Cities > Shangri-La City
Overview
Chinese Name: 香格里拉市English Name: Shangri-La City
City Airport: Diqing Shangri-La Airpor
Train Station: Shangri-La Station,Xiaozhongdian Station,Tiger Leaping Gorge Station
Climatic Contidition: Temperate climate,Plateau climate or Highland climate
Background
Shangri-La City, located in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, is a county-level city that in Tibetan means "the sun and moon in the heart." It is situated in the northwestern part of Yunnan Province in the heart of the Hengduan Mountains on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, at the junction of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet. The name "Shangri-La" is a transliteration from Tibetan and is also translated as "Shambhala," meaning "paradise." Shangri-La became widely admired in the 1930s when British author James Hilton depicted it in his novel "Lost Horizon." It was soon adapted into a film of the same name, which won several Oscars, further popularizing the name. The Shangri-La Tibetan region has a long history, stunning natural landscapes, and attractions such as Pudacuo National Park, Dukezong Ancient City, Gandan Songzanlin Monastery, and Tiger Leaping Gorge.Background Origin of the Name
Shangri-La City was originally named Zhongdian County, known in Tibetan as "Jiantang," said to be connected to the fiefdoms of the three sons of the Tibetan King from Batang and Litang. The term "Dian" appears to be Yi language for "flat land" or "plain." One interpretation of Zhongdian in the Naxi language is a transliteration of "land," meaning "chief's residence" or "place for raising yaks." Shangri-La, in Diqing Tibetan, means "the sun and moon in the heart." In 1933, James Hilton first described a place of eternal peace and tranquility amidst the eastern mountains, called "Shangri-La," in his novel "Lost Horizon."In October 1996, an expedition to find Shangri-La in Yunnan was initiated. In September 1997, the Yunnan provincial government held a press conference in Zhongdian County of Diqing Prefecture to announce that the elusive paradise—Shangri-La—was indeed located in Diqing. On December 17, 2001, Zhongdian County was officially renamed Shangri-La County with approval from the State Council. A renaming celebration was held on May 5, 2002.
Location and Region
Shangri-La City is situated in the northwestern part of Yunnan Province, at the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau's Hengduan Mountain range, specifically in eastern Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It lies between longitudes 99°20′ to 100°19′ and latitudes 26°52′ to 28°52′ and is located at the crossroads of the "Yunnan-Tibet Tea Horse Road." To the east, it borders Daocheng and Muli counties in Sichuan Province; to the southeast, it faces Yulong County in Lijiang, Weixi County, and Deqen County across the Jinsha River; and to the northwest, it is adjacent to Derong and Xiangcheng counties in Sichuan Province. The city spans 88 kilometers east to west and 218 kilometers north to south, covering a total area of 11,613 square kilometers.Geographical Features
Shangri-La City lies in the eastern region of the Hengduan Mountains within the Three Rivers gorge area of the southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The Shaluo Mountains enter the county from Garze, dividing into two branches that surround the county on the east and west. The Jinsha River flows into the area from the Touzhaobi and heads south toward the vicinity of Jinjian Township between Shigu in Lijiang, then sharply turns northeast before flowing into Sichuan in the region of Pajie, encircling the southern part of the county. Shangri-La presents a magnificent landscape characterized by "narrow edges and a wide center, with snow mountains serving as walls and the Jinsha River as a pool." The overall terrain of the county trends high in the northwest and low in the southeast, with the highest point being Mount Balagezong at an elevation of 5,545 meters, and the lowest being Luojiji at 1,503 meters, resulting in an altitude difference of 4,042 meters and an average elevation of 3,459 meters. The county's topography is categorized into mountains, plateaus, basins, and river valleys.Climate
Shangri-La City has high topography in the northwest and gradually lowers toward the southeast. It is located in a high-altitude, low-latitude region, with the climate varying with altitude, presenting six climate zones in succession. The highest point is Mount Balagezong in Nixi Township at 5,545 meters, while the lowest point is by the Jinsha River in Luoji Township at 1,503 meters, resulting in a height difference of 4,042 meters and an average elevation of 3,459 meters. Due to its high-altitude, low-latitude location, the climate changes with altitude, including the following climate zones:1. Monsoon Climate
Influenced by alternating southwest monsoons and south branch westerly jet streams, with distinct dry and wet seasons. From June to October, overcast and rainy weather prevails, accounting for 10-80% of annual precipitation, constituting the wet season. From November to May, there are more sunny days with ample sunlight, high evaporation rates, and only 10-20% of annual precipitation, defining the dry season.2. Topographic Climate
Within the county, towering snow peaks and deep river valleys cause variations in climate with altitude. The areas range from the Jinsha River valley at 1,503 meters to the summit of Mount Haba at 5,309 meters, including the river valley's northern subtropical, warm temperate mountain, temperate mountain, cold temperate mountain, subalpine, and alpine climates. This wide climatic range creates a "four seasons in one mountain" effect.3. Plateau Climate
