Dukezong Ancient Town-Moonlight Square

The architectural layout of Dukezong Ancient Town is like an eight-petal lotus, with Moonlight Square in the center and quaint Tibetan wooden houses surrounding it. To the west of the square is Big Turtle Mountain, also known as Turtle Mountain Park, a famous local attraction. On the top of Turtle Mountain is the world's largest prayer wheel listed in the Guinness World Records, which requires three people to work together to turn it. It is said that turning it three times clockwise can ward off disasters and pray for blessings.

The ancient town in winter has a unique flavor. Floor heating is necessary, and oxygen supply is also necessary! Ganlu Inn is worth having, clean and warm. The boss and the boss's wife are from Northeast China and are hospitable! The people I met here are great. Songzanlin Temple was even better. It was a spiritual baptism! My husband and I were super impressed. We were still discussing it before going to bed at night. It makes people wise, hardworking, and kind. Unforgettable Shangri-La!

【Dukezong Ancient City】



In the Tang Dynasty, northwestern Yunnan (including Diqing area) belonged to the Tubo Dynasty. In 676-679, Tubo established the Shenchuan Governor's Office in Weixi Qizong, built an official camp in today's Dagui Mountain, and built a city with stones. The city was named "Dukezong", which is the famous "Iron Bridge East City" in history.

At the end of 2013, a fire broke out in Dukezong Ancient Town, which had a history of more than a thousand years. In 2015, Dukezong Ancient Town was rebuilt, and people tried their best to restore it to its original appearance.



Bus: Take bus No. 1 or 3 to the stop 23, then walk to the destination. Buses from Lijiang to Shangri-La usually stop at the East Gate of the Ancient City.

Above and below Guishan Park is the Moon Square, which means "white stone castle" in Tibetan. The residents of the ancient city painted the outer walls white. At night, the silver moonlight and the white ancient city complement each other, it is quiet, yet lively. On the plateau, in the Moonlight City, you can either quietly appreciate the moon or close your eyes to feel it. This Moonlight City is well-deserved and is so beautiful that it seems not to be on earth.

On the north side of the square is the Diqing Red Army Long March Museum, which has exhibition halls such as the Memory of Snow Mountain and Grassland, Climbing Snow Mountain and Crossing Grassland Interactive Landscape, Red Flag Flying Serf Halberd, Today's Long March Road, and the New Look of Diqing Plateau. A large number of pictures are also used to introduce the little-known stories of the Long March. It was awarded the "Yunnan Patriotism Education Base" by Yunnan Province and is open to the public free of charge. To the south is the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Museum. The Diqing Prefecture Museum currently has three permanent exhibitions, "Diqing History and Culture Exhibition", "Diqing National Costume Culture Exhibition", and "China Tsa Tsa Art Exhibition", as well as two multi-functional temporary exhibition halls. The Thangka Painting Academy in the northeast corner can take you to wander in the magnificent world of Thangka.

When night falls and the lights come on, dance music starts playing in Moonlight Square. People come and dance to the music. It is a Tibetan dance that is easy to learn and has a strong sense of rhythm. There are Chinese tourists, foreign friends, and more local Tibetans dancing. They are dressed in Tibetan robes, waving their long sleeves, and their dark faces are filled with happy and intoxicated expressions.

There is the world's largest prayer wheel here, which is very spectacular. You can follow the locals to turn the prayer wheel and pray for what is in your heart.

The Moonlight Square in front of Guishan Park is the most lively place in the ancient city. There is the Red Army Long March Museum to the north of the square and the National Art Museum to the south. There are also many barbecues and snacks around.

There is a prayer wheel on the Moonlight Square that may be the largest in the world. I heard that if you turn it three times, your wish will come true. However, it is very difficult. At the beginning, I didn’t feel anything when I was turning with others, but suddenly I couldn’t move. I looked up and found that there was only one person turning it, and I couldn’t turn it even if I tried my best. I had to wait for others. It is true that there is strength in numbers, but my wish has not come true yet.

