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Dukezong Old town

Dukezong Ancient Town

Tour Code : C2183
Type : Historic sites
City / Province : Yunnan (Kunming)
Built in : 700

Highlights

Dukezong Old Town, a 1300-year-old Tibetan town located in Shangri-La, which it has experienced both the flames of war and prosperity of frontier trade. It is the largest and best-preserved Tibetan city among China's Tibetan counties.

Dukezong Ancient Town

         Dukezong Old Town was once the biggest and best-preserved Tibetan residents in China. It was the transportation hub of the Ancient Tea Route. It is located in Shangri-la county. It has a history of over 1300 years and a center of economy and culture among Tibet, Yunnan and Sichuan
  The name Dukezong in Tibetan language has two meanings: one is a castle built on the rock, the other is moonlight city.?When the old town was being built, they obtained raw material locally. There is a kind of white clay being used to paint the outer wall. Therefore, the residents paint all the outer walls in white. The style still remains today. In the night, the moonlight shines on the white walls, which makes the town more charming.
  Dukezong is a key point for Han-Tibetan exchanges. As one of the oldest towns in the region, it is also known as the 'footstep of Shangri-La'. According to Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, there is a lost city called Shambhala in the Snow Mountains, shaped like an eight-petal lotus flower. The 1.6-square-kilometer Dukezong Old Town  is also laid out in this design. All 1,084 of its houses radiate out from Turtle Hill at the center, arranged in conformity with Tibetan Buddhist geomantic theory.Tibetans regard the shade of white as a sign of respect for their forefathers, the ancient Qiang people, who worshipped white stones. Shortly after the town was established, craftsmen found white clay in the region that could be  used as paint. All dwellings were accordingly painted white. This is why Dukezong Old Town was named white stone city.
  The old Tibetan way of life, as well as dwellings, are well-preserved in Dukezong Old Town. Tibetan chess is played in local households as it has been for the past 1,000 years, and horse bells still tinkle along the ancient caravan path. Bonfires that are lit in the town square every night illuminate local musicians as they sing to and play traditional stringed instruments.
  It's so sad that this exotic ancient town got devoured by a huge fire on Jan. 11, 2014. Half of the ancient town got devoured in the fire, including important cultural relics, precious Tibetan thangka, artworks and a number of ancient attractions. What a pity! The whole Dukezong old town has been blockaded and tourists are not permitted to enter. Although half of it was burned into ashes, there were still many precious historical heritages rescued. The local government has stated that the reconstruction work will start before long. The home of Dukezong habitants will be repaired and restored in the future.

Dukezong Old town

Travel Map

Recommend Tour

2 Days Classic Shangri-la Tour

2days

For this private Shangri-La tour, you will visit the most classic sightseeing sites accompanied by your private English-speaking tour guide. You'll marvel at Songzanlin Lamasery, Dukezong Old Town, the Potatso Park and Napahai Lake Reserve. This tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, lunch, private transportation and friendly tour guide.  

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7 Days Kunming Dali Lijiang Shangri-la Tour

7days

Yunnan is like a colorful rainbow in the sky. Even you visit Yunnan many times, there are still many colors waiting for your discovery. This tour is quite classical. You experience UNESCO world heritage Stone Forest. You explore Yan's Compound of Bai Minority in Xizhou town, Foreigner Street, Dali Ancient Town in Dali. You discover Tiger Leaping Gorge, Songzanlin Lamasery, Potatso National Park in Shangri-la. You visit Baisha Murals, Black Dragon Pool, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang. You find everywhere in Yunnan hidden surprise and pleasure, what you need is just a pair of eyes for discovery!

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5 Days 4 Nights Lijiang Shangri-la Tour

5days

Take 5 days Lijiang Shangri-la tour if you have limited time in Yunnan and attracted many travelers to enjoy the beauty of Lijiang Ancient Town and Tiger Leaping Gorge, and get to know Tibetan culture in Shangri-la. This tour would make your journey have more fun and memorable.

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3 Days Lijiang and Shangri-La Small Group Tour

3days

The best destinations of Yunnan: Lijiang and Shangri-La, this tour will lead you to discover the natural beauty of Yunnan: Tiger Leaping Gorge and Napahai Lake; Explore the ethnic groups in Yunnan: Naxi and Tibetan; Enjoy the real life of local people in the ancient towns and villages: Lijiang Old Town, Yuhu Village, Baisha Old Town, Shuhe Old Town, Dukezong Old Town, and Xiaojiezi Tibetan Village; Visit the famous monastery in Yunnan: Songzanlin Monastery.

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5 Days Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-la Small Group Tour

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Explore best destinations of Yunnan: Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-la in 5 days. Discover the natural beauty of Yunnan: Erhai Lake, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Napahai Lake. Explore the ethnic groups in Yunnan: Bai, Naxi and Tibetan and enjoy the real life of local people in the ancient towns and villages, like Dali Old Town, Xizhou Old Town, Zhoucheng Village, Lijiang Old Town, Yuhu Village, Baisha Old Town, Shuhe Old Town, Dukezong Old Town, and Xiaojiezi Tibetan Village. Visit the landmark temple and monastery of Dali and Shangri-la: Chongsheng Temple and Songzanlin Monastery.

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7 Days Kunming Dali Lijiang Shangri-La Small Group Tour

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Explore Classic Yunnan group tour in 7 days: Kungming-Dali-Lijiang-Shangri-La. Discover the natural beauty of Yunnan, explore the ethnic groups in Yunnan, Experience bullet train from Kunming to Dali, enjoy the real life of local people in the ancient towns and villages, explore history from the landmark temple and monastery of Dali and Shangri-la.

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