Use 72 hours to find the sun and moon in your heart in Shangri-La

The night fog is lifting,
The tall and luxuriant cypress forest looks fairy-like,
There is still a little cloud and mist hanging on the snow-capped mountains in the distance, and the stars are blinking in the mountains...

I sat on the steps of the wooden house, looked at my watch, it was two o'clock in the morning,
The thin air made me feel a little dazed. I thought I might still be in a dream, or I might have entered a painting by mistake.
On the 56th hour after arriving in Shangri-La, I finally came to this pure snowy paradise. I knew that the road was not easy, and the sonorous sound of "A Dim Fire Glows in the Fire Pond" was once again recalled in my mind.

Back to a week ago...

The color of the ashtray brought back from Africa was somewhat mottled. He lay quietly in the corner of the desk, surrounded by hills of cigarette butts, rubbed his hands that were red from ice, lit another cigarette, and yawned endlessly. Stop, without thinking, fingers just tap the keyboard reflexively. I am used to the pain of sleep deprivation, but such a boring and disorienting daily life will slowly drain your enthusiasm for life. . .

This desk has listened to too much of my ideals and complaints, and it’s already annoying me. Maybe it’s time for a different way of life, at least an escape from the city, to a place completely isolated from reality, only snow-capped mountains and temples and a place of pure starry sky.
Go pick up that long-cherished wish for many years, and go to Shambhala in my heart. Even if I lie under the snow-capped mountains, watching the wind on the plateau kissing the white clouds, and letting the dappled sunlight shine on my body, I will still feel that what life brings to me is still beautiful. Bigger than decadent.

What is tougher than the snow mountain is always the human heart

Finally made up my mind to go to Diqing, there are not many holidays, plus weekends, only four days,

Excluding the round-trip transportation, the pure play is only 72 hours, and Diqing Prefecture, where Shangri-La is located, is so big.
Balagezong, Shika Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Pudacuo, Songzanlin Temple, Baishuitai, Meili Snow Mountain, Shudu Lake, Tacheng... I can read it silently in my heart without reading the guide 20 places that have been on my mind for a long time! ! !
Undoubtedly, Diqing Prefecture is a land of treasures, and the most underestimated jewel in this pile of treasures is undoubtedly the Balagezong.
Mencius said: "Heaven and earth have great beauty without saying it",
Balagezong hides the great beauty of Shangri-La, but is less humane, just like the hardworking and simple villagers of Bala Village. The reason is all because of the road.
You must know that Balagezong is located at the junction of Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet. It is the core area of the Hongshan area of the world natural heritage of "Three Parallel Rivers". Surrounded by mountains, it is difficult for outsiders to enter. There is a Tibetan village named Bala village. This place has not been found on the map for many years, because there is no road, the city of Shangri-La can only be walked, and it will take 5 days at the fastest.

Bala Village hidden among the mountains has ushered in a new look because of the road access

Originally, I would never have any contact with the people of Bala Village in the mountains in my life, but by chance, I met a special villager of Bala Village on the CCTV program "Long Reader". Flickering a Dim Fire" is like his unique personality charm, lighting up the whole Balagezong.
The first time Sina Dingzhu walked out of the snow-capped valley was when he was 9 years old when he was hit in the left eye by a red-hot iron bar and was taken to the county by his father to see a doctor. After walking for 5 full days, I arrived at Zhongdian County (now Shangri-La City). However, due to the prolonged delay, Sina Dingzhu was almost blind in his left eye. But that was also the first time he saw the world beyond the mountains.

Colorful lights, cars running around on the ground, electric steel mills, shops selling butter tea... The world outside the village shocked Sina Dingzhu deeply, and gave him the idea to change the poverty of his hometown. dream.
These dreams took root in Sina Dingzhu's heart. At the age of 13, he walked out of Bala Village without hesitation with 35 yuan raised by his father, and began to venture out. From Shangri-La to Kunming, and then from Kunming to Guangzhou, taking advantage of the reform and opening up, relying on honest and pragmatic way of doing things, Sina Dingzhu accumulated tens of millions of assets and opened the first hardware and machinery sales department in Diqing Prefecture and hot pot restaurants.
However, the impoverished and closed Bala village is declining day by day. 62, 48, 31, 25... There were originally more than 60 households in Bala Village, but only 14 households remained. This touched Sina Dingzhu's heart. He always remembers his childhood dream, "Let the people in the village live the same life as the people outside the mountain."
He made up his mind to build a road for Bala villagers to get out of the mountain.

However, when he returned to his hometown and expressed his intention to build roads for Bala Village, he encountered strong opposition from his family and villagers. Some people sneered, thinking that building roads on the cliffs was a fantasy and a daydream; some people thought that he wanted to sell the Grand Canyon for hydropower development, and some people refused because the road construction would occupy their own land. One angry villager even spit in his face.
"Everything is difficult, there are too many difficulties." Recalling the situation of road construction at that time, Sina Dingzhu was full of emotion. The villagers disagreed, so they could only communicate repeatedly. "I wiped my saliva and continued. Those who occupied everyone's land, including the crops and cash crops on the ground, were all compensated. Fortunately, the villagers understood later."

