East and Southeast Asia | China | Shangri-La City
Shangri-La City, formerly known as Zhongdian, was renamed after the fictional paradise of James Hilton's "Lost Horizon" in an effort to promote tourism in 2001. Located in northwestern Yunnan province, Shangri-La is commonly used as a gateway into Tibet, but tourists also visit the city en route to the Ganden Sumtsenling Monastery, the largest in Yunnan province; Pudacuo National Park, home to almost 100 endangered species; and Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest river canyons in the world and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Other Popular Destinations in China
Beijing, the capital of China, is a city where history and modern life intersect on a grand scale. Ancient landmarks like the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven reflect centuries of imperial heritage, while the Great Wall lies just outside the city, offering views of one of the most famous engineering feats in the world.
Xi’an, located in central China’s Shaanxi Province, served as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road and was the capital of 13 imperial dynasties. Its long history is most famously represented by the Terracotta Army, an underground army of life-sized warriors discovered in 1974. Each figure has distinct facial features, hairstyles, and armor, designed to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.
