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Northwestern Yunnan, China
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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The many different routes down to the river provide a pleasant walk among traditional houses, orchards, and cultivated fields. Getting to the bank of the river can be a bit tricky as there is a steep drop-off as you approach the bank, but if you persist you will come across one of the purpose-built staircases. It is no longer necessary to take a boat to get the other side of the river, as there is now a bridge. There is however not much to see on the other side.
东竹林寺; Dong Zhu Lin Si; Tibetan: Dhon-Drupling Gompa
A wonderful temple built on the side of the gorge around 15 km northwest along the main road to Deqin. The monastic village that surrounds it is also quite lovely. Dhon-Drupling Gompa was founded in 1667 by Kusho Dondrub and received its name by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1670. It has many beautifully intricate paintings inside and houses several precious statues. Getting there by hitch-hiking or hiring a mian bao che (microvan) presents no problems.
金沙江第一湾; Jinsha Jiangdaguaiwan
There is a viewing platform along with the customary ticket office but it is not necessary to pay the fee to see the bend.
All of the buses from Zhongdian to Deqin pass through the town. In fact the midpoint lunch stop is often taken a mere five minutes south of Benzilan. Tickets can be bought at Zhongdian bus station for ¥15.
Read in the guideThe town is growing fast and parts of it are not marked on common maps. The main commercial road is located up the hill, going parallel to the highway.
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Diqing (Shangri-La) · Regional · DIG
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