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What To See
Gedan Songzanlin Monastery, also called Guihua Monastery, is the
largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province, as well as
one of the 13 large lamaseries in the Kangzang region (the joint
area of Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan).
The monastery is 5km from the seat of Zhongdian County. Construction
began in 1679 and was completed in 1681. It is said that the Fifth
Dalai Lama chose the site of the monastery through divination and
named it "Gedan Songzanlin Monastery". In 1724, during
the reign of Emperor Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty, the monastery
was renamed the "Guihua Monastery". During its time of
greatest prosperity, there were more than 3,000 monks in the temple.
Built along the mountains with a magnificent facade, the present
monastery is a faithful imitation of the Potala Palace in Lhasa,
Tibet. Covering an area of 33.35 hectares, the monastery has solid
walls and five gates. Two main lamaseries, Zhacang and Jikang, command
the highest position in the architectural complex. Also listed among
the 13 large lamaseries in Kangzang region, they are both Tibetan-style
watchtowers and are surrounded by eight sub-lamaseries and the dormitories
or the lamas.
A five-story Tibetan-style building serves as the main hall in this
monastery. Seen from the distance, the gilded copper stupa at the
top of the structure and the gilded copper tiles seem to shine eternally
in the plateau sunlight. The lower tier in this structure is supported
by 108 giant pillars,an auspicious number in Buddhism. The 16 colorful
pictures hanging high in the hall are said to have been painted
by renowned lamas with golden liquid given by the Fifth Dalai Lama.
Brightened with numerous butter-oil lamps, the hall can hold 1,600
lamas sitting in meditation or chanting the Buddhist scriptures.
The monastery has many treasures. The most famous are the eight
gold-covered sculptures of Sakyamuni, fashioned between the time
of the Fifth and Seventh Dalai Lamas. In the early Qing Dynasty,
the rulers of Lijiang, the Mu Family, presented the monastery with
dozens of bronze sculptures, the "Ganzur" scriptures hand-written
in liquid gold, scriptures written on pattra leaves, gold lamps,
and many exquisite gilded silver incense burners. Every morning,
noon and evening, the solemn tolling of the bells and the sound
of the drums from the bell and drum towers can be heard several
kilometers away.
Baishui Tableland (White Water
Terraces)
At the foot of Haba Snow Mountain, in Baidi village, lies a snow-white
terrace named "Baishui Terrace. Snugly situated on a mountain
slope 2,380 meters (about 7,806 feet) above sea level, Baishui Terrace,
140 meters (about 459 feet) in length and 160 meters (about 525
feet) in width, is one of the biggest such terraces in China.
The top of the terrace features a semicircular platform pool, and
spring water rises from the mountaintop and flows downward. Over
many eons, calcium carbonate crystals contained in the streamwater
have accumulated wherever the stream flows. As a result, the natural
terraces look as though they are made of white marble - as if a
silver waterfall tumbles through the green mountains. The spring
water reaches the rim of one shallow basin and silently trickles
into another, leaving exquisitely patterned tracks. Local people
also call the terrace the "Paddy Fields created by the Fairies."
Baishui Terrace is also the cradle of the Dongba culture of the
Naxi people. It is said that the founding father of Dongba culture
settled here to spread his beliefs on his way back from Tibet. In
addition, three superb pieces of Dongba literature were found here.
These are the "Chongbangtong," a traditional account of
the creation of the world; the "Lubanlurao", a detailed
description of the long journey of the Naxiancestors when searching
for their presenthome; and the "Dong'aishu'ai," an epic
of Naxi heroes. Thus, Baishui Terrace is regarded as a sacred site
of the Dongba culture.
Each year, on the eighth day of the second month of the lunar calendar
-- the day the founding father held his founding ceremony -- people
of various groups congregate around the terrace, singing and dancing
and slaughtering chickens to pay tribute. Tourists are invited to
participate in this folk holiday while enjoying the wonderful landscape
of Baishui Terrace.
Bitahai Lake
Situated about 32 kilometers (about 19.9 miles) away from Zhongdian
County, Bitahai Lake, a fault lake, is an intact natural attraction
with various species of flora and fauna and, of course, picturesque
landscapes. In Tibetan language, Bita means "a piece of land
as soft as cattle hair felt". With an altitude of 3,539 meters
(about 11,608 feet), the lake is the highest in Yunnan Province.
