A visit to a local Tibetans' home
The misty forests of Potatso National Park in Shangri-La City, Yunnan Province, are known for their dreamy atmosphere. Upon close inspection, many of the forest's pine-tree branches are covered with greenish, semi-transparent ribbons. Known to local people as "tree beard," these ribbons are Chinese usnea, a type of lichen which grows in humid, high-altitude forests.
The lichen has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat skin inflammations. But its has other uses.
"It is an indicator of air quality," said tour guide Lin Sen, a local Tibetan. "You can only see them where the air is the purest and freshest."
Of course, one doesn't need a bit of lichen to grasp just how beautiful and pristine the park is. Expansive blue skies, deep green grasslands, mirror-like lakes and seemingly endless oceans of trees are all common sights.
Located at elevations between 3,200 and 4,100 meters above sea-level, the park is one of the best-known attractions in the Shangri-La area. It is also in the center of Yunnan's Three Parallel Rivers area, with the Jinsha, Lancang and Nu rivers all cutting through the area and providing water to the myriad rare plant and animal species which call the area home.
Another noted aquatic feature is Shudu Lake, one of the park's two largest lakes. Perhaps equally renowned is the pasture around the lake, which is known to the local Tibetan population as "the place where cheese is as firm as stone."
Today the park, which opened as a national-level scenic area in 2006, still appears blissfully untouched and unspoiled by the consumerism and tourist hordes which characterize so many other attractions in China.
For those who make the journey, a bus line takes visitors from the park's entrance to Shudu Lake. From there, a 3-kilometer wooden footpath runs around the lake to a bus terminal where visitors can catch a ride to Bita Lake, the park's other main lake. Here, visitors can walk along another wooden footpath as they take in the beautiful landscape. The grasslands and forests are only for local herders and their animals, which are still brought to pasture in the area.
Walking along these paths, visitors are treated to an ever-changing view of the park's vivid and varied landscape. The tall trees in virgin forests, the horses and yaks roaming freely, the crystal-clear sky and the reflections in the water all offer an endless feast for the eyes.
The park is home to many protected species, such as the black-necked crane, clouded leopard, black muntjac and the cuckoo, among others. For those interested in botany, over 1,000 species of plants can also be found here.
But the Potatso National Park isn't the only wonder awaiting visitors to the Shangri-La area.
Shangri-La was the name of a fictional utopia featured in the 1933 novel "Lost Horizon" by British author James Hilton. Since the book's publication, many wondered whether Hilton had been inspired by a real place. Eventually, Zhongdian County, came forward to rename itself after Shangri-La in 2001.
Names and legends aside, Shangri-La gives the impression of being a place forgotten by time — and the cares of the world.
During a recent trip to the area organized by Hylandia by Shangri-La, we had the pleasure of visiting local Tibetan families living in Nixi Village, a place which rarely makes its way onto tourist itineraries. Located just 30 minutes from Shangri-La City by car, the mountain village looks straight from another era.
The local Tibetan people still follow a traditional way of life. Their houses are the same as a thousand years ago. The typical three-story structures are divided into three functional areas: The first floor for cattle, the second floor for people and the third floor for hay storage.
The oven remains the most important part on the second floor as the family gathers there for cooking, eat and relaxing. What makes Shangri-La special is not only its picturesque scenery, but also its people. The Tibetan villagers of Nixi danced and sang, and taught us how to make zanba, a local staple food.
Shangri-La is also a great place to experience Tibetan Buddhism, as the large Ganden Sumtseling Monastery is located only 15 minutes from the downtown area.
The monastery looks especially beautiful from afar. The best spot to take a photograph is across a small lake in front of the monastery. Its golden roof, red walls, tall halls and more than 200 small sangharama — lamas' private homes — provide for a magnificent view.
The monastery, which is often called "little Potala Palace," was originally built in 1679 by Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Emperor Kangxi. Renovations were performed by later emperors as well as in the modern era. Today it is a splendid example of not only Tibetan Buddhist culture but also Tibetan-style architecture.
The monastery features three large main halls: Master Tsongkhapa Hall, Dratsang Hall and Sakyamuni Hall. Colorful murals cover the walls of these halls, depicting Buddhism stories.
Ganden Sumtseling Monastery also has eight "khamtsen," or colleges for lamas to study Buddhism. Each Khansten has a small hall and many sangharama attached to it. With some luck, tourists can see for themselves how the lamas study the scriptures together and receive their blessings. Try to get to the monastery early to avoid the crowd and you'll be rewarded by a stunning view of the monastery bathed in the morning sunshine.
