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Zhongdian ( Shangri-la )
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
magni ficently 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. |
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