Luoji Town of Shangri-La City, Diqing

Geographical Location

Luoji Township (洛吉乡) is located in the eastern part of Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It borders Eya Township (俄雅乡) in Muli County, Sichuan Province to the east, faces Fengke Town (奉科镇) in Lijiang across the river to the southeast, adjoins Jiantang Town (建塘镇) to the west, and connects with Dongni Township (东尼乡) in Daocheng County, Ganzi Prefecture, as well as Gezha Township (格咱乡) within Shangri-La City to the north. The township is situated between 27°38′—28°06′ N latitude and 99°55′—100°19′ E longitude. The township government is based in Luoji Middle Village (洛吉中村) at Majiawuji (马家屋基), at an elevation of 2,196 meters, approximately 87 kilometers from the county seat.

Ethnic Groups and Traditional Crafts

Ethnic Groups

Luoji Township is home to five ethnic groups: Tibetan, Han, Naxi, Lisu, and Yi.

Traditional Crafts

Zaxi Lamu (扎西拉姆) from Niru Village (尼汝村) is a recognized inheritor of Qingke Barley Wine brewing techniques. The “Diqing Wine Brewing Technique (Qingke Barley Wine)” (迪庆酒制作技艺) was officially listed as the “Third Batch of Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Projects” by the Yunnan Provincial Government in November 2013.

Customs and Festivals

Niru Danba Festival (尼汝丹巴节)

Held every July, this festival features activities such as horse racing, bullfighting, singing and dancing, and religious rituals.

Mountain Worship and Horse Racing Festival (祭山跑马节)

Celebrated on the 15th day of the ninth month in the Tibetan calendar, the festival includes collective incense burning, horse racing ceremonies, communal feasts, and Guozhuang dancing, all aimed at praying for a prosperous harvest and the well-being of people and livestock.

Naxi Ethnic Festivals in Luoji Middle Village (洛吉中村)

  • Naxi February 8 Festival (纳西族二月八) and Naxi New Year (纳西新年) are celebrated according to traditional Naxi customs.

Yi Ethnic Festivals in Jiulong (九龙彝族)

  • Torch Festival (火把节): A major Yi ethnic festival featuring vibrant bonfire celebrations.

  • Yi New Year (彝族新年): A traditional festival of the Yi people.

Historic Architecture

Although Luoji Township does not have widely renowned ancient architecture, it is home to a variety of traditional ethnic buildings. Tibetan-style houses, constructed mainly from earth and wood, blend harmoniously with the surrounding mountains and rivers. Some structures feature intricate wood carvings and colorful paintings, reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Tourist Attractions

Niru Village (尼汝村)

Often referred to as a “hidden paradise within a hidden paradise,” Niru Village boasts breathtaking landscapes, including snow-capped glaciers, steep canyons with rushing rivers, expansive alpine meadows, crystal-clear plateau lakes, unique Danxia landforms, and fascinating karst terraces. It is a microcosm of the stunning scenery found in the Three Parallel Rivers region.

Qicai Waterfall (七彩瀑布)

On sunny days, sunlight refracts through the falling water, creating a mesmerizing rainbow effect.

Inverted Waterfall (倒挂瀑布)

With water cascading down in fine, silky streams, this waterfall resembles a living ink painting, making it a must-visit photography spot.

Primeval Forests (原始森林)

Niru is covered in dense virgin forests, including vast birch groves and towering spruce and fir trees. The forests are home to diverse wildlife, such as musk deer, bears, Tibetan snowcocks, and lynxes.

Nanbao Pasture (南宝牧场) & Shuogong Pasture (硕贡牧场)

These vast alpine meadows offer stunning pastoral landscapes and provide a great opportunity to experience traditional Tibetan nomadic life.

Pamunai Immortal Cave (帕姆乃仙人洞)

A mysterious cave steeped in local legends, adding a mystical touch to the region’s cultural attractions.

Transportation

External Transportation

  • By Air: Travelers can fly into Diqing Shangri-La Airport (迪庆香格里拉机场), then rent a car or take an airport shuttle bus to Shangri-La City. From there, they can hire a private vehicle or take public transportation to Luoji Township.
  • By Road:
  • From Lijiang: Take a long-distance bus from Lijiang Bus Station to Shangri-La, then transfer to a vehicle heading to Luoji Township.
  • Alternatively, private car rentals or shared rides from Lijiang provide a more convenient travel option.

Internal Transportation

  • Some roads within Luoji Township are in poor condition. Renting or chartering a vehicle is recommended for easier access to various attractions.

  • For remote destinations such as Niru Village, hiring a local guide and renting horses are excellent options for an immersive travel experience.