where the sun first shines
Jiantang in the East
The most extraordinary place in the world
It is Shangri-La by the Naizi River
——Hilton's novel "Lost Horizon"
Shangri-La,
Tibetan means "the sun and the moon in the heart",
Legend has it that the sky here is the closest to heaven,
Legend has it that this is where dreams begin.
The soul is free here,
You can also get the most beautiful blessings here,
It is a place where dreams come true.
May Day 2019,
Working People's Day
In order to fulfill the unfulfilled wish of the year before last,
18th wedding anniversary again,
Started a beautiful Shangri-La double trip with my wife
A bird's-eye view of the holy snow-capped mountains from the plane
The sacred city of Takezon
Sifang Street full of shops
The NO1 prayer wheel in the world
Shudu Lake
The majestic Jinsha River Bay
Yak and White Horse Snow Mountain, the world and heaven are on the same horizon
Sunshine Jinshan, the ever-changing Meili Snow Mountain
Shika Snow Mountain with an altitude of 4,500
The itinerary is as follows:
Day1 (April 28) 15:40-17:30 CZ8129 flight from Chongqing to Shangri-La (China Southern Airlines point exchange); stay at Deyaxuan near Dukezong City; dinner near Baozangju, night tour of Guishan Park.
day2 (April 29) In the morning at Pudacuo National Park, at noon Cangyang Mujiang Tibetan-scented pig-themed restaurant, in the afternoon via Jinsha River Dawan, Baima Snow Mountain to Deqin Feilai Temple, and overnight at Meili Eye Viewing Hotel, Taste the Sichuan cuisine next to the hotel.
day3 (April 30) Mingyong Glacier in the morning, Feilai Temple Sichuan Restaurant at noon, Deqin-Benzilan Town-Garze Waka Town in the afternoon, eat and live in Yunshu Viewing Villa.
Day4 (May 1st) In the morning from Waka Town to Shika Snow Mountain, climb the mountain, in the afternoon Duke Zongcheng, Thangka Painting Academy, dinner in Sichuan Hotel in the ancient city, stay at Qianmo Boutique Inn.
On day4 (May 2) in the morning, downtown Shangri-La, Dukezong City, and the Red Army Museum, China Southern Airlines CZ8130 returns to Chongqing at 6:00 p.m.
Eat: Not a problem, but don't get your hopes up. We mainly serve yak hot pot, Tibetan pork barbecue with Sichuan cuisine, and the best drink is freshly made buttered tea.
Shopping: You can buy yak jerky (the best dry food and snacks when going to scenic spots), various cheeses and dairy products for special products. Ethnic handicrafts, leather carving is recommended.
Accommodation: There are many characteristic, good service, and cost-effective homestays in Dukezong City. The hotel in Feilai Temple is the best place to view the Meili Snow Mountain. The altitude of Benzilan Town and Waka Town is relatively low. In Shangri-La and Deqin In the meantime, many homestays are next to the Jinsha River.
Travel: Rent a car and drive by yourself throughout the journey, free and easy.
Tips: Because the average altitude of the Shangri-La area is 3,500 meters and the sunshine is strong, three defenses must be taken. It is normal to have headaches and shortness of breath when you first go to the plateau. Avoid strenuous exercise and excessive fatigue. Second, to protect against the cold, Shangri-La "has no four seasons in a year, but one day has four seasons", and the temperature difference between day and night is large. It is best to bring a jacket to resist cold and rain. Three anti-sun, the plateau ultraviolet rays are strong, bring sunscreen and skin clothing.
first day:
special day
special place
special trip
It is said that the sky of Shangri-La is the closest to heaven
From the pure and quiet sky
Overlooking the yearning Shangri-La
When the landing is approaching, the airflow will have a greater impact, so grab the handrails and fasten your seat belts
Seeing the tranquility of the sky here, the touch of deep blue and floating white in the sky can immediately soothe the tired soul
The airport is 5 kilometers away from the urban area, with an altitude of 3280 meters, the second highest altitude airport in China. The airport is small, clean and well-organized, and the layout of ethnic elements is very distinctive. Wukong car rental is at the exit of the airport, which is very convenient and fast. I rented a Buick Encore, a small SUV. The car was new and in good condition, and the car was in the airport parking lot. Good service and only spent 400 yuan for 3 days.
