In 1933, James Hilton's novel "Lost Horizon" described a paradise-like pure land on earth "Shangri-La". In order to find this "ideal homeland" in people's minds, countless explorers, scholars, even photographers, travel friends traveled all over Gansu, Qing Dynasty, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet, but still could not finally determine where the "Xanadu" in the novel is. More than 80 years have passed, and people are still searching and asking, where is this "last pure land on earth"? Does it really exist?
I think "Shangri-La" should have a real place, not the author's imagination, but the scenes in the novel will not be exactly the same as the reality, there must be some elements of artistic processing, if you follow the description in the novel, you will never find it It is exactly the same as the "Shangri-La" in the novel. Now, most people generally think that "Shangri-La" refers to the border area of Sichuan, Tibet and Yunnan, that is, Yading, Daocheng, Sichuan, and Shangri-La, Diqing, Yunnan. In fact, where "Shangri-La" really is doesn't make much sense. "Shangri-La" has become more of a symbol, expressing people's yearning for an "ideal world", so it is deeply imprinted in people's hearts. Everyone has their own "Shangri-La", and looking for "Shangri-La" is to find the "paradise" in everyone's heart and the "pure land on earth" in everyone's mind.
In Gannan, western Sichuan, and northwestern Yunnan, there are majestic plateaus and majestic snow-capped mountains; vast grasslands and magnificent forests; lakes like emeralds and rivers like silver belts; temples are mysterious and solemn, and folk customs are kind and honest. All of these and the description of "Shangri-La" in the novel are very apt, and walking this line is the best choice to find "Shangri-La".
Because it is located on a plateau, affected by the movement of the earth's crust and the compression and collision of the earth's plates, many fault zones have been formed in southern Gansu, western Sichuan, and northwestern Yunnan. As a result, geological disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, and debris flows occur frequently. Especially in the rainy season, it is not uncommon for roads to be washed away, landslides, and falling rocks to occur. After the rainy season in September and October, the risk of geological disasters is low, and it is the safest time to go to this area. At the same time, autumn is the most beautiful season in this area with high clouds, light clouds and clear sky.
On September 24, 2019, my wife and I set off from Beijing and started a self-driving trip to Gannan, western Sichuan, and northwestern Yunnan.
Special Note
About altitude sickness:
Gannan, western Sichuan, and northwestern Yunnan have an average altitude of about 3,500 meters. Preventing and responding to high reactions has become the most critical factor in whether the entire itinerary can be sustained.
Altitude sickness is actually a lack of oxygen, because the air in plateau areas is relatively thin, and everyone will have high altitude sickness when they first arrive at the plateau. However, some people have mild reactions and some people have severe reactions. Generally, after a day or two, most people will adapt, and some people with strong reactions may not be able to adapt. In severe cases, they must seek medical treatment or immediately retreat to low-altitude areas.
I had a high reaction experience before. The first time, in 2015, in Xinduqiao, the reaction was not strong, and it was fine after a night of sleep, and it never happened again. The second time, in 2016, in Hongyuan, the altitude was actually not high, only about 3,500 meters, but the reaction was very strong, and the headache was so severe that it was impossible to lie down, let alone sleep. The medicine didn't work at all. In the end, I couldn't bear to check out in the middle of the night and drove back to Chengdu.
With the previous lessons, I am actually afraid of the plateau in my heart. Although I have always yearned for this route, it has been delayed due to the fear of high altitudes. It was actually a challenge to muster up the courage again this time. Although I had made sufficient preparations in the early stage, I was still not sure that I would be able to survive this level. Anyway, I was ready to return at any time. In fact, during the whole trip, we basically did not have any strong anti-reactive symptoms, which is directly related to our adequate preparation.
Our preparations include starting to drink rhodiola every day two weeks before the trip, while strengthening physical fitness training to avoid colds. In addition, prepare Gaoyuanan, glucose solution, Danshen dripping pills and other temporary high-reaction drugs. Also, purchased 30 bottles of 1000mi portable oxygen tanks.
