I took a China Eastern flight from Zhongdian to Kunming - 1 hour; RMB 770 (about US$100 ?) (purchased at the China Eastern airline office next to the Guanguang Hotel in Zhongdian).

Zhongdian is the last major town in Yunnan before Tibet and the high Himalayas. I think the road to Deqin (and meilixueshan ?) may not be open all year round due to the weather.

Or go even further - about 7 days by 4WD from Zhongdian covering a few hundred kilometres a day - and reach Lhasa.