Deyaxuan is the name of the inn. It is next to Sifang Street and surrounded by similar inns. This inn is like a courtyard house with a small garden in the middle and parking is available.
Our room is on the second floor, which is simple and warm, and the surrounding mountains can be seen from the window. Although the environment of the inn is comfortable and the food is easy to eat, on the first day, I still had a slight high reaction. I woke up with a headache in the early morning and slept until dawn after catching a cold.
Take a short rest in the room, it is almost time for meal and the plateau is cooler, so I decided to have dinner right away. Go out and walk in the direction of Takezong City, and find that there is a treasure house. I ordered the cured pork ribs hot pot set, the cured pork ribs are fragrant and the soup is delicious, especially the hot side dishes are refreshing.
It is also served with highland barley cakes and freshly made buttered tea. The buttered tea is salty, rich and silky, so delicious that two people drank a large pot.
After leaning on the wall and coming out, although it was still dark, the lights of roadside shops, restaurants, and temples on the mountain were gradually turning on.
The ancient city of Dukezong is the best-preserved and largest Tibetan settlement in China, and it is the hub of the ancient tea-horse road with a history of more than 1,300 years. In 2014, the ancient city suffered a catastrophe. The fire swallowed more than 100 houses. Most of the streets are now rebuilt.
The ancient city covered by colorful lights is extremely colorful and brilliant, and it is full of warmth on the chilly night in April.
Looking up at Guishan Park and the Great Buddha Temple from the small square
Climbing up the steps from Moonlight Square, you will come to Guishan Park, which was built in the Kangxi period.
On one side of the Great Buddha Temple is the largest prayer wheel in the world. The entire prayer wheel is about 5 stories high and weighs 16 tons. The body is made of pure copper and gold-plated. On the upper end of the inner wall of the inner wall are embossed engravings of Manjusri, Samantabhadra, Avalokitesvara, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattvas. The Eight Treasures of Buddhism.
More than a dozen people are required to turn the drum at the same time. Each round of rotation is equivalent to silently reciting the Buddha's name 1.24 million times. After three rounds, you can eliminate disasters and pray for good luck.
Guishan Park is the commanding height of the ancient city, where you can overlook the whole county. The golden prayer wheel nearby, the ancient city with bright lights in the distance, and the dark mountains in the distance. Everyone was excited to take pictures with their mobile phones.
The next day: After waking up naturally in the morning, after a simple breakfast in the hotel, we set off for Pudacuo. Pudacuo is only more than 20 kilometers away from the city, and it takes 30 minutes to drive there. This is a Tibetan village on the road, and the yak skulls used for sacrifices are lined up, reminiscent of the raging bonfires and cheerful dances in festivals.
Pudacuo is above 4,000 meters above sea level, and now only one scenic spot is open—Shudu Lake. The rain stopped and stopped that day, and the weather was relatively cold, so the jacket came in handy.
Shudu Lake, with its vast expanse of blue waves, seems to have fallen from the sky, embedded in the dense jungle. Surrounded by high mountains and jungles, there is a pond in the middle, which is full of water and is clear and flawless.
Large expanses of light pink forests and emerald green pines and cypresses play off each other on the rolling hills. I am in you, and you are in me, just like a soaked watercolor painting
Walking along the plank road by the lake, you can have a panoramic view of the lake and mountains. Groups of yaks and horses are grazing leisurely on the grassland by the lake. They enjoy the fresh air and lush grass.
Tired from walking, I just sat down quietly by the lake, looking at the black mountains surrounded by clouds and mist, the lake water is crystal clear, dead trees stand or fall in the water, so indifferent, so quiet and beautiful.
There are many little squirrels in the forest. They sometimes happily jump up and down the trees, and sometimes they walk through the plank road and the forest. They are common to tourists and enjoy the food we feed contentedly.
After returning to the urban area, I chose this Cangyang Mujiang Tibetan-flavored pig-themed restaurant near the passenger station. The restaurant is not big, on the second floor, the decoration has national characteristics, the dishes are good, and the service is better.