During this trip, there were no strong symptoms of high reaction, and the entire journey was completed smoothly. In summary, there are so many experiences in dealing with high reaction, and I would like to share with you here. (1): Drinking Rhodiola in advance is effective, and it is best to start half a month before travel. (2): Glucose solution has a significant effect on the acute symptoms of hyperreflexia. (3): Inhale oxygen at any time when you feel uncomfortable or have symptoms of hypoxia such as chest tightness, suffocation, and labored breathing, which is very helpful for relieving hyperreflexia symptoms. (4): Keep warm, wear more clothes as much as possible, don’t catch cold, and don’t take a bath, especially the place where you stay should have heating, and it’s better to inhale oxygen. (5): Avoid strenuous exercise, be calm, talk less, drink plenty of water, and don't eat too much. (6): Be strong mentally. High reaction is a normal physical reaction. As long as you are fully prepared and deal with it properly, you don’t need to be afraid. Of course, if the reaction is strong and cannot be relieved, you must seek medical treatment in time.
About road conditions and safe driving:
The condition of this line can be said to be very good, much better than in previous years, and the car runs no problem at all. There are still two sections of road that need to be cautious. One section is the S313 section from Langmusi to Diebu County. Due to road construction, the road condition is poor. One section is from Shangri-La Town, Sichuan Province to Benzilan Town, Yunnan Province, and attention should be paid to falling rocks on the mountain.
There is no problem with refueling along the way. It is recommended to choose regular gas stations in county towns or larger towns. It should be noted that many places in Tibetan areas need to check ID cards, driving licenses, and register vehicle information when refueling.
Cars will also respond to plateaus. The most direct manifestation is that the power becomes weaker. If the load is heavy, the symptoms will be more obvious. You must fully understand this when driving.
The topic of safe driving has been mentioned many times in previous travel notes. In addition to doing inspections and maintenance in advance, and preparing reflective failure signs, fire extinguishers, flashlights, spare keys and simple tools, the core point is to strictly abide by traffic regulations. This is The guarantee of safe driving. There are a few reminders to pay special attention to driving in plateau and mountainous areas. First, overtaking is absolutely prohibited on curves. Second, don't follow the car too closely, and don't let the car behind you get too close, especially on the uphill and downhill sections, or overtake you immediately, or pull over and let the car behind you pass you, otherwise slow down or speed up to increase the distance. Third, be sure to control the speed of the vehicle and give way to the livestock. If you hit the Tibetan cattle and sheep, even if there is no problem with your vehicle, it will be more troublesome to compensate.
journey
Day1 (2019, September, 24): 7.26, Beijing Fangshan Yidu departs (the odometer is cleared). On 10.58, we arrived at the Xuankong Temple in Hunyuan County, Shanxi (the odometer shows that it is 241 kilometers). At 12.45, go to Ying County Wooden Pagoda, have lunch on the way, and at 14.00, go to Daying County Wooden Pagoda (298 kilometers). On 15.24, go to Datong City, on 16.33, arrive in Datong City, and stay at Yungang Jianguo Hotel (372 kilometers). 18.30, Northern Wei family banquet, dinner.
Day2 (2019, September, 25): 10.10, - 13.15, Datong Park, Yungang Grottoes. 13.30, Fenglin Pavilion, lunch. 14.50-16.00, Huayan Temple, Nine Dragon Wall.
Day3 (2019, September, 26): On 7.18, depart for Hukou Waterfall of the Yellow River in Shaanxi (the odometer shows, 414 kilometers), and arrive at the Hukou Waterfall Scenic Spot of the Yellow River in Shaanxi on 15.07, and stay at Yunshang Waterfall Hotel (1067 kilometers). 18.20, dinner in the hotel.
Day4 (2019, September, 27): 6.50-8.30, Hukou Waterfall. On 9.20, depart for the Long March of the Red Army in Liupan Mountain, Guyuan, Ningxia. On 15.16, arrive at the Long March of the Red Army in Liupan Mountain (1620 kilometers). On 17.20, arrive in Longde County, Ningxia, and stay at the Longcheng Hotel (1630 kilometers). 18.10, old town hot pot, dinner.
Day5 (2019, September, 28): 7.58, depart for Labrang Monastery, Xiahe County, Gansu, and arrive at Xiahe Jinlun Hotel (2104 kilometers) at 13.40. 15.15 - 18.20, Labrang Monastery. At 18.40, dinner at Nobesio restaurant on the first floor of the hotel.