However, the construction of the 35-kilometer "Guangbi Tianlu" connecting the four surrounding Tibetan villages can be completed with the consent of the villagers. Looking at the cliffs, the designers and engineering teams invited by Sina Dingzhu were helpless. They turned around and left without even asking the price of the road construction. At first, Sina Dingzhu had no choice but to personally lead people to survey the terrain and design the construction route. For two years, he lived and slept, and planned and designed 43 sharp turns on the highway.
Even greater difficulties are yet to come. It will cost a lot to build roads on the cliff, and the tens of millions of Sina Dingzhu will soon be used up. In order to guarantee the investment, Sina Dingzhu disregarded the objections of his family, sold the restaurants and hardware stores he had been in business for many years, mortgaged the houses and cars, went to all the banks and credit companies, and borrowed all the relatives and friends, just for the completion of the project. The road leading to the outside world from Bala Village.
In September 2004, with a loud explosion, the winding mountain road from National Highway 214 to Bala Village was officially started.
On January 1, 2008, the persistent Sina Dingzhu finally carved out this "heavenly road" on the mountainside and in the ravines, just like the silver "hata" in the mountains.

The road has been repaired, but for Siding Nazhu, he still has a heavy burden. The road needs to be maintained, and a lot of money is needed every year. In the same year, he registered Balagezong Ecological Tourism Development Co., Ltd. Slowly, the construction of the scenic spot was gradually on the right track, and it became a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, and it is expected to become an AAAAA-level tourist attraction this year.
Originally, he had a choice to make money faster. Someone had been offering a high price to ask Sting Nazhu to develop the mineral resources of Balagezong and build a hydropower station, but he resolutely refused. In his heart, the sacred plants, trees, mountains and rivers of Balagezong will never be allowed to be polluted or destroyed.

After reading the story of Sina Dingzhu in "Long Reader", I had the idea that I must come to Balagezong to take a look at this celestial road, and I went to the resort to express my insignificant respect with tickets.

How to Get to Balagozon

Balagezong is located in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, 80 kilometers north of the famous ancient city of Dukezong.

There is an airport in Diqing Prefecture. Currently, the cities with direct flights include Kunming, Lhasa, Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing and Shanghai. The following is the flight information table collected on the Internet. Because I am in Chongqing, I can go there in 1.5 hours. During the off-season in winter The air ticket is only more than 300, and it is very convenient to go to Balagezong. It is easy to switch between city life and snow-capped mountains and plateaus.

In 2020, the high-speed rail and expressway from Lijiang to Shangri-La will be connected (estimated to take 1.5 hours), tourists will have more transportation options, after all, the air ticket to Lijiang is much cheaper, and at that time, with Driven by traffic, this treasure land of Diqing Prefecture will definitely become a leader in China's tourism rankings.

After arriving in Diqing on the first day, if it is too late, you can stay in the ancient city of Dukezong for one night and have fun, and then go to the Balagezong scenic spot the next day.
Directions to Balagodzong:
⭐️①The ancient city bus route: Take a bus from Shangri-La to the Balagezong Scenic Area. Tourists can go to the Balagezong Scenic Spot Inquiry Point in the Moonlight Square of the Dukezong Ancient City or the Balagezong Inquiry Point at the North Gate of the Dukezong Ancient City for detailed inquiries. And you can take the Balagezong special line here to the reception center of the scenic spot.
In summer it is between 8:30-17:00-17:30, in winter it is between 9:00-17:00-17:30, and the drive takes about one and a half hours.
⭐️②Self-driving route: From Shangri-La to Deqin along National Highway 214, go to the three-fork intersection of Shangqiaotou in Nixi Township (over the Gangqu River Bridge), turn right into the scenic road, and go 17 kilometers to the tourists in Balagezong Scenic Area reception center.

What are the highlights of Balagezong, and how to arrange it?

To be honest, although Balagezong is currently only a AAAA-level scenic spot (it is likely to be upgraded to 5A next year), it is larger than many AAAAA-level scenic spots and has more abundant scenery, including snow-capped mountains, canyons, glaciers, rivers, plateau lakes, primitive The forest is integrated, and there are more Tibetan cultural landscapes such as the holy hometown of Bala Village, Dayong Pagoda, Bala Zhuoma Lakang, etc.

⭐️If you are traveling in general, you can plan a day trip.
Depart from the ancient city in the morning, and then take the sightseeing bus in the scenic spot to visit the essence of scenic spots [Millennium Bodhi]--[Dayong Pagoda]--[Balazhuoma Lakang]--[Bala Village]--[Shambhala Buddha Tower]--[Echo Wall] The scenic spot on the first line, after the tour, take the shuttle bus at 5:30 pm to leave.
⭐️If you want to go deeper, you can spend three days and 72 hours for a deeper exploration like us. After all, we are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, and this pure snowy paradise makes us nostalgic.
The same day tour on the first day, you can choose to stay in several well-equipped hotels in the scenic area at night (I will introduce it to you later).
On the second day, start from [Bala Village] and hike to [Naidang Ranch] (8KM), live in a cabin at the foot of the snow-capped mountains, and experience the vast starry sky and sunrise.
On the third day, return from [Nidang Ranch], go to [Shangri-La Grand Canyon] to visit, and then return to [Dukezong Ancient City] by car.

⭐️About tickets: The total ticket price for Balagezong Scenic Area is 170 yuan (110 yuan ticket + 60 yuan sightseeing fare).
Shangri-La Grand Canyon Rafting and Whispering Wall Zipline require an additional fee (not required). The on-site ticket is 120 yuan. If you buy it online, there are many discounts, only 90 yuan, available on various platforms.
If you want to go to the Shambhala Pagoda, you need to take a special sightseeing car, because the journey is one hour longer than the regular route, and you need to pay an additional fee, 75 yuan per person.

