Dukezong

Dukezong was to be built in accordance with the ideal country of “Shambhala” that is described in Buddhist scriptures. The whole town follow the shape of the hill that this town is located. Its name literally means “castle built on stone” or “Moon city”

Back in Tang Dynasty, approximately 2200 years ago; The whole northwest Yunnan province (Currently Shangri La county and west part of Lijiang) was part of East Tibet, geography it is thought to be southeast edge of the east Tibet of Kham, which was one of the three provinces of ancient Tibet; Tang dynasty 676 – 679 AD, The Tibet Tubo kingdom set Shen Chuan Captaincy House to manage the hard – reach place; and given name of “Dukezong” which was well known in history as “The east city of Iron Bridge”

In the Ming Dynasty, this town was occupied by the Chief of Lijiang county whom was called “Mu”. He rebuilt and enlarge the whole town along the “Da Gui Shan | 大龟山 (“means: the big turtle hill”) and then built another stronghold at Nai-zi River, in name Nywang, means the Moon City; the two villages are look each other and forming up the whole Dukezong area.

Gradually, It formed up and became the important traffic hub for connecting Yunnan province, Tibet and Sichuan Province; on the 27^th Year (1688) of Kang Xi empire of Qing Dynasty; the 5^th Dalai lama requested to establish market along Jinsha River region, which was approved by Qing Dynasty government. From that time on, Dukezong became official market for agriculture and mine products;

In 2014, Dukezong caught a fire tragically, after nearly 2 years rebuilding, it has been reopen for visitors since 2016