Day6 (2019, September, 29): 8.50 - 10.10, Zhanfotai, Shwedagon Pagoda. From 10.25 to 11.27, Sangke Wetland and Sangke Grassland (2114 kilometers). On 11.32, in the direction of cooperation, Luqu County, Daierzong Bridge, Fenshuiling Observation Deck, Gahai Lake, Caibao Mountain Observation Deck, on 14.46, enter the Sichuan Provincial border, on 14.58, arrive at Langmusi Town, and stay in Langmu, a secret place in Luqu Inn (2301 km).
Day7 (2019, September, 30): 8.28-10.30, Gerdi Temple, Namo Gorge. On 10.45, go to Diebu County, on 12.55, arrive at Zhayana Scenic Area, on 13.49, stay at Zhayana Original Ecological Hotel (2397 kilometers). 14.50, - 18.45, Zhayana Scenic Area, Yeri Village, Dari Village, Daiba Village (2408 kilometers).
Day8 (2019,10,1): 8.20, to Ruoergai Flower Lake Scenic Area, 11.36—14.40, Flower Lake Scenic Area (2526 kilometers). On 14.48, head towards Tangke Town, and on 16.20, arrive at Tangke Town and stay at Tangke Wangfu Hotel (2631 kilometers).
Day9 (2019,10,2): 5.30-8.40, the first bend of the Yellow River in Jiuqu. From 9.30 to 16.20, the hotel rests. 17.00——19.20, the first bend of the Jiuqu Yellow River. 20.00, dinner at the hotel.
Day10 (2019,10,3): 9.13-12.18, Tangke Town (2688 kilometers), Jiuhong Grassland Scenic Road, Vache Talin, Moon Bay, Hongyuan County Homeland Hotel (2775 kilometers). From 16.20 to 19.45, Hongyuan County and Xiaojun liver dinner.
Day11 (2019, 10, 4): 9, 25, —— 15.50, Jiuhong Grassland Scenic Road, Chazhen Liangzi Yangtze River Yellow River Watershed, Russian Yaotang Flower Sea, Shujingsi Town, Zhuokeji Tusi Guanzhai, Maerkang Jiarong Grand Hotel (2961 km).
Day12 (2019, October, 5): 9.13-14.17, Songgang Diaoqun, Dajinchuan River, Ariko Grassland, Changdu Temple, Dadu River, Jinchuan County, Jiaju Tibetan Village parking lot (3142 kilometers). 14.25——16.00, Jiaju Tibetan Village. On 16.56, stay at Zangxiangge Hotel in Danba County (3164 kilometers).
Day13 (2019,10,6): 8.45——13.05, China Panda Avenue, Yala Snow Mountain, Kangba Eye Observation Deck, Shanka Temple, Bamei Town (3251 kilometers). From 13.35 to 15.20, Moshi Park, Tagong Grassland, Muya Golden Pagoda, and Mandela Hotel in Tagong Grassland (3278 kilometers). 18.10, dinner at the hotel.
Day14 (2019,10,7): 9.38-14.25, Tagong Temple, Xinduqiao Photography Corridor, Xinduqiao Town, Xinduqiao Tibetan Xiangxue Hotel (3333 kilometers). 17.18——19.20, Gongga Snow Mountain Observation Deck. 19.50, dinner at the hotel.
Day15 (2019,10,8): 6.40-8.00, Xinduqiao Town. 9.50——19.20, Gaoer Temple Pass, Karenbu Village, Yajiang County, Hekou Town, Xianggezong Observation Deck, Jianziwan Mountain Tunnel, Xiong Zongka Observation Deck, Nima Gong Shenshan Observation Deck, Kazila Mountain . , Jinzhu Town (Daocheng County), Daocheng Sunshine Hot Spring Hotel (3712 kilometers). 20.20, dinner at the hotel.
