Major city · China
Dêgê
Spend 1–2 days in Dêgê for Tibetan monastery and printing house; skip if short on time or altitude concerns.
Dêgê sits at 3,100 m in historic Kham, offering a Tibetan lamasery, a massive block‑printing collection and mountain hikes. The town is small, walkable and has basic budget lodging, but road access is rough and altitude can affect visitors.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- May–Oct (check)
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, altitude risk)
- Airports
- Kangding (KGT) · Chengdu Shuangliu / Tianfu (CTU)
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Dêgê110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Dêgê, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyAltitude sickness is the main risk; acclimatise and carry basic medical supplies.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckKGT Kangding Airport (Nearest airport with scheduled service; road to Dêgê via Ganzi, about a day (check)).
- Getting aroundThe town is compact; most sights are within walking distance.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KGT Kangding Airport (Nearest airport with scheduled service; road to Dêgê via Ganzi, about a day (check)) · CTU Chengdu Shuangliu / Tianfu (Main gateway to Sichuan; long overland run to Dêgê via Kangding and Ganzi (check))
Map of Dêgê
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest Jul (10 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Dêgê: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
5 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
5 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is compact; most sights are within walking distance. No public transport inside.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ganzi
goDoor to door: ≈7 h
Bus from Ganzi bus station, departure 09:00Bus from Ganzi bus station, departure 9:00 AM
Scenic but rough road; check schedule.
Kangding
goDoor to door: ≈1 day
Bus via Ganzi, about 1 day total
Popular base for mountain hikes.
Tagong
cautionDoor to door: ≈16 h
Bus from Dêgê via Ganzi, 16 h total
Long travel; consider overnight in Ganzi.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
De Ge Hotel
Beds ¥20 per person in triple dorm; shared toilets, showers ¥5 extra at adjacent Que Er Shan.
Golden Yak Hotel
Triple dorm ¥25; private rooms ¥120; extra ¥5 for hot shower.
Que Er Shan Hotel
Mid‑range rooms from ¥280.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥80–120 (≈ US$12–17) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥200–300 (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Bus Ganzi → Dêgê7 h, departure 09:00 (check)7 h, departure 9:00 AM (check) | ¥60 (≈ US$9) |
| Derge printing house entry | ¥50 (≈ US$7) |
| Bed in budget dorm | ¥20–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Meal (vegetable kebab or dumpling) | ¥30–60 (≈ US$5–9) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude sickness above 2,500 m; acclimatise if arriving from lowlands.
- Stray dogs can be aggressive; keep food secure.
- Travel bans may apply to foreigners; avoid political discussion.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
DêgêDêgê
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Chengdu; Chinese embassy in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ganzi → Dêgê bus: about ¥60 (≈ US$9), 7 h (check)
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the bathroom? (cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Dêgê. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (check) · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, altitude risk) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Dêgê
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