Deqin

Deqin County is a county in the northwest of Yunnan province, China. It is part of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and borders the Tibet Autonomous Region to the north and west. The county encompasses a high, rugged landscape in the Hengduan Mountains, with valleys and alpine plateaus. Elevations vary from low river valleys to peaks that exceed 6,000 meters. The climate is alpine, with strong diurnal temperature variation and distinct dry and wet seasons.

Deqin is best known for the Meili Snow Mountain range, whose highest peaks rise near the county’s settlements. The area includes sacred peaks such as Kangri Garpo and other alpine summits; the region is a destination for trekking, photography, and Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage. The Mingyong Glacier, visible from roads and viewpoints in the Meili region, is a popular site for visitors.

The population is predominantly Tibetan, with other minority groups making up the remainder. The local economy has historically depended on agriculture and animal husbandry, and tourism has grown to play an increasingly important role through nature-based and cultural attractions tied to the Meili Mountains and Tibetan heritage. Infrastructure has expanded to improve access, with road connections to Shangri-La and other parts of Diqing; air access is available via nearby Shangri-La’s airport, and provincial routes connect Deqin to western Yunnan.