Yunnan Travel Part 4: Imperfect Shangri-la?

6th Day, we woke up at 7am. Today we have to go 'buy' health supplements. The local tour guide says for every 100 yuan we buy he will get 3 yuan. We were introduced to spirulina called 'Lan Zhao' in China. Our tour mates bought over 2000 Yuan worth of Spirulian which is rather cheap.

Our next journey begins. We move on heading to Shangri-la formerly known as Zhongdian. Another trecherous travel along the trunk roads for about 3-4 hours in our ever reliable bus. On the way, we stopped by at what is known as the 'First Bend of Chang Jiang River'. As the name implies, this is the first bend of the longest river in Asia.

Short stop at the bend.

Around 11am, we arrived at another natural scenic spot namely, Hu Tiao Xia (Tiger Leaping Gorge). It has a drop of 3000m believe to be deepest in the world. We have walked all together 5.2km to visit this place. The walkway are just beside the cliff and no one will save you if you fell into the river..hehe.

Another bend, we will be there.

It is reachable from opposite on a more dangerous path.

As close as you can get. Gotta be there to feel the might.

As we pass through the mountainous pass towards Shangri-la, the sea level in this plain has risen to about 3300m. Most of the area are surround by green fields. The idea of Shangri-la is to let your mind wander and dream what is your perfect heaven on Earth. Actually, "Shangri-la" is a Tibetan word, which means "land of sacredness and peace."

All there is just fields and grass. More beautiful during the summer.

A few more steps to Songzanlin Lamasery.

Looking at Deqen town from afar.

Napa grassland, supposedly. Again more beautiful in summer.

Lonely horse grazing in the field.

At night, we took up the offer of joining the Yi and Zhuang ethnic people for their folk song, dancing and drinkng. Incidently, 2 of girls performing are among the most beautiful of the 10 Zhuang Family in the town. However, marriage is not cheap here. A cow cost 8000 yuan and the bride's gown is as much as 10 0000 yuan according to the guide...hehe.

Dancing and drinking the night away.


Final part ahead..