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Zhongdian
(Shangri-La)
 It
was the British writer James Hilton's novel
"The Lost Horizon" that has brought
fame to an unknown and incontaminated place
Shangri-La and made it a household word
since its publication 50 years ago. And
from then on this fascinating place has
become the dreamland for many tourists and
adventure lovers. According to the novel,
the incontaminated nature and folklore of
Shangri-La would never fail to impress a
special emotion into these who encounter
it : the clear air, the nearer white clouds
in the blue sky, the breathtaking beauty
of landscape and the warm heart of the honest
and unsophisticated local people would certainly
soothe the body and allow the mind to rest.
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, a few years
ago, the government of Yunnan Province declared
the discovery of Shangri-La. It is in "Diqing",
now a prefecture in Yunnan Province, China.
 It
is ture Diqing, deep in contact with nature,
is the right place where one can rest at
ease in the green shelter provided by the
woods, relax next to the crystal clear waters
of the alpine lakes or let the eyes wander
towards the impressive snowcapped peaks
surrounding the area. The area of Shangri-La
provides the possibility to enjoy unforgettable
moments without any stress and confusion
but excitement while enveloped in a natural
environment which is remarkable charming
and overwhelmed in an aura of honesty and
hospitality of the local ethnic group which
is unforgettably touching.
Shangri-La is also a paradise
for mountaineers. There are nearly one hundred
snowcapped peaks which are a constant challenge
irresistible to mountain climbers. Among
these peaks, the Thirteen Princes are all
over 6000 meters high and among the most
mysterious and precipitous. The Kagebo Peak,
known as "Chief of the Eight Sacred
Peaks", soars up as high as 6,740 meters
and towers its surrounding mountains. In
the 20th century, mankind has set foot on
top of Everest for many times but has failed
to conquer the Kagebo Peak.
 For
long in the heart of those who have been
eager to encounter it, Shangri-La has been
a wonder worked by nature and a place "full
of sunshine and moonlight". It plays
as the meeting point of the sun and the
moon, time and again embraces beautiful
flowers, white clouds, snowcapped mountains,
untouched forests and mirror tranquil alpine
lakes. Spotted over its vast green grassland
are villages inhabited mainly by Tibetan,
Naxi, Lisu ethnic groups. The grassland
has been divided magically into eight pieces
like eight petals of a lotus flower by crisscross
rivers and has provided a wonderful habitat
for both animals and human beings. Yaks
and sheep are easily seen grazing themselves
and playing on the grassland; tree-shaded
villages of white houses are scattered over
the prairie; the fragrance of buttered tea
blended with the fresh air exerts a temptation
on those who encounter it; the melodious
pastoral songs by headsmen in colourful
costumes can be heard here and there - all
these create a charming and unparallel mosaic
and possibly drive one into an ecstasy of
enjoyment.
One hundred million years ago,
the area of Shangri-La began to come out of waters
along with the rising of the Himalayas from the
bottom of the sea, which was brought about by
the collision of the Eurasian Plate and the Indian
Plate. This unique geographical and natural environment
has formulated the different tradition and culture
of the residents. Shangri-La features the simple
but peaceful life, the friendly and honest interpersonal
relationship, the friendly and honest interpersonal
relationship, the pious and persistent religious
believe, the kind, uninhibited and unsophisticated
characters of the local people.
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