Shangjiang Town of Shangri-La City, Diqing

Shangjiang Township (上江乡) is located in the southwestern part of Shangri-La City (香格里拉市), between 27°19′-27°36′ north latitude and 99°33′-99°46′ east longitude. The township government is seated in Geluwang (格路湾), with an elevation of 1,920 meters. It is 214 kilometers away from the Shangri-La county seat. To the east, it connects with Xiaozhongdian Town (小中甸镇); to the south, it borders Jinjiang Town (金江镇); to the west, it faces Juchuan Town (巨甸镇) and Tacheng Town (塔城镇) in Yulong County across the Jinsha River; and to the north, it neighbors Wujing Township (五境乡).

Shangjiang Township is a multi-ethnic area, home to eight ethnic groups: Han, Naxi, Lisu, Bai, Tibetan, Miao, Yi, and Hui. These ethnic groups have continuously interacted and integrated over the course of history, creating a unique cultural character. In terms of traditional skills, the Dongba script and painting of the Naxi people, the embroidery of the Lisu people, and the wood carving of the Bai people all hold significant positions in the local cultural heritage.

The various ethnic groups in Shangjiang Township have preserved many traditional customs and festivals. For example, the Naxi people celebrate the “San Duo Festival” (三多节), the Tibetans observe the Tibetan New Year, and the Bai people hold the “March Street” (三月街). Additionally, as one of the 38 revolutionary base areas in Yunnan Province, Shangjiang Township was a crossing point for the Red Army during the Long March in 1936, and there are related commemorative activities for the Red Army’s Long March in the area.

Shangjiang Township is rich in historical relics, including traditional ethnic dwellings and religious buildings. Among them, the “Cai She Fu Ju Jin Ge Fu Bei” (裁撤夫局禁革夫碑), a stone carving from the Qing Dynasty, is located in Shangjiang Township and is now a protected cultural relic unit at the prefecture level in Diqing Prefecture (迪庆州).

With a long history, Shangjiang Township has been an important node in various historical periods. During the Tang Dynasty, it belonged to the Tubo Shenchuan Dudu Fu (吐蕃神川都督府); in the Song Dynasty, it was part of the Moqie Chieftain’s territory; in the Yuan Dynasty, it belonged to Julin Prefecture (巨津州); from the Jiajing to Wanli years of the Ming Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of the Lijiang Native Prefect; and after the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1724), it became part of the Jiang border region.

Rooster Rock (鸡公石): Located in the middle of the river in Liangmei Village (良美村), it resembles a rooster flapping its wings and crowing, and is popularly known as “Pu陀 on the River.”

Diqing Red Army Long March Ferry (迪庆红军长征渡口): Located near the township government of Shangjiang, it was an important ferry for the Red Army during the Long March in 1936 and is now a protected cultural relic unit at the prefecture level in Diqing Prefecture.

Natural Scenery: Shangjiang Township is bordered by continuous mountains to the east and the Jinsha River to the west. The farmland and villages are distributed along the terraces on the east bank of the Jinsha River, with an elevation ranging from 1,860 to 2,500 meters. The climate is mild and the scenery is beautiful.

Road: Shangjiang Township is conveniently accessible by road, with several provincial and county roads running through the area. It takes about three hours to drive from the Shangri-La county seat to Shangjiang Township.

Railway: There is currently no train station near Shangjiang Township. Visitors can first arrive in Shangri-La City and then transfer to a bus.

Air: Shangri-La Deqen Shangri-La Airport (香格里拉迪庆香格里拉机场) is approximately 214 kilometers away from Shangjiang Township and has flights connecting to cities such as Kunming and Chengdu.

Shangjiang Township, with its unique natural scenery, rich ethnic culture, and convenient transportation, is a destination worth visiting.