Shaped like lively deer, it also covers an area of 166 hectares.
Famed as pearl in the highlands, the lake is surrounded by wooded
mountains and resembles a beryl inlaid among them. The surrounding
mountains are densely scattered with azaleas, and each year in late
spring and early summer, when the flowers are in full bloom, the
hillsides seem to be dyed red, echoing harmoniously with the clear
waters in the lake.
Bitahai Lake's fish are as abundant as its natural beauty. Rowing
a boat on the lake, one can see shoals of precious "Bitahai
Double-Lip Fish" - an ancient species left over from the Fourth
Glacial Age - swimming back and forth about 10 meters beneath the
surface. The small streams beside the lake are home to amphibious
"Codfish", which produce a valuable medicine.
Each year, when azalea blooms cover the mountains, the wind blows
the petals into the lake, causing all of the fish to vie with each
other to eat them. They eat so many that they seem drunk and float
on the surface - an enchanting sight known as "Fish Drunk on
Azalea's Petals. Around Bitahai Lake are vast meadows and deep forests
- ideal habitat for rare animals including red-footed pheasant,
silver pheasant, wild bull, leopard and lynx. Every April when the
snow begins to melt, wildflowers bloom profusely in the meadows.
The glorious colors shine like twinkling stars in a sky of fresh
green grass. Local Tibetans pitch their tents in the pastureland
and their loyal dogs round up any of the animals who try to stray.
In the night, when the day draws to a close, a bright full moon
arises above the eastern mountains and over the tops of the trees.
From the small cottage of the forest ranger comes the sound of joyous
singing and dancing.
Bitahai Lake is regarded as a "Holy Lake" by local Tibetans,
so be on your best behavior when traveling here. Do not litter or
act inappropriately, since it is said this type of behavior would
disturb the gods and cause them to punish you.
Meili Snow Mountain
M eili Snow Mountain, also called "Prince
Snow Mountain," is located about 10km west of Deqing city in
Diqing prefecture, at the confluence of the Jinsha, Lancang and
Nu rivers.
In this area, strong updrafts meet
with continental cold air masses, forming thick fog and heavy snow.
Yet due to vertical climate differences, Meili Mountain also features
abundant blooming azaleas and verdant trees, which contrast with
the snow-capped peaks, creating a charming scene here.
Meili Snow Mountain has long been
famous for its main peak, Kagebo Peak, which, at an elevation of
6,470 meters (21,221 feet) above sea level, is the tallest in Yunnan.
Surrounded by 13 lesser peaks, which are the subject of an enchanting
tale, Kagebo Peak is extolled as the "most beautiful mountain
in the world." On the southern side of the main peak, a waterfall
- known among the local people as "a deluge of rain and God-mandated
cascade" - tumbles down from a breathtaking height of 1,000
meters (3,280 feet).
Under Kagebo Peak, low-altitude modern
glaciers can be found, which are of particular interest to those
engaged in geological research. Mingyongqia Glacier and Siqia Glacier
stretch down to the forest at an elevation of 2,700 meters (8856
feet), only 800 meters (2624 feet) from the surface of Lancang River.
It is an eternal modern monsoon maritime glacier with low latitude
and high altitude.
Towering like a pyramid, Meili Snow
Mountain is regarded as a Holy Mountain by local Tibetans. Although
there are numerous snow-covered mountains between Yunnan and Tibet,
including Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, and
Qiaogeli Peak, the second highest in the world, Meili Snow Mountain
is the highest holy Tibetan mountain -- one shrouded in mist, cloud
and mystery. Each autumn, countless Tibetans living near and far
make pilgrimages to this legendary peak.
Despite the fact that man has long
since conquered Mount Everest, the top of Kagebo Peak, protected
by perpendicular cliffs and a treacherous climate, is yet to be
visited by a human soul. Since 1902, mountaineers from China, Great
Britain, the U.S. and Japan all have failed to conquer the summit.
In 1991, 17 mountaineers from China and Japan lost their lives while
trying to reach the peak, a tragedy that marked the greatest sacrifice
in the history of mountain climbing in China.
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