Return to China -- Part 30, The Road to Shangri-La

Leaving the gorge behind us we traveled higher and further into the mountains. Our destination was Jiantang Zhen, center of the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and county seat of Zhongdian. Ten years ago was officially renamed "Shangri-La". That's right, we were heading straight into a fictional kingdom.

Climbing higher and higher through the mountains.

We emerged onto a high plateau. The local culture is Tibetan and is quite distinct from that of the lowland Chinese.

Yaks in the front yard. 

A sudden squall came up over the mountains. We stopped for gas and while the rest of the group headed for the rest rooms, I climbed up on top of a wall and started taking pictures. 

Yak tails for sale. 

Yak meat..., mmmmmm.