Shangri-La Facts & Culture

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