There are flocks of pigeons here, and the Moonlight Square is really beautiful at night.

The lights in the square are beautiful and there are a lot of people. There is a big prayer wheel that you can turn when you climb up.

Although the sun was scorching in the Moonlight Square, watching the children feeding the birds with food, the simple joy made people happy.

In this Moonlight Square, you can watch the big prayer wheel and the night view of the ancient town, and you can also dance.

After dinner, I took a walk to Moonlight Square and watched the Tibetans dancing the local square dance. It was so lively. Many Tibetan boys who looked like students followed along the dance. Their skillful steps and graceful dance moves were not inferior to those of the girls at all.

Moonlight Square is famous for its square dances, where people gather every evening to dance. Not only local residents, but also many tourists join in the dance. You can hear the melodious music from afar, and everyone dances happily. Tourists' backpacks are scattered in the middle of the circle.

Basically, it is a must-see attraction in Shangri-La and it is worth visiting.

Everyone is dancing, no one will laugh at you, just dance to your heart's content

The circumambulation tower is there. It is very nice and has commemorative significance.

Moonlight Plaza and Guishan Park are both relatively small!

Shangri-La is a mysterious place, and Dukezong Moonlight Square is the beginning of the exploration of this secret place. Kunming was hot in July, and I couldn't stand it, so I went to Dali to escape the heat. I stayed in Dali for a few days and it was rainy and depressing, so I signed up for a tour to Shangri-La. The next day, I set off for Shangri-La. The mountain road was rugged like a long dragon, going down and up, slowly approaching the place "closest to heaven". The journey to explore the secret place of Shangri-La began.

When it comes to the Dukuzong Moonlight Square, the feeling is mysterious. Going to Dukuzong, you can feel the Tibetans' belief in Buddhism as soon as you arrive in the morning. Some Tibetan compatriots set up breakfast stalls in the square in front of the gate, mostly selling local specialties. The shops next to it sell local medicinal materials and Tibetan knives. If you need them, you can bring some. In front of the square is the Liangzuo Temple and the world's largest large prayer wheel. It's just that the way up the mountain is a bit tiring. After all, the altitude is more than 3,000. As soon as you arrive at the temple gate, you will see many Tibetan mothers going to the temple and walking along the temple, turning the Buddhist beads in their hands, and personally experience the influence of Tibetan Buddhism on the Tibetans. The large prayer wheel is the largest prayer wheel in the world. There are more than 2,000 scriptures in it. Every time it is turned, more than 2,000 blessings are prayed. But the prayer wheel must be turned in odd numbers. The prayer wheel is too big. It took more than ten people to turn it. Shangri-La has good weather and is suitable for summer vacation. You can go and have fun, but pay attention to summer vacation and altitude sickness.

It's worth a visit, but for someone like me who has altitude sickness and has to climb stairs, I have to go slowly and stop to catch my breath after every few steps. But it's still worth it. It's a rare opportunity to come here, so how can I not turn such a large prayer wheel and pray for peace.

There is a place for dancing, and dancing Tibetan dance with Tibetans will make you very happy at night.

One of the most perfect places in Shangri-La, I love it very much

Moonlight Plaza is not very big, so I finished the tour in no time and took some simple photos.

Moonlight Square is within the Dukezong Ancient Town and is within walking distance. You can enjoy the enthusiastic Tibetans dancing and go to Guishan Park to turn the golden drum.

At dinner time, the whole city can hear the cheerful singing coming from the square. As you approach, you will be infected and can't help but dance along. The night is getting darker and the moonlight is so beautiful!

Moonlight Square is just an ordinary square, but its special feature is that Tibetans will dance in the square at night, and many tourists will be infected by their music and dance with them in Moonlight Square. It is recommended that you go there between 7:30 and 8:45, of course you can go earlier, but not later, because they will finish dancing at 8:45.