The picture above is the location distribution map of the scenic spot, and the location of the smiling face below is the entrance of the scenic spot.
⭐️The white solid line is the road, from the gate of the scenic spot to the deepest Shambhala Pagoda, self-driving cars or sightseeing cars in the scenic spot can pass (after buying tickets by self-driving cars, there is no additional charge for the vehicle, you need to sign a security at the door protocol).
⭐️The yellow solid line is a walking sightseeing plank road. There are two in the scenic area, one is at the [Echo Wall] near [Bala Village], and the end point is the glass plank road with the highest altitude and the highest drop in China. search. The other is the [Shangri-La Grand Canyon] at the foot of the mountain, 2.5 kilometers away, and you can take a kayak on the return trip.
⭐️The yellow dotted line is a challenging hiking route. There are two routes in total, one long and one short. Our three-day itinerary only reached the first stop of the short route [Naidang Ranch]. If you are physically fit, you can continue to explore.

⭐️Some hiking information for reference:
1. The one-way journey from Huahaitang to Shambhala Pagoda is 7 kilometers;
2. The one-way journey from Huahaitang to Guisuwang is 6.5 kilometers;
3. Guisuwang to Naidang Ranch is 7.5 kilometers one way;
4. The one-way journey from Guisuwang to Dayong Pagoda is 5 kilometers;
5. The one-way journey from Naidang Ranch to Bala Village is 8 kilometers;
6. The one-way journey from Naidang Ranch to Dayong Pagoda is 4.5 kilometers;
7. The one-way journey from Shambhala Pagoda to Guisuwang is 9 kilometers;
8. It is 8 kilometers from Naidang Ranch to Tseringcuo.
⭐️Charging standards for auxiliary facilities:
1. The guide fee is 300 yuan per day;
2. The horse fee is 500 yuan per day;
3. The porter fee is 400 yuan per day;
4. The environmental sanitation management fee is 50 yuan per person per day (this fee can be used to enjoy the cooking utensils, tableware and quilts placed in the warehouse, even if they are not used, they will be charged at the standard of 50 yuan per person per day);

Use 72 hours to find the sun and moon in your heart in Shangri-La

⭐️DAY1: Use the wheels to feel the heavenly road of Balagezong

One of the important purposes of this trip to Balagezong is to feel the cloud road built by Sina Dingzhu for the people of Bala Village, so on the first day, we will follow the sightseeing car in the scenic spot along this stupid road The road goes all the way up to the end of the Shambhala Pagoda.

[Dukezong Ancient City]--80 minutes by car--[Millennium Bodhi]--25 minutes by car--[Dayong Pagoda]--1 minute by walk--[Balazhuoma Lakang]--5 minutes by car --[Bala Village]--35 minutes by car--[Shambhala Pagoda]--35 minutes by car--[Echo Wall]

The first stop after entering the scenic area is the thousand-year-old Bodhi tree. At first glance, it looks like a raging fire on the cliff, and it looks like a phoenix about to spread its wings. In Buddhist classics, the Bodhi tree is the most Sacred, not to mention this 3,000-year-old Bodhi tree. Therefore, in the eyes of Bala villagers, this is the sacred tree bestowed by God on Balagezong.
Ordinary Bodhi stands alone, with branches and leaves extending in all directions, but this Bodhi tree stands against the mountain, the whole branch seems to be clinging to the cliff, and all the branches and leaves are spread out in the whole half. On the cliff! Just like the villagers of Bala Village who are not afraid of hardships and dangers, trying to survive on the cliff.

Perhaps it was the deeds of Sina Dingzhu who built roads for the villagers that moved the heavens. A few years ago, this thousand-year-old bodhi tree stretched out a left hand to the hard cliff in just one night, as if, Inspiring something.

Baladara Pagoda & Bala Droma Lakhang

Getting on the bus from the Millennium Bodhi, we continued along the rugged and circling sky road, and in about 20 minutes we came to the second stop of the trip, the Bala Dalong Pagoda. The Dalong Pagoda is composed of 8 holy white pagodas. The group of pagodas enshrines the most representative ones of Tibetan Buddhism: "Buddha Sakyamuni, Master Padmasambhava, Longevity Buddha, Four-Armed Avalokitesvara, Manjusri Bodhisattva, Yellow God of Wealth, Zunsheng Buddha Mother, White Tara", The construction of eight pagodas represents the auspiciousness of the eight treasures of Tibet, which bestows good weather and prosperity to the Bala people.

Behind the Pagoda is the Tibetan Cultural Experience Center - Bala Zhuoma Lakang. Zhuoma Lakang is a Guanyin temple built by the chieftain Sina Dorje after Da Yong's mansion more than 1300 years ago. Therefore, the original 21 Tara scripture hall was rebuilt to introduce the gods and Buddhas in Tibetan culture to tourists.

Looking up along the solemn pagoda, at the top of the valley, we can already see the first peak of Shangri-La - Gezong Mountain, shining brightly in the sun.

