The second featured picture of the black red-billed choughs gliding above the monastery like eagles is true to their philopatry.

Keep up the Youtube videos Jordan Porter. I've watched all of them and looking forward to more journeys through China. Don't be discouraged by the underwhelming viewership. May Destination China series be deeply meaningful for you on a personal level.

Businesses in Shangri-La Old Town are slow but would usually pick up from July through September. Many entrepreneurs are holding down the fort and betting on the incoming bullet train next year. Fortunately 10-year rental contracts with locals are relatively low over there, for now. A mere 500rmb/month could get you a decent storefront.

Thanks for the link kc430.

The majestic mountains of Deqin borders both Tibet and Sichuan. Yading Nature Reserve is a mere ~80km away.

From a geological perspective, there are no imaginary provincial nor country borders separating mountain formations created millions of years ago, much less homo sapiens whom evolved much more recently to plot flags/names all over the lands.

Same can be said for The Grand Canyon in Arizona or White Cliffs of Dover in England. These epochal beauties are ancient, and have inspired countless poets and artists of all skin colors. All of whom, like you and me, are the embodiment of the cosmos as we reexamine ourselves. True "Shangri-La" resides in serenity of mind.

I feel the need to contribute to the community on Shangri-La. I carry fresh, lingering regrets for not coming to the aid of this foreign, solo female traveler who was asking unlicensed taxi drivers (or 黑车) for a ride to the popular Sumtseling Monastery (featured photo above).

The drivers' asking price was 200 rmb to take her there by car. She smartly walked away. However, they called her back and their conservation ensued inaudibly. I believe she negotiated her ride down to one hundred or so. Still a rip-off.

The Sumtseling Monastery can be reached via public Bus 13 for a 1 yuan fare. Bus station is 50 meters across the street from Shangri-La Old Town (north entrance). That was where the lady stood alone with her backpack.

The bus route sign direction is incorrect. So take the bus on the right side of the street (Northbound), not the opposite left side. Bus 13 will take you the town's ticket lobby and parking lot. It is the terminal stop (终点站). After purchasing entrance ticket (100-120rmb), a park shuttle will take you higher grounds to the foot of the Temple entrance.

Leaving the temple grounds is easier. Bus 13 awaits just outside the grand entrance at the foot of temple across the public restrooms. No shuttles necessary en route back to Old Town. Bus 13 starts at 7:30am.

For those who wish to visit the Napa lake/protected wetland nature reserve. For 2 rmb, just hop on Bus 12 (green) on aforementioned opposite side across from Old Town starting at 8:30am. Or just wave to approaching Bus 12. They normally slow down or honk to pick up perceived tourists along their +30km drive through town and around the brim of the protected Napa wetlands, but not before first passing the foot of Shika Snow Mountains. Some areas along the bus route have official fence openings where visitors enter without fees. Enjoy a picnic on dryer grass to soak up the high UV sun. To get off Bus 12, just ring the bell or call out to the bus driver (politely call them shifu (师傅) to stop anytime along the route. Last bus is 4:30ish.

Local women and grandmas adorned in colorful attire will ride around the lake too. Bus 12 turns into a giant sightseeing karaoke box. Even the bus driver would join in on their indigenous folksinging like James Corden's carpool karaoke. Their spirit is so carefree. Good times.

Zhaxi dele, Peter

A bit on Joseph Rock and how his Yunnan exploration works may have influenced the ethos of James Hilton's Shangri-La:

www.gokunming.com/[...]