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Songzanlin is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province, 5 kilometers from the center of Zhongdian. It was built between 1679 and 1681. In its heyday, there were more than 3,000 monks in the temple.

Built along the mountains with magnificent views, the monastery is a faithful copy of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.

Inside the temple, tourists can wander around the monastery and take photos. Two young lamas carry water in the rain and an old living Buddha gives out prayer beads in the main hall. Some young lamas do household chores and some sell souvenirs, they even say hello in English to us.

Not so far way from the temple, we visit a Tibetan family in a small village. The family is repairing their house and has hired several workers to help. The courtyard is a little messy but the house is spacious and homely.

Sitting around the stove the 51-year-old mother of the house tells us that she is content with her life today. Their life has been better and better since more and more tourists have come to Zhongdian. All family members are doing business related with tourism. The father sells souvenirs in the monastery and their son-in-law drives tourists to the various sights.

Now I am at Shudu Lake, which is one of the largest lakes in Shangri-la. The altitude here is over 3,700 meters! However, it doesn't affect me because the dense forest around here produces enough oxygen.

Shudu Lake is a newly developed site. Thirty-five kilometers away from Zhongdian, it's a calm lake surrounded by pasture and forest flowers. There is no public transport to the lake yet, so you need to rent a car.

It is a good camping spot in the summertime and some local people offer horse rides for five Yuan. The lake is so clean and the pastures are so green, we want to stay longer, but...

We had better move now!

More about Travel in Yunnan Province and Shangri-La:
Travel Express Vol.64: Fascinating Yunnan          Photo Gallery: Finding Shangri-La

(CRIENGLISH.com)