Shangri-La, China

Full City Profile

186,400 Population 264/sq mi density

10,771 ft Elevation 3,283 meters

42°F Avg Temperature 5°C

Shangri-La has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 55°F in July. The area gets 285 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 28.2 inches. The area receives 4.7 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 55°F Jul (13°C)

Annual Average	41.6°F
	23% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	55°F (13°C)
Sunny Days	285 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	10,771 ft (3,283 m)
Area	704.9 sq mi (1,825.6 km²)
Population Density	264/sq mi
Coordinates	27.8251°N, 99.7078°W
Timezone	Asia/Shanghai

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.2"

26% below US avg

Snowfall 4.7"

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.31"

Driest Month (Dec) 0.31"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

164 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.6. Most recent: M4.4 on Jan 7, 2025.

Feb 3, 1996	47 km N of Lijiang, China	M6.6	82 km
Nov 19, 1998	93 km ENE of Lijiang, China	M5.6	142 km
Feb 4, 1996	20 km NNE of Lijiang, China	M5.6	105 km
Aug 31, 2013	58 km NW of Shangri-La, China	M5.6	58 km
Feb 6, 1996	36 km N of Lijiang, China	M5.5	91 km
May 23, 2001	119 km NE of Lijiang, China	M5.5	128 km
Sep 24, 1996	41 km NNE of Lijiang, China	M5.5	94 km
Jun 24, 2012	105 km E of Shangri-La, China	M5.5	106 km
Jul 17, 1993	21 km NNW of Shangri-La, China	M5.4	22 km
Jan 2, 2022	99 km E of Shangri-La, China	M5.4	99 km
Oct 2, 1998	90 km ENE of Lijiang, China	M5.4	143 km
Feb 6, 1996	46 km NNE of Lijiang, China	M5.2	99 km
Aug 27, 2013	59 km NW of Shangri-La, China	M5.2	59 km
Oct 23, 1997	22 km NE of Lijiang, China	M5.1	114 km
Feb 3, 1996	25 km N of Lijiang, China	M5.1	95 km
May 27, 2024	44 km N of Yongning, China	M5.1	105 km
Apr 9, 2024	48 km WNW of Yongning, China	M5.0	58 km
Aug 31, 2013	56 km NW of Shangri-La, China	M5.0	57 km
May 26, 1991	51 km WNW of Lijiang, China	M5.0	86 km
Feb 3, 1996	29 km NNW of Lijiang, China	M5.0	89 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.0 m (7 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1951	CHINA: GANSU AND SHANXI PROVINCES	Earthquake	2.0 m	—	128 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	30°F (-1°C)	1.0 in
March	35°F (2°C)	2.2 in
April	40°F (4°C)	2.6 in
May	48°F (9°C)	1.9 in
June	53°F (12°C)	3.4 in
July	55°F (13°C)	5.3 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	54°F (12°C)	4.7 in
September	51°F (11°C)	3.4 in
October	44°F (7°C)	2.3 in
November	35°F (2°C)	0.7 in
December	29°F (-2°C)	0.3 in	Driest

Shangri-La has a seasonal temperature swing of 28°F / from 26°F in January to 55°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.3") and December the driest (0.3").

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