Diqing Overview

Diqing is a glorious place, with dense forests, alpine lakes, grasslands, and gorges distributed among the meadows and plains. Among the lakes, Bitahai, Napahai, Hehai and Shouduhai are the most beautiful. Jinsha River Tiger Leaping Gorge and Lancangjiang River Gorge are the most famous. Every spring, fields of flowers blanket this region. There are over 200 kinds of azaleas, about 100 kinds of gentian and a variety of primroses and lilies. 

‣ Where is Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is situated in the northwest of Yunnan Province, bordered on the northeast by Sichuan Province, and on the northwest by the Tibet Autonomous Region. Southwest and southeast of Diqing Prefecture are other parts of Yunnan Province: Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture and Lijiang respectively.

‣ Basic Information of Diqing Prefecture

• Full Name:Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

• Chinese Name: 迪庆藏族自治州

• Area: 23,870 k㎡

• Population: 400,000

• Zip Code:674400

• Seat of Government: Shangri-La City

• Altitude:1,500－6,740 meters

‣ Diqing Climate

Enjoying a typical plateau climate, it may snow in August, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous prefecture is encompassed by the Hengduan Mountains, and the terrain varies greatly, so the temperature difference of a day is great, too. Sometimes, visitors can even experience all the four seasons in a day. July to September is the rainy season.

‣ Administrative Diversion of Diqing Prefecture

There are one city and two counties in this prefecture: Shangri-La City(香格里拉), Deqin County(德钦县), and Weixi Lisu Autonomous County(维西傈僳族自治). And they all used to be under the administration of Lijiang (located southeast of this prefecture). Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture was established in 1957.

‣ Diqing Attractions

Visitors to the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture will surely find themselves in a land where mysterious tranquillity is harmoniously blended with the ever-changing scenery. There are many attractions in Diqing, such as Yubeng Village (雨崩村), Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山), Lancang (Mekong) River Meili Grand Canyon (澜沧江梅里大峡谷), Baima Snow Mountain (白马雪山), Feilaisi Temple (飞来寺), Dongzhulin Temple (东竹林寺).

‣ Minority Culture in Diqing Prefecture

There are 16 minorities in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Among them, 9 minorities have a population of more than 9,000. The main minority ethnic group in Diqing is  Tibetan, in addition to Han, Naxi, Yi, Bai, Dai, Zhuang, Miao, Hui, Lisu, Lahu, Wa, Yao, Jingpo, Blang, etc.

‣ What to Eat in Diqing Prefecture

Most residents in Diqing are Tibetans, so food is the Tibetan flavor. Here in Diqing, tourists can taste natural Zanba, buttered tea, barley beer, have a dinner at home of Tibetan's and experience the local customs. The Tibetan food is often made of beef, besides, plenty of Tibetan snacks can be found here such as Zanba, buttered tea and barley beer etc.

‣ Recommended Hotels in Diqing Prefecture

There are some hotels, which enjoy high reputation, such as Hilton Garden Inn Shangri-La (香格里拉实力希尔顿花园酒店), Banyan Tree Ringha (仁安悦榕庄), Diqing Shangri-La Hotel (迪庆香格里拉大酒店), which are 5-star hotels with best environment and facilities.

‣ Transportation

Diqing Shangri-La Airport, also known simply as Diqing Airport, is one of the biggest airports in the northwest of the Yunnan Province. It is located about 3.4 miles (5.5 km) from the center of Shangri-La City. There are flights to Lhasa, Chengdu, Beijing (via Kunming), Shanghai Pudong, Shenzhen (via Guiyang), Guangzhou, Kunming and Xishuangbanna.

Highways are the main means of transportation to reach Diqing Prefecture. There are also direct bus routes to Kunming, Lijiang, and Panzhihua (Sichuan).

‣ Best Time to Visit Diqing

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is a picturesque place suitable for travel all year round. Visitors can find different beautiful scenery in different seasons. If you are interested in Diqing or mysterious Shangri-La tour, our experienced staff of Yunnan Exploration will work out a professional and individual travel plan with you according to your travel demands.