Shangri-La

While the "real" Shangri-La may only exist in legend, nestled in the mountains in the extreme southwest of China is a town which shares more than a name with that mythical land. It was quickly evident from the yaks wandering the streets, the abundance of Tibetan shops, and the absence of people shouting and spitting that this wasn't Han China. In fact, when walking through the streets of the old town, it didn't feel like China at all, but somewhere else entirely. Gone were the crowds, the noise, and the paranoia that plagues the majority of places in China.

The Shangri-La of Yunnan Province is a place of clear skies, peaceful people, and wide open spaces. Searching for our hostel our first night, we came upon a public square in which people of all ages and dress were gathered in a large circle, rotating slowly, and dancing easily to traditional music played out of an overhead speaker. When I asked a local if this was some kind of festival, or week-end celebration (it was Sunday) he said, "No, this happens every night."

During our time in Shangri-La we explored the old town, (walked its stone streets between temples and weapon shops) took a trip to a monastery (out in the country, past yaks and huge wooden hay-drying racks) visited a Chicken Temple (we ate beef that night) walked in the outlying grasslands (a big brown valley between hills, grazing horses, flocks of birds, more yaks) and visited a National Park (great scenery, presented poorly). Shangri-La also had the best street food in all of China: BBQ veggie skewers for 1Y, meat for 2, or about 15 & 30 cents, respectively). All-in-all, we left feeling relaxed, refreshed, and fulfilled; a feeling that would be shattered within minutes of landing in Chengdu.