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.