Zhongdian Things to Do

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On our way back to Dali, on the road we noticed this small tibetan market.
Well actually I am still not sure if it was a market or if they were some kind of nomads with hanging dresses just to dry them.
We went there to give a look and take some photos and those people didn't mind about us at all, they did not offer anything.I asked my chinese guide if she had an idea about what those people were doing and she had no answer; so, once again, something able to surprise me, something able to let me wonder where I am and what is happening around me, this is probably my opinion of the thing to do while in Zhongdian, wander without wondering too much.

Many village houses along the road. Most of them built by wood, with stones on roof top to avoid strong wind blowing off the shelter.

I guess these people do not always see outsiders, whenever they see bus passes by, these local villagers will come out to look at us.

Song Zan Lin Monastery, also called Guihua Monastery, is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province, as well as one of the 13 large lamaseries in the Kangzang region (the joint area of Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan). The monastery is 5km from the seat of Zhongdian County...

More photos & info in my Travelogue

The Napahai Lake is 3270 meters above sea level and covers 660 square km. Mountains stand by it on three sides and 10-plus rivers flow into it after zigzagging through the grasslands. In autumn , the prairie changes into a golden color and rare birds such as black necked crane and bar-headed goose flock to the area for winter .

Check out my Travelogue for more photos.

Situated in Baidi Village, the 50 meters high Bai Shui Tai covers an area of three hectares. It gradually took form by accumulation of calcium carbonate in water in millions of years.

Check out my Travelogue for more details.

I have no idea on what this is. There are many of these kind of small stone pagoda along the road. Some people said inside the stones is a Tibetan Religous Book, where people will simply put a stone on it when they passes by, making it a small pagoda. Some suspected it is a tomb. Please tell me if you know.

Dong Ju Lin Monastery, one of the 13 largest lamaseries in the Kangzang region, is located in the Baimang Snow Mountain area, 105km away from ZhongDian County with elevation of 3,000 meters.

Although its not as grant and large as the Song Zan Lin Monastery, I actually like this one better: (besides the fact that I don't have to climb no stairs)* A little monastery, standing right next to a cliff, surrounded by mountains, no disturbing noice but just the sound of chanting and bells echoing through the woods and mountains~~ It really makes you feel like you are away from the chaotic world, with peace in your heart.

Again.. some good looking lamas...

Some more pictures can be found in my travelogue

The road trip is a must see activity.. because It's really a must.. you can't avoid it..

It takes about 4-5 hours to go from LiJiang to ZhongDian, and even longer from ZhongDian to Deqin, about 8 hours. But the scenary along the road is great! It's great that we hired our own car cuz we could stop the car whenever we want and take pictures!