Dukezong Ancient Town
A major town on the Tea Horse Road and one of China's better-preserved Tibetan-style old towns: Sifang Street, Guishan Park and the world's largest prayer wheel (Jixiang Shenglichuang, the 'Auspicious Victory Banner', approx. 21 m tall, takes several people pushing together to turn) are its landmarks, and climbing Guishan Hill gives a bird's-eye view of the whole town
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- Open all day
- Ticket
- Free
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
A major town on the Tea Horse Road and one of China's better-preserved Tibetan-style old towns: Sifang Street, Guishan Park and the world's largest prayer wheel (Jixiang Shenglichuang, the 'Auspicious Victory Banner', approx. 21 m tall, takes several people pushing together to turn) are its landmarks, and climbing Guishan Hill gives a bird's-eye view of the whole town. First built during the Tang dynasty's Yifeng era, when the Tubo (Tibetan Empire) erected a fortress here; 'Dukezong' means 'Moonlight City' in Tibetan. After a fire in January 2014 burned down large blocks of the town, it was rebuilt to its original appearance. The old town was a node of the tea-horse trade and the Yunnan–Tibet route; caravan culture and Tibetan timber-board dwellings live on today, and at night you can join the Guozhuang circle dance on Sifang Street.
Getting there: By taxi from Shangri-La Railway Station, approx. 15 minutes
Photos
More in Shangri-La
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