Day16 (2019,10,9): 8.00-10.00, Daocheng County. 10.00—13.00, Banghe, Shugden Monastery. 13.30——16.40, Doge Langzhu, Zunsheng Tallinn, Erluo Village, Rewu Temple, Bogong Mountain, Chitu River Valley, Gongga Langjiha Temple, Zhongdui Village, Shangri-La Town, Gongjin Lianri Hotel (3826 kilometers ). 18.20-20.30, Shangri-La town, dinner.
Day17 (2019,10,10): 7.30-18.45, Aden Scenic Area. 18.55 - 20.00, Shangri-La Town, Laozhuang Junwang Soup Pot Dinner.
Day18 (2019,10,11): 9.06——16.13, Mula Township, Tibetan Township Autumn Scenery (Peninsula Village), River Valley Ranch Observation Deck, Rizhao Shenshan Observation Deck, Dalanggu Ranch Observation Deck, Colorful Forest View Taiwan, Dongwang River, Secong Village, Sechong Bridge, Maowu Tunnel, Dingqu River, Derong Dawang Hotel (4070 kilometers). 17,40——19.10, Derong County, dinner.
Day19 (2019, 10, 12): 8.50 - 12.20, Dingqu River, Jinsha River, Benzilan Town, Jinsha River Great Bend Scenic Area (4175 kilometers). From 12.27 to 15.46, Dongzhulin Temple, Wunongding Observation Deck, Feilai Temple Observation Deck, Meili Past Events Inn (4270 km).
Day20 (2019,10,13): 6.30-8.20, Feilai Temple Observation Deck, Rizhao Jinshan. 10.20——18.50, Baima Snow Mountain No. 1 Tunnel, Balagezong Scenic Area (Shangri-La Grand Canyon) (4400 kilometers). From 19.00 to 20.30, Manxin Boutique Hotel in Dukezong Ancient City (4481 km). 21.00——22.30, Dukezong Ancient City, Aoki Kitchen, dinner.
Day21 (2019,10,14): 8.11-9.50, Baiji Temple. 10.00——10.50, Dukezong Ancient City. 12.15——16.40, Haba Snow Mountain Observation Deck, Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area (4598 kilometers). From 16.45 to 19.00, arrive at Shuanglang and stay at the Ideal Life Inn (4768 kilometers). 19.26——21.06, Shuanglang, Southern Courtyard, dinner.
Day22 (2019,10,15): 7.20-12.00, double gallery. On 12.05, depart for Qujing, on 17.16, arrive in Qujing, check into Qujing Guanfang Hotel (5260 kilometers). 17,45, Yunnan people, dinner.
Day23 (2019,10,16): 8,45——10.00, Shengjingguan, the hometown of ancient ginkgo in the world (Panzhou). 10.00——15.30, Huangguoshu Tunnel, Guiyang West, Howard Johnson Tianyi Hotel, Guizhou (5642 kilometers). 18.00—19.30, Qianling Mountain Park. 20.00, Guailu Fan, dinner.
Day24 (2019,10,17): 6.30-12.48, Nanmudu Wujiang Bridge, Zunyi County, Meitan County, Wulong County, Pengshui County, Wujiang Gallery Scenic Area (6157 kilometers), 13.00-15.00, Wujiang Gallery. From 15.08 to 16.18, arrive at Gongtan Ancient Town and stay at Qianshan Inn (6201 kilometers). 17.00-20.00, Gongtan Ancient Town.
Day25 (2019,10,18): 6,50-8.20, Gongtan Ancient Town, 8.50-11.00, the intersection of Wujiang River and Apeng River, the thousand-year-old golden nanmu group (6224 kilometers). From 11.20 to 19.30, Baomao Expressway, Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway, Fuchang Yangtze River Highway Bridge, Jingzhou Cloud Hotel (6810 kilometers).
Day26 (2019,10,19): 8.48—14.40, Erguang Expressway, Han River, Liujiang Yellow River Bridge, Xinxiang Hetang Moonlight Hotel (7406 kilometers). 18.40, Braised mutton with Sichuan flavor and Yuqu Ge style, dinner.
