Diqing
A hidden Tibetan region in northwest Yunnan, with magnificent scenery including Meili Snow Mountain, Shangri-La's meadows and monasteries, and the three-river gorges.
Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture lies in northwestern Yunnan, on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, where the Jinsha and Lancang rivers flow side by side. It is the core of the "Three Parallel Rivers" World Natural Heritage site. Shangri-La has Dukezong Old Town, Songzanlin Monastery and Pudacuo National Park. In Deqin, Kawagarbo, the main peak of Meili Snow Mountain, is a sacred mountain to Tibetans, and Yubeng Village is on a classic trekking route. Weixi is known for Lisu culture and as a habitat of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey. The best seasons are spring, when the rhododendrons bloom, and autumn, from October to November; in winter you can see the golden glow of sunrise on the peaks. Shangri-La Airport is the gateway, and the Lijiang–Shangri-La railway is open.
Destinations
Itineraries
- Nujiang Grand Canyon, Degong Highway & Meili to Shangri-La – Travel north along the Nujiang Beautiful Highway to Bingzhongluo, then cross the Degong Highway to Meili and Shangri-La.
- Yunnan-Tibet Highway Self-Drive: Lijiang to Lhasa – A classic road trip from Lijiang to Lhasa via Shangri-La, Meili, Yanjing, and Nyingchi.
- Classic Yunnan: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La – Connect Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La by high-speed rail—the most established route for first-time visitors to…
- Meili Snow Mountain & Yubeng Trek – Travel from Shangri-La to Feilai Temple for the golden sunrise over the snow peaks, then trek into Yubeng to explore Ic…
- Lijiang, Lugu Lake & Shangri-La Loop – A self-drive loop starting from Lijiang, connecting Mosuo villages at Lugu Lake, Shangri-La, and Baishuitai.
- Daocheng Yading to Shangri-La & Lijiang Overland – Enter Daocheng along Highway 318 from Chengdu, cross into Yunnan via Xiangcheng, and conclude in Shangri-La and Lijiang.
- Lijiang Old Town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Highlights – Stroll Lijiang Old Town, visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Glacier Park and Blue Moon Valley, then see Black Dragon P…
- Ancient Tea Horse Road: Weishan, Nuodeng, and Shaxi – An off-the-beaten-path slow route from Dali to Lijiang via the Nanzhao ancient town, a Bai ethnic salt village, and the…
- Naxi Culture and Slow Travel in Shaxi Ancient Town – Stay in Shuhe, visit Baisha murals and Yuhu Village, and add a day in Shaxi, the Tea Horse Road ancient town, for a slo…
- Tiger Leaping Gorge High Route Trek and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain – Base in the Old Town, warm up with a hike from Yuhu to Wenhai, spend two days on the Tiger Leaping Gorge high route, th…
- In-Depth Dali Trip with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang – Base in Dali Old Town to explore Cangshan, Erhai Lake, and Jizu Mountain, then take the high-speed train to Lijiang for…
- Lijiang, Lugu Lake, and Liming Danxia – Beyond Lijiang's Old Town and snow mountain, stay two nights at Lugu Lake to circle the lake, then add a day at the Fir…