Shangri-La City | 香格里拉

“Shangri-La” is a wonderland described in the novel by British author James Hilton published in 1933. According to the book, the “Shangri-La” is a mystical, harmonious valley, guided from a Tibetan monastery, enclosed in the western end of the Himalayan Mountains. Shangri-La has particularly become a mythical Himalayan permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world.

Shangri La City was named Zhongdian (中甸) or in Tibetan “Gyalthang （建塘）”. On December 17^th 2001, approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the State Council of the People ‘s Republic of China, it has been renamed as “Shangri La” ever since; In order to separate from the Wonderland of Shangri La, we call it “Shangri La City”. It is also the capital town of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. However, the meaning of “Shangri la” is exactly same as the old Tibetan name of Shangri La city

Shangri La City and sites Location

Recommended sights

Recommended Accommodation

There are more than 200 hotels, including luxury hotel, 4 star hotel, boutique hotel, and also economy guesthouse or hostel available; whether you have small budget or wanting to enjoy a luxury experience, you will find the one that fits your needs, below listed are some recommended hotels:

How to get there

By flight : Di-Qing Airport is the only airport that serves Shangri La City, and is about 5 kilometers from the downtown area. There are flights to Kunming, Chengdu, Lhasa, Xishuangbanna, and Shanghai, Beijing; There will be more flights to more cities of China. The previous isolated small Tibetan town Shangri La has been well connected with outside world

By Public transportation : Shangri La city is located at the center of triangle area, it connects three provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet;
Kunming — Shangri La: 720 km, it takes 12-14 hours with rate RMB 171.00 per person
Lijiang — Shangri La: 200 km, it takes 3-4 hours with rate RMB 25.00 per person
Dali– Shangri La: 300 km, it takes 4-5 hours with rate RMB 35.00 per person
Panzhihua city (Sichuan) — Shangri La: 470 km, it takes 7-8 hours with rate RMB 90.00 per person for sleeper; RMB 60.00 per person for hard-seat

Distance from Shangri La to

• To Benzilan: 80 kilometers, about 1.5 hours drive
• To Deqin : 175 kilometers, about 3.5 hours drive
• To Zogang: 550 kilometers, about 11.5 hours drive
• To Xiangcheng: 210 kilometers, about 6.5 hours drive
• To Daocheng: 315 kilometers, about 9 hours drive
• To Litang county: 410 kilometers, about 10.5 hours drive

The nearby destinations