The eight pagodas are also extremely holy at this moment. The towers hold the clouds and look down on the three thousand worlds. A little spiritual light, across time and space, turns into an image in the mirror;

Climbing up the steps along the pagoda, you will come to the Tibetan Cultural Experience Center - Bala Zhuoma Lakang, "Bala" is the name of the place, "Dolma" is translated as "Tara", and "Lakang" is translated as the scriptures Dolma Lakang is also the largest Tara Sutra hall in Tibetan area at present, it is rebuilt on the original Tara Sutra hall. In order for everyone to better understand Tibetan Buddhism, we must first introduce to you an important and important belief in Tibetan Buddhism - Tara.

There are 21 Tara in total, and they are called "Zhuoma Niejiu" in Tibetan.
According to legend, Avalokitesvara once made an oath to Amitabha Buddha to save all living beings in the world, so Avalokitesvara came to the world and spent his whole life to save the world. But one day, the Bodhisattva used his wisdom eyes to observe the six realms, and found that the suffering beings had not diminished. He was suddenly sad, and shed tears. The tears fell and turned into lotus flowers. Green Tara emerged from the lotus flowers, and said to the Bodhisattva: : "Please don't be discouraged, I will be your friend in the cause of benefiting all sentient beings, and save countless sentient beings."
At this time, along with the mantra of Vairocana Buddha, twenty-one-degree mothers of different colors appeared from the lotus, and they all made oaths to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, expressing that they would assist Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in the great cause of saving sentient beings.
Therefore, the twenty-one Tara assisted Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva to save countless beings every day, and made immeasurable merits, which made her more famous.

In the belief system of Tibetan Buddhism, Tara has the widest spread. Almost every household will make offerings to Tara, and a simple ceremony will be held every day to worship Tara. Every morning and evening, the family gathers together to chant "Salvation Twenty-one Praises to the Mother of Buddha”, and every summer, the Tibetans will go out with their families to set up camps in the valleys full of flowers and hold large-scale activities of worshiping Tara. At this time, women and children go up the mountain to pick wild flowers to decorate the holy Altar, singing and cheering in unison, to thank Tara for her kindness.

In the hall of Drolma Lakang, the well-known Maitreya Buddha and 21 Tara are enshrined, as well as various classics preached by collectors

All wooden structure, extraordinarily magnificent

The second floor is the 21 Tara Hall, which is called "Dolma Niejiu" in Tibetan. It is a Bodhisattva who liberates and saves suffering beings. It is said that it is the dojo of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and Tibetans always believe that praying devoutly in front of Tara will respond to every request.

When you walk into Zhuoma Lakang, you will find that there are no lamas inside, only a middle-aged celestial master chanting scriptures silently. But every year, Bala people invite eminent monks and practitioners to come here for ritual activities.
And that celestial master was a well-known local hunter king before he became a celestial master. The prey he hunted could fill a large warehouse. When listening to the tour guide, he felt the tour guide's admiration. Although he is the hunter king, he was worried that hunting too much would affect his next life, so he gave up his life as a hunter and became a guardian celestial master in Zhuoma Lakang to eliminate karma for his next life.

Bala Village

Balagezong is Tibetan, which means "the place where gods live". The snow-capped mountains under the white clouds are looming, and the rushing Gangqu River surrounds the canyon like a green belt.
The Bala villagers who migrated from the Batang area of Sichuan have lived in this "Xanadu"-like place for generations.
For more than 1300 years, the people of Bala Village have lived a life of men farming and women weaving, working at sunrise and resting at sunset, self-sufficient. The people of Bala Village are blessed by the sacred mountain, and they are also infinitely devout to the sacred mountain.
There may be a lack of materials here, but there is never a lack of faith!

Faith changed the fate of Bala Village. In order to connect his isolated hometown with the world, Sina Dingzhu, a native of Kham, used his stubbornness to pursue the miracle of his hometown. Between the cliffs of the canyon, it took 10 years, with a total length of 35 kilometers, 99 hairpin bends, and 108 turns, connecting the holy land and the mortal world, and connecting the fate of the villagers.

Without Sina Dingzhu's selfless dedication, there would be no "Shangri-La Xiaojiangnan" Balagezong today. In today's Bala Village, the whole village has participated in the construction of Balagezong's scenic spot. All the people have been lifted out of poverty and become prosperous together, which has become the most perfect ending of this legendary story.

In the future, the Balagezong Scenic Area will get better and better. With the upgrade of the 5A scenic area and the opening of the high-speed rail, more and more people will know about this secret place in the snow-capped mountains.

The current Bala Village is also ready to open to tourists from all over the world. All the old houses have been renovated, and hotels, restaurants and folk museums are also open in the village. They are not contracted to outsiders, and all of them are Sina Dingzhu and villagers. The result of our joint efforts, the quality and management are surprisingly good.

If you want to know the living environment of the people in Bala Village in the past, you can also come to the Folklore Museum to sit down, have a sip of hot buttered tea, and taste a piece of sweet highland barley cake.

In this old house with a history of more than 1300 years, taste the hand-made butter tea, which is full of milk flavor and taste of history. Outside the window is the majestic snow-capped mountains. between.

The terrace on the third floor of the Folklore Museum is a good place to watch the Gezong Snow Mountain. Lower the camera to take nice group photos.

There are also many cute kittens in the village. They are docile and not afraid of people. Those who love cats can bring their own dried fish

After visiting Bala Village, it’s almost time for lunch. There are two dining places in the village. If you want convenience, you can go to the snack bar in Bala Village. If you want to taste Tibetan delicacies, you can come to Bala Village Tibetan style. Featured restaurants, both restaurants are located in the sightseeing car parking lot, very conspicuous and easy to find.

