Zhongdian Travel Guide
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The word "Shangri-la" first appeared in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon; the story of three American pilots who, while flying over the Sino-Indian air route during World War II, crash-land in the midst of Paradise. This place of tranquility and peace is described as having "snow-covered mountains, grasslands, and red soil plateaus, populated by Tibetan people, with three rivers traversing the landscape". A half a century of research has determined that the beautiful "Shangri-la" described in "Lost Horizon" is, in fact, the city of Zhongdian, located in the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (also known as Diqing) of Yunnan Province. What a coincidence that "Shangri-la" means "Sun and Moon in the Hear" in the Tibetan Language while in the hearts of the Tibetan people, Zhongdian is Paradise. Degen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is situated in the northwest Yunnan Province, with Tibet to the west and Sichuan to the east.
Starting from Dali, driving north about 315 kilometers along the Yunan-Tibet Road, you will arrive at Zhongdian, the county seat and capital of the Degen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Zhongdian is 659 kilometers away from Kunming, a short 50 minute flight.
Diqing means "the place of good luck and happiness" in the Tibetan language. It is located at the southeast edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the eastern part of the southern section of the Hengduan Mountain Range and the hinterland of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Province. Due to its remote location the scenery is spectacular. It is a harmonious blend of snow-covered mountains, gorges, prairies, lakes, and virgin forests. The remote location has also preserved local customs much as they were hundreds of years ago. It is a famous scenic spot excellent for photographers, nature lovers, hikers, and adventurers. There are countless snow peaks including Mount Kang Karbo, the highest peak in Yunnan Province. The Zhongdian region has 470 snow-covered mountains with an elevation of 4000 meters. Many gorges provide the opportunity to stop and enjoy the scenery. The most famous among them, Jinsha Tiger Leaping Gorge and Lianchajiang Gorge. The vast prairie, boundless virgin forests, and countless mountain lakes are mysterious, quiet, and delicately beautiful.
More than 13 minorities such as Zhuang, Lisu, Han, Naxi, Bai, Hui and Yi etc. live in harmony while enjoying their unique lifestyles and customs in this region.
Scattered like jewels, visitors are treated to the most rare and spectacular glaciers and snow-covered mountains in the Diqin Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture a land of tranquil, ever-changing scenery.
The highest peak is Kang Karpo, 6470 meters above sea level, one of 13 continuous peaks in the Meli Snow Mountains. It is a holy place of pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists and the first of the Eight Great Divine Mountains in the Tibetan region.
Because of its changeable climate, the Meli Snow Mountains are fraught with danger and remain unconquered even today. Between the snow-covered mountains there are many meadows and plains, places for people of Diqing to live and work. This region has countless lakes such as, Bitahai Lake, Napahai Lake, Hehai Lake and Shouduhai Lake which are some of the most beautiful.
The saint monasteries are the most telling witness of this freedom kingdom—the small Potala Palace Gadan Song Zanling Monastery; represents the perfect Garden of Eden in people's dreams of Shangri-la.
Best time to visit
Spring and summer are two best seasons because flowers are blossoming throughout the region with the comfortable climate. Besides spring and summer, the period after mid-autumn is a very nice time for tourists to enjoy the fantastic plateau scenes of Diqing
Area Code：0887
Zip Code：674400
Location：Northwest of the Yunnan province
Nationality：Zhuang、Lisu、Han、Naxi、Bai、Yi、Hui、Miao、Pumi、Nu、Dulong etc.
Administrative division：Zhongdian County、Deqen County、Weixi Lisu Autonomous County
Top Things To Do in Zhongdian
Lake Napa
Napa Hai (Lake behind the forest) Nature Reserve is a state-designated wetlands area situated some 8 kilometers north of Shangri-La County (aka Zhongdian County) on the Yunnan-Guizou Plateau in nor... [ View Details ]
Meili Snow Mountain
Meili Snow Mountain (aka Kawa Karpo) in reality, a multi-peaked mountain range is located in the western section of Deqin County, Yunnan Province, on the border with Tibet Autonomous Region. Apar... [ View Details ]
Songzanlin Lamasery
Song Zanling Lamasery, a collection of monastic buildings that cover a mountain slope, is located about 5 kilometers from the town of Shangri-la (aka Zhongdian), the seat of Shangri-la County. Song... [ View Details ]
Average Rating:
Excellent
It's the most peaceful and beautiful place in the world
you must of course be talking about the total province rather that the capital city also called Shangri-la which is nothing more than a struggling country town with no tourist facilities other that the touts at the airport. I belive that a 400=500 km round trip to Snow Mountain is most beautiful but unless you are on a guided tour, there is no way you can get there from Zhongdian township. I am currently in that town and have spoken with 2 so called travel agents through hotel reception and neither of them will take us to those regions claiming it is too far.
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We would like to stay in Zhongdian from 17.- to 21. july. Can you help us to find a hotel or a pension?
Hello, Shili Hotel is a four-star hotel located at north of Changzheng Road, Zhongdian. The reservation tel is 86-0887-8222233. The price of its standard room is about RMB500. Tina''S Gasthaus is a fine pension located on the road to the famous attraction Tiger Leaping Gorge. Its address is Yongsheng Village, Tiger leaping Gorge Town. price: RMB15 for a bed; Tel:86-0887-8806638 Wish you a good Trip!
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