Tiebetan Buddhism

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Deqin, Yunnan: Pilgrimage to the Meili Snow Mountain

White stupas overlooking the Meili Snow Mountain, Deqin, Yunnan, China (2012)

White stupas overlooking the Meili Snow Mountain, Deqin, Yunnan, China (2012)

August 16, 2012

Attraction List:

  • Meili Snow Mountain: 5-6 hour (8+ kilometer) hike to Mingyong glacier (August 16)
The mountainous region of Deqin county in Yunnan, China (2012)

The mountainous region of Deqin county in Yunnan, China (2012)

The journey to the Meili Snow Mountain took us on a long drive up the winding, mountainous roads of Deqin county.

The rocky road to Deqin, Yunnan, China (2012)

The rocky road to Deqin, Yunnan, China (2012)

Fair warning though, the roads are undeveloped and rocky. Thankfully, we had a skillful driver who can drive along the narrow road barely wide enough for two cars to pass.

View of Dequin from the hotel, Yunnan, China (2012)

View of Deqin from the hotel, Yunnan, China (2012)

After the long drive, we reached our hotel, where we were able to rest and wash up for dinner. Then, we took a stroll along the white stupas overlooking a gorgeous view of the snowy mountains. Continue reading →

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Shangri-La, Yunnan: Paradise and the Search for Enlightenment

Climbing to the Songzanlin Lama Temple outside of Shangrila, Yunnan, China (2012)

Climbing to the Songzanlin Lama Temple outside of Shangri-La, Yunnan, China (2012)

We have reason. It is the entire meaning and purpose of Shangri-La. It came to me in a vision long, long ago. I foresaw a time when man exalting in the technique of murder, would rage so hotly over the world, that every book, every treasure would be doomed to destruction. This vision was so vivid and so moving that I determined to gather together all things of beauty and culture that I could and preserve them here against the doom toward which the world is rushing. Look at the world today. Is there anything more pitiful? What madness there is! What blindness! A scurrying mass of bewildered humanity crashing headlong against each other. The time must come, my friend, when brutality and the lust for power must perish by its own sword. For when that day comes, the world must begin to look for a new life. And it is our hope that they may find it here.

– Lost Horizon by James Hilton (1934)

August 14-15 & 17-18, 2012

Attraction List:

  • Tiger Leaping Gorge (August 14)
  • Shangri-La cultural show (August 14)
  • Songzanlin Lama Temple (August 15)
  • Shudu Lake and natural park (August 17)

After saying our farewells to Lijiang, we continued on our journey along the Tea and Horse Road (Southwest Silk Road) toward Shangri-La— the closest city to the China-Tibetan border.

Farmland and country homes on our way to Shangri-La (2012)

Farmland and country homes on our way to Shangri-La (2012)

Our ride took us between the Jade Dragon (Yulong) Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain to the Tiger Leaping Gorge.

 

Tiger Leaping Gorge between the Jade Dragon (Yulong) Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain (2012)

Tiger Leaping Gorge between the Jade Dragon (Yulong) Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain (2012)

Standing on the viewing deck, the rough water currents in the narrow gorge roar like a thousand tigers charging toward you. The energy of the water is a reminder of the great strength of nature. Continue reading →