Day27 (2019, 10, 20): 8.55-14.39, Xinxiang, Yuji border, Zhanghe super bridge, Jijing border, Zhangfang, Fangshan crossing (7986 kilometers).
route
Beijing Fangshan Crossing—Shanxi Hunyuan Xuankong Temple—Yingxian Sakyamuni Pagoda—Datong—Yungang Grottoes—Hukou Waterfall of the Yellow River in Jixian County, Shaanxi—Red Army Long March Scenic Spot in Liupan Mountain, Guyuan, Ningxia—Longde County— ——Labrang Monastery, Xiahe County, Gansu Province——Sangke Grassland——Gahai Lake——Langmusi Town, Sichuan Province——Zhayana, Diebu County, Gannan Province——Flower Lake, Ruoergai County, Sichuan Province——Tangke Town——Nine The First Bend of the Yellow River—Hongyuan County—Markang City—Jinchuan County—Jiaju Tibetan Village—Danba County—China Panda Avenue—Bamei Town—Tagong Grassland—Xindu Bridge— ——Yajiang County——Litang County——Daocheng County——Shangri-La Town (Yading)——Derong County——Benzilan Town, Deqin, Yunnan——Jinsha River Great Bend Scenic Spot——Mist Nongding——Feilai Temple ( Meili Snow Mountain) - Balagezong (Shangri-La Grand Canyon) - Dukezong Ancient City (Shangri-La City) - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Dali Shuanglang Town - Qujing - Guizhou Huangguoshu - Guiyang - Chongqing Pengshui County—Wujiang Gallery—Youyang Gongtan Ancient Town—Jingzhou—Xinxiang—Fangshan Yidu in Beijing.
Shangri-La Grand Canyon (Balagezong)
Meili Snow Mountain Feilai Temple Observation Deck after watching Rizhao Jinshan, at 10:20 in the morning, set off for Shangri-La Grand Canyon. At 1:15 pm, we arrived at the Shangri-La Grand Canyon. Tickets, 170 yuan (including 60 yuan for sightseeing tickets in the scenic area).
The area of Shangri-La in Yunnan is very wide. In addition to the Meili Snow Mountain National Park, there are Yila Grassland, Napa Sea, Songzanlin Temple, Pudacuo National Park, and Tiger Leaping Gorge. I feel that these scenic spots should be the best in spring, so we only chose Shangri-La Grand Canyon and Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Shangri-La Grand Canyon, also known as Balagezong, is located in Nixi Township in the northwest of Shangri-La, Yunnan Province, at the junction of Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet. It is connected to the Sun Valley in Derong County, Sichuan Province in the west, connected to the Birang Canyon in Gezan Township in the east, and adjacent to Deqin Meili Snow Mountain via Dongzhulin Temple and Baimang Snow Mountain in the north. The scenic spot consists of Shangri-La Grand Canyon, Biran Canyon, Bala Village, Bala Dayong Pagoda, Bala Zhuoma Lakang, Bandan Lamu Mountain, Gezong Snow Mountain, Shambhala Pagoda, Tongtian Gorge, Naidang Ranch and other major attractions.
Some scenic spots cannot be reached by private car in the scenic spot. If you want to play in detail, you can live in the scenic spot. Since the roads in the scenic spot are narrow and there are curves up and down the mountain, it should be forbidden to enter by car.
Balagezong is very mysterious, and it has only been known to outsiders in recent years. When it comes to Balagezong, one must know about Sina Dingzhu. This Tibetan man born in Libala Village in the Grand Canyon in the 1960s is known as the contemporary Yugong.
There was no road in Balagezong before, and it may take several days to walk out of the canyon. At the age of 13, Sina Dingzhu, who had not graduated from elementary school, took a bag of 25 kilograms of natural crystal stones excavated from the mountain and 35 yuan in his pocket, and walked out of the mountain, the Grand Canyon, and the Shangri-la. Afterwards, he went to Guangzhou alone, traveled all over the country, struggled in the business field, became more and more courageous, and finally accumulated tens of millions of assets.
Sina Dingzhu, who has accumulated a certain amount of wealth, did not covet ease and enjoyment, but cared about the mountains that raised him, and resolutely returned to his impoverished hometown. Using more than 10 years of hard work, he went through hardships, even at the expense of debts, to repair his hometown under the cliff A plateau canyon road with a width of 6.5 meters and a length of 60 kilometers allows this village of Bala, which has been closed for thousands of years, to shed its mysterious veil. prelude.
