Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州)

1. Introduction

Dêqên Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Tibetan: བདེ་ཆེན་བོད་རིགས་རང་སྐྱོང་ཁུལ།, Wylie: bde-chen bod-rigs rang-skyong khul, Tibetan pinyin: Dêqên Pörig Ranggyong Kü), abbreviated as Dêqên Prefecture, is an autonomous prefecture under the jurisdiction of Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China, located in the northwest of Yunnan Province. The prefecture borders Lijiang City to the southeast, Nujiang Prefecture to the southwest, Nyingchi City and Qamdo City of the Tibet Autonomous Region to the northwest, and Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province to the northeast. Situated in the transitional zone from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it lies in the northern section of the Hengduan Mountains, on the southeastern edge of the Meili Snow Mountains, with the Jinsha River and Lancang River flowing longitudinally through the prefecture. The entire prefecture covers an area of 23,186 square kilometers, with a total population of 387,500. The Tibetan population accounts for approximately 33%, and the Lisu population about 27%. The prefectural capital is located in Jiantang Town, Shangri-La City. Traditionally part of the Kham region, Dêqên Prefecture was historically a crucial hub on the "Ancient Tea Horse Road." It is the core area of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site "Three Parallel Rivers," and has also become a famous tourist destination due to its association with "Shangri-La."

2. Origin of the Name

The name "Diqing" of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture originates from its geographical environment and historical background. According to historical records, the name "Diqing" can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, due to its strategic geographical location, the Diqing region became an important military stronghold and economic center. The name "Diqing" is composed of two characters: "Di" and "Qing," symbolizing "joy from afar."

3. History

Archaeological findings suggest that the Diqing region should be one of the cradles of ancient Chinese civilization. The Neolithic site of Weixi Gedeng dates back approximately 7,000 years. The stone slabs excavated within the area are imprints left by ancient inhabitants along the two rivers 2,400 years ago.

During the Han Dynasty, the present-day prefecture was part of the territory of the Maoniu Qiang. In the Jin Dynasty, it belonged to the Ma'ergang region. During the Sui Dynasty, it was part of Nanningzhou, with some areas falling under Tibetan control. In the early Tang Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of the Tibetan Iron Bridge Military Command. In the second year of the Tiaolu era (680 AD) of the Tang Dynasty, the Tibetan Empire established the Shenchuan Chief Military Command in the area of present-day Tacheng Town, Weixi County. Later, the region came under the control of Nanzhao, successively belonging to the Iron Bridge Military Command and the Jianchuan Military Command. Within the territory were Iron Bridge City (present-day Tacheng Town, Weixi County), Lianxun City (present-day Weixi County), and Yulai City (present-day Deqin County). During the Dali Kingdom, most of the area belonged to Shanju Commandery, with a small part controlled by Tibet. Present-day Shangri-La City was called "Dandang," and Weixi County was called "Luopoujian."

In the early Yuan Dynasty, the present-day area was part of Lijiang Route. In the 14th year of the Zhiyuan era (1277), Linxi County (governed from present-day Xiaoweixi Village, Weixi County) was established, belonging to Jujin Subprefecture under Lijiang Route. In the 30th year of the Zhiyuan era (1293), present-day Shangri-La City was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Xuanzheng Yuan's Tibetan and Other Routes Pacification Commission, called "Great Dandang"; present-day Deqin County was called "Little Dandang."

During the Ming Dynasty, most of the prefecture belonged to Lijiang Prefecture, with parts directly under the Yunnan Regional Military Commission. In the 4th year of the Yongle era (1406), the Lahezhuang Chief's Office (governed from present-day Lahezhu Village, Weixi County) was established, directly under the Yunnan Regional Military Commission. After the Hongzhi era, Linxi County was abolished and merged into Jujin Subprefecture. In the Ming Dynasty, present-day Shangri-La City was called "Zhongdian," and Deqin County was called "Adeqiu."

In the 5th year of the Yongzheng era (1727) of the Qing Dynasty, Weixi Subprefecture (governed from present-day Weixi County) was established, belonging to Heqing Prefecture. In the 21st year of the Qianlong era (1756), Zhongdian Subprefecture (governed from present-day Shangri-La City) was established, and both Weixi and Zhongdian Subprefectures were transferred to Lijiang Prefecture. In the 33rd year of the Guangxu era (1907), the Adunzi Pacification Commissioner was added.