This set meal is a bit interesting. The inner layer is a soup pot and the outer layer is a barbecue, which meets everyone's various needs. In addition, the store's secret seasoning makes the ingredients layered. Highland potatoes are highly recommended. This is the first time I have seen potatoes with purple cores. This kind of potatoes is not only good-looking but also delicious.
After dinner, drive along National Highway 214 to Meili Snow Mountain. There is only one place to stop on the way, which is located in Dawan of Jinsha River at the junction of Yunnan and Sichuan. The original plan was to stop, rest, and look at the bay, and did not plan to enter the scenic spot. But the ideal is very full, and the reality is very skinny. If you don't spend 30 yuan for the ticket, you really can't see Dawan. It's rare to see such a carefully designed scenic spot.
The scenic spot is really small, with only two platforms, big and small. Walk down 30 meters from the large platform to a small platform closer to the river, and you can take pictures of the Jinsha River Bay from different angles along the way.
Crossing the mountains and crossing the Jinsha River, it seems that I want to relieve the fatigue of the long-distance travel first, so I slow down and draw a "U"-shaped bend around the pyramid-like Ricone Peak.
Overlooking the panorama from the top of the mountain, people can't help but marvel at the magic of nature when they feel refreshed and soul-stirring!
On this road leading to the holy mountain, I had just encountered the Jinsha River, and met the White Horse Snow Mountain for the first time. The Baima Snow Mountain pass at an altitude of 4,000 meters is the only snow mountain we crossed in this self-driving tour. When we drove from far to near and were in it, we were quite excited and kept stopping to take pictures.
Blue sky, white clouds, snow mountains and cows.
After more than 3 hours of driving, we came to Feilai Temple in Deqin. There are hotels and B&Bs beside the national road of Feilai Temple, and I chose Meili Eye Viewing Hotel. As the name of the store suggests, this is really a good place to view Meili Snow Mountain. Looking around, Meili Snow Mountain is right in front of you, as if you can touch it.
What's more valuable is that the store took the initiative to upgrade the room with the best location. You can see the beautiful scenery of Rizhao Jinshan from the balcony or even lying on the bed.
The climate on the plateau is changeable, and the weather forecast for this trip is mostly cloudy and rainy. I am worried that I will not be able to see the true face of the Meiligeli Snow Mountain. Of course, I hope to see the coveted Rizhao Golden Mountain. According to the introduction of the chef in the store, some people have not been able to see them after living here for a week. Fortunately the next morning the rain stopped and the sun came out. We were so excited that we danced like children, frantically took pictures and videos with our mobile phones, and then sent them to Moments on WeChat.
Although the clouds and mist after the rain are like a white khata dancing with the wind, it has cast a faint veil on Meili Snow Mountain, but it is difficult to conceal its majestic and majestic appearance.
Meili Snow Mountain, the word "Meili" means "medicine mountain" in Deqin Tibetan, and it is named for its rich variety of precious medicinal materials. Among them, there are thirteen peaks with an average altitude of over 6,000 meters, known as the "Thirteen Peaks of Prince Edward". The main peak, Kawagebo, is 6,740 meters above sea level, the highest in Yunnan. It is still the "virgin peak" that humans have not conquered, and it is also the only peak that is forbidden to climb due to cultural protection.
Meili Snow Mountain is a sacred mountain, and it is also known as the four sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism together with Gang Rinpoche in Tibet, Animaqing Mountain in Qinghai, and Gaduojuewo in Qinghai.
Next, we went straight to Mingyong Glacier with this excitement in mind. Meili Snow Mountain, advance with you.
So I dropped from an altitude of more than 3,000 meters to more than 2,000 meters. The road winds among the mountains, from the top of the mountain to the valley. This time I met the Lancang River for the first time. (I thought it was the Jinsha River at the time)
The starting point of Mingyong Glacier, Mingyong Village in the valley.
Turn the prayer wheel and go up the mountain again. Here I met a pregnant staff member. She turns three times a day, three times at a time.
You will climb up the steps along the plank road in the scenic area. The road is good. Don't look at the high-spirited start, but climbing is very exhausting.
The azaleas in the mountains are especially enchanting.