The per capita consumption of the Tibetan-style specialty restaurant in Bala Village is about 60-100. Here you can taste Sichuan-style Cantonese-style yak meat, Tibetan-flavored pig, Tibetan chicken and other specialties. To be honest, the taste really far exceeds the What we expected, despite being in the remote village of Bala, the chef was quite professional.

The stir-fried pork made from Tibetan pigs is super delicious, and the meat is very delicate. The ingredients here are the villagers' self-sufficiency and free-range livestock raised all over the mountains and plains.

Braised Tibetan chicken, I still can’t forget the soft and glutinous taste that melts in the mouth, because of these delicacies, I will definitely come back to Balagezong again

In addition to meat, you can also eat fresh vegetables here, which are made in Cantonese style, and you will be satisfied.

In this cold winter, this big table of fragrant delicacies will really make people feel like they are at home.

Shambhala Stupa

After we had a full stomach, we continued to go up the mountain to the Shambhala Pagoda. At this time, the altitude had reached 4,200 meters. There was a viewing platform to watch the Gezong Snow Mountain. From a distance, it seemed to be at the same level as the Snow Mountain. , if at sunset, with a little sunset glow, it must be a good place to shoot a blockbuster.

The car went around the 99th hairpin turn, and we finally came to the Shambhala Pagoda

Shambhala Pagoda is located in the northeast of Gezong Snow Mountain. The natural pyramid-shaped peak stands majestically under the sky covered with white snow. Next to it are two mountains, "Lama Squatting Statue" and "Scripture Statue". The three treasures of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are the Tianbian Pagoda predicted by the Buddha Sakyamuni after he became a Buddha.

Legend has it that the lama who led Rencheng Lamu to find heaven finally practiced here and became an immortal, turned into a pagoda and a mountain, and finally separated from heaven, and continued to guard the pure land leading to heaven and the Shambhala people living here. This is also the most distant dream and miracle in the hearts of Tibetans.

At the foot of the Shambhala Pagoda is the Gezongtang Ranch. Every time it snows, there is a snowfield here. We came at a bad time. The old snow has melted, and the new snow has not yet come, so we miss a piece of northern scenery.
From the foot of the mountain at an altitude of more than 2,000 to the top of the mountain at an altitude of more than 4,000, Balagezong perfectly interprets the climate change from the south of the Yangtze River to the northeast.

At the foot of the natural pagoda are 39 mani heaps, which are closer to the sky, and all prayers about faith will surely arrive faster

Whispering gallery

The Shambhala Pagoda is the highest point and the focus of this trip. After taking advantage of the sunshine, we returned to Bala Village. Before sunset, we still have time to visit a scenic spot, which is built on the cliff. Echo Wall, a long and narrow plank road embedded on the steep cliff like a dragon soaring under the snow mountain.

Different from the lush forests of other sacred mountains, the vegetation here is sparse and the walls stand thousands of feet high. Coupled with the naturally formed mountain depressions, as long as you shout loudly at this unique cliff, the sound waves will be reflected back by the stone wall, and there will be layers of continuous waves. Echoed in the ears.

If you haven’t been tortured by the thin oxygen on the plateau, then just go and sing all the way. This powerful natural 3D surround sound will definitely make you popular on Douyin.

If there is something unhappy, shout at it, the sky is big enough, the canyon is deep enough to accommodate all grievances and unhappiness, and the breeze in the valley, the crisp birdsong will make people feel happy soon Feel good and happy.

There are two viewing platforms along the Echo Wall. The first one overlooks the Shangri-La Grand Canyon. The winding Gangqu River is like a jade belt in the mountains, which is particularly beautiful.

Going forward, some changes began to appear on the monotonous plank road. If you are brave enough, you can challenge the fence road. Although it is only a surprise, if there is a girl you like, this is a great opportunity to hold a mobile phone.

At the end of the Whispering Wall is the glass path with the highest altitude and the highest drop in the country. I have seen so many Internet celebrity glass path, this one is the hardest one. Lying on it to watch the snow-capped mountains, the clouds and mist drifting by under the feet, this feel is absolutely great .

The glass mirror perfectly reflects the appearance of the snow-capped mountains, but at the moment the sun is lacking. In Balagezong, everything is so beautiful that it is not so real.

There is no need to go back on the return journey. If you are brave enough, you can experience the high-altitude zipline in Balaguezong. The total length of the cableway is 425 meters, with a drop of 800 meters, and it only takes 45 seconds to slide from the starting point to the end point. In the joy of near-misses, you can shout under the snow-capped mountains to your heart's content, and the echo wall will make your voice echo throughout the valley.
Of course, those who are timid can only walk back along the plank road obediently with me.

At night, experience the hospitality of Bala Village

Coming out of the echo wall, the sun gradually hid behind the mountain. We took the last sightseeing bus to the [Tibetan-style Ecological Hotel] at the entrance of the scenic spot. This is the room we stayed in tonight. It is booked at 290 yuan/ Night.

The room is about 4-star level, with comfortable latex mattresses, carpets throughout the house, and humidifiers. This is something I never expected. With the development of the motherland and the efforts of the people in Bala Village, the valley at the junction of the three provinces also has Such a great place to stay.

And I also learned later that this is not the best condition in Balagezong. There are two five-star hotels in Bala Village, namely [Snow Mountain Pilgrimage Yangxin Manor] and [Snow Mountain Bingquan Health Manor]. Family trips that can satisfy a more generous budget will be introduced later.

