Located in the midst of three rivers, Shangri-La is a sacred scenic region blessed with majestic mountains.`

Shangri-La is refer to Diqing which appears in the novel "Lost Horizon" by James Hilton. Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, which includes Zhongdian County as its capital and tourist base, Deqing County and Weixi County. The Shangri-La tour starts and ends both in Zhongdian, and this is also the transportation, cultural and commercial center.

Surrounded on all sides by snow-capped mountains, dense primeval forests, alpine lakes, and lush grassland, Shangri-La is a haven of peace. Above it float fluffy white clouds, and on the grassland below wander herds of cattle and sheep. Its Buddhist temples receive throngs of pilgrims, and Tibetan people and those of other ethnic groups live here in harmony. The air is fresh, and the scenery sublime. Birdsong accompanies sonorous Tibetan folk songs, and the Tibetan dances, performed against this enchanting backdrop, are a visual feast.

Shangri-La boasts the largest forest zone in Yunnan Province, known as "treasure house of flora and fauna." It is also home to the largest natural pastureland, with abundant waters and grassland, in the province. Moirig Snow Mountain, one of the ten sacred mountains in the Tibetan regions, is located here. The prevailing weather conditions here alternate between high-altitude, alpine cool, to a more temperate, sub-tropical monsoon climate. The county's isolated position has helped residents keep their traditional lifestyle and culture. Shangri-La County is currently one of the most must tourist destinations in China.

Lamaseries are an indicator of Tibetan culture. The most famous include Gaindain Sumzenlin and Dongzhulin monasteries. The former is the largest of 24 lamaseries in Deqen Prefecture and acts as center for the Yellow Sect in the Sichuan and Yunnan areas. Prior to liberation, it was site of the foremost level government offices in the region. Built in 1674, and, at the behest of the fifth Dalai Lama, modeled on the Potala Palace, the monastery covers an area of 30 hectares. At its zenith, the monastery housed 1,400 lamas and nine living Buddhas. The monastery's most precious relics are its eight gold leaf coated statues of Sakyamuni, as well as numerous exquisite sculptures, tangkhas, ritual implements, and priceless Buddhist scriptures.

Dongzhulin Monastery is located in Deqen County. It was built seven years prior to the Sumzenlin Monastery on a mountain slope. In October every year it holds a grand ceremony, when an 8.5-meter by 5.2-meter image of the guardian deity, woven in silk, is displayed. A traditional grand prayer and sutra chanting ceremony, attended by numerous pilgrims, is simultaneously held.

Snow-capped mountains occupy an important place within Tibetan Buddhism, being regarded by Tibetans as sacred.

Summer is the best season to see Moirig Snow Mountain, with its snow-capped peaks, dense forests, vast grasslands and beautiful wild flowers. A visit to the two glaciers beneath Mt. Kawagebo is highly recommended. The glaciers' low latitude and high altitude, and outreach of 2,000 meters make them two of the rarest modern glaciers in the world.