Moonlight Square is located in front of Guishan Park and is a beautiful scenery of Dukezong Ancient City. It is a place for Tibetans to take a leisurely walk. From 7 to 9 o'clock every night, locals will dance to the music, and outsiders will be attracted and can't help but dance with them. They dance in circles around the center of the square, enjoying the fun and excitement. By the way, there may be some Tibetan mastiffs and yaks in the square for tourists to take pictures. Of course, there is a fee, so be careful not to take pictures of the animals in front of the owner to avoid disputes.

Of course you have to see the world's largest prayer wheel when you come to Chandni Chowk.

The square is still the same square, not too damaged. The simple people and flocks of white pigeons in the square also bring a little vitality to the square.

There are so many pigeons~~ They are not afraid of people at all~~~

It is right at the entrance of Guishan Park. There are pigeons and other things in the square, and you can see the prayer wheels and the buildings next to it from a distance.

There are ladies selling handmade yogurt in Moonlight Square every day. It tastes delicious. There were also activities in the square at night on the two days I went there. It was very lively.

Moonlight Square is located in the south of Shangri-La County. A major feature of the square is the square dance performed by crowds that gather here every evening. Not only local residents but also many foreign tourists join the dance spontaneously, creating a unique and beautiful landscape in the area.

Moonlight Square is located at the foot of Guishan Park in Dukezong Ancient Town, Shangri-La County, Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The square is not big but there are people dancing in the square. The big prayer wheel on Guishan behind the square is really famous.

There is a square called Moonlight Square in the center of Dukezong Ancient Town. There are not many people there during the off-season, so the local residents spontaneously organized singing and dancing, and a few of us joined in the fun and danced.

Shangri-La Moonlight Square is located at the foot of Guishan Park in Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is an unprepossessing small square. When you pass by it during the day, it is full of barbecue stalls and filled with smoke. There is the world's largest prayer wheel here, where you can make a pious prayer. At night, it instantly transforms into a place of joy and leisure for the local Tibetan people. Tibetans and tourists of all ethnic groups walk around in circles, dancing passionate Tibetan dances and having a great time.

Walking into the ancient town in the morning, I saw many pigeons walking leisurely on the ground. They were so cute! In the evening, there were Tibetans dancing in the square!

Moonlight Square is actually a public area for locals to rest and play. It is famous for its prayer wheels.

Moonlight Square is located on the east side of Guishan Park. Sometimes there are some snack stalls, such as yogurt and potatoes! There are also people who rent ethnic costumes and take photos with large animals such as yaks and Tibetan mastiffs all year round. Of course, these are charged! Around seven o'clock in the evening, many residents, men and women, young and old, will gather here, and dance to the music in circles! Sometimes there are performances here during festivals, similar to concerts! It's still very lively!

There is nothing to see in Moonlight Square. The highlight is the world's largest prayer wheel on the square, and there are many people pulling the rope to drive the prayer wheel. Next to the prayer wheel, you can overlook the entire Dukezong.

It's not very big and you can finish the tour in an hour. The prayer wheels are a must-see.

The main attractions of Dukezong Ancient City are Moonlight Square and Guishan Park. Moonlight City is more beautiful at night, especially the prayer wheels and temples of the Big Buddha Temple, which look magnificent under the lights. While strolling in the ancient city, you can have a portion of the local special snacks...pure yogurt and barley cakes. Note that you must add more sugar to the yogurt, otherwise you will regret it. Moonlight Square is very lively at night. From 7 to 9 o'clock, many people will gather together to dance. Everyone will form a circle, almost all of which are folk dances. The movements are relatively soft and slow. As an outsider, I can dance with them after a few times.

The Moonlight Square is located in front of Guishan Park in Dukezong Ancient Town. The square is not big. On both sides of the square are the Diqing Red Army Long March Museum and the Diqing Museum. At night, the square is very lively, with Tibetan and Chinese songs playing at the same time, and people of all ethnic groups dancing to the music. The atmosphere is very lively and lively.

