Shangri-la Travel Tips

Climate and Weather

Located in a high altitude area with over 3,300 meters above the sea level, Shangri-la has complicated and changeable landform. The annual average temperature in Shangri-la is 5.4℃ and people will experience four seasons in a day sometimes. It is recommended that remember to bring coat, mittens, skidproof shoes and down jacket with you. For ladies, UV-protection cream, umbrella and sunglasses are necessary.

The best time to visit Shangri-la is from May to July and September to October. At this time, Shangri-la enjoys pleasant weather, green grassland and trees, colorful flowers in full blossom and crystal clear and blue sky.

Local Festivals and Folk Custom

Magical and magnificent mountains and rivers not only give birth to kind-hearted and expansive local people from different ethnic groups but also make the festival cultures here attractive, charming and unique.

Every nationality has its own festivals. The festivals below are the most representative ones only for your reference.

Horse Racing Festival (Tibetan Nationality)
Horse Racing Festival is celebrated from May 5th to May 7th of Chinese lunar calendar at Wufeng Mountain, which is 3288m above the sea level. In the early morning, Tibetan people wearing their beautiful costumes gather together, put up tents and prepare abundant picnics. They can appreciate wonderful competitions, including horse racing, horsemanship race, traditional Tibetan racing and Hada-picking race and so on. Besides, various performances also can be watched, such as Guozhuang Jumping, Xianzi Jumping and Reba Dancing.

The Eighth Day of Lunar February (Naxi Nationality)
The Eighth Day of Lunar February, the most exciting festival of Naxi nationality, is held in the picturesque Baishui Tableland. Tens of thousands of people near and far gather together here, some of which are Tibetan, Yi, and Hui ethnic groups. The main activities are worshiping the God and different divinities and singing and dancing performance.

Dengba Festival (Niru Tibetan Nationality)
As one of the most traditional festivals with strong flavors, Dengba Festival is celebrated on every July 15th of Chinese lunar calendar. On that day, people with beautiful costumes hold a ceremony to worship the Mountain God, Fairy Cave and Yumani Sutra to pray for a good harvest. Besides, horse racing, bullfight and Guozhuang Dancing performance are also held.

Heshi Festival (Lisu Nationality)
Heshi Festival, also called Nian Festival, is the most important and grandest festival for Lisu ethnic group. The date of the Heshi Festival varies in different areas. Generally, it is celebrated from the fifth day of lunar December to the tenth day of lunar January of the next year. People gather together on the village square to attend singing, dancing and shooting competition. Meanwhile, it is also a good chance for young men and women to talk love.

Other Odds and Ends

Phone Dialing Code: 0887
Postcode: 674400

Emergency Call
Fire: 119
Police: 110
Traffic alarm: 122
Local telephone inquiry station: 114
Emergency center: 120

Complaint Telephone
Tourist complaint: 0877-8225390
Complaint telephone of public security bureau: 0887-8223355, 222847

Useful Calls
Weather Forecast: 0887-8223034
Tourism information inquiry: 0887-222364, 225390
Diqing Shangri-La Airport Inquiry: 0887-8229901
Passenger information desk of long-distance bus terminal: 0887-8223501, 8412115