A Tibetan woman worships the Meri Snow Mountain which is considered as a divine mountain for most Tibetan people in Deqing County, Shangri-la Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan.

Known for the grandest view in Yunnan Province, Meri Snow Mountain boasts numerous snow-clad ridges and peaks, thirteen of which exceed 6,000 meters (19.685 feet) above the sea level. The most splendid view is of the Kawagebo Peak, the highest in Yunnan Province rising about 6,740 meters (22,112.86 feet).

There is a tale about Meri Snow Mountain:

A mountaineering expedition consisted of eleven Japanese and six Chinese got ready to challenge the Meri Snow Mountain because no one has climbed to the peak before. The local Tibetans were enraged about the news, as the Meri Snow Mountain is a divine mountain that can not be trampled and climbed in their hearts. Thus, these Tibetan people prayed to the Moundety. It is said that their prayers were like this: "The Moundety, please show them your power and prestige. Never allow them to climb on your head. If you fail to figure these tiny human beings out, we will not worship you any more in the future."

The climbing ended in failure. All teamers lost their lives in an unexpected avalanche. Many years ago, some remains of climbers were found in Mingyong Glacier which is on the other side of the highest peak of Meri Snow Mountain. A law about the inhibition of climbing Meri Snow Mountain was introduced in view of its divine status in Tibetan people's eyes in 1997. In many hotels in Shangri-la, innholders always write down the requirement of Meri Snow Mountain climbing forbiddance.

A woman sells instant noodles in a courier station on the road to Yubeng Village in Deqing County, Shangri-la Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan.

Photo shows Zhuo, a Tibetan man, and his mule in Deqing County, Shangri-la Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan.

(Editors:Lynn,Minnie Mao)

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