Last Morning in Shangrila

The next morning we wake up early to visit the temple and then eat before our flight back to Lijiang. It seems as though in the Tibetan plateau, things get off to a late start. 9 am and many things are closed. People are just starting their day.

 

Before entering, we circle clockwise 3 times. They are constructing a new temple to the south, I believe. The white stove is burning pine needles.

 

 

Even the barrier to the construction is adorned with prayer flags.

 

 

A view of the gate, temple, and prayer wheel.

 

 

 

A lot of shops sell Oxygen tanks. We are at 10,000 feet. Also, fresh Yak yogurt.

Tibetan restaurant

 

 

 

 

 

Constant reminders of how old this village is.

 

 

Traditional Chinese restaurants often center around a decorated courtyard.
The Tibetan restaurant we chose for lunch was lush with trees and plants.

 

This is a view from the second floor balcony.

 

 

 

These rolls are yak cheese, rolled up in eggs, and fried in yak butter. The flavor is powerfully tangy… very delicious and filling. Loved them.

 

Tibetan bread. It’s buckwheat. The dip is sweet yak yogurt, a tangy frosting, and really made the dish.

 

 

The restaurant’s cat relaxes in the courtyard.

 

 

 

This gift shop is selling yak hair dusters, yak bone combs, spices and dried mushrooms.

 

 

 

 

My hotel’s cat.

 

And that’s it for Zhongdian County. I definitely enjoyed my time there and the scenery and culture is beautiful. It’s sad that things are developing so quickly and I wish I can visit again before the tourist industry takes over as it did for nearby Lijiang.