The region is situated just north of the Tropic of Cancer, dominated by the larger and smaller Zhongdian flats at an average altitude of 3,450 meters, enjoying abundant solar radiation year-round, with minimal annual temperature differences. There is no summer, with an average temperature around 5.5℃. However, due to high atmospheric transparency and strong solar radiation, daytime temperatures can increase dramatically while nighttime temperatures drop rapidly, resulting in a significant daily temperature difference, especially in the dry season, where differences can reach 30℃, leading to the phrase "no four seasons in a year, but four seasons in a day.4. Microclimates
Shangri-La's topography is higher in the north and lower in the south, attracting warm and humid air that results in comparatively abundant rainfall in the south and a relatively dry climate in the north. The complex topography of Shangri-La interlocks various climate types, within the same climate zone exhibiting forest climates, grassland climates, and lake basin climates, resulting in a "different weather within the same area" feature.Festival and Customs
In Shangri-La City, various ethnic groups celebrate numerous festivals, including the Horse Racing Festival on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the "Danba City" festival, and "Gedong Festival," which are two religious events, as well as the Naxi's "February 8" and the Yi's "Torch Festival."The main traditional songs and dances of the diverse peoples in Shangri-La include: the Guozhuang from Dazhongdian, the Qiang dance from Nixi, and the Reba dance from Wujing, all of which belong to Tibetan dance; the Naxi's Akabala dance; and the Yi's Hulusheng dance and the Lisu's Duijiao dance.
Inhabitants possess diverse clothing styles, with seven types of Tibetan garments and three types of Naxi attire. A variety of architectural styles representing Tibetan residences can be found throughout the area, almost encompassing all forms of traditional Chinese dwellings apart from the Dai building style.
Scenic Spots
Haba Snow Mountain
The Haba Snow Mountain Nature Reserve is located in the southeastern part of Shangri-La County, 130 kilometers from the county seat. It covers a total area of 21,908 hectares and is classified as a provincial-level reserve, established in 1982. The main peak reaches an elevation of 5,396 meters, while the lowest point is at the riverside administrative village, only 1,550 meters high, resulting in a height difference of 3,896 meters. The landscape above 4,000 meters consists of steep cliffs and high altitude talus, featuring a stepped mosaic of climate zones from subtropical to temperate and subalpine to alpine climates, with a temperature variation of 22.8°C from base to summit. This reserve aims to protect the vertical distribution of high-altitude forests and the wildlife residing therein.Pudacuo
Pudacuo is China’s first national park, located 22 kilometers east of Shangri-La County in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The term "Pudacuo" in Tibetan means "to arrive at the lake's shore with divine help." The water and air quality in Pudacuo National Park meet the national Class I standards. The park primarily comprises Bitahai Lake and Shudu Lake, ranging from 3,500 to 4,159 meters in elevation, forming an important part of the "Three Parallel Rivers" scenic area. The park is home to diverse geological features, wetlands, forests, streams, and rare flora and fauna, with its primitive ecological environment well-preserved.Meili Snow Mountain
Known as the "Prince of Snow Mountains," Meili Snow Mountain is situated in the Hengduan Mountains, approximately 10 kilometers west of Deqen County in Yunnan Province, between the Nujiang and Lancang rivers, within the world-renowned "Three Parallel Rivers" area. It connects to Mount Adonggni in Tibet to the north and to the Biluo Snow Mountain to the south. There are 13 peaks exceeding an average elevation of 6,000 meters, collectively known as the "Thirteen Peaks of the Prince," with the main peak, Kawa Gabo, reaching an altitude of 6,740 meters—Yunnan's highest. In the 1930s, American scholars praised Kawa Gabo as "the most beautiful mountain in the world." Meili Snow Mountain is notable for its majestic snow-covered plateau as well as its stunning picturesque features. Beneath the azure sky, the pristine and imposing snowy peaks, azure lakes, vast forests, and boundless grasslands create a striking visual and sensory impact.Songzanlin Monastery
Known as the "Little Potala Palace," Songzanlin Monastery is designed to resemble the layout of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, built according to the contours of the mountain. The main hall is grand and luxurious, adorned with vibrant murals that meticulously depict historical tales and promote Buddhist doctrines. The two main temples, Zha Cang and Jikang, are constructed at the highest point, central to the entire monastery, featuring architecture styled after Han temple designs. Inside the monastery, significant artifacts from the fifth and seventh Dalai Lama periods, including eight gilded statues of Sakyamuni, palm leaf scriptures, five-color gold-painting Thangkas, and golden lamps, are preserved.Napa Lake
The Napa Lake Nature Reserve is one of the most characteristic scenic areas in Shangri-La, featuring a landscape composed of snow mountains, grasslands, and grazing yaks and sheep, representing the northern scenery of the southwestern region.
