Zhongdian & Xishuanbana
Jan 15th, 2008 | 04:41 PM
#2
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
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Zhongdian and Xishuangbanna are in opposite ends of Yunnan, probably the most geographically and culturally diverse province in China.
Zhongdian is as Tibetian as a place can be without actually being in Tibet (or Nepal). Xishuangbanna is tropical, like Burma and Thailand.
Both are highly interesting. Whether you should go to either depends on where else you're going and what your interests are.
Zhongdian is as Tibetian as a place can be without actually being in Tibet (or Nepal). Xishuangbanna is tropical, like Burma and Thailand.
Both are highly interesting. Whether you should go to either depends on where else you're going and what your interests are.
Jan 15th, 2008 | 11:36 PM
#3
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 421
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We have been to both Xishuangbanna (Jinhong) and Zhongdian. This was now 5 yrs ago so much may have changed.
At the time we much preferred Xishuangbanna. It is as rkkwan describes, has a Thai type feel to it. Many people at that time (don't know if same now) wore their ethnic dress every day and the whole area was very diverse and interesting.
Zhongdian was cold and had the feel off an end of line time - which it is in many ways. Good for yak meat shops and restaurants, interesting market and Tibetan temple and loads of 4x4's (Jeep type vehicles) - huge ones obviously needed for winter climate but must have cost loads of money! Very different look and feel to each place. In 5 years they may be different again from what I saw - China is changing fast!
At the time we much preferred Xishuangbanna. It is as rkkwan describes, has a Thai type feel to it. Many people at that time (don't know if same now) wore their ethnic dress every day and the whole area was very diverse and interesting.
Zhongdian was cold and had the feel off an end of line time - which it is in many ways. Good for yak meat shops and restaurants, interesting market and Tibetan temple and loads of 4x4's (Jeep type vehicles) - huge ones obviously needed for winter climate but must have cost loads of money! Very different look and feel to each place. In 5 years they may be different again from what I saw - China is changing fast!
Jan 16th, 2008 | 06:53 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 253
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I was in Zhongdian way back in 2001 when it was still a relatively minor destination. Some time after I visited, Zhongdian was officially re-branded as 'Shangrila,' and has since become a huge domestic destination, with large amounts of local tourists now going. My wife has been back more recently and said it's become something of a tourist trap.
Many argue that these areas on the Tibetan plateau (in neighboring provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai and Xinjiang) are more 'Tibetan' than much of Tibet. They were always part of China so never underwent the cultural oppression that occurred in Tibet after the invasion (or 'reunification' depending on your perspective).
Anyway if you can only choose one of these destinations, base it on whether you'd rather go visit Tibet or Thailand/Burma.
Many argue that these areas on the Tibetan plateau (in neighboring provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai and Xinjiang) are more 'Tibetan' than much of Tibet. They were always part of China so never underwent the cultural oppression that occurred in Tibet after the invasion (or 'reunification' depending on your perspective).
Anyway if you can only choose one of these destinations, base it on whether you'd rather go visit Tibet or Thailand/Burma.