Accompanied by the video of Sina Dingzhu, the special car for the scenic spot circled up the clear river and drove to the depths of the mountains and valleys.
As the vehicle spins and climbs in the valley, the engine roars, and one hairpin bend after another connects into countless S-shaped patterns of various shapes. Although the driver is skilled enough, some sharp turns are still difficult to pass, and tourists can't help sweating their palms. At this time, I understood why the scenic spot is prohibited from entering by car, and why it took 10 years to repair the 60-kilometer road, and I am full of admiration for Sina Dingzhu.
The first scenic spot is Bala Zhuoma Lakang (Tibetan Culture Expo Center). Zhuoma Lakang is a Guanyin temple built by the chieftain Sna Dorje in Dayong Mansion more than 1300 years ago. Some Tara scripture halls were rebuilt on the basis of them.
The Amitabha statue is enshrined in the middle of the main hall on the first floor, and the 21 Tara Hall on the second floor. Tara is a family of goddesses who assist Guanyin Bodhisattva in saving sentient beings.
Zhuoma Lakang can actually be said to be the ashram of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, and Zhuoma Lakang also treasures many ancient scriptures.
The Baladayong Pagoda is just in front of Zhuoma Lakang. It is the place where the Dharma Guardian Mountain in Bala Village holds a Dharma meeting, and it is also the place where Bala people worship the sacred mountain.
The mountain of Bandan Lamu stands majestically like a lotus flower. Overlooking from the viewing platform, the sky road is circling and turning, and the scenery of the canyon is fully displayed.
The Shangri-La Grand Canyon has thousands of walls, and there was no way to enter it. In order to visit, a 2.5-kilometer-long suspended wooden plank road was built on the mountainside. The plank road is like a ribbon winding around the mountain, extending into the depths of the white clouds. Walking on it is like riding on the clouds, or walking on the clouds, and you will feel as if you are floating in the sky.
At the end of the suspended wooden plank road, there is a section of glass plank road, which is currently the glass path with the highest altitude and the largest drop in China. It is estimated that it will make people tremble and tremble. We were worried about our physical strength, so we didn't dare to try it.
Walking on the plank road on the mountainside, looking up from a distance, in the abyss of ten thousand feet, a stream is green and deep, winding and flowing, like a dragon rushing silently into the distance. The Shangri-La Grand Canyon has a total length of 154 kilometers. Unlike many common V-shaped canyons that are narrower and more open as they go up, the cliffs and valley bottoms on both sides of the Shangri-La Grand Canyon are U-shaped, and the rock walls are almost perpendicular to the valley bottom. Like a crack, deep and steep.
If you don't want to return from the original path of the boardwalk, it must be very exciting to try the zip line. Looking at the figures that slipped down from the two peaks one by one, I felt itchy in my heart. Although I still refuse to accept my old age, I don’t have enough confidence in my heart. After all, old people don’t rely on their muscles and bones. If I go back 10 years, I will definitely experience it without hesitation.
Bala Village, located at the foot of Gezong Snow Mountain, is a thousand-year-old village. Bala Tibetan means people who migrated from Batang. Bala Village has moved here since the Tang Dynasty and has a history of more than 1300 years. Because it is almost isolated from the outside world, the whole village is in a purely primitive and natural environment. Men farm and women weave, work at sunrise and rest at sunset. People graze in the white clouds, farm under the rainbow, and chant in the clouds, like a paradise. Existed for more than 1300 years.
The long-term closure has preserved the most primitive traditions, customs and culture. Due to poverty and backwardness, some families moved away one after another. After Sina Dingzhu built the road and unveiled the mystery of Balagezong, some villagers moved back one after another. Now Bala Village has long been a new residence, Manpo, with a new look.
Although the current Bala Village has lived a new life, they still use the oldest Tibetan dialect more than 1300 years ago. Their language is called the living fossil of the Kham Tibetan dialect.
There is a very unique custom in Bala Village that has been continued to this day, that is, no household keeps dogs. This is a rule handed down from the ancestors of the Bara people. There is no need to use dogs to guard the house, let alone guard cattle and sheep. Because all the people living here are relatives, and the doors are not locked, just to prevent the intrusion of wild animals and the random entry and exit of domestic animals. Everyone's heart is open like the door of the house. This kind of mutual honesty and trust is as pure and transparent as Buddhism. It has maintained the harmony and harmony of the whole village, and it has been growing continuously for more than 1300 years.
