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Shangri-La (Zhongdian)
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 magnificently 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.
Legend of Shangri-La
In 1933, English novelist James Hilton wrote
a captivating tale of an idyllic settlement high in a secluded
mountainous valley. Entitled Lost Horizon, it describes
a world often chanted pavilions perched between the high
mountains and the fertile Blue Moon Valley. Today, even
those who have never heard of Lost Horizon, the words "Shangri-La"
evoke images of utopia. Hilton said his readers would not
find Shangri-La on any map but suggested that Shangri-La
was located in a long valley with "rounded, sad looking
hills on either side'' and capped by the "loveliest
mountain on Earth".
It was almost a perfect cone of snow,
simple in outline as if a child had drawn it. "Italian-American
film director, Frank Capra snapped up the tights to Lost
Horizon and cast Ronald Coleman and Jane Wyatt in the 1937
film version. ``I'm sure there's a wish for Shangri-La in
everyone's heart Oh, I just wish the whole world might come
to this valley, "crooned Wyatt. The film won the 1937
Academy Award for Columbia Pictures . Ronald Coleman and
Jane Wyatt in de 1937 film, Lori orison. photo and above
South China Morning Post, 29, 1997 Though neither Hilton
or Capra ever stepped foot in the region, many speculate
that Hilton's Loa Horizon was inspired by a series of articles
published from 1924 to 1935 by National Geographic magazine
- that included accounts of Joseph F. Rock's expedition
of North west Yunnan Province.
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