“Shangri La City” 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 or in Tibetan “Gyalthang “. On December 17th 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
Most popular sites
–Recommended hotels in Shangri La city–
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:
Add : No. 92, Chicika Road
Contact : +86 887 887-6999
Add : No. 15, Chicika Road
Contact : +86 887 822-9788
Add : Xiangbala 3rd Road
Contact : +86 887 898-5555
Add : Entrance, Xiangbala Zhen
Contact : +86 887 822-6888
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 per person
Lijiang – Shangri La: 200 km, it takes 3-4 hours with rate RMB 25 per person
Dali – Shangri La: 300 km, it takes 4-5 hours with rate RMB 35 per person
Panzhihua city – Shangri La: 470 km, it takes 7-8 hours with rate RMB 90 per person for sleeper; RMB 60.00 per person for hard-seat
Address: No. 1, Shen-Ying Road
IATA Code: DIG
Altitude: 3,280 meters
Contact: +86 887 822 9916
Address: Xiangbala Avenue
Phone: +86 887 822-3501
Altitude: 3,080 meters
Working hours: 06:00 am – 19:00 pm
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
