high relief on the wall of the prayer wheel. The lower level is the Eight Treasures of Buddhism: conch, prayer wheel, umbrella, hundred lids, lotus, vase, goldfish, and long pan. The tube contains sutras, mantras, 1.24 million six-character mantras and 16 tons of various Buddhist treasures. The devout Tibetans built this magnificent wonder with personal worship, and it is completely understandable that they have infinite reverence and worship for the Buddha deep in their hearts. According to the tour guide, every turn around is equivalent to chanting the Buddha's name 1.24 million times.

-- "Sina blog"

As the Chinese New Year approaches, most of the shops in the ancient city are closed (in fact, many people who open shops here are from out of town), and there are almost no people on the streets.

We booked a Tibetan courtyard on Airbnb. When we stood on the second floor and looked into the courtyard, it was very impressive.

Songzanlin Temple

Songzanlin Temple

Garden Songzanlin Monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan Province and one of the famous monasteries in Kham. It is also the center of Huangjiao in Sichuan and Yunnan. It plays a decisive role in the entire Tibetan area and is known as the "small Potala Palace". The temple is built on the mountain and looks like an ancient castle. It is a collection of Tibetan plastic arts and is also known as the "Tibetan Art Museum".

-- "Baidu Encyclopedia"

After entering Songzanlin Temple, we first climbed the long stairs under the guidance of the tour guide.

long stairs

After going up the stairs, you overlook the Lamyangcuo Lake opposite Songzanlin Monastery.

lamyangtso lake

While taking photos, listen to the tour guide introducing Tibetan Buddhist culture.

The highest point of Songzanlin Temple is the three main halls, where you can visit and offer incense. The carbon dioxide concentration inside is relatively high, so you need to take off your hat and photography is prohibited.

main hall

We walked around the main hall and took photos.

The scenery next to the main hall

Enjoy the warm sunshine in winter

The tour guide taught us how to rotate the prayer wheel: when viewed from directly above, the prayer wheel rotates in a clockwise direction. Be careful not to turn it in the reverse direction. It must be turned upside down and turned head to tail; it must be turned three times.

prayer tube

After spinning the prayer wheel, my heart calmed down↓:

"The Prayer Wheel is Turning"

There are many crows hovering in the sky above Songzanlin Temple, and the crows are very obvious in the video.

After leaving Songzanlin Monastery, we found the best shooting location along Lamuyangcuo Lake and took a panoramic view of Songzanlin Monastery.

Panorama of Songzanlin Temple

Pudacuo National Park

Entrance to Pudacuo National Park

Pudacuo National Park is located in the center of the "Three Parallel Rivers" World Natural Heritage in northwest Yunnan. It consists of the Bitahai Nature Reserve, an internationally important wetland, and the Duhu Scenic Area in the Haba area of the "Three Parallel Rivers" World Natural Heritage. It is mainly composed of Bita Sea, Shudu Lake and Militang Subalpine Pasture, and is also one of the main tourist attractions of Shangri-La.

With an altitude between 3,500 meters and 4,159 meters, it is a provincial nature reserve and an important part of the "Three Parallel Rivers" scenic spot. Pudacuo National Park has geological landforms, lakes and wetlands, forest meadows, river valleys and streams, rare animals and plants, etc. The original ecological environment is well preserved. It is 22 kilometers away from Shangri-La City and has a total area of approximately 1,313 square kilometers.

--"Baidu Encyclopedia"

Coming to Forest Park in winter is really not a wise choice. The usual vitality and vitality are covered by white snow.

Ice and snow

The Asia-Pacific spokesperson for "Portable Oxygen for Mountaineering" operates beside a frozen lake.

"Mounting Portable Oxygen" Endorsement Campaign

Continuing to walk forward, when we reached the small wooden bridge, a little squirrel ran over. Some tourists fed sausages and interacted with it. The appearance of the little squirrel broke the silence of the environment and made the tourists lively.

experience

toast family dinner

The toast family banquet is a repertoire of Shangri-La night, and it is quite worth experiencing. Different toast family banquets have different prices, different programs, and different meals.

After you enter, there will be handsome guys and beautiful girls putting on a khata for you and taking photos with you. At the toast family dinner, the host will ask you if you are willing to spend 20 yuan to buy printed photos.

After entering, the lobby is magnificent and can hold dozens of tables. There are 8-9 people per table. Dinner has already been placed on the table. It’s time to wait until everyone at the table is ready to start.

Toast dinner

After all the guests have almost arrived, the host will come to the stage to welcome everyone - (Tibetan)

"Tashi Delek"

Then the Tibetan boys and girls (we are not sure whether they are local Tibetan youths or hired actors) danced and performed for everyone.

Dancing Tibetan youth

The host will continue to interact with everyone, and finally you can go on stage to dance with the Tibetan boys and girls.

As the Chinese New Year is approaching, there are not many guests, and half of the tables in the hall are empty. The party was not interactive enough, and it felt like it almost broke up after going through the process. It is probably quite lively during the peak tourist season and is worth a visit.

gourmet food

Noah's Coffee

Before arriving at Shangri-La, I had never heard of any special food in Shangri-La. We asked the taxi driver for any local restaurants that locals often eat at. He sent us there but it was also closed (because it was almost Chinese New Year).

Finally, he recommended a Western restaurant in Duke Zonghua Alley that is also loved by locals - Noah's Coffee.

Although it doesn't have Tibetan characteristics, the taste is surprisingly good and the price is not expensive. You can give it a try.