Explore the ancient temple of a thousand years and appreciate the unique cultural heritage of Songzan

Ganden Songzanlin Scenic Area is located in the northern part of Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, at the core of the Shangri-La City tourist area. The Songzanlin Scenic Area consists of multiple attractions, including the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province, one of the thirteen famous monasteries in the Tibetan areas, known as the 'Little Potala Palace' - Ganden Songzanlin; the mother river of Shangri-La: the source of holy water for the Tibetan people, Naizi River; the famous sacred lakes in the Tibetan areas: the soul lake of the Dharma protector Vajra Baiteng Lamu, Lamu Yangcuo Lake; the important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, the center of Shangri-La mythology, Niwangzong Ancient Town Sky Burial Platform, and Niwangzong Wetland. Ganden Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Gelugpa (Yellow Hat sect) Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, is located 5 kilometers from Shangri-La. It is known as the 'Little Potala Palace'. Built between 1679 and 1681, the Fifth Dalai Lama chose the site and personally named it 'Ganden Songzanlin'. The monastery is also known as 'Guihua Monastery'. The monastery is built on a mountain, facing south at an altitude of 3300 meters. The architecture of the monastery embodies the essence of Tibetan religious culture, with splendid golden roofs, diverse shapes, gilded copper tiles, and exquisite eaves with beast heads. The main hall of the Zhacang is spacious and magnificent, housing numerous Buddha statues, with a bronze statue of the Fifth Dalai Lama enshrined at the front. The murals and carvings on the walls of the west wing are exquisitely crafted. In the early morning, when the first rays of sunlight shine on the golden roof of Songzanlin Monastery, the entire temple seems to be bathed in a sacred glow. With a sense of reverence, I stepped onto this sacred land. The architecture of the monastery is grand yet elegant. The red and white walls, golden roofs, and exquisite carvings and paintings all showcase the wisdom and creativity of the Tibetan people. The formation of Niwangzong Ancient Town is rooted in the Tibetan Buddhist manor system. In 1679, when Songzanlin was first built, Emperor Kangxi approved the ordination of 330 monks and allocated 300 households of slaves to serve the monastery manor. Later, during the Qianlong period, an additional 70 households were granted, bringing the total to 370 households. Niwangzong Ancient Town is divided into two villages, Dongweiconggulong and Xixiaojiezi. Niwangzong Ancient Town flourished in the later period of the Ancient Tea Horse Road, driven by the monastery economy. It once became an important trading post on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, known for trading salt, iron, tea, and mules and horses between the north and south routes. In midsummer, Songzanlin is far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Walking through this quiet ancient town built around the monastery, rows of ethnic-style stone houses stand in close succession, with eaves gently curving upwards and uniformly covered with blue tiles. These old ethnic-style stone houses carry the rich cultural connotations of the ancient town. Songzanlin Scenic Area