Coined by James Hilton in his book, Lost Horizon, the name Shangri-La was given to a mythical getaway--an earthly paradise where no want is left unattended and no dream left unfulfilled. Over the years, the word has become the by-word for a place of immerse beauty , peace and comfort , where harmony reigns supreme.
A lost world in its own right,the Shangri-La County,situated in the northwest Yunan Province in China, is a little known paradise that lives to its name . Formerly known as Zhongdian County, the place was renamed in 2001, following James Hilton's book. After years of study , scientists and enthusiasts finally settled on the fact that Zhongdian best fit Hilton's description of a Utopian dream.
With a population of 130000 in a county of 1.6 billion , this little county bears a history that can be traced back as far as 1300 years ago. Rich in culture and tradition, Shangri -La county primarily Tibetan in demographics and is also the capital of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
The county itself consists of 2 clearly defined areas; the old town and the more modern area where travelers can find hotels and rest houses to stay in during their visit to Paradise on Earth. As you pass through the villages , you will find yourself looking in amused wonder at just how quaint everything is. It is as if the clock there stopped ticking a century ago and the lifestyles of the people there have remained untouched and unchanged throughout the turbulence of China's post.
A lost world in its own right,the Shangri-La County,situated in the northwest Yunan Province in China, is a little known paradise that lives to its name . Formerly known as Zhongdian County, the place was renamed in 2001, following James Hilton's book. After years of study , scientists and enthusiasts finally settled on the fact that Zhongdian best fit Hilton's description of a Utopian dream.
With a population of 130000 in a county of 1.6 billion , this little county bears a history that can be traced back as far as 1300 years ago. Rich in culture and tradition, Shangri -La county primarily Tibetan in demographics and is also the capital of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
The county itself consists of 2 clearly defined areas; the old town and the more modern area where travelers can find hotels and rest houses to stay in during their visit to Paradise on Earth. As you pass through the villages , you will find yourself looking in amused wonder at just how quaint everything is. It is as if the clock there stopped ticking a century ago and the lifestyles of the people there have remained untouched and unchanged throughout the turbulence of China's post.