In the 2nd year of the Republic of China (1913), Zhongdian Subprefecture and Weixi Subprefecture were changed to Zhongdian County and Weixi County; the Adunzi Administrative District (governed from present-day Deqin County) was established, all belonging to Dianxi Circuit (changed to Tengyue Circuit the following year). In the 18th year of the Republic of China (1929), they were transferred to the First Frontier Development Superintendent Office. In 1932, the Adunzi Administrative District was changed to Deqin Administrative Bureau. In the 27th year of the Republic of China (1938), the First Frontier Development Superintendent Office was abolished, and the counties and administrative bureaus were directly under Yunnan Province. In the 31st year of the Republic of China (1942), they belonged to the Seventh Administrative Inspection District of Yunnan Province. In 1946, they were transferred to the Thirteenth District.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the counties and administrative districts belonged to Lijiang Special District. In 1951, Deqin Administrative District was changed to Deqin Tibetan Autonomous Region, and in 1955, it was changed to Deqin County. On September 11, 1956, the establishment of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture was approved, and it was officially established on September 13, 1957, comprising three counties: Zhongdian, Weixi, and Deqin. After its establishment, Diqing Prefecture was still administered by Lijiang Special District on behalf of the province. That year, the sixth district of Weixi County was separated to establish the Benzilan Office (county-level), directly under Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Thus, Diqing Prefecture administered three counties and one county-level office. In 1973, it ceased to be administered by Lijiang Prefecture on behalf of the province. In June 1985, Weixi County was changed to Weixi Lisu Autonomous County. In December 2001, Zhongdian County was renamed Shangri-La County. In December 2014, Shangri-La County was abolished and re-established as Shangri-La City.

4. Geography

Diqing features a terrain that is higher in the north and lower in the south, dominated by mountains, ancient plateaus, and ridges. The region is characterized by "three mountains embracing two rivers." The three mountains—Meili Snow Mountain, Yunling Snow Mountain Range, and Zhongdian Snow Mountain Range—are arranged from west to east. The highest elevation is Kawagarbo Peak of Meili Snow Mountain at 6,740 meters, while the lowest elevation is 1,486 meters at the confluence of the Biyu River and the Lancang River in Weixi County. Influenced by terrain, landforms, and climate, three vertically distributed ecological environments have formed: alpine regions (elevation 2,800–6,740 meters), mountainous areas (elevation 2,200–2,800 meters), and river valleys (elevation 1,486–2,200 meters).

The Lancang River and Jinsha River flow from north to south through Diqing Prefecture. The Jinsha River traverses 430 kilometers within Diqing, with a basin area of 16,810.8 square kilometers, while the Lancang River flows 320 kilometers through the prefecture, covering a basin area of 7,059.2 square kilometers. The prefecture has a total of 221 tributaries of varying sizes radiating along the main courses of the two rivers, forming a typical feather-like river system.

• Resources

Diqing is rich in mineral resources, with the Southeast Asian tin belt and the Yushu–Yidun copper, lead, zinc, silver, gold, and mercury belt traversing the region, making it one of the concentrated areas for non-ferrous metals, rare metals, and non-metallic minerals. Proven mineral deposits include copper, iron, tungsten, lead, and gold, with 323 mineral sites covering 24 mineral types in the prefecture.

4. Administrative Divisions

Diqing Prefecture administers 1 county-level city, 1 county, and 1 autonomous county.

County-level city: Shangri-La City County: Dêqên County Autonomous county: Weixi Lisu Autonomous County

