Live Your Best Lives
A 51-day self-driving autumn tour of Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan in 2020, divided into 10 chapters:
(1) - Zhijiang Maotai Town, Chishui Luzhou Zigong.
(2)--Chengdu Dujiangyan Chapter
(3)--Wenchuan Lixian Ma'erkang Jinchuan Danba Xinduqiao Chapter
(4)--Xinduqiao Yajiang Litang Daocheng Chapter
(5)--Daocheng Yading Chapter
This is (6)--Shangri-La Lijiang Chapter
(7)--Jianchuan Chapter
(8)--Dali Weishan Chuxiong Kunming Dongchuan Chapter
(9)--Panzhou Qianxinan Ziyun Duyun Chapter
(10)--Qiandongnan Fuzhou Quzhou Chapter
This self-driving tour lasted 51 days from October 9 to November 28, covering a distance of 8,780 kilometers. Departing from Shanghai, we traveled through Quzhou, Zhejiang; Zhuzhou, Jiangxi; Zhijiang, Hunan; Maotai Town and Chishui, Guizhou; Luzhou, Zigong, Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Wenchuan, Lixian, Ma'erkang, Jinchuan, Danba, Xinduqiao, Litang, and Daocheng, Sichuan; Shangri-La, Lijiang, Jianchuan, Shaxi, Dali, Weishan, Chuxiong, Kunming, and Dongchuan, Yunnan; Panzhou, Qianxinan, Ziyun, Duyun, and Qiandongnan, Guizhou; Loudi, Hunan; Fuzhou, Jiangxi; and Quzhou, Zhejiang, before returning to Shanghai. Day 21, October 29th: From Shangri-La Town, Daocheng County, Sichuan to the Balagezong Scenic Area, Shangri-La City, Yunnan: 261 kilometers, standard time 6:30, actual time 9:15-16:30. After visiting Daocheng Yading, we had originally planned to continue south to Liangshan Prefecture and Lugu Lake. However, the navigation indicated road construction south, so the route was detoured via Xiangcheng to Shangri-La, Yunnan, and then to Xichang. I wasn't sure about the road conditions on the other direct route south, the Lu-Ya Line. A friend had just visited Balagzong and raved about it, calling it a relatively unknown scenic spot. So, I decided to go there. The road was smooth and winding, with few cars. Heading north, we took National Highway 227, then west to Xiangcheng County. Then, we turned south on Provincial Highway 217, entering Yunnan, where we took National Highway 215 and the Xijing Line. First, the plateau, then the Jinsha River, a vibrant world. The Jinsha River is truly emerald green; this is truly a journey of lush green mountains and clear waters. The altitude ranged from 2,900 to 4,600 meters, and finally 2,150 to 2,050 meters, with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 29°C.
Zhagu Temple in Daocheng, 4,200 meters above sea level.
Not yet in Xiangcheng County (2,927 meters above sea level).
Valley Ranch
Highland wetland at an altitude of 3995 meters
Leaving Sichuan, crossing the Jinsha River Bridge and entering Yunnan:
Shuizhuang Guanyin welcomes donors:
Stay at Baglarzong Water Village Hotel: 2 days
Dinner is served at the hotel restaurant, where the prices are quite reasonable.
I think he was sent by God! What do you think?
Building a road in this U-shaped, vertical mountain terrain is indeed difficult, with 35 kilometers and more than 50 hairpin bends. The designers we hired backed out, but Sina Dingzhu taught himself, designed the route, and organized the construction. I can't believe it.
One day is enough to explore the scenic spots in the Bagla Zong area.
1. Shambhala Pagoda: Additional 75 RMB/person
Translated as "Xiangququdeng," this natural pagoda is mentioned in the Tripitaka.
4,250 meters above sea level, over an hour's drive. Three sacred mountains, a pilgrimage. Only a few people make the journey.
When Snak Dorje encountered difficulties during road construction, he would sit in front of the pagoda to draw strength and wisdom. He returned even more motivated.
The power of religion is boundless!
700-meter vertical drop. 1.4 km plank road, return along the original route.
The right side is the old path that the mountain people used to take:
Gangqu River in the canyon:
There is a zipline here, which can be exciting:
Rent shoe covers for 1 yuan and walk up:
Bandan Ram Mountain
Dolma Lhakhang is a Guanyin temple built by Tusi Sina Doji behind the Dayongfu Palace over 1,300 years ago. The temple houses 21 statues of Tara, the goddess of salvation and salvation.
6. Millennium Bodhi Tree:
Located at the entrance of the Shangri-La Grand Canyon, behind the ticket office.
This bodhi tree is over 3,000 years old. Its roots comprise only a small portion of the tree; its entire trunk grows peacock-like along the cliff face, covering over 400 square meters.
Locals call it the "Phoenix Bodhi Tree."
This thousand-year-old bodhi tree once grew a left hand overnight. Approaching the base of the Bodhi tree, you can see the legendary Buddha's hand. A brown trunk juts out diagonally from the tree, its fingertips reaching into the rock face. The five fingers are distinct, yet rough to the touch, as if grasping the hand of an elderly man. On the trunk, there resembles an elderly man's face. "There is no Bodhi tree, nor is there a mirror stand. Originally, there is nothing, where can dust gather?" This famous Buddhist verse, to comprehend it, is the ultimate enlightenment. Some interpret it as representing the state of mind of Shakyamuni Buddha as he sat in meditation beneath the tree. Shakyamuni is like a Bodhi tree, his mind like a bright mirror, undivided and naturally untainted by the dust of the outside world. From the waist of this thousand-year-old Bodhi tree, a "Buddha's hand" extends. From a distance, even the trunk of the tree looks like a human face. The hand of this thousand-year-old Bodhi tree reaches out over the cliff face, firmly grasping a rock in a crevice. While this might seem strange to many, it's incredibly powerful to Buddhists, as the Bodhi tree is a renowned Buddhist plant and holds a strong connection to the religion. I visited the site three times, and on the morning of the third day, just as I was leaving, I finally saw the "Buddha's hand." It was truly magical!