All the way along the plank road and all the way through the prayer flags, this is the belief in the hearts of Tibetans. I met an old Tibetan couple who turned around the mountain by chance. The man retired from a bank in Shangri-La, and turning around the mountain has become a part of their lives.
Mingyong Glacier is one of the longest glaciers under Kawagebo Peak. It is also the lowest and longest modern glacier in Yunnan. The ice and snow on the top of the mountain do not melt all year round. Its ice tongue can extend from 5,500 meters above sea level to 2,800 meters above sea level, like a dragon with silver scales and jade armor, extending from the high snow peak to the foot of the mountain, heading straight for the Lancang River, only 800 meters away from the Lancang River. .
Don't think that glaciers are all white, and there are glaciers that have turned black, like a layer of frost sprinkled on coal.
This is the highest point of our glacier trip. Due to physical reasons, we failed to reach the top of the plank road, nor did we reach the Prince's Temple. According to the old man who turned to the mountain, the Taizi Temple is full of incense all the year round, and there is an endless stream of people who turn to the scriptures. There is only one lama in the temple.
After leaving Mingyong Glacier, return to Feilai Temple to eat Sichuan cuisine, and then send postcards to Deqin County. In the afternoon, return from the original road of National Highway 214 and choose to live in Ganziwaka Town next to the Jinsha River. The main reasons for choosing this place are as follows: First, the original plan was to go to Balagezong on the third day, which is only a 40-minute drive from here to Balagezong. Unfortunately, Balagezong was holding a concert and didn't want to join in the fun, so he changed the itinerary. The second is that the altitude here is low, which is good for sleep and rest. The third is to have close contact with the Jinsha River.
This Acun Yunshu in Waka Town is a very good homestay. You can see the surging Jinsha River through the window, and Benzilan, an important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, is on the other side. The town is quiet and peaceful, the small courtyard is warm and clean, the owner is warm and hospitable, the fish is delicious and fragrant, and the sleep is fragrant and memorable.
Shika Snow Mountain is the highest scenic spot of this trip, and it is also the snow mountain closest to Shangri-La, and it is also the only scenic spot in Diqing with a cable car. Shika means a mountain with red deer in Tibetan, and the deer also means auspiciousness and longevity, exorcising evil and righteousness. Therefore, there is a Wishing Avenue at the highest peak.
Snow mountain photographed from the ropeway
The cableway up the mountain is divided into two sections. First, you will arrive at a high mountain grassland. It is raining lightly and surrounded by clouds and mist. Yaks are grazing leisurely, and occasionally raise their heads and moo twice.
When we reached the top of the mountain, the rain had turned into snow, which was wrapped in the wind and scattered in all directions. People already feel cold, and their breathing is a bit cramped. Although there is no blue sky and white clouds, and we cannot overlook the mountains, we are still excited and happy to play with the snow.
In the end, we climbed to the highest peak of 4,500 meters along the snow-covered plank road. We waved our hands and left a beautiful memorial in front of the stone marking the highest peak.
In the evening, I chose Qianmo Boutique Inn. The location of the hotel is good, next to the old city, 5 to 10 minutes away from Sifang Street, Guishan Park, etc. It is convenient to go in and out to eat around, and there is a parking lot for self-driving, which is better than the few B&Bs nearby. Although the room is not air-conditioned, it is heated by oil heating. The breakfast is also good, and the more enthusiastic one is the boss from Xinyang, Henan, who provides free pick-up and drop-off to the airport. Both are born in the 70s and have common topics.
Square Street
Thangka Museum
Mineral raw materials for painting Thangka.
On the fifth day, Shangri-La city tour.
The big stage has performances at fixed times.
Century-old houses in the city
The Ancient Tea Horse Road Museum is closed.
Leather carving art with quite national characteristics
bag bought for wedding anniversary
Red Army Long March Memorial Hall on the side of Sun Moonlight Square
The airport departure hall on the return trip is also full of Tibetan cultural elements
We're just passing by,
Want to really understand Shangri-La,
It has to be felt with sincerity.
I think,
The real Shangri-La is not Diqing,
It's not Yunnan either.
It is not unique to China,
She has become the embodiment of an ideal life,
exist in the hearts of all.