APD Writer: Zeng Xinlan
The British author James Hilton described Shangri-la in his novel Lost Horizon in 1933 as a remote, idyllic land where residents live hundreds of years in a harmonious and mystical way. The book greatly evokes western imagery of the Himalayan Orient exoticism. Shangri-la has also become the symbol of earthly paradise.
Till now, the world has never stopped searching for the utopia land, and various places have claimed the title, such as Hunza Valley in northern Pakistan, Sichuang, Yunnan and Tibet in China. A tourist destination named Zhongdian in northwestern Yunnan province shared most of
its reputation and was renamed Shangri-La (Xiānggélǐlā, 香格里拉)
in 2001, to attract tourists.
Shangri-La in Chinese
Hilton states in an interview in 1936 that he used "Tibetan material" to provide the Tibetan cultural and Buddhist spiritual inspiration. So the small county may have been the inspiration for Hilton's story.
Landscape in Shangri-la, Yunnan, China Photo: Zeng Xinlan
Shangri-la is an ideal choice as a hideaway and a mystical land for cultural exploration with its breathtaking landscape and ethnic diversity. Places like the Pudacuo National Park, the Napa Lake, the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery are all favored destination for tourists from home and aboard.
Napa Lake Photo: Zeng Xinlan
Shangri-la is under the influence of Tibetan Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana. Locals also attribute some Tibetan traditional factors into religion practice, such as prayer flags and Mani
Stone
Prayer Flags Photo: from Internet
It’s the early winter in Shangri-la at this time of the year. It’s chilly but sunny at the same time due to its high altitude of around 3,000m above the sea level. Special attention should be paid to the reaction of high altitude.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)