Walked 17,200 steps today.
Day 23, October 31, Saturday, from Balagzong to Shangri-La City, 9:35--13:00
Leaving Balagzong, "Bodhisattva" saw you off in Shuizhuang Village, wishing you a safe journey! Kaizhang Water, the First Bend of the Jinsha River:
Kaizhang Water, the First Bend of the Jinsha River:
Napa Lake and Yila Grassland:
7 kilometers from the city. These are plateau lakes. The highest point is in front of the Alpine Botanical Garden gate, offering panoramic views.
Stay at Shangri-La Hotel Vienna:
1. Dukezong Ancient Town:
Old Street, with Moonlight Square at its center
Sifang Street:
It is the largest Tibetan Gelugpa Buddhist temple in Yunnan and one of the 13 forests in the Kham Tibetan area. It is known as the "Little Potala Palace".
Staying at the Orange Hotel in Shangri-La:
View the night view of the ancient city at night.
Sifang Street, Guozhuang Dance at 19:00
Take a 12-kilometer detour to take a look at the "1st Bend of the Yangtze River".
The observation deck set up by the government is at the bottom of the mountain and is free. The common people set up a viewing platform on the mountain behind the house, and it costs 20 yuan to go up.
The first bay of the Yangtze River:
1850 meters above sea level, between Shigu Town, Lijiang and Shasongbi Village, Shangri-La City. The Yangtze River rushes down from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the roof of the world, and makes a sharp 100-degree turn at Shasongbi Village, flowing northeast and forming a V-shaped bend here.
It will be cloudy today, with occasional light rain.
Lijiang Shigu Town:
Starting dozens of kilometers away from Lijiang, the number of cars suddenly increased, and they drove slowly on the narrow provincial highway.
Stay at Vienna Lijiang Old Town Store:
Lijiang Old Town is 2,416 meters above sea level.
I visited Lijiang Ancient Town once in 2006.
The ancient town of Lijiang is still bustling with entertainment and crowds of people.
Day 26, October 3, Lijiang
Continue to stay in Vienna.
1. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: Ticket 105 yuan. It is the snow-capped mountain closest to the equator in the Northern Hemisphere.
Glacier Park: Tickets are 170 yuan. The tickets are for the large cableway and can be purchased at the Ganhaizi Visitor Center. The lower station of the cableway is 3356 meters above sea level and reaches the upper station directly below Fandui, the main peak of the snow mountain with an altitude of 5596 meters. The ropeway is claimed to be the highest ropeway in Asia and runs for about half an hour. The highest point that tourists can reach is 4680 meters, and it takes about an hour to go up and down.
Baishui River: 7 kilometers away from the big ropeway, it is a small river washed by the melted water from the snow mountains. It is named because there are many white stones on the bottom of the river. You can go down to the Blue Moon Valley attraction.
Yunshanping: The ropeway ticket costs 70 yuan for a two-way trip. It is less than 1 kilometer away from Baishui River. You can reach Yunshanping on foot. It is an alpine meadow on the mountainside surrounded by spruce forests. It is 3,200 meters above sea level and has a wide view, allowing you to view the peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Maoniuping: 3,700 meters above sea level.
I plan to go to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, but there is a ticket office 10 kilometers away. Cars line up to buy tickets, which makes people feel very bad.
Considering that we have seen many snow-capped mountains at home and abroad, the snow-capped glaciers of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain have begun to disappear, and the snow line is rising year by year, and it will soon become the Jade Dragon Mountain.
Don’t turn around.
You can also see the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from a distance:
2. Baisha:
A quaint village 8 kilometers northwest of Dayan Ancient Town.
Baisha Mural: Admission is 15 yuan. It is the most attractive attraction in the town. Most of the murals were created in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and they are mostly religious themes. It is a treasure in mural art. There are 53 existing works in Dabaoji Palace (repair), Liuli Palace (repair), Dading Pavilion, and Dajue Palace.
Looking at the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance:
Lijiang New Urban Area:
3. Black Dragon Pool Park:
First-class water source, flowing down to the ancient city of Lijiang.
There is a Wufeng Tower in the north of Tanbei. This building was built in the 29th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty. It was originally the main hall of Zhishan Fuguo Temple and was Xu Xiake's stay.
There is the Naxi Dongba Cultural Museum at the back gate of the park.
After entering the door and passing through the covered bridge, there is a viewing platform, which is the best place to take reflections. When the weather is clear and windless, 9:00~10:00 or 16:00~17:00 is suitable for capturing the reflections of snow-capped mountains.
In the distance is the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain:
After coming out of the back door of Heilongtan Park, walk along the stream to the ancient city:
Lijiang Old Town:
Lion Rock Park:
Tickets are 35 yuan
Wangu Pavilion: The pavilion on Lion Rock is the landmark scenery of the ancient city. It is one of the best places to take panoramic photos of Lijiang.
Exit Lion Rock:
Wenchang Pavilion:
See Lijiang Old Town at Wenchang Pavilion:
晚餐：
This is my 47th travelogue. If you like it, please like it!
Hope this helps!
Number of days: 10 days, Average cost: 4500 yuan, Updated: 2020.08.17
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Number of days: 6 days, Average cost: 5000 yuan, Updated: 2020.09.14