Moonlight Square is the only way to enter the Dukezong Ancient City. The hill to the east of the square is the famous Guishan Park, which is the location of the Shenchuan Governor's Mansion in the Tang Dynasty, the famous "Iron Bridge East City" in history. Legend has it that when the city was built, a living Buddha looked at the hill opposite the ancient city and found that the big Guishan Mountain was like a Buddha sitting on a lotus, so the layout of the ancient city was shaped like an eight-petal lotus. As time goes by, the lotus-shaped Shenchuan Governor's Mansion has disappeared, replaced by a scattered Tibetan Buddhist temple. Next to the temple stands a tall prayer wheel, which is said to be the largest prayer wheel in the world. The golden figure pierces the blue sky, like a giant standing upright. It is said that chanting the six-character mantra and turning around the prayer wheel three times will bring happiness and well-being. I looked at it and saw some tourists turning the prayer wheel together in the warm sunshine. The prayer wheel made a buzzing sound, just like a gentle call, and the sound echoed in the quiet ancient city at the foot of the mountain with the breeze.

Right near the ancient city, in the evening I watched the white doves landing and flying up...tourists gathering and dispersing...watching the afterglow of the sunset...I inexplicably felt that the people living here are very happy, happiness is contagious!

The night is the most lively, with many locals dancing with tourists, and the prayer wheels are even more colorful.

Shangri-La is really a great place to watch the moon, so the square is probably named after it.

The Moonlight Square has relatively complete facilities. You can go to Guishan Park. There are many pigeons on the square, and there are stalls selling snacks and skewers on both sides. Local handicrafts are also for sale!

There is nothing much to say about the environment. The mountain folks here feel that it is similar to ours.

At night, there are people dancing and singing in Moonlight Square. There are also many people walking around.

We arrived a little late. The crowd in the square had dispersed.

It looks exceptionally quiet.

At night, there are people dancing and singing in Moonlight Square. There are also many people walking around.

We arrived a little late. The crowd in the square had dispersed.

It looks exceptionally quiet.

A small square, you can overlook the whole city by going upstairs, the night view is great.

It feels very sacred. It is magnificent and beautiful both during the day and at night.

【Moonlight Plaza】

Moonlight Square is located at the foot of Guishan Park. You can see the panoramic view of Dukezong Ancient City when you climb to the top of the mountain. Dukezong Ancient City, also known as "Moonlight City", is the best-preserved and largest Tibetan residential complex in China and the hub of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. The buildings in the ancient city are mainly made of wood. Although Dukezong Ancient City suffered a fire in 2014 and nearly two-thirds of it was burned down, it has been rebuilt almost completely now. There are still piles of wood in the unbuilt places.

Tibetan music is played in Moonlight Square every evening, and everyone dances Tibetan-style square dance to the music. When the atmosphere becomes lively, tourists will also be attracted to join in the dancing, which is very interesting.

In the square of Dukezong Ancient Town, you can often see monks sitting together, some renting traditional costumes, some taking photos with Tibetan mastiffs, and some selling barley milk.

When I came down from Guishan Park, I happened to see some local ethnic minority aunties dancing in the square. Luckily, they were not the Phoenix Legend, so I danced with them for a while and felt the ethnic customs.

After dinner, strolling in the square is a good place to relax, not only to help digestion, but also to appreciate the local customs and practices.

Shangri-La Moonlight Square is located at the foot of Guishan Park in Shangri-La County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is an unprepossessing small square. When you pass by it during the day, it is full of barbecue stalls and filled with smoke. There is the world's largest prayer wheel here, where you can make a pious prayer. At night, it instantly transforms into a place of joy and leisure for the local Tibetan people. Tibetans and tourists of all ethnic groups walk around in circles, dancing passionate Tibetan dances and having a great time.

After dinner, go out for a walk. Square dancing is also a good idea.

It is actually a square in front of Guishan Park, with two museums on both sides. It was too cold when I went there, and it was very quiet at night with few people.

Moonlight Square is a landmark square in Dukezong Ancient City. The Tibetan mastiffs on the square are a real highlight. It costs 20 yuan to take a photo.

The place is not very big, and the world's largest prayer wheel is worth a visit. There are mainly three places to visit here, the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Museum, the world's largest prayer wheel, and the Red Army Long March Museum.



