  The
name "Shangri-La" became popular after World War II and
was used to christen many songs, hotels and restaurants because it
represents a "heaven away from the turmoil of the mundane world."
Actually, "Shangri-La" is a Tibetan word meaning "land
of sacredness and peace." The word first appeared in James Hilton's
novel The Lost Horizon, which tells the story of three American pilots
who crashed while flying the Sino-Indo air route during World War
II. They landed on a land of eternity, tranquility and peace characterized
by "snowy mountains, grassland, Tibetan people, red soil plateaus, three rivers flowing along, colorless snow-tea and a lamasery."
Rescued by the local Tibetan people, the three American pilots finally
returned home. The publication of this novel quickly brought fame
to an unknown and uncontaminated place -- Shangri-La -- and made it
a household word. Since then, this fascinating spot has become a dreamland
for many tourists and adventure lovers. ...
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Dozens
of years witnessed the failure of efforts to seek out and locate for
certain this dreamland. However, with the passing of time, people's believe that it must be somewhere in the southeast tip of the Qinghai-Tibet
plateau, the hightest plateau in the world, became firmer with more
and more evidences as a result of persistent search and research.
At last, in year 1987, the government of Yunnan Province declared
the discovery of Shangri-La. It is in "Diqing", now a prefecture
in Yunnan Province, China. It is a marvelous place, where, as the
novel described, travelers could simultaneously see a splendid
canyon, towering snow-capped mountains, broad prairies, stunning scenery
and a melting pot of various cultures and ethnic groups at work.Yaks
and sheep are easily seen grazing and playing on the grassland, and
the melodious pastoral songs by herdsmen in colorful costumes can
be heard here and there, creating an atmosphere of irresistible charm
and enjoyment that delights all the senses.
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Shangri-La
is also a paradise for mountaineers. Over one hundred snow-capped
peaks present endless challenges for mountain climbers.  Among these
peaks, the Thirteen Princes are all over 6,000 meters high and are
among the most mysterious and precipitous. The Kagebo Peak, known
as "Chief of the Eight Sacred Peaks," soars as high as 6,740
meters and towers over the surrounding mountains. In the 20th century,
mankind has set foot on the summit of Everest many times but has failed
to conquer the Kagebo Peak.Shangri-La features a simple but peaceful
life; friendly and honest interpersonal relationships; pious and persistent
religious beliefs; and local people who are kind, uninhibited and unsophisticated.
It provides visitors with a chance to enjoy unforgettable moments
without any stress and confusion while enveloped in a natural environment,
which is remarkably charming and incredibly welcoming, thanks to the
hospitality of the local ethnic groups.A highway links Zhongdian to
Kunming over a distance of 700 kilometers, and in 1999 an airline
was commissioned between the two places. Now, Shangri-La becomes more
and more accessible to visitors at home and abroad. |
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