Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Museum, Shangri-La, Dukezong, Moonlight Indigo

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, meaning "auspicious and prosperous place" in Tibetan, with its capital Shangri-La, is located at the junction of Yunnan, Tibet, and Sichuan provinces. The main attractions include Yunnan's highest peak, Meili Snow Mountain's Kagebo Peak; the world's deepest canyon, Tiger Leaping Gorge; the birthplace of Dongba culture, Baishuitai; Gadan Songzanlin Monastery; Haba Snow Mountain; Bodhidharma Cave; the First Bend of the Yangtze River; Balagezong Grand Canyon; and more. Shangri-La, originally named Zhongdian and known as Jiantang in Tibetan (meaning "paradise"), became known to the world through British writer James Hilton's novel "Lost Horizon" in the 1930s. Dukezong Ancient Town, located in the Zhongdian Basin in Jiantang Town, was historically an important settlement and military post, as well as a key station on the Ancient Tea Horse Road between Yunnan and Tibet. "Dukezong" is an ancient Tibetan name meaning "Moonlight City," which faces "Niwangzong" (Sun City) along the Naizi River, together known as the "sun and moon in the heart." The ancient town has a history of 1,300 years. During the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan period, Tibet's Songtsen Gampo sent troops to occupy Jiantang Basin and built a stone fortress on Daguishan Mountain. Later, Tibetans established a fortress called Dukezong at the top of Daguishan. During the Ming Dynasty, the Naxi Mu clan occupied southern Kham Tibetan areas and relocated many Naxi people to Diqing, making Dukezong a Naxi military stronghold. Main attractions include the Diqing Red Army Long March Museum, Guishan Park, the Big Buddha Temple Prayer Wheel, and the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Museum. The museum is located next to Moonlight Square in Dukezong Ancient Town and is a national third-grade museum featuring cultural relics appreciation, ethnic artifacts, and Buddhist relics. Driving from Lijiang's Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to Shangri-La, I checked in at Moonlight Indigo Hotel. The rooms offer excellent views overlooking the ancient town. I stayed for three nights and visited Dukezong Ancient Town, Gadan Songzanlin Monastery, and Pudacuo National Park. Wonderful times in Shangri-La.