Dechen or Deqin in north west Yunan province at 3450m is located at the head of a gorge/ valley surrounded by forests and Snow Mountains. It is 185km north west of Gyalthang or Shangrila and 112 km south east of Tsakalho. Dechen, along with adjacent Gyalthang and Balung counties are part of Dechen Tibetan Autonomous prefecture governed from Kunming. It is predominantly Tibetan town that has a history of being the trading center between Tibet and Yunan and south eastern reaches. The market is interesting to take a walk around and there's also a French Catholic church built by French missionaries in 1909. About 10km north of Dechen town is Namkha Tashi Choling (Ch. Feilaisi) temple complex is one of the best view points of Mt. Khawa Karpo (Ch. Meili) mountain range. Feilaisi is lined with small lodges and really nice restaurants (most with English menus and western food).
This mighty range with 13 snow peaks are spectacular to view, particularly at sunrise or sunset but take opportunity whenever possible. Among these peaks, Kawa Karpo is the highest at 6,740m, followed by Mt. Dradul Wangchuk at 6,379m. The range is an important pilgrimage site associated with Padmasambhava and many Tibetan make a Kora (circumambulation).