Shangri-la, a popular word after World War II and one frequently adopted by stores, hotels and restaurants, signifies a "heaven away from the turmoil of the mundane word". Actually, "Shangri-la" is a Tibetan word, which means "land of sacredness and peace."

The word "Shangri-la" first appeared in its westernized form in James Hiltom's novel The Lost Horizon. This book tells the story of three American pilots who, when flying over the Sino-Indian air route during World War II, crash-land in the midst a beautiful landscape. This place of tranquility and peace is described as having "snow mountains, grasslands, Tibetan people, red soil plateaus, with three rivers flowing traversing the landscape". After being rescued by the local Tibetan people, the three American pilots finally return home.

According to the historical record, in 1944 there was indeed an American transport plane which crashed in the town of Zhongdian within Yunnan province while flying over the Sino-Indian air route. After a careful investigation into these events, it was determined that the beauitful "Shangri-la" described in "The Lost Horizon" is, in fact, the city of Zhongdian, located in the Deqen Tibentan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province.

Even Today, Zhongdian County remains an untainted natural paradise which retains a mysterious and bewitching quality.

Visitors to the Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture are sure to find themselves in a land where mysterious tranquillity pervades every inch of the ever-changing scenery.

Three snow-capped mountains, Meili, Baimang and Haba, tower magnificently over the landscape. The region is crisscrossed by the Golden Sand, Mekong, and Yangtze Rivers. These snowy peaks form a beautiful backdrop whose beauty is a feast to behold. Mirror-like lakes, scattered across the vast expanse of grassland, look like rich jewels inlaid on a beautiful tapestry.Cattle graze leisurely in the meadows, where exotic flowers and luxuriant grass wave at the request of the gentle breeze. In the depths of the surrounding forests is an exotic world of rare birds and animals.

Mother Nature has endowed Shangri-la with bountiful natural wealth, making the land a happy home for the 100,000 Tibetans, Lisus, Naxis and Yis who call the area their home. As is this pristine natural enviroment, these nationalities are all kind, honest, extremely hospitable to outsiders.The lamasery of "Shangri-la" is Guihua Temple, or Songzanlinbu Lamasery in Tibet. The lamasery, with 800 lamas, resembles Butala Palace of Lasha in its layout. The five-story Tibetan style building is covered with wooden carvings and gold-plated copper tiles. You may have a look at the Gallery of Tibetan Religion and Culture in Deqen.

Legend of Shangri-La

In. 1933, English novelist James Hilton wrote a captivating tale of an idyllic settlement high in a secluded mountainous valley. Entitled Lost Horizon, it describes a world often chanted pavilions perched between the high mountains and the fertile Blue Moon Valley. Today, even those who have never heard of Lost Horizon, the words "Shangri-La" evoke images of utopia. Hilton said his readers would not find Shangri-La on any map but suggested that Shangri-La was located in a long valley with "rounded, sad looking hills on either side" and capped by the "loveliest mountain on Earth".

It was almost a perfect cone of snow, simple in outline as if a child had drawn it. "Italian-American film director, Frank Capra snapped up the tights to Lost Horizon and cast Ronald Coleman and Jane Wyatt in the 1937 film version. "I'm sure there's a wish for Shangri-La in everyone's heart Oh, I just wish the whole world might come to this valley, "crooned Wyatt. The film won the 1937 Academy Award for Columbia Pictures . Ronald Coleman and Jane Wyatt in de 1937 film, Lori orison. photo and above South China Morning Post, 29, 1997 Though neither Hilton or Capra ever stepped foot in the region, many speculate that Hilton's Loa Horizon was inspired by a series of articles published from 1924 to 1935 by National Geographic magazine - that included accounts of Joseph F. Rock's expedition of North west Yunnan Province.