All I need to get to heaven is Lijiang and Shangri-La

Time: October
Updated: 2021.10.17

Shuhe Ancient Town: If you're the right one, it's a truly beautiful ancient town; if you're the wrong one, you'll end up at Yiwu's small commodity market! 📍Shuhe Ancient Town, the birthplace of Shuhe Xiaohe, is a small town about a 15-minute drive from the city center. Shuhe is the birthplace of the Mu clan chieftains, boasting over 800 years of history, even older than Lijiang Old Town. It's also famous for its wooden structures, which exude an antique charm. (In fact, this type of house structure is very comfortable and very suitable for Lijiang's weather, which is warm in winter and cool in summer. 1. Didi is the most convenient! It costs about 15-20 yuan to reach Shuhe Ancient Town from the ancient city! The taxi price is probably about the same~ 2. Bus, No. 11 (you need to walk 1 kilometer after getting off at Shuhe intersection); No. 6 (you can go directly to the north gate of Shuhe River, but you need to transfer to other buses to the starting station, Xiangshan Market); If you go to Shuhe from the train station, you can take a direct bus to Shuhe Ancient Town at the bus station, which costs 5 yuan per person! Must-see spot: Jiuding Dragon Pond (Figure 2), after entering from the north gate, you can ask for directions to Jiuding Dragon Pond, which is a very clear pool of water and the water source of Shuhe Ancient Town. The scenery is super beautiful when it blooms in spring. Inside the dragon pond is a small temple with beautiful scenery. Everyone can go in and play quietly in the courtyard. Follow the water along Jiuding Dragon Pond to the Qinglong Bridge. This bridge in Shuhe has a history of more than 200 years. Although it has been repaired many times, the stone The pavement hasn't been replaced, so it's very slippery. Be careful on rainy days! After crossing Qinglong Bridge, you'll reach Sifang Street, the heart of the ancient town (every ancient town has a Sifang Street, a former market square). Follow the river downstream, heading towards Feihua Touching the Water, and you'll reach Bar Street, home to many restaurants and bars. If you have time, after exploring Bar Street, you can have dinner and then walk downhill. Ask passersby for directions to Sifang Tingyin Square. Then, at 7:00 PM, attend the bonfire party (not held during the off-season or on rainy days). Locals highly recommend this bonfire party, which is incredibly lively! There are also dance lessons available, guaranteed to teach you how to dance! If you have some free time on the way to Sifang Tingyin Square, browse the shops and buy some local souvenirs. There are many small shops, and prices are much cheaper than in Lijiang Old Town, so remember to bargain! Wherever you go, just keep following the direction of the water and you'll definitely reach Shuhe Gate, where you can catch a bus back to Lijiang!

Location: In Shuhe Ancient Town, Lijiang

Environment: Beautiful environment, with flowers, a stream, you can listen to music, there is a viewing balcony, the interior is clean and tidy, comfortable and cozy

Service: Enthusiastic, good attitude, high awareness

The restaurant is located right by the stream, close to the center of the ancient city, and very easy to find. There is also a terrace on the second floor, but unfortunately, there were no seats. The few dishes we ordered tasted good, and the two of us were so full that there were still some left, which was very embarrassing. The environment in the restaurant is very good, the service is enthusiastic, the guy helped us unpack the dishes and wash the chopsticks, and then introduced each dish and recommended it~

Shangri-La is endowed with so much beauty, and indeed, it carries so much beauty. Today, as Shangri-La's tourism industry matures, the conflict between preservation and development becomes increasingly prominent. Consequently, the evaluation of its "beauty" has become a matter of debate and uncertainty. What I saw and heard during my two days in Shangri-La was only the tip of the iceberg. My appreciation of its natural scenery, local customs, and people was even more limited, and I can't fully grasp it. If I had to offer a review, I would simply say: it was worthwhile. For me, this trip to Shangri-La is just the beginning...

Tiger Roars in the Mountains

Mighty

Magnificent Grand Canyon

Dukezong

Shudu Lake is surrounded by rolling green hills and dense forests. The lush primeval forests that block out the sun are lush and verdant. Countless azaleas bloom in the mountain woods and meadows. The pure lake is shrouded in mist, like a fairyland. Water birds can be seen from time to time on the wetlands by the lake. The lakeside pastures are lush and green in the summer. Herds of cattle, sheep, and horses roam the meadows. The smoke rising from the distant pasture sheds and the melodious sounds of shepherds' flutes are heard, together forming a leisurely and beautiful plateau scenery.

Whether trekking through mountains and rivers or sightseeing, the ultimate goal is to rest the mind, broaden the horizon, and let dreams take flight. There is no sandstorm, haze, or smoky miasma here. The weather is as mild as spring, and the earth seems to be reborn.

Shangri-La, the only remaining holy land in the world

Without any yearning, when will I have time to drink alone on the grassland?

I am not from Wuling

But you are the Peach Blossom Spring

If there is a pure and beautiful place in the world

I have seen it

That is it

Hidden in the world, yet not attracting dust

My heart is at ease, my steps are light. Here, it seems there is no direction at all, yet there is no need for direction, because the direction is right in front of me.

In this pure and holy land, one can inadvertently forget the joys and sorrows of daily life. A secluded life seems just around the corner. Yet, when one wakes up from the dream, one still has to go home...

A gentle breeze, the sound of pine trees, and the shimmering waters of the lake

Bita Lake exudes a sense of tranquility and beauty. Only after arriving here do I realize my trip was worthwhile. Along the way, the dangling beards from the trees are magical, and the air is exceptionally fresh as I stroll along the forest path. The amorous clouds in the blue sky embellish the shyness of the lake. Yaks and sheep graze, sleep, and rest on the grass, and playful squirrels scurry among the trees. Everything seems so pristine. The towering spruce trees, the crystal-clear lake, and the wild mushrooms dotting the trees—everywhere here is a place where you can exclaim in wonder and forget the troubles of life.

If you have enough enthusiasm for life

The beauty of Xiangge

will make you admire it involuntarily

She is so beautiful

And she is far more beautiful than that

The mystery and tranquility of Bitahai

is the source of another world

Perhaps, it is also the pursuit of another life

another dream

for everyone who stops here

The meaning of life is not in its length

Wind, frost, rain, snow, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness

It is just a melody that repeats itself

Only calmness, perseverance, and moving forward

The past, even if it has turned to ashes

is also a beautiful memory and memorial

The accumulation of every bit of merit

has a transcendent spirituality

This is a dialogue between man and nature, man and the gods

It is also the connection and intersection between man and heaven and earth

Meeting, getting to know each other, traveling together, and having fun together

In the vast sea of people

You and I are just passers-by in each other's lives

But we have left a deep mark in each other's lives

Thank you for being with me along the way...

The wild air emanating from the coniferous forests and alpine meadows, occasionally tinged with the smell of cow dung, makes the area feel even more pure and natural.

Quietly, I looked at her for a long time

Without a word

Time seemed to stand still

Frozen in that peaceful and distant mood

Here, she belongs to me, and I

also belongs to her

No matter how close or far away

I just hope it will be forever, forever

The journey was as brilliant and wonderful as fireworks, yet so fleeting. When I had to say goodbye, I found that the scenery I never tired of seeing and the feelings I couldn't express had already grown wildly in my lingering thoughts. The longing surged and overflowed the moment I looked back...

I am not a returnee, just a passerby