If you are tired of all the tourist gimmicks in the tourist-packed areas, go to Zhongdian, the capital of Deqen Prefecture, nestling in mountains 705 kilometers northwest of Kunming and 3300 meters above sea level. You will find a taste of heaven in this wonderland little trodden by travelers.
Zhongdian marks the start of the Tibetan world. In fact, Zhongdian is the chinese name; the predominantly Tibetan population of this region call it Gyelthang. And lately even another name is commonly used to adress this town, Shangri-La, as many people believes that it is the place mentioned in the book “Lost Horizon” by James Hilton.
The inhabitants of this region are members of the Khamba branch of the Tibetans and their lifestyle has all the characteristics of the highland Tibetan culture further west – barley cultivation, yaks, monasteries, etc.
Being so high, the plain can be cold in winter, with snowstorms possible even in late April, but more often the weather is clear at that time. The snow stays on all the lower peaks until late spring. Afterwards the rains bring the flowers, both in the mountain forests as in the plains.
Zhongdian’s Tibetans are a contented people, outgoing and friendly. Rather than shy away from the strangers they often prefer to engage with them. They are thus one of the easiest people in the province to approach and befriend.