Administrative Divisions Map of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Seat of Government | Postal Code | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------|-----------|---------------|----------------------| | 533400 | Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture | Díqìng Zàngzú Zìzhìzhōu | 23,186 | 387,511 | Shangri-La City | 674400 | 9 | 20 | 3 | | | བདེ་ཆེན་བོད་རིགས་རང་སྐྱོང་ཁུལ། | Dêqên Poirig Ranggyong Kü | | | | | | | | | | | bde chen bod rigs rang skyong khul | | | | | | | | | 533401 | Shangri-La City | Xiānggélǐlā Shì | 11,418 | 186,412 | Jiantang Town | 674400 | 4 | 7 | 1 | | | སེམས་ཀྱི་ཉི་ཟླ་གྲོང་ཁྱེར། | Sêmgyi'nyida Chongkyêr | | | | | | | | | | | sems kyi nyi zla grong khyer | | | | | | | | | 533422 | Dêqên County | Déqīn Xiàn | 7,291 | 54,736 | Shengping Town | 674500 | 3 | 7 | 2 | | | བདེ་ཆེན་རྫོང་། | Dêqên Zong | | | | | | | | | | | bde chen rdzong | | | | | | | | | 533423 | Weixi Lisu Autonomous County | Wéixī Lìsùzú Zìzhìxiàn | 4,477 | 146,363 | Baohe Town | 674600 | 2 | 6 | | | | འབའ་ལུང་ལི་སུའུ་རིགས་རང་སྐྱོང་རྫོང་། | Balung Lisurig Ranggyong Zong | | | | | | | | | | | 'ba' lung li su'u rigs rang skyong rdzong | | | | | | | |

5. Economy

5.1 Overview

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is located in the northwest of Yunnan Province and is a multi-ethnic region primarily inhabited by Tibetans. Diqing boasts a unique geographical location, stunning natural scenery, and a profound cultural heritage, earning it the reputation as the homeland of "Shangri-La."

5.2 Geography

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is situated on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, within the heart of the Hengduan Mountains. The terrain is higher in the north and lower in the south, with an average elevation above 3,000 meters. The prefecture features several famous peaks, such as Meili Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, and is traversed by major rivers like the Jinsha River and the Lancang River.

5.3 History

The history of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture dates back to the Tang Dynasty when it was under the influence of the Tibetan Empire. During the Yuan Dynasty, the Diqing region became part of Yunnan Province. In 1957, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture was officially established.

5.4 Culture

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is a multi-ethnic region, with major ethnic groups including Tibetans, Han Chinese, Naxi, and Yi. The cultures of these various ethnic groups blend here, forming a unique cultural landscape. Tibetan Buddhism culture of the Tibetans, the Dongba culture of the Naxi, and the Torch Festival of the Yi are all important components of Diqing's culture.

5.5 Economy

The economy of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is primarily based on agriculture and tourism. The prefecture produces crops such as highland barley, wheat, and corn, and also has abundant mineral resources. In recent years, tourism in Diqing has developed rapidly, attracting a large number of domestic and international visitors.

5.6 Tourism

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is a famous tourist destination, rich in both natural and cultural attractions. Major sites include:

• Meili Snow Mountain: Known as the "God of Snow Mountains," it is a sacred site for mountaineering enthusiasts.
• Songzanlin Monastery: The largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province, often referred to as the "Little Potala Palace."
• Potatso National Park: China's first national park, renowned for its pristine natural scenery and rich biodiversity.

6. Transportation

6.1 Overview

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is located in the northwest of Yunnan Province and is a multi-ethnic area primarily inhabited by Tibetans. The transportation network in Diqing has seen significant improvements in recent years, covering various modes of transport such as highways and aviation, providing strong transportation support for the economic and social development of Diqing.

6.2 Highways

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has a well-developed highway network, with major roads including:

• National Highway 214: Traverses the entire territory of Diqing, connecting important cities such as Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang.
• Shangri-La to Deqin Highway: Connects Shangri-La City and Deqin County within Diqing Prefecture and serves as an important route to Meili Snow Mountain.

6.3 Aviation

The aviation transportation in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture primarily relies on Diqing Shangri-La Airport, located approximately 5 kilometers from downtown Shangri-La, with a driving time of about 10 minutes. Diqing Shangri-La Airport is one of the major aviation hubs in Yunnan Province, offering multiple domestic and international flight routes.

6.4 Urban Transportation

Urban transportation within Diqing Prefecture mainly consists of buses and taxis. Bus routes cover the main areas of the city, and taxis are convenient and efficient. Additionally, urban rail transit is planned within Diqing Prefecture, which will further enhance urban transportation capacity in the future.

6.5 Transportation Policies

The government of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture places great emphasis on transportation construction, actively promoting the improvement and upgrading of transportation infrastructure. Through measures such as increasing transportation investment, optimizing the transportation network, and enhancing the quality of transportation services, the government of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture continuously improves transportation capacity to foster economic and social development.

