RV China Border Tour Day129-131: Crossing the Yunnan-Tibet Line, Shangri-La Dukezong Ancient City

Last time I mentioned: Crossing the most dangerous Sichuan-Tibet line ...

Today we travel from Mangkang, Tibet to Deqin, Yunnan. Mangkang is at the junction of National Highway 214 and 318. Going west, we enter Sichuan, and going south, we enter Yunnan.

The winding Yunnan-Tibet line branch road

There are many cottages and cattle and sheep pens along the road

Blue sky, white clouds, mountains

Standing on the viewing platform and overlooking the "W"-shaped Grand Canyon of the Lancang River , the canyon is steep and deep, with a drop of between 2,000 and 4,000 meters, which is spectacular.

Nearby is Mangkang Yunnan Golden Monkey Nature Reserve , a national first-level protected animal habitat.

Watch the beautiful scenery with Heehee

Then cross the thrilling cross-mountain bridge

Overlooking the entire hot spring town, it is very spectacular

Overlooking the entire mountain village

The mountains are covered with winding mountain roads

Surrounded by steep cliffs and landslides

Mules carry heavy stones up the mountain. It is not easy to build the road, but it is important to do it and cherish it.

At noon, we arrived at the Naxi Nationality Township, also known as Yanjing, which has thousands of years of salt fields. Here we have Yanjing Authentic Noodles (formerly known as Jiajia Noodles), which has been featured in "A Bite of China".

There is a record of 147 bowls written on the wall. I wonder how delicious it is?

Jiajia Noodles are priced per head, priced at 25 yuan per person. Every time you eat a bowl of noodles, a stone is placed next to it. If you can break the record, you will not only be free of charge for life but also receive a large cash reward, which is very tempting.

I ordered Jiajia noodles, Tibetan fragrant pig, and green vegetables. The Tibetan fragrant pig is a bit like bacon and tastes very fragrant.

Every time after finishing the noodles, the little girl would continue to add more noodles enthusiastically, dancing and singing. It turns out that the name of "Jiajia Noodles" came from this.

The two of them ate until they were very full and only ate thirty bowls in total. It is said that the person who set the record of 147 bowls was a cyclist and was sent to the hospital as soon as he went out. He worked very hard!

Holding my stomach and bidding farewell to the Millennium Salt Fields

Continue driving on the Yunnan-Tibet line with rugged mountain roads but beautiful clouds

See mountain villages and terraced fields again

The road down the mountain is so life-threatening! !

Finally bid farewell to Tibet and officially entered Yunnan!

We arrived at point 1888 of the 214 Yunnan-Tibet Line. I wonder which point 1888 is this? One to remember!

Parking at the parking lot in front of Deqin Meteorological Bureau at night

Cooking Heehee’s favorite dish Cordyceps Clay Pot Yak Steak in the RV

Get out of the pot! Overflowing with fragrance

Cordyceps tastes crunchy

The weather is getting colder, everyone remember to put on more clothes and quilts, good night!

The next day we will go to Shangri-La, which many people dream of.

It’s cold and I’m still lying in bed in the doghouse, hehe

Even after I got up, I was still sleepy like a dog.

Through the morning clouds

Across the mountains and pine forests, the mountains and trees in Yunnan appear more delicate than those in the north

Coming to the Jinsha River Canyon and Jinsha River Bay, Jinsha River has a total length of 2,316 kilometers and is named after it is rich in golden sand. Due to millions of years of river erosion as it travels through mountains and plateau areas, spectacular canyons with a height difference of 2,000-3,000 meters have been formed along the Jinsha River.

In the afternoon, passing by the beautiful scenery like a mirage, you feel like you are in a dream

Cattle and sheep are grazing on the grassland that extends to the middle of the water

Arrive at Shangri La in the evening, which means "sun and moon in the heart" in Tibetan. Her name also has a beautiful story.

The word "Shangri-La" comes from a novel "Lost Horizon" written by the famous writer James Hilton in 1933. Shangri-La in the novel is described as a paradise surrounded by snow-capped mountains, rich, peaceful, carefree, and where various religions coexist peacefully. As soon as the novel was published, it immediately aroused the attention and pursuit of the Western world, which was traumatized by the "World War I". The search for Shangri-La has become the dream of several generations of Westerners. Now there is Shangri-La that truly exists in the world.

Shangri-La Pedestrian Street

Went to a retro Sichuan restaurant in the evening

Stir-fried bacon with matsutake mushrooms

Ribs

Eggplant with minced meat

Drink Dali beer

Park in the quiet Songzanlin Museum parking lot at night. Good night everyone!

The next morning we visited Songzanlin Tibetan Culture Museum

Buddhist Six Paths of Reincarnation

The most terrifying sixth realm - Hell

Then we came to Shangri-La’s Moonlight Square, which is the only way to enter the ancient city of Dukezong and an important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road.

ancient well

Visit the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Museum

Sarcophagus tomb restoration

Jinshajiang rock paintings

The Ancient Tea Horse Road on the Yunnan-Tibet Line

Tea-Horse Road --it's me The oldest foreign economic and trade route in China's history, it originated in the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago and was formally formed in the Tang and Song Dynasties. There are two routes on the Ancient Tea Horse Road: The Sichuan-Tibet Ancient Tea-Horse Road and the Yunnan-Tibet Ancient Tea-Horse Road. In ancient times, the Ancient Tea-Horse Road existed as an important trade route. Today, with the development of sea, land and air transportation, its value is more importantly reflected in culture.

Diqing is the last leg of the Yunnan Tea Horse Road from Yunnan to Tibet. This ancient road was opened in the 7th century when Tubo moved south. Historically, the Tea Horse Ancient Road passed through Diqing for more than 800 kilometers of main roads, and the total length of auxiliary roads and branch lines was nearly 3,000 kilometers.

Mr. Lu Xun Exhibition Hall

Manuscript of "The True Story of Ah Q"

"Morning Blossoms Plucked at Dusk" Prose Collection Manuscript

Mr. Lu Xun’s own sketch of Nissanjo’s former residence

Diqing National Costume Culture Center

Qiangmu mask

Qiangmu skull costumes look full of personality

Achi Musha Clothing

Tsa Tsa Restaurant

Tsa Tsa in the pagoda

Next to it is the Diqing Red Army Long March Museum

Climb snowy mountains and cross grassy interactive landscapes

After visiting the museum, we came to the most famous Dukezong Ancient City , known as the Moonlight City. It is the hub of the ancient Tea Horse Road and the best-preserved and largest Tibetan settlement in China.

Dukezong Ancient City Street

Shangri-La Post Office

This is the first time I send a postcard to the post office, and I’m a little excited thinking about it.

Duke Zonghua Lane

An ancient house with carved beams and painted pillars

Yak tail decoration

Have some stone pot rice at noon in the ancient city

After visiting the Dukezong ancient street, leave Shangri-La in your dreams and head to the ancient literary and artistic city of Lijiang.

Picturesque scenery on the road

Distinctive ethnic decoration

I came to Tiger Leaping Gorge, which was highly recommended by many people, with high expectations. Unexpectedly, it was closed due to landslides and road construction.

I have no choice but to leave with some regrets. I attach the beautiful photos of Tiger Leaping Gorge taken last year by fellow riders to satisfy my cravings.

At night, we finally entered Lijiang

As soon as you come in, the lights will be brightly lit

Parking at Qingxi Reservoir Park in the evening, I found that Lijiang, a city of literature and art, lived up to its reputation. The parking lot was occupied by RVs and beds, and they were all people who really enjoyed life.

Bring Hee Hee out to meet new friends