Biran Canyon is another canyon in the Balagezong Scenic Area. It leads eastward to Wengshui Village, Gezan Township. There are also plank roads on the mountainside extending deep into the canyon. Compared with the Shangri-La Canyon, here is less majestic and majestic, and more beautiful and quiet. The forest in the valley is verdant, the river water is like a clear spring, and there are patches of sand banks on the bank, which is like the scene in the story of Peach Blossom Spring. If you can go down to the water's edge, it will definitely be more pleasant.
If you are tired from walking on the plank road, you can choose this inflatable raft for the return trip. Floating, leisurely and leisurely, in the green water and high gorge, the life of the gods is nothing more than this.
At the entrance of the scenic spot, there is a 3,000-year-old linden tree, tall and strong, with luxuriant branches and leaves, covering the rocks like a peacock spreading its tail. No Bodhi tree, nor stand mirror. There is nothing, where is the dust. If you want your mind to be like a mirror, you must have no distractions. Tibetan Buddhism believes that the bodhi tree embodies all kinds of virtues and romances. It has the ability to make people realize their wishes and relieve their sins. It is also a kind of good fortune to be lucky enough to witness this millennium Bodhi.
It was almost 7:00 p.m. when we left the Balagezong Scenic Area. Since we booked a hotel in Dukezong Ancient City, we had to go to Dukezong Ancient City in the dark. This was the only time we walked at night during this trip.
Dukezong Ancient City
It was nearly 8:30 p.m. when we arrived at Manxinyunxiao Bieyuan outside the ancient city of Dukezong. We parked the car, checked in, and went into the ancient city to find a place for dinner.
Manxin Yunxiao Bieyuan is located outside the north gate of the ancient city. It is a Tibetan-style quadrangle residential building, which is warm, elegant, comfortable and natural.
Walk for 5 minutes to the north gate of the ancient city, and Sifang Street is not far from the north gate.
Accompanied by the bright moonlight, walking on the green stone road, the ancient city of Dukezong is quiet and comfortable, most of the shops are closed, there are few pedestrians on the street, and some restaurants and bars are still lively.
In a small street not far from Sifang Street, the business of Aoki Kitchen is booming, and there are still no empty seats at this time, so it must have a good reputation. I ordered a Nisi chicken, and it really lived up to my expectations, it was delicious.
In the morning, the courtyard is bathed in sunlight, and the Manxin Yunxiao Courtyard is more warm and quiet.
Along a small road next to the other courtyard, you can climb up to the Baiji Temple on the top of the mountain, and you can have a panoramic view of the entire city of Shangri-La.
Baiji Temple is located on the top of the hill behind the Dukezong ancient city in Shangri-La. It is a Tibetan temple built in the Yuan Dynasty. It was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and rebuilt after 2000. Baiji Temple has always been rich in incense, and now on the small road up the mountain, many local people can still be seen coming to the temple with pine and cypress branches in their hands, burning incense and praying in the mulberry furnace, praying for peace and happiness.
Baiji Temple is located in the center of Shangri-La, and is also the highest point of Shangri-La City, surrounded by downtown Shangri-La, Yila Grassland, Shangri-La Airport, Dukezong Ancient City.
From the Baiji Temple down the mountain to the ancient city of Dukezong, the most obvious signs of the ancient city are the Great Buddha Temple and the giant prayer wheel on Guishan.
The giant prayer wheel on Duke Zonggui Mountain is 21 meters high and weighs 60 tons. It is the largest and heaviest gold-plated pure copper prayer wheel in the world and has been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Known as the "City of Moonlight" and "City of Stone", Dukezong Ancient City is an ancient cultural city with a history of more than 1,300 years. However, the fire in 2014 dealt a devastating blow to the ancient city of Dukezong. More than two-thirds of the houses in the ancient city were completely burned down. The ancient city of Dukezong we see now was rebuilt after the fire, and the appearance of the ancient city has disappeared. Standing on Sifang Street today, we sincerely pray that such a tragedy will never happen again
pregnancy.