7. Education

7.1 Overview

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is located in the northwest of Yunnan Province and is a multi-ethnic area predominantly inhabited by Tibetans. Diqing has a well-developed education system covering all stages from preschool to higher education, providing strong talent support for the economic and social development of Diqing.

7.2 Preschool Education

Preschool education in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has developed rapidly in recent years, with the main forms including:

• Kindergartens: Diqing has numerous public and private kindergartens that provide quality preschool education services for children of appropriate age.

7.3 Basic Education

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has a well-established basic education system, which mainly includes:

• Primary Schools: Diqing has a high enrollment rate in primary education, with continuously improving teaching quality.
• Junior High Schools: Junior high school education in Diqing focuses on the all-round development of students, with steadily improving teaching quality.
• Senior High Schools: Senior high school education in Diqing is oriented towards further education, and its teaching quality ranks among the top in the province.

7.3 Vocational Education

Vocational education in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture aims to cultivate practical talents, with the main forms including:

• Secondary Vocational Schools: Diqing has several secondary vocational schools offering various practical majors, such as tourism services, hotel management, and mechanical processing.
• Higher Vocational Colleges: Higher vocational colleges in Diqing aim to cultivate high-quality technical and skilled talents, offering various applied majors.

7.4 Higher Education

Higher education in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has developed rapidly in recent years, with the main forms including:

• Undergraduate Institutions: Diqing has several undergraduate institutions, such as Diqing Teachers College, providing a large number of high-quality talents for the economic and social development of Diqing.
• Specialized Colleges: Specialized colleges in Diqing aim to cultivate applied talents, offering various practical majors.

7.5 Education Policies

The government of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture attaches great importance to education and actively promotes educational reform and development. By increasing investment in education, improving educational facilities, and enhancing teacher compensation, the government continuously improves the quality of education and promotes educational equity.

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the permanent resident population of the prefecture was 387,511. Compared with the 400,182 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a decrease of 12,671 people over the past ten years, a decline of 3.17%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.32%. Among them, males accounted for 203,090, representing 52.41% of the total population; females accounted for 184,421, representing 47.59% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 110.12. The population aged 0–14 was 67,780, accounting for 17.49% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 270,543, accounting for 69.82% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 49,188, accounting for 12.69% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 35,547, accounting for 9.17% of the total population. The urban population was 120,412, accounting for 31.07% of the total population; the rural population was 267,099, accounting for 68.93% of the total population.

8.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the permanent resident population of the prefecture, the Han population was 64,823, accounting for 16.73%; the total population of various ethnic minorities was 322,688, accounting for 83.27%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population decreased by 8,570, a decline of 11.68%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 1.61 percentage points; the total population of ethnic minorities decreased by 4,101, a decline of 1.25%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 1.61 percentage points. Among them, the Tibetan population decreased by 1,811, a decline of 1.4%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.59 percentage points; the Lisu population decreased by 1,513, a decline of 1.42%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.48 percentage points; the Naxi population decreased by 2,955, a decline of 6.37%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.38 percentage points.

Ethnic Composition of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Seventh National Population Census, 2020) | Ethnic Group | Tibetan | Lisu | Han | Naxi | Bai | Yi | Pumi | Miao | Hui | Hani | Other Ethnic Groups | |--------------|---------|---------|--------|--------|--------|--------|-------|-------|-------|------|-------| | Population | 127,685 | 105,397 | 64,823 | 43,447 | 21,208 | 17,759 | 2,081 | 1,641 | 1,593 | 251 | 1,626 | | Proportion of Total Population (%) | 32.95 | 27.2 | 16.73 | 11.21 | 5.47 | 4.58 | 0.54 | 0.42 | 0.41 | 0.06 | 0.42 | | Proportion of Ethnic Minority Population (%) | 39.57 | 32.66 | － | 13.46 | 6.57 | 5.5 | 0.64 | 0.51 | 0.49 | 0.08 | 0.5 |

9. Religion

9.1 Overview

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, is a multi-ethnic region predominantly inhabited by Tibetans. Diqing boasts a diverse religious culture, primarily including Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam. Each religion has a certain base of followers and places of worship in Diqing, forming a unique religious and cultural landscape.

