Deqen-An Ideal Tourist Destination

Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwestern Yunnan Province is on the southwestern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and in the southern section of the Hengduan Mountains. The prefecture is in the center of the area where three great rivers flow side by side, and boasts beautiful sights such as snow-capped mountains, gorges, grasslands, alpine lakes and primeval forests, as well as unique ethnic folklore.

There are many snow-capped mountains in the prefecture. In Zhongdian County alone there are 470 mountains more than 4,000 meters above sea level. Mount Kagebo, at 6,740 meters, is the highest mountain in Yunnan Province.

The prefecture is inhabited by 13 ethnic groups, including Tibetan, Lisu, Han, Naxi, Yi, Bai and Hui. They live in harmony, and have retained their own characteristics in lifestyle, clothing, architecture and wedding rituals.

Deqen is one of the key tourist areas on the Shangri-La Tour. Zhongdian, the prefectural capital, is located at an altitude of 3,282 meters above sea level, suitable for tourists from countries at low altitudes. Tourists need not worry about mountain sicknesses.

Main tourist attractions in Deqen include Bitahai Lake, Napahai Lake, Hutiao Gorge, Guihua Temple, Baishui Terrace, Baimang Snow Mountain, Dongzhulin Temple, Meili (Taizi) Snow Mountain, Cizhong Church, Lancang River Gorge and Jinsha River Gorge. Horse races are held annually in Zhongdian on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. In addition, the "Three Rivers Flow Side by Side" Scenic Area, mainly located in Deqen and Nujiang prefectures, is an ideal tourist destination.