Shangli Ancient Town (上里古鎮)

Two hours southwest of metropolitan Chengdu lies this gorgeously dilapidating town, hidden among bamboo groves in the foothills at the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. For centuries this served as a caravan stop along the ancient Tea Horse Road between China and India. Here porters bearing back-breaking loads of tea bricks would begin their treacherous journey into Tibet on foot. Many didn't make it back, but that's all part of its legend and romance. The medieval town of Shangli remained unheralded almost to the degree of anonymity throughout its history. It was simply known as one of the last Han Chinese outposts before a lawless wilderness of exotic tongues and horse bandits began. Back in the Qing Dynasty this was the last frontier of civilization according to the Chinese. A 20-day trek to the west would take you to the Khampa Tibetan city of Dartsedo, beyond which thousands of miles of cold, barren plateau awaited. Here inexhaustible Tibetan stallions would enter the Chinese empire to be integrated into the Imperial cavalry, and in exchange precious black tea would flow west, past the Himalayas and eventually reach the Bay of Bengal.