A freshly butchered yak, complete with a furry horned-head, hangs on display outside a beef noodle shop in Shangri-la. The odour of blood draws housewives to the carcass. As they haggle over the price of the spare parts, I think of the lions in Serengeti, they were not too different.
Where:Old Town, Shangri-la, Yunnan
Not Suitable for: Peta Activists and Vegetarians
Updated Jan 22, 2008
Pelts with heads, tails and legs hang from a wooden rack in a shop at the Old Town. As I approached the shop, the shop-keeper tells me that these were fox pelts from Russia . I begged to differ after a closer look. They were domestic dogs and I hurriedly left the shop as revulsion took over me*. Nightmares happens in Utopia apparently.
Where:Old Town, Shangri-la, Yunnan
Not Suitable for: Peta Activists and all parents of dogs and cats
I had the same reaction in Hanoi, Vietnam. I almost threw up when I saw a roasted dog on a spit.
Updated Jan 21, 2008
Take a stroll in the older part of the town, you will be surprised to find it such a contrast to the downtown area. People seems to be living in very basic condition here. Definitely off the beaten path.
Written Sep 15, 2007
old town is recoveried in 2001, you can find more than 300-year-old tranditional wooden house at No.66 in the entrance of the town.
you can find the pub and guesthouse in the old town, it is nice place to stay, after talked with the host,, I found them most stayed there because they can not leave after travel around zhongdian.
Updated Nov 26, 2004
Tibetian Bull, long hair bull, they are quite common with pigs. Bull ***s can be used as cement onto their house wall.The reason why I haven't visit Lhasa is just because of time limit, from ZhongDian to Lhasa take a week's time and the road are extremely adventuring according to a local driver, but I will be back next time.
Written Sep 6, 2002
In the De Ke Zong old town, there is a place you can find the colorful Tang Ka, the printing or drawing for the Buddha.
Written Nov 26, 2004
Phone: 86-0887-2886296
1 - 6 of 6
Reviews and photos of Zhongdian attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Zhongdian sightseeing.

In the De Ke Zong old town, there is a place you can find the colorful Tang Ka, the printing or drawing for the Buddha.
1 member lives in Zhongdian

Q: seems to be a must place to see and go. so how do we get here? from zhongdian or deqing?

A: Definitely from Zhongdian. I think there're 2 or 3 buses daily. If you come from Deqin you'll still need to change buses at Zhongdian.
Read 9 Replies
1
ZhongDian - Blend in with the Nature!

The name "Shangri-La" became popular after World War II and was used to christen many songs, hotels and restaurants because it represents a "heaven away from the turmoil of the mundane world.”...
2

Two years ago I read in a newspaper about Yunnan, the writer described it as one of the last original area of China and warned the reader to go as soon as possible because the progress was already...
3
Yunnan Travel 2004 - ZhongDian

ZhongDian is the captital area of DiQing, which was named Shangri-La by the Yunnan Government in 1997. I guess all you might have already known, "Shangri-La" first appeared in James Hilton's novel...
4
The Holy Birds of Peace in Shangri-La

I've got some interesting experiences in Zhongdian. I'd love to share with you the 9 tips I've written, the 11 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created.
5

Zhong Dian changed the name to Shangri-la in 1997, I believe it must be the Shangri-la in James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizons. I love the life in here not only for the marvelous spot , but the most...
Build your own Zhongdian page