For dinner, we also had dinner in the restaurant of [Tibetan Ecological Hotel], and tasted several other traditional Tibetan delicacies, such as Shangri-La dried beef, pork knuckle of Tibetan fragrant pig, and stewed chicken with bacon. The standard of a star hotel, I didn't expect that not only the eyes will enjoy the pleasure in this plateau snowy area, but even the tongue will have a vacation by the way.

This bowl of stewed chicken with bacon is the most delicious bowl of chicken soup I have had in years.

After the meal, we also signed up to participate in the Tibetan home visit, barley wine and buttered tea, and the passionate song and dance performance by Tashi Zhuoma from Bala Village.

They are all familiar faces. During the tour during the day, they are drivers, tour guides, and staff at the ticket office. At night, they present us with the most enthusiastic Tibetan customs and thank us for our support from afar.

After the singing and dancing in the first half, a bonfire will be lit in the square in the second half, and the Tibetan-style cauldron with the participation of all people reverberates enthusiastically in the valley.

Today and tomorrow are the time for the implementation of our planned hiking routes. There are several hiking routes in Balagezong. We chose a Bala village that is not too far away, less intense, and has a good scenery——Naidang The ranch, the whole journey is 8 kilometers, with an altitude difference of 600 meters. The going uphill accounted for 70%, and it took about 4 hours. I stayed at Naidang Ranch at night, and returned the next day, with 10% of the uphill, about It takes 2 hours.
The scenery of this route is good, and it is suitable for urban white-collar workers who are of average physical strength but want to get in touch with the snow-capped mountains and stars. Believe me, when you challenge the limit, surpass yourself, and finally come to the snow-capped mountains, you will definitely fall in love with this route. Pure world.

⭐️DAY2: Measure the magnificence of the snow-covered plateau with your feet

After arriving at Naidang Ranch, if you have good physical strength, you can also take the Middle Ring Road and the Great Ring Road. The following are some hiking information for reference:
1. The one-way journey from Huahaitang to Shambhala Pagoda is 7 kilometers;
2. The one-way journey from Huahaitang to Guisuwang is 6.5 kilometers;
3. Guisuwang to Naidang Ranch is 7.5 kilometers one way;
4. The one-way journey from Guisuwang to Dayong Pagoda is 5 kilometers;
5. The one-way journey from Naidang Ranch to Bala Village is 8 kilometers;
6. The one-way journey from Naidang Ranch to Dayong Pagoda is 4.5 kilometers;
7. The one-way journey from Shambhala Pagoda to Guisuwang is 9 kilometers;
8. It is 8 kilometers from Naidang Ranch to Tseringcuo.

In order to reduce the difficulty of hiking, the scenic spot also provides the following auxiliary facilities
⭐️Charging standards for auxiliary facilities:
1. The guide fee is 300 yuan/day;
2. Horse fee 500 yuan/day;
3. The environmental sanitation management fee is 50 yuan per person per day (this fee can be used to enjoy the cooking utensils, tableware and quilts placed in the warehouse, even if they are not used, they will be charged at the standard of 50 yuan per person per day);

After a good night's rest, we have accumulated enough physical strength to prepare for today's mountaineering challenge. Because we will stay in the cabin of the Naidang Ranch tonight, we hired two Tibetan masters and brought two mules. With our food, sleeping bags and photographic equipment, we went up the mountain first and waited for us.

Then our group of six can travel lightly and enjoy the scenery better

Although it has entered December, the warm climate at the foot of the mountain makes the yellow leaves of the spruce trees still pretty, which made our hike a perfect start, so we walked on this golden path towards The snow mountain marches.

This road is also the route for Tibetans to go to the holy mountain to worship. With the increase of altitude, the plants began to become scarce, and we gradually began to lose our breath. We put away our cameras, closed our mouths, and began to enjoy getting along with the snow-capped mountains. lonely time. For people in Tibet, it is related to their beliefs, they will go around the mountain every once in a while, and measure the stalwart of the holy mountain with their feet.
And for every ordinary one of us, even non-Buddhists, the peace of mind at this moment fascinates us deeply.

We walk from the foot of the sacred mountain along the path that countless pious people have stepped on for thousands of years, and we will also have a feeling of being immersed in history
And when we have gone through all the hard work and stood at a higher level of scenery, the sense of happiness and satisfaction in our hearts is even more indescribable.

The beautiful scenery along the way makes us temporarily forget the turmoil of the outside world, let go of our drowsy heads, and use our eyes to record the beauty of the journey. This kind of travel is profound. After all, we will only have it when we are sweating profusely. memory.

Four hours were long or short, and I walked silently to the pasture, at the foot of the snow-capped mountains, and my heart became calmer at this time

The closer you are to Gezong Shenshan, the more you can appreciate its stalwart. In 4 hours, it seems to jump from the world to heaven. I am deeply fascinated by this beautiful and independent beauty.

This is the cabin we will live in tonight, surrounded by snow-capped mountains above 5,000 meters above sea level, the Naidang Ranch is like a natural viewing platform that can take in the surrounding scenery.

The weather was getting cloudier, the wind was getting stronger, and the temperature almost dropped to minus 15 degrees. We hid in the wooden house, and with the help of the guide, a group of people tossed about dinner tonight.
Because the temperature is too low, in order to save the battery power to take pictures of the starry sky at night, we also hide the camera in the bag and never dare to take it out again.

