2. Asia
  3. China

Yunnan Province, Zhongdian, October 2006

To its majority Tibetan residents, the capital of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, a small town on the road between Li Jiang and Tibet, is known as Gyalthang. To the town's smaller Han population, it's still called Zhongdian. To tourist authorities, hotel owners, and tour operators around the country, the town is now the earthly paradise of Xianggelila (that's Shangri-La to you), officially renamed in May 2002. (Preceding courtesy of Frommer's travel guide). Our visit coincided with October holiday so there were lots of people about during the week, enjoying their days off.
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  • Granny strolling through town.

    Granny strolling through town.

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  • Two ladies stopping for a chat. It was VERY windy that morning.

    Two ladies stopping for a chat. It was VERY windy that morning.

  • Street shot of downtown Zhongdian.

    Street shot of downtown Zhongdian.

  • Shopping for some new cookware.

    Shopping for some new cookware.

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  • Buddies enjoying the afternoon.

    Buddies enjoying the afternoon.

  • As part of the October holiday, a fair was held in town with games, vendors, etc. Similar to the West, the aim of one of the games was to knock a prize off a shelf by throwing a bean bag at it. Whereas in the States, the prizes are always toys, at this fair they included garbage bags and bottles of liquor. These ladies were spectators to the sport.

    As part of the October holiday, a fair was held in town with games, vendors, etc. Similar to the West, the aim of one of the games was to knock a prize off a shelf by throwing a bean bag at it. Whereas in the States, the prizes are always toys, at this fair they included garbage bags and bottles of liquor. These ladies were spectators to the sport.

  • The lady on the left was REALLY into the game.

    The lady on the left was REALLY into the game.

  • The fair was an opportunity to see old friends.

    The fair was an opportunity to see old friends.

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  • This lady is a member of the Yi minority, dressed in her festival clothes. I don't believe the Elton John-like glasses are part of the traditional costume.

    This lady is a member of the Yi minority, dressed in her festival clothes. I don't believe the Elton John-like glasses are part of the traditional costume.

  • A LOT of yak butter in the pantry. The brown stuff to the left is yak cheese.

    A LOT of yak butter in the pantry. The brown stuff to the left is yak cheese.

  • We stopped for tea (yak butter tea that is) in a house not far from our hotel. This shot was taken in their kitchen, with the stove in front.

    We stopped for tea (yak butter tea that is) in a house not far from our hotel. This shot was taken in their kitchen, with the stove in front.

  • Another shot of the stove.

    Another shot of the stove.

  • Clayton riding his pony up to a small monastery, passing a local guy en-route.

    Clayton riding his pony up to a small monastery, passing a local guy en-route.

  • Incense burners up at the monastery.

    Incense burners up at the monastery.

  • Ink and the screens used for printing prayer flags.

    Ink and the screens used for printing prayer flags.

  • More prayer flags

    More prayer flags

  • The end product of the inks and screen shown earlier.

    The end product of the inks and screen shown earlier.

  • I notice that it is always the women doing the hard physical labor.

    I notice that it is always the women doing the hard physical labor.

  • Outside the house where we ate lunch.

    Outside the house where we ate lunch.

  • In the kitchen where we ate lunch. Fussy babies are universal.

    In the kitchen where we ate lunch. Fussy babies are universal.

  • The region is very famous for it's black pottery.

    The region is very famous for it's black pottery.

  • Door detail.

    Door detail.

  • Met this very groovy guy on our LENGTHY road trip to Dechen. Here he is displaying his 'antique' money belts for sale.

    Met this very groovy guy on our LENGTHY road trip to Dechen. Here he is displaying his 'antique' money belts for sale.

  • On the road to Dechen.

    On the road to Dechen.

  • Still on the road to Dechen.

    Still on the road to Dechen.

  • Still not there yet

    Still not there yet

  • It was a VERY long trip. 13 hours round trip. Probably would have gone faster if I hadn't taken so many photos.

    It was a VERY long trip. 13 hours round trip. Probably would have gone faster if I hadn't taken so many photos.

  • Shopkeeper in ... you guessed it, Dechen.

    Shopkeeper in ... you guessed it, Dechen.

  • Goods for sale: rugs, pots, a stove and bridles for ponies.

    Goods for sale: rugs, pots, a stove and bridles for ponies.

  • In the market.

    In the market.

  • Two girls doing a pilgrimmage. By the way they are dressed, one can tell they are from Sichuan. They are begging food from the vegetable vendor.

    Two girls doing a pilgrimmage. By the way they are dressed, one can tell they are from Sichuan. They are begging food from the vegetable vendor.

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  • In her hand you can see the contribution Clayton and I made to their pilgrimmage, in exchange for a photo.

    In her hand you can see the contribution Clayton and I made to their pilgrimmage, in exchange for a photo.

  • Barley at sunset. Clayton was carsick at this point.

    Barley at sunset. Clayton was carsick at this point.

  • Taken near our hotel

    Taken near our hotel

  • Vegetables drying on the rack, with fence in foreground. The ONLY sunny day that week.

    Vegetables drying on the rack, with fence in foreground. The ONLY sunny day that week.

  • In the market in Zhongdian

    In the market in Zhongdian

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  • Another Yi lady. No Elton John glasses.

    Another Yi lady. No Elton John glasses.

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  • At night, everyone gathers in the square for some traditional dancing.

    At night, everyone gathers in the square for some traditional dancing.

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    Outside the house where we ate lunch.
    In the kitchen where we ate lunch. Fussy babies are universal.
    The region is very famous for it's black pottery.