Shangri-la is on Diqing Plateau in the northwest of Yunnan Province. The word "Shangri-la" originates from a paradise of the same name in the novel Lost Horizon by English writer James Hilton. Diqing Plateau happens to be a beautiful land with snowy valleys, alpine lakes and tranquil grassland, just the same as the paradise in the book. For this reason, Diqing was officially renamed Shangri-la in 2001.   

Snow mountains like Meili, Baimang and Haba are towering on the snow-covered Diqing Plateau. They are the lowest-latitude snow mountain group in the northern hemisphere. These sacred and charming mountains standing in the northwest of Yunnan have added holiness and beauty to Shangri-la. On the huge mountain range of the broken mountains, there are low-latitude oceanic glaciers rarely found in the world.

These glaciers are like gigantic white dragons lying in the valleys, adding a mysterious color to the imposing snowy peaks and fields. Alpine lakes like Shudu Lake and Napahai Lake are dotted in the high mountains and lofty peaks of Diqing Plateau like embedded pearls. In summer, green lush trees and multicolored blooming flowers make the area a fairy land. River bends and valleys crisscross the plateau, the most famous ones being "the First Bend of the Yangtze River" and "Tiger Leaping Gorge".

In addition to the fascinating natural scenery, Shangri-la is also a place blessed with various types of folk music and dance, traditional folk art with unique charm as well as mysterious religious culture, making the place a "paradise" everybody yearns for.

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