9.2 Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism has a long history and widespread influence in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. There are several famous Tibetan Buddhist temples within the prefecture, such as:

• Songzanlin Monastery: Located in Shangri-La City, it is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province and is known as the "Little Potala Palace."
• Dongzhulin Monastery: Located in Deqin County, it is a historically significant and renowned Tibetan Buddhist temple in Diqing.

9.3 Taoism

Taoism also holds a certain influence in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. There are several Taoist temples within the prefecture, such as:

• Shangri-La Taihe Palace: Located in the urban area of Shangri-La City, it is one of the famous Taoist sacred sites in Diqing.

9.4 Christianity

The spread of Christianity in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture occurred relatively late but has developed rapidly in recent years. There are several Christian churches within the prefecture, such as:

• Shangri-La Christian Church: Located in the urban area of Shangri-La City, it is one of the main Christian places of worship in Diqing.

9.5 Islam

Islam has a relatively smaller number of followers in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, but there are still places for religious activities. There is one mosque within the prefecture, such as:

• Shangri-La Mosque: Located in the urban area of Shangri-La City, it is the main religious site for Muslims in Diqing.

9.6 Religious Activities

Religious activities in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture are rich and diverse. Various religious groups regularly hold ceremonies and events, such as Tibetan Buddhist dharma assemblies, Taoist rituals, Christian worship services, and Islamic prayers. These activities not only meet the religious needs of followers but also enrich the cultural life of Diqing.

9.7 Religious Policy

The government of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture respects and protects freedom of religious belief, manages religious affairs in accordance with the law, and supports religious groups in carrying out activities legally. At the same time, the government actively guides religions to adapt to socialist society, promoting religious harmony and social stability.

10. Culture

10.1 Overview

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, is a multi-ethnic region predominantly inhabited by Tibetans. The culture of Diqing is diverse and unique, integrating various elements such as ethnic culture, religious culture, historical culture, and natural culture, forming a distinctive cultural landscape.

10.2 Ethnic Culture

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is a region where multiple ethnic groups live together, with the main ethnic groups being Tibetan, Han, Naxi, Yi, and others. The cultures of each ethnic group are fully respected and protected in Diqing, mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Ethnic Festivals: Diqing's ethnic festivals are rich and colorful, such as the Tibetan New Year (Losar) of the Tibetans, the Sanduo Festival of the Naxi people, and the Torch Festival of the Yi people. These festivals are not only an important part of ethnic culture but also a significant aspect of the spiritual life of the people in Diqing.
• Ethnic Arts: Diqing's ethnic arts include Tibetan song and dance, Naxi Dongba culture, Yi embroidery, and more. These art forms not only enrich the cultural life of Diqing but also preserve its historical and cultural heritage.

10.3 Religious Culture

The religious culture in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is diverse, primarily including Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam. Each religion has a certain base of followers and places of worship in Diqing, forming a unique religious cultural landscape. This is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Tibetan Buddhist Culture: Diqing's Tibetan Buddhist culture has a long history, with sites such as Songzanlin Monastery and Dongzhulin Monastery being famous Tibetan Buddhist sacred places within the prefecture.
• Taoist Culture: Taoist culture also holds a certain influence in Diqing, with places like the Taihe Palace in Shangri-La being renowned Taoist sacred sites within the prefecture.

10.4 Historical Culture

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has a profound historical and cultural heritage, mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Historical Sites: Diqing has multiple historical sites, such as Songzanlin Monastery and Dongzhulin Monastery. These sites are important carriers of Diqing's historical culture.
• Red Culture: Diqing is an important old revolutionary base area in Yunnan Province. Red culture has a deep historical foundation in Diqing, with sites such as the Diqing Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery and the Diqing Revolutionary Memorial Hall.

10.5 Natural Culture

The natural culture of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is rich and diverse, mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Natural Landscapes: Diqing boasts abundant natural landscapes, such as Meili Snow Mountain and Pudacuo National Park. These landscapes are not only tourist attractions but also an important part of Diqing's natural culture.
• Ecological Culture: Diqing emphasizes ecological protection, advocates green development, and has formed a unique ecological culture.

10.6 Cultural Policies

The government of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture places high importance on cultural development and actively promotes the advancement of cultural undertakings. Through measures such as organizing various cultural activities, building cultural facilities, and protecting cultural heritage, the government continuously enhances the city's cultural soft power and fosters cultural prosperity and development.

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Shangri-La City

Shangri-La City

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