Duke Zong Ancient Town


Dukezong is situated at an altitude of 3,200m above sea level, and is 700km from Kunming. It carries
almost everything Tibetan you can think of.

Dukezong means "City of White Stone" in Tibetan, engendered an epithet as "City of Moonlight". 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 ground down and used as paint. All dwellings were accordingly painted white. This is why
Dukezong was named white stone city. On a clear night, the ancient town reflects a silver sheen. This has
engendered to another epithet: moonlight city. Its counterpart is Niwangzong Town by the Naizi River,
known as the sunshine city. The Sun and Moon cities gave rise to the song 'Sun and Moon in the Heart',
which Tibetans have sung for more than 1,000 years.

Dukezong was a key stop on the Ancient Tea-horse Road and a focal point for Han-Tibetan exchanges. It is the largest and best-preserved Tibetan
city among China's 147 Tibetan counties. It is also site of the largest ancient Tibetan community. There was human life in Shangri-La at the
Paleolithic Age, and a tribal society inhabited it during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1100-771 BC). It was in the 7th century that the Tubo Regime
conquered Deqin, and then built Dukezong. 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 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.

The old style jewelry, painted scrolls, cottage industry-produced earthenware, incense and religious ornaments can
be found at the town. As its fame has reached far beyond China's borders, this ancient town is also surprisingly
cosmopolitan. People of different cultures staying in the Yunnan Tibet Posthouse communicate with ease, despite
having no common language.

The Hazelnut Bar is popular as a comfortable venue in which to observe and learn about Tibetan song and dance,
and the Delhamo Bookstore is a good place to take a break during an afternoon stroll.