Zhongdian

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Shortly after our visit the 13.000 yr old towns name was briefly changed  back to the local Dukezong.   In 2001 it was decided to attract visitors to the dusty little town in spectacular surroundings it should henceforth be named Shangri La.  It worked at the turn of the century it had 20,000 visitors annually, by 2005 numbers had surged to 2.6 million
 

The Tibet Hotel or Yongshen Bingguan (Eternal Life) as it is known locally   

In January of 2014 a massive fire tragically destroyed 50% of the old town

Traditional wooden style homes in the oldest part town                  

Our lovely waitress posed in full Tibetan costume in the hotel coffee shop.  She is actually Naxi from Lijiang

 At a Small Temple in the old quarter an elderly monk met us at the steps, offered incense to burn and showed us around his temple

   

 

Mrs Ma Zhu demonstrated the making of barley wine.  The smell of the barley was overpowering
 

      Yi women in their incredible black headdresses                           

  I almost expected a gust of wind to carry them aloft

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