The lunch to bid farewell to Dukezong was ordinary and novel. The Yanjing Jiajia Noodles located at the intersection of Gezan Road and Xianghu Lane was very impressive. 20 yuan per person, 10 bowls of noodles in total, plus sweet, sour, spicy, salty marinade, with a few side dishes, you can eat a variety of noodles with different tastes, although the amount of each bowl is very small , but after eating 10 bowls, I was still a little bit full.
Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge
It is about 97 kilometers from downtown Shangri-La to the Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area. National Highway 214 circles in the mountains. As the Haba Snow Mountain becomes clearer and clearer, the Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area is not far away.
Tiger Leaping Gorge is famous for its grandeur and steepness, and has always been a paradise for hikers. When the Jinsha River flows through the junction of Shangri-La City and Lijiang City, the river rushing thousands of miles suddenly encounters two mountains, Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Tiger Leaping Gorge is 17 kilometers long, the main peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the south bank is 5596 meters above sea level, and Haba Snow Mountain on the north bank is 5396 meters above sea level. The river in the middle is only 30-60 meters wide. The altitude of the upper gorge is 1800 meters, the altitude of the lower gorge is 1630 meters, and the difference between the mountains and rivers on both sides is 2500-3000 meters. From these data, it can be seen that Tiger Leaping Gorge is deep, steep and has a huge drop, so the water in Tiger Leaping Gorge is turbulent. Roaring and roaring is also very natural.
The Jinsha River is the boundary between Shangri-La and Lijiang. Both cities have the Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic spot. They are actually the same canyon, but the location of the view is different.
Tiger Leaping Gorge is divided into three sections. From Shangri-La to Lijiang, there are upper tiger jump, middle tiger jump and lower tiger leap. Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Spot in Shangri-La is actually Shanghu Leaping, which is the lowest difficulty factor among the three sections, the safest section, and the section with the most tourists. The middle tiger jump and the lower tiger jump are both hiking routes, and few ordinary tourists go there.
Buy tickets at the tourist center (45 yuan per person) to enter the scenic spot, and drive for about a quarter of an hour to arrive at Shanghu Leaping.
At the entrance of the scenic spot on the side of the road, you can only see the towering mountains in front of you, and you can't see the shadow of the canyon and river. To see the real face of Tiger Leaping Gorge, one needs to go down step by step along the trail built along the canyon wall, and it takes about ten to twenty minutes to reach the bottom of the valley. As the roar of the water at the bottom of the valley became louder and louder, the Jinsha River was looming.
Going down to the bottom of the valley, on the viewing platform, a statue of a stone tiger stands in front of you. The stone tiger raised its head and looked sideways, opened its bloody mouth, and roared to the sky. The whole tiger stood tall and looked down at the opposite bank, as if it was going to jump high and jump over the canyon.
In the middle of the valley, the Jinsha River comes surging and rushing, and then leaves quietly.
Due to the attack of the two snow mountains of Haba and Yulong, the surface of the Jinsha River narrowed suddenly, and the narrowest point was only more than 30 meters.
The sudden narrowing of the river surface, coupled with the blockage of huge rocks in the river, makes the river tumbling like a boiling pot. The water mist on the surface of the river, the turbulent waves crashing on the shore, the tumbling water, and the roaring roar can be heard endlessly. This is the spectacle of Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is said that tigers on the shore can jump to the opposite bank with the help of boulders in the river, hence the name Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Tiger Leaping Gorge is high, deep and narrow, with a cliff above its head and a torrent at its feet, where you can see a crack in the sky and a dragon in the river. Due to the collapse of the faults of the mountain rocks, coupled with the steep hillsides on both sides, the rocks stand upright, the rocks are weathered, and the huge rocks collapse and fall to the bottom of the valley, forming a forest of reefs in the river, dense undercurrents, and countless dangerous shoals, forming an infinite and magnificent landscape of Tiger Leaping Gorge.
On the other side of the canyon, the mountains are steeper, and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain can be seen faintly. I hope to have the opportunity to enjoy the majestic scenery of Tiger Leaping Gorge from the side of Lijiang in the future.
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