Firefighters work to put out a fire in Dukezong, Shangri-La county, Yunnan province in southwest China on Saturday.
Fire ravages ancient town —
Firefighters work to put out a fire in Dukezong, Shangri-La county, Yunnan province in southwest China on Saturday.
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Wooden houses in the ancient town caught fire and the blaze spread quickly.
Wooden houses in the ancient town caught fire and the blaze spread quickly.
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A fire truck navigates a narrow street.
A fire truck navigates a narrow street.
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Firefighters battled the blaze that razed two thirds of the town for 10 hours.
Firefighters battled the blaze that razed two thirds of the town for 10 hours.
STR/AFP/Getty Images
Much of the ancient town was turned to rubble, but no casualties were reported.
Much of the ancient town was turned to rubble, but no casualties were reported.
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This 2012 photo from travel agency TravelBirds shows Dukezong in all its original glory. The town is home to ancient Buddhist temples and a giant golden prayer wheel.
This 2012 photo from travel agency TravelBirds shows Dukezong in all its original glory. The town is home to ancient Buddhist temples and a giant golden prayer wheel.
Courtesy of TravelBirds.net
Dukezong means "town of the moon" in Tibetan and was built during the Tang dynasty.
Dukezong means "town of the moon" in Tibetan and was built during the Tang dynasty.
Courtesy of TravelBirds.net
The town is a popular tourist destination and is located in a region known as "Shangri-La."
The town is a popular tourist destination and is located in a region known as "Shangri-La."
Courtey of TravelBirds.net
Narrow lanes are lined with ancient dwellings.
Narrow lanes are lined with ancient dwellings.
Courtesy of TravelBirds.net
Dukezong is laid out in the shape of a lotus flower according to theories described in Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.
Dukezong is laid out in the shape of a lotus flower according to theories described in Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.
Courtesy of TravelBirds.net