Why come to Deqin?

The biggest mistake people make when visiting Yunnan is not visiting Deqin.
The second biggest mistake people make when coming up to Deqin is not allowing themselves enough time to explore…all too often I hear people remarking that they wished they hadn’t spent so long in other towns like Shangri-la, Lijiang or Dali and come straight up to Deqin.
Unlike other places in the area, you don’t have to look too hard to find the real “Shangri-la.”
Deqin prefecture is where the big mountains are to be found with impossibly steep valleys, mind-blowing vistas, remote monasteries and class A trekking, for all levels, available all year round. Yes, all year round! In fact the best time to trek is during the winter months.

So, if Deqin is so great, why don’t people know about it?

The main reason for this is that there isn’t a lot of information available on the area, so the average traveler is left guessing whether it’s worth visiting or not. The fact that most travelers will have to return the way they came also puts them off visiting. (Deqin is the last town before Tibet proper, so it’s difficult to get any further without a permit)

It’s apparent remoteness and obscurity shouldn’t deter you and the area is “must do” place. Here are ten good reasons to visit Deqin.

1. Meili Snow Mountain & Mt. Miancimu
2. Trek up to the Mingyong Glacier
3. Trekking to Yubeng
4. Trekking along the Mekong River
5. Tashi’s Mountain Lodge, Reringkha village
6. To organize a road trip to Lhasa
7. The spectacular drive up from Shangri-la
8. Deqin’s Tibetan Disco
9. Sleeping in remote Tibetan villages
10. Special ginger, lemon tea

I will write about each one of these in depth in this blog in the future and will endeavor to share all the information I have about the area and visiting Tibet.

Please feel free to add you comments or questions and I’ll respond/answer as best I can.

DB