CHINA - Yunnan - Zhongdian (香格里拉县)

Yunnan is considered the most varied of all China´s provinces. From rainforest's to snow-capped Tibetan peaks, there´s a spectacular changing in the scenery of this big part of China.

Crossing the border with Sichuan, Zhongdian is the first stop in Yunnan province. Principally a Tibetan town (Gyeltan in Tibetan language). Also named Shangri-la, has a interesting old town, where is really nice wander around. Nice temples to see, and so friendly people to meet...

Lonely planet say´s that zhongdian is the last stop in Yunnan for more hardly travellers looking at a rough five or six days journey to Chengdu via the Tibetan townships and rugged terrain of western Sichuan.

Why not in the opposite way?

Also an amazing journey...


香格里拉县

zhongdian - nov 2006

I which I could translate all this scriptures, made by a old man in a temple of zhongdian, in demand to the pilgrims desires.

香格里拉县

zhongdian - nov 2006

In the centre of the city, overlooking the old town district, there´s a great monastery. The big point of it is the big wheal, always spinning because of the movements of the pilgrims, who go there to pray.

香格里拉县

zhongdian - Songzanlin - nov 2006

In the north of the town, in Songzanlin, there´s the Ganden Sumtseling Gompa, a 300-year-old Tibetan monastery complex with around 600 monks. A very nice atmosphere around this temple, with very friendly monks, and really nice views.

香格里拉县

zhongdian - nov 2006

Buda.

香格里拉县

zhongdian - nov 2006

Inside the temple, all the attentions to Buda in long ceremonies!

香格里拉县

zhongdian - nov 2006

The candles!

Songzanlin.

香格里拉县

zhongdian - nov 2006

Monks outside the temple.

香格里拉县

zhongdian - nov 2006

Like a break in the Buddhist ceremonies, the younger monks run out the temple.

香格里拉县

zhongdian - nov 2006

Some Tibetan monks, in Ganden Sumtseling Gompa, interrupt the Buddhist ceremonies to come out and take rice to the others, who stayed inside the temple.

香格里拉县

zhongdian - nov 2006

People of zhongdian. Nice ladies in nice landscapes, nice smiles, nice musicians, the look of a boy holding a Dalai Lama picture, mother and children.

香格里拉县

zhongdian - nov 2006

Napa Hai (Napa Lake), 7 km northwest of Zhongdian, surrounded by a large grass meadow. At this time of the year, it was completely dry, being used as a feeding place of yaks. yaks excrement's, are collected, then dried, to be used as fuel in fireplace.

香格里拉县

monks festival - litang - nov 2006

After a very bad night in Litang, because of the altitude sickness, and saved by local teas, of local nice Tibetan ladies, someone unexpected toke us to this marvelous mountains, where the monks festival was taking place. When arrive there, I just forgot the disease and start looking for every place around me. It was amazing! And I think the photos can tell it!

理塘

monks festival - litang - nov 2006

Inside a big tent, almost 600 monks praying, and the younger also playing, in a very different atmosphere. I felt privileged in being there in that moment!

理塘