| 
|
 Dry
Sea is a vast meadow with an altitude of 3,100 meters (10,171 feet). Just
as its name implies, it had been a highland glacial lake before the 1940s
and was formed after the water had dried up. Dry Sea is located at the
east foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and is only 25 kilometers (15.5
miles) away from Lijiang Old Town.
Surrounded on all three sides by the superb mountains, Dry Sea is the
closest and also the best place to get a panorama of Jade Dragon Snow
Mountain. The 13 peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are covered by the
undefiled white snow wriggle from the north to the south, like a white
jade dragon flying and playing leisurely in the sapphiric sky. The name
of the highest peak, Shanzidou (Fan Peak) originates from its shape. From
one angle of view, it looks like a gigantic unfolded fan cutting in the
clouds.
On the heavily forested Dry Sea, spring is a busy season, for the meadow
bursts into colorful blooms and is full of energy. In the sunny days of
summer, fantastic green glittering glaciers can be seen clearly through
the telescope. It is the flourishing plants all over the mountains that
tinge the glaciers with the filmy green. When autumn comes and brings
a gentle breeze that kisses the meadow turning the green leaves on the
deciduous trees into bright yellow, orange, and scarlet. In winter, the
pure snow covers this world making the meadow and the mountains show a
kind of holy beauty. Dry Sea is an abundant pasture and views of local
herders who intersperse their groups of grazing livestock (including the
cattle, the goats, the sheep and the domesticated yaks) are easy to be
seen.
Dry Sea now is a famous travel resort, many minority villages are built
here and the establishments are self-contained. Tourists can take part
in many kinds of activities by daylight like skiing, grass-sliding, gliding,
and racehorse, etc. When the moonlit night comes, tourists can enjoy the
peace and harmony of the majestic snow mountains and the far-flung meadow
or they can take part in the parties held by the local people, both are
really pleasant things.
|
|
