In this area, we have learned much about China and China’s relationship with the Tibetans. The town is part of the “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture”, located right next door to Tibet. Our guide, an ethnic Tibetan and a Buddhist, gave us a great deal of information about Tibetan Buddhism and some knowledge about then history and politics of the area. Needless to say, he was careful. Shangri La town used to be called Zhongdian, but the government changed the name to Shangri La in 2002, hoping to attract tourists looking for the mystical place described in James Hilton’s Lost Horizon. We drove here from Lijiang, over mountains and past rivers and lakes and pastures where yaks are still grazing before heading for the higher meadows this summer. The city is definitely ready to receive tourists, as they
... read more