The second floor of the museum is mainly about Tibetan medicine culture. After entering, there will be staff to explain. There are specimens of various Tibetan medicinal materials. They will also teach you to identify real and fake saffron and the like. After that, they will take you to small houses one by one. There are Tibetan doctors inside to feel your pulse for free, diagnose various problems in your body and then sell medicine. Zhuoma, who was at the Tibetan family’s house the day before, said that they actually have very few Tibetan doctors. Zhaxi, who just explained in the museum, also said that their local Tibetan medicinal materials are actually very rare, so they are very precious. This is actually very contradictory. Later, I talked about this with my friends in the same group. In comparison, our Tibetan doctor was still very responsible. Some of them sold medicine directly. Our Tibetan doctor also told me and Xinjie about our physical problems. Xinjie was very accurate. Mine was just average, but the problems of young people nowadays are similar, problems caused by staying up late, and female friends have uterine cold and the like. It depends on yourself whether you believe it or not. We mainly don’t have money to buy it. . .

It is said that the square dance is performed in Moonlight Square. But when we went there, we did not dance in Moonlight Square, but in Sifang Square. At a certain time in the evening, the square music sounded, and then people slowly joined in like a flash mob. They danced in a circle, and if there were many people, they would circle around outside. We couldn't hold back our enthusiasm for dancing and joined the square dance army. The music played here is Tibetan songs, and the dance is also Tibetan dance. Although I danced very clumsily, the time I spent dancing in the square was the happiest time in Shangri-La.

The car arrived at the end, which was a small square. On one side of the square was Guishan Park, on one side was the Diqing Autonomous Prefecture Museum, and on the other side was the central town hall. The square was not big, with vendors scattered in groups of three or two.

In the rebuilt Dukezong Ancient City, the prayer wheels are still turning, Tibetans are still dancing in the Moonlight Square, and the burned areas are rebuilding buildings in the dust. Fortunately, people's beliefs will never be destroyed.

I went there at the end of April 2015. The trees were full of flowers and it was very beautiful.

The sky is very blue, not foggy like ours. Unfortunately, most of the houses were burned down by the fire and are being rebuilt.

Be sure to go at night, listen to Tibetan music, and dance with everyone

You must go to Moonlight Square to dance Guozhuang. I don't know if the old soul dancer is still here.

Is Moonlight Square the center of Dukezong Ancient City? Actually, I am just guessing. I walked here in a leisurely afternoon. The enthusiastic local residents sang and danced happily in Moonlight Square, attracting many tourists. The dense drizzle in the sky did not disperse their enthusiasm. They still sang and danced in the rain. After the rain, two rainbows appeared in the sky. It was beautiful to come here to feel the local culture and integrate into it. It was quite touching.

This is the comprehensive square of Shangri-La County. There is a pagoda opposite the square. You can take pictures of the sunset and the panoramic view of the county in the afternoon. There are many Tibetans dancing folk dances here every day.

It has a very local flavor. I heard there will be singing and dancing parties at night, which is even better.

"I always feel uneasy before leaving, for fear that we will never see each other again"! Perhaps I have a connection with Shangri-La. At that time, I temporarily transferred from Sichuan to Yunnan and started my Yunnan-Tibet trip from Shangri-La. If it were not for the decision at that time, I would never see Shangri-La in front of everyone in this life. Shangri-La has a story for me, a story that I will never forget in this life.

It is a classic Tibetan temple with a blue sky and not many people. The pink flowers are beautiful. It takes a lot of people to turn the sutra together, but no one can turn it three times.

See the night view of the ancient city and dance Tibetan square dance with Tibetan friends

There were many people dancing, all of them were local Tibetans, and they were very happy to have fun with the local residents.

The square is quite big. There are many people dancing in the square at night, and you can see pigeons during the day.

The square dance that people gather here every evening is a major feature. Not only local residents, but also many foreign tourists spontaneously join the dance, forming a unique and beautiful landscape in the local area.

At night, everyone gathers in this square to dance, which is very unique.