History of Benzilan Town in Deqin County, Diqing

Benzilan Town (奔子栏镇) is situated in the southeast of Deqen County (德钦县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州). Nestled between the towering Baimang Snow Mountain (白茫雪山) and the Jinsha River (金沙江), it borders Shangri-La City (香格里拉市) to the east and Derong County (得荣县) of Sichuan Province across the river. National Highway 214 runs through the town, making it a vital passage along the ancient Tea Horse Road (茶马古道).

Climate Wonders

As part of the “Three Parallel Rivers” (三江并流) World Natural Heritage site, Benzilan showcases remarkable climatic diversity. Despite lying just 110 kilometers from Dulong (独龙), where annual rainfall reaches 4,600 mm, Benzilan receives only 374 mm of precipitation annually—a stark contrast that forms a dry-hot valley climate. IUCN experts have hailed this drastic variation within such short distances as “a global natural wonder.”

Historical Significance

With roots tracing back to the Tibetan Tubo Dynasty (吐蕃王朝), Benzilan served as a military outpost and later flourished as a commercial hub on the Yunnan-Tibet Tea Horse Road. Known as the “Jiangnan of Kham” (康巴江南), it became renowned for:

• Fresh fruit production (rare in Tibetan regions)
• Riverside restaurants serving Jinsha River fish
• The historic trade of “Himduzi” (himself away child, 马帮) horse caravans

Cultural and Economic Features

The Tibetan name “Benzilan” (奔子栏) means “golden sand shoal.” As Deqen’s second-largest trading center, it preserves unique geographical adaptations of Tibetan culture, notably:

• Handicrafts: Exquisitely crafted wooden bowls and tsamba (糌粑) boxes embodying Tibetan traditions
• Agriculture: Cultivation of wheat, corn, and highland barley, alongside cash crops like grapes and walnuts
• Biodiversity: Proximity to the Baimang Snow Mountain Nature Reserve (白茫雪山自然保护区)

Key Landmarks

• Dongzhulin Temple (东竹林寺): A provincial-level cultural heritage site
• Kham’s Sole Tibetan Buddhist Nunnery: A significant religious landmark
• Traditional Villages: Showcasing preserved Tibetan dance, clothing, and architecture

Benzilan remains a living museum of ethnic craftsmanship and cross-cultural exchange, where the legacy of the Tea Horse Road continues to thrive.