Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Administrative prefecture in northwestern Yunnan, China.
Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is an administrative division in northwestern Yunnan, China, set in high mountain terrain with its main center in the city of Shangri-La. The prefecture covers several valleys and mountain ranges and is home to a mix of Tibetan, Yi, and Han communities.
The region was Tibetan territory for centuries before being formally incorporated into the People's Republic of China in the 20th century. Its main town was called Zhongdian until 2001, when it was renamed Shangri-La after the fictional paradise from James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon.
The Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, built in the 17th century, is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan and draws pilgrims and visitors alike. Monks carry out daily rituals there, and the golden rooftops are visible from a distance across the surrounding valley.
The prefecture is accessible via Shangri-La Airport, which connects to major Chinese cities. The high altitude can affect travelers on arrival, so it is worth taking it easy for the first day or two to let the body adjust before exploring further.
Three of Asia's longest rivers - the Yangtze, the Mekong, and the Salween - run through the prefecture in parallel valleys without mixing, despite being remarkably close to one another. This rare geographic feature led to the area being recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
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