Dukezong Old Town
Xiang Ge Li La, Yunnan
A Tang-dynasty old town of stone streets and timber houses, rebuilt after a fire destroyed two-thirds of it in January 2014.
Why visit Dukezong Old Town?
The name means 'town of the moon' in Tibetan, and despite the scale of the 2014 fire, the rebuilt town preserves the same street layout and building style — worth visiting for the atmosphere as much as any single structure.
How to experience it
Explore on foot in the evening, when the surrounding mountains catch the last light and the town's cafés and guesthouses fill up.
Tip
Fire safety is taken seriously here for obvious reasons — expect visible sprinkler systems and hydrants integrated into the historic streetscape.