Zhongdian (Shangrila)

People normally associate the word "Shangrila" with places of extreme scenic beauty. While the area around Zhongdian lives up to its namesake, the town itself is more worthy of attention for its lively streetlife.

The mixture of ethnic minorities all dressed in their traditional garb sets the streets alight with colour. The local market held every morning to the north of the town is a great place to observe the locals going about their every day lives and to purchase some local wares.

In the south of the town, a section ironically called the "old town" has just opened up. Its a conglomerate of some very old buildings alongside alot of brand new ones built in the traditional Tibetan architectural style. With many funky guesthouses, bars and coffee shops this place is destined to become one of Yunnan's biggest backpacker hangouts.