Things to do in Dechang

Passing through Xichang, we visited Qionghai Lake, located in Xichang City, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is the second largest freshwater lake in Sichuan Province. Anciently known as Qiongchi, it is a rift lake from the Early Pleistocene, formed approximately 1.8 million years ago. Xichang, the capital of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, is best known as a satellite launch site and for Qionghai Lake, which circumferentially spans over 30 kilometers.

It was more fun than I expected! There weren't many people, and it was much quieter than those commercialized old towns. Although they gathered all sorts of ethnic architectural features together, making it seem like a tourist trap, the performers were incredibly dedicated. I think it's perfect for seniors because the whole trip isn't tiring, and you can learn about many different cultures in one place. I thought it was wonderful, and the performances were really good!

The scenic area provided a free guided tour, which was quite interesting. The young girl gave a very good explanation. Several elderly people were very rude and kept interrupting the tour guide, even though they were elderly themselves 😄. In the end, we were the only ones who bought this hanging bell 🔔, mainly to support Chong Sheng Temple. The tour guide also worked hard. We bought incense to wish for peace and prosperity for the country.

On my second trip to Dali, I stayed for three days. On the first day, I stayed at Erhai Park, facing north to enjoy the view of Erhai Lake. On the second day, I stayed at Shuanglang Ancient Town, facing west to see the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake together. On the third day, I cycled from west to east along the Erhai Ecological Corridor to enjoy the view of Erhai Lake. I also went to Yunxiang Mountain Road for extreme mountain biking, Shuanglang, Xizhou Ancient Town, Dali Ancient City, etc. Every angle offered a different perspective of Erhai Lake. The scenery in Dali is truly beautiful.

The driver was warm and polite, notified the meeting place in advance, and the scenic spots were unique and worth visiting. It is more comfortable to join this one-day tour than to drive by yourself! A one-day tour route worth recommending, a big thumbs up to the responsible driver!

A must go place in Shangrila .Such a majestic place so glad I decided to to come, I like that it is a replica of Tibetan temple. Feel so humble . Thank you trip enable us to get ticket easily. If u come by train just did to songtzanlin directly. Stop by the lake u see the whole building it is so beautiful. Pay the entrance fee by trip.com if you are a foreigner. And just show the uncle. There is a bus cost 3 yuan to take you up to the peak and you can walk down. If you save the 3 yuan then you will have to double your walking. There are 3 shop you can rent costume and make up to make the trip so much fun instead of wearing own clothing

Songzanlin Monastery, often called the “Little Potala Palace”, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Shangri-La. Nestled against a mountain backdrop, this Tibetan Buddhist monastery features magnificent golden rooftops, intricate Tibetan architecture and colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind.Walking around the monastery feels like stepping into another world. Beyond its stunning architecture, the peaceful atmosphere offers a glimpse into Tibetan culture and religious traditions. There are plenty of photo opportunities, especially with the surrounding mountains as a backdrop.Do take your time exploring, as there are stairs and uphill sections, and the high altitude can make walking more tiring. Remember to pace yourself and stay hydrated.Overall, a beautiful and culturally enriching experience. Definitely worth visiting if you’re in Shangri-La!

The Earth Forest is a less-visited scenic area, not crowded with tourists. It remains pristine and undeveloped, featuring a maze-like layout and pavilions for relaxation throughout. We encountered some Yi children selling water chestnuts they grew themselves. The water chestnuts were very fresh, cheaper than in Chengdu, and incredibly sweet. We bought two bags and even helped the children promote some more. Some tourists shared their snacks with the children. A man from Inner Mongolia, unable to carry water chestnuts himself, gave some money to the youngest girl – it was such a heartwarming scene!

Thanks to Professor Zhang Jinxiu for her wonderful explanation. This afternoon, I visited the Yunnan Provincial Museum, thinking it would just be a routine visit, but I unexpectedly encountered a captivating cultural feast. This building, with its rugged and imposing exterior resembling a stone forest, houses such delicate and rich memories of Yunnan within. From the first to the third floor, the exhibition is clearly structured, and the sheer number of exhibits is breathtaking. What impressed me most was the "Ancient Yunnan" exhibition hall—a complete dinosaur skeleton stands silently, seemingly telling the legendary story of life on this red land millions of years ago. The bronze artifacts from the ancient Dian Kingdom in the "Light of Civilization" exhibition are exquisite. The lifelike sacrificial scenes on the cowrie shell containers and the perfect combination of mechanics and aesthetics in the bronze ox and tiger table are truly awe-inspiring, showcasing the wisdom of the ancient Dian people more than two thousand years ago. The "Domination of Southern Yunnan" exhibition hall is like a three-dimensional history book, from the Cuan family to the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, using inscriptions, Buddhist statues, and gold and silver artifacts to tell the story of the millennia-long integration between Yunnan and the Central Plains dynasties. Particularly noteworthy is the Song Dynasty Dali Kingdom silver-gilt and pearl-inlaid golden-winged bird in the "Fragrant Buddhist Kingdom" exhibition area, which shimmers under the soft lighting and is truly a treasure of the museum. Meanwhile, the "A Century of Tumultuous History" modern and contemporary exhibition hall uses letters and artifacts to tell a deeply moving story of Yunnan's patriotism during the National Protection Movement and the War of Resistance against Japan.

Overall, it's great. The animals' living environment is quite good; it's clean, quiet, and there are no animal performances, which is great. The only exception is the giant panda, which seems to exhibit some stereotypical behaviors.