The United States Geological Survey stated that the epicenter was located in the Sichuan Province, while the China Earthquake Data Center provided a different location in Lanniqing Township (烂泥箐乡), Ninglang, Yunnan Province.

[5] The earthquake occurred around the time of New Year Festival of the Yi people.

[5] The lowest temperature in the mountainous area of Ninglang had dropped to about 0 °C at night.

The local government distributed tents and blankets in the earthquake stricken areas.

The earthquake was preceded by prominent foreshocks, the largest of which occurred on October 2 at 12:49 UTC (20:49 local time) with a magnitude of Ms  5.3.