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Zhongdian is a Tibetan Chinese city in the far north of Yunnan Province, 198 kilometres north-west of Lijiang. It is the start of the Tibetan world, and is home to around 100,000 Tibetans, Lisus, Naxis and Yi Minority people who live in harmony. Zhongdian has recently been renamed 'Shangrila'. This is a Tibetan word which means 'land of sacredness and peace'. It is definitely an apt description for this area of scenic beauty. The city itself is an interesting place to spend a day or two. On its southern side an "old town" has been reconstructed. While many of the buildings are new, they are all true to traditional Tibetan architectural style, displaying intricately carved woodwork and elaborate paintwork. Just behind the old town on top of a small hill is a massive golden prayer wheel where local women can be seen chanting their prayers in the early morning while pushing the wheel in a clockwise direction. Only 5 kilometres out of town is Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan Province. It is a five storey Tibetan style building covered with wooden carvings and gold-plated copper tiles, resembling the Potala Palace of Lhasa in its layout. A trip here at sunrise is especially rewarding to see the mist rise up off the hills. During the day you will see local minority women walking the streets in their traditional clothes. A trip to the Zhongdian market is especially good for people watching. Here locals from the surrounding countryside gather to buy, sell and socialize, dressed in their most colourful attire. For night-time entertainment you can't go past the dancing in the old town square. On busy nights, there are literally hundreds of Tibetans all kicking up their heels in unison. It's an incredibly festive atmosphere and visitors are more than welcome to join in. As well as the attractions of the city, this area is home to vast grasslands, spruce forests, mirror-like lakes and crisscrossing rivers. Bita Lake with an altitude of 3,539 metres, is the highest in Yunnan Province. Surrounded by wooded mountains, it contains a vast array of flora and fauna including red-footed pheasants, wild bulls, leopards and lynxs. Napa Lake and Shudu Lake are also treasurehouses of wildlife. |
