The Monastery in Shangri La

We got up early this morning, checked out of our nice hotel, and headed for the Buddhist monastery in Zhongdian. Built in the late 1600s, it is currently undergoing some renovations. The area is a warren of alleys, housing for monks, temples, and courtyards. When we first arrived there were not many tourists, but by the time we left it was getting crowded. Many of the people who worked there wore traditional clothing, although that may have been for the benefit of the tourists.
The many temples had fires going to burn incense, and all the housing had fires inside, so smoke hung over the whole place. The housing seemed pretty rickety - thin board walls with gaps large enough to put my fist through, and caved in tin or wood-shingled roofs. The temples, however, were in excellent shape. Gold-leaf everywhere, bronze roofs, gilded Buddhas. Picture-taking is not allowed inside, so I don't have any images of the Buddhas, prayer rugs, monks meditating, or people praying.
Outside the temple complex there was an enterprising man with a large yak, and a lean-to with a laser printer - a nice photo-op. Several of our group paid 10y to sit on the yak, while the rest of us took photos. The guy was in traditional dress, and sang as he posed. A large crowd had gathered to watch the crazy foreigners by the time we left.

We drove back down to Lijiang this afternoon, another hair-raising bus ride down mountain roads. We have free time in the morning to shop, take pictures, etc., then fly to Beijing tomorrow afternoon.
Can't believe we're almost through!
be safe,
rem