China's First National Park: How to Guard a Pure Land with Trails and Faith

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(Potatso National Park: 'The Natural Sanctuary of Northwest Yunnan' and the Poetic Embodiment of Shangri-La)

This is not a park; it is a cathedral of nature, with forests for nave and lakes for altars. Potatso, derived from "Potalaka" (the mythical pure land of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara in Sanskrit), is more than a destination—it is an experience of primordial purity. It is where the concept of James Hilton's Lost Horizon materializes into jadeite lakes, emerald meadows, and azure skies, a living testament to harmony between earth, water, sky, and spirit.

Step into its embrace and witness a sacred ecology in practice:
⚡ The Anatomy of Sanctity: The park's soul is a trinity of iconic landscapes. The mirror-like Shudu Lake (属都湖) reflects the heavens. The mysterious Bita Lake (碧塔海) cradles ancient legends in its depths. The vast Militang Pasture (弥里塘) blooms like a woven tapestry of wildflowers. Each is a verse in a larger poem of preservation.
🪨 The Drama of Preservation: This is China's first IUCN-category national park. Its existence is a dramatic statement—a commitment to protect a complete, fragile ecosystem from alpine wetlands and primary forests to rare species, all maintained in a state of sacred balance.
🗡️ The Instrument of Pilgrimage: The carefully constructed wooden plank paths are not mere trails; they are meditative walkways. They guide you with reverence, ensuring your footsteps do not disturb the sanctity of the ground they protect, making every visitor a mindful pilgrim.

Post by MikeYong98 | Aug 27, 2025