Things to do in Kāngdìng (Dardo)
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Village Window
The coolest of the new cafes in town, this Tibetan-run place, adorned with books and ornaments, does fresh coffee, various teas, beer and snacks. You can use the internet for free, if you order a drink. English menu.
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Tibetan Culture Dew
Hang out with the yak-butter-tea-sipping locals at this lovely teahouse/restaurant with a rustic stone-and-wood interior decorated with colourful Tibetan prayer flags. There are all sorts of tea if you don't like the yak-butter variety, plus coffee and beer. The English menu is limited, but includes tsampa, Tibetan yoghurt, a few yak-meat dishes and some delicious dumplings.
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Other Sights
You can head up Pǎomǎ Shān for excellent views of Kāngdìng and the surrounding mountains and valleys. The ascent takes you past oodles of prayer flags, several Buddhist temples and up to a white chörten . Avoid hiking alone, as a British tourist was murdered here in 2000 and one or two muggings have been reported.
Two sets of steps lead up the hill, or you can take the cable car. By the entrance to the cable car is a small Tibetan museum
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Monasteries
There are several small monasteries in and around Kāngdìng. The central Ānjué Temple dates back to 1652 and was built under the direction of the fifth Dalai Lama.
Nánwú Temple (南无寺; Nánwú Sì) belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is the most active monastery in the area. It also affords good views of Kāngdìng and the valley. Walk south along the main road, cross the river and keep going for about 200m until you see a rusty old sign (in traditional Chinese characters: 南無寺) for the monastery on your right. Follow that track uphill, beside a stream, and the monastery will be on your right.
Nearby, about 100m further along the …
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Happiness in Heaven
Traditional Tibetan and Chinese songs, including the famous 'Kāngdìng Love Song' (康定情歌; Kāngdìng Qínggē), are performed to ear-splitting techno beats and appreciative audiences, and you can get up and dance once the performances are finished.
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Èrdào Bridge
About 5km north of Kāngdìng, these springs are a pleasant 45-minute walk along the Yǎlā River, or take a cab (Y8).
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Ā'Rè Tibetan Restaurant
Bigger menu and more of a proper restaurant than Tibetan Culture Dew, this place does tasty soups, tsampa and yak-meat dishes including a whole yak hoof, if that sort of thing takes your fancy. English menu.
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