HONG KONG — Fire blazed through an ancient Tibetan neighborhood in southwest China on Saturday, destroying hundreds of wooden homes and shops that have drawn tourists to an area casting itself as the inspiration for mythic Shangri-La.

Chinese television news said the fire in Dukezong in Shangri-La County, Yunnan Province, broke out in the early hours, and hundreds of firefighters, soldiers and volunteers had largely extinguished the blaze by late morning. There were no deaths or serious injuries reported, initially at least, according to local officials. Yet even without casualties, the fire will deal a heavy blow to a community that has sought to protect its traditions while attracting growing crowds.

Dukezong is an ancient Tibetan neighborhood of two- and three-story wooden buildings on narrow, cobble-stoned streets. With about 5,000 permanent residents, it lies on the edge of a modern town dominated by Han Chinese residents and drab modern buildings.

“After the fire broke out, even though many rushed to help at the first instant, the dry conditions and the speed of the blaze allowed it to spread rapidly in all directions,” said a report on the news website of the Yunnan government, citing officials in the county.