Special trip photos – Lijiang and Shangri-La, 2012/11

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This was our second visit to Lijiang and Shangri-La in Yunnan Province, and it was also our last long distance trip of 2012.

Our first stop was the old city of Lijiang and the surrounding area, where we explored the cobbled lanes of the old city and did some hiking around the countryside, visiting nearby small villages. This year we noticed a change in the climate: there was not as much water in the town's canals as usual, and very little snow on top of Jade Dragon Mountain. But the rest of the scenery was as beautiful as ever, and you can get a good idea of what we saw by looking through the photos below.

The next stop was Shangri-La, a town where Tibetan ethnic culture is dominant. The road to Shangri-La took us through the mountains. Along the way, we stopped off at Lashi Lake, a beautiful reserve where we rode horses and followed some of the ancient tea trails.

We stayed over in Shangri-La, and did more walking around in the streets and lanes. A highlight was a visit to Songzanlin Temple, the largest active lamasery in Yunnan.

Huijie took hundreds of photographs while on the trip – below you'll see her favorites!

autumn colors, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Autumn colours in Lijiang's ancient town.

people were dancing, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Local Naxi (ethnic group) people were dancing at "Si Fang Jie", Lijiang's town square.

A dancing group, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Making a circle before beginning the dance.

A very cute kid, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

A very cute kid was also checking out the dancing.

Lion hill, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

The hiking group atop Lion Hill".

A nice view, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

From Lion Hill you get a view of the rooftops of Lijiang's ancient town.

Beautiful weather, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

There's a tall pagoda on the peak of Lion Hill.

The Mu family palace home, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

An ornamented arch marks the entrance to the Mu Family's palace home.

Black Dragon pond, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

A spectacular view in the Black Dragon Pool park, with Jade Dragon Mountain in the distance.

Nice group photo, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Nice group photo with a view.

small town, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

We stopped at another small town and took pictures with some Naxi ladies at the market. A few minutes later they asked us for money!

A nice hat, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

A lady in traditional garb doing embroidery.

Lashi Hai, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

We took a punt on Lashi Lake.

Shangri-la, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

A stupa in Shangri-La's ancient town.

Local ladies, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Local ladies meet on the street in Shangri-la.

school students, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Local primary school students on their way home.

Hello angry bird, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Spot the Angry Bird.

a dinner, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Tibetan cuisine at a restaurant in Shangri-La.

Group photo, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Group photo in front of Songzanlin Temple, with our local guide Zhaxi.

Yunnan province-Songzanlinsi, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Songzanlin Temple, the largest active lamasery in Yunnan Province.

Local people, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Local people were doing koras around the temple, at least six circuits a day.

Local Tibetan prayers, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Local Tibetans making a circuit.

Prayers, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

More people doing their koras.

Prayers, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

A stupa in the background.

A stupa, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

The big stupa in Songzanlin Temple.

a short hiking, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

We took a short hike trail up to a small village where Zhaxi, our local guide, gave an introduction to Tibetan Buddhism in a nice spot outside of a temple.

Nice pine smelling smoke, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

We decided that they must have been burning pine in there – the smoke smelled very fragrant.

colorful prayer flags, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

Kai and the colourful prayer flags.

a Tibetan house, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

The ruins of a Tibetan house.

The monastery, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

The flags at a door in the monastery.

Family prayers, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

A family heads in to do their prayers.

the temple, Beijing Hikers Lijiang and Shangri-La, Nov14, 2012

The front of the temple.