The ingredients were all packed and brought up from the restaurant at the foot of the mountain. After heating, the taste still remained unchanged, and even tasted better in such an environment. The wind outside still remained unabated. We hid in our sleeping bags early one by one, and started to eat. The long-lost sleeping meeting.

Chatting about travel and life, I fell asleep one by one without knowing it. At two o’clock in the middle of the night, my alarm clock rang, I got up and wrapped up all my clothes, pushed open the wooden door, and found that there was a heavy snowfall, and The sky was also clear at this time, and the sky was full of twinkling stars.

⭐️DAY3: Sunshine on the way home

Thinking about the beauty of Rizhao Jinshan, I couldn’t sleep well after watching the starry sky. I woke up at 7 o’clock in a daze. When I came out, the golden light of the sun happened to dye the top of the snow-capped mountain. Everything seemed to be destined , the starry sky under the snow-capped mountains, the sunrise is staged for me in turn, it is really, really beautiful

In the early morning, Gezong Shenshan is as clear and clean as if it has just been washed by dew. In the face of these magnificent snow-covered mountains, human vocabulary and language seem pale and powerless.

When I came back from watching the sunrise, the fire from last night was still there, and I poured into the warm wooden house. I couldn't help shivering, and I was a little hungry. The potatoes baked last night were just for me to replenish my energy.

Immediately afterwards, everyone got up, and we officially started breakfast. The steaming bread and milk also attracted snow-capped macaques

There is a cypress forest behind our wooden house, and this is their habitat. When they smelled the scent, they climbed up to our roof and peeped through the gap. As soon as we came out, a gust of wind ran into the woods to hide, and then slowly peeped at us. movement.

In the end, the monkey tricked the tiger away from the mountain. A hidden monkey sneaked in and ate our steamed buns while we were not in the house.

We had breakfast, and the mules also started to eat breakfast. It was getting late, and we packed up our things and prepared to go down the mountain

But looking at such a beautiful snow mountain, I really don't want to leave

The snow last night paved the way back. It is said that the auspicious snow is a sign of a good year. Maybe in 2020, I will have a greater harvest after worshiping the holy mountain.

Shangri-La Grand Canyon

Magnificent snow-covered scenery, towering snow-capped peaks, magnificent natural creation, and open plateau pastures, there are not only these in Balagezong, but there is also a place in the south of the Yangtze River, in the Shangri-La Grand Canyon, flanked by Guilin's landscape-like karst peaks and valleys are full of vitality. I heard from the tour guide along the way that in spring, there are alpine rhododendrons in full bloom, which are even more colorful, warm and bright.

From the main peak at an altitude of 5,545 meters to the valley at an altitude of 2,000 meters, the drop is as high as 3,545 meters. The upper part is the cold ice and snow climate, and the lower part is the warm south of the Yangtze River. In one day, it seems that four seasons have passed. This 3D three-dimensional climate model gives We brought a shocking viewing experience, which is the first time in China.

Under the feet is the rushing Gangqu River, and above the head is a steep cliff that goes up almost vertically. This 2.5km walking plank road is so brisk.

The green Gangqu River is transformed by snow-capped mountains and ice springs

At the end of the plank road is a resort for collectors. There are countless mani stacks on the river beach.

Like the Whispering Wall, there is no need to turn back on the return trip. There are kayak rafting activities. Now, look carefully at the 2.5 kilometers you have just walked. The top of the cliff is a blue sky with white clouds floating. Precipitous, strange, quiet and heart-pounding. On the cliff, between the large and large stones, small shrubs and clumps of delicate wild flowers are growing tenaciously. Even the dark stones are covered with various mosses. In this picturesque scenery, the long river drifted to the end unconsciously.

Going ashore from the kayak, I didn't get any water on my body. In winter, the weather is cold, and the upstream controls the flow rate to make everything smooth. In summer, the snow melts more, and this kind of rafting will add a lot of adventure fun.

Balagozon Hotel Introduction

In addition to rich tourism resources and profound cultural heritage, Balagezong also has the largest group of scenic hotels in Shangri-La. In addition to the [Tibetan-style Ecological Hotel] with 277 rooms that we have stayed in before, there is also a super five-star holiday manor [Snow Mountain Bingquan Health Manor] and a high-end five-star luxury ecological hotel [Snow Mountain Pilgrimage Yangxin Manor] 】.
If you are a backpacker, you can also experience the affordable [Shuizhuang Hotel] or the homestay [Love Valley Hotel].
The entire Balagezong Scenic Area has more than 760 rooms with more than 1,200 beds, which can fully meet the needs of large tourist groups and vacationers.

The super five-star [Snow Mountain Bingquan Health Manor] is the residence of Sna Dorje, the ancestor of Bala. The chieftain manor, which symbolizes nobility and mystery, has unveiled its mystery to the world after 1300 years of dust.
The Tusi manor is built according to the mountain, rising gradually from the gentle slopes and low flat terraces, surrounded by mountains on three sides, you can see the green forest through the window, and enjoy the snow-capped mountains when you go out, it is quiet and quiet.
Dayong Tusi Manor is divided into two buildings, A and B, with a total of 24 rooms, including 4 viewing standard rooms, 16 viewing suites, and 4 presidential suites. boutique estate.

The hotel has a variety of packages on the Internet, from the pick-up and drop-off at Shangri-La Airport to various recreational facilities in the scenic area. After check-in, you will enjoy the dedicated butler service and arrange various VIP-level tours in the scenic area. You don’t have to worry about it at all, just enjoy it with your family This snow mountain sanctuary.

Building A of [Snow Mountain Bingquan Health Manor] is a quadrangle courtyard composed of 4 viewing standard rooms, 16 viewing suites, and a presidential suite. The sun shines down from the patio, making it extraordinarily bright.

View standard room

Bathroom in viewing room

The hardware facilities of the viewing suite are not inferior to any five-star hotel in Tibetan areas. This is the living room

View Suite Master Bedroom

View suite bathroom

View suite terrace

The most luxurious and luxurious is the presidential suite

The living room of the Presidential Suite

Presidential Suite Living Room 2

The Study Room of the Presidential Suite

Presidential Suite Master Bedroom

Bathroom in the presidential suite

And in Building B of [Xueshan Bingquan Health Manor], it is mainly composed of some two-bedroom suites, which are suitable for family trips with children or parents.

Master bedroom in family suite

Second bedroom in family suite

In addition to the rooms, [Snow Mountain Bingquan Health Manor] also has Tibetan cafes and restaurants

After we came down from Naidang Ranch, we had lunch at the hot pot restaurant of [Snow Mountain Bingquan Health Manor]. After being exhausted, we really need a steaming hot pot to restore our vitality.

The ingredients are still different from ordinary hot pot restaurants. There are yak meat and alpine sheep here, and the meat quality is more suitable for hot pot.

[Snow Mountain Pilgrimage Yangxin Manor] is another super five-star boutique holiday manor in Balagezong. It is located in Bala Village at an altitude of nearly 2900M. It is far away from noise and noise. The air here is extremely fresh. Snow, canyons, white pagodas... are picturesque, making people intoxicated by the beauty of the Balagu village.

The 10 magnificent and solemn manors face the highest peak of Shangri-La - Gezong Snow Mountain, and face the opposite [Snow Mountain Bingquan Health Manor] across the forest. [Snow Mountain Pilgrimage Yangxin Manor] has a total of 98 rooms, including 36 deluxe suites and 62 deluxe single/standard rooms.

Master bedroom in luxury parent-child studio

The bathroom in the luxurious parent-child single room, you can see the snow-capped mountains even in the shower

Living room in luxury suite

Master bedroom in luxury suite

Second bedroom in luxury suite

The last night of staying in Dukezong Ancient City

At 5:00 p.m., we left from Balagezong and drove all the way back to the ancient city of Dukezong. At this time, just as the lights were on, the prayer wheels on Guishan Park were shining brightly, showing us that this is a place on the snowy plateau. Buddhist paradise.
The ancient city of Dukezong was indeed built according to the ideal country of Shambhala in the Buddhist scriptures. It rises on the mountain, and the road surface is undulating under the moonlight. It is paved with old stones that have been around for a long time. It can be clearly perceived that until now, there are still deep horseshoe marks on the stone road, which are the tokens left by the caravans to time. It's like a long ballad sung from more than a thousand years ago, and then it has to be sung in the infinite years.

Dukezong means "City of Moonlight" in Tibetan. Since it is the City of Moonlight, it would be better to visit at night, and the most beautiful thing in the whole ancient city is the Guishan Park. Shangri-La in early winter, because of the It is slightly warmer with sunshine, and at night it drops to minus 3 to 7 degrees Celsius. Under the faint light, the mountains are green with pines and cypresses, and the deciduous trees and shrubs are only left with brown or gray bare poles and branches.

When we came to the Moonlight Square in front of Guishan Park, there were no tourists. There was an entrance next to the incense burner, which led to the climbing steps in the middle. There were two stone lions squatting on both sides of the steps. Shanmen is a triple gate with four pillars and three rooms, above the main entrance is written "Guishan Park"

At this time, there were not many people turning the scriptures, and we did not see the scene of everyone turning the big prayer wheel (the auspicious victory building) with their joint efforts. Looking down from the mountain, the night seems to be sinking, and even the surrounding mountains are covered by more than half. This is a subtle, quiet beauty like ink painting, not ostentatious, not impetuous, and a little mysterious.

The ancient city of Dukezong is also the best place to stay when traveling in Diqingzhou. There are public transportation to various scenic spots and the largest number of hotels and restaurants. There are also many choices. Many of them are Tibetan-style hotels. We are in Duke When Zong stayed at the only hotel with floor heating in the entire ancient city, [Zunshang Zangyun Manor], the hotel has its own parking lot, which is directly accessible by car at the entrance of the east gate of the ancient city.

The lobby of [Zunshang Zangyun Manor] is very beautiful. I chose this place because of the photos from this angle on the Internet. It can be seen that the boss has spent a lot of effort on it. The layers of wood carvings are all it's money

The room has floor heating, humidifier, jacuzzi, smart toilet and other facilities to improve the living experience, which is very good

conclusion

City life has brought convenience and job opportunities to people, but it has also accumulated too much negative energy in your heart. Are you like me, who have long wanted to plunge into the embrace of nature? Then, an open Diqing Prefecture, A convenient Diqing Prefecture, a Diqing Prefecture that can go back and forth within 72 hours, has already opened its arms for you.
Come on, find the strength that can inspire you in the snow mountain state, and never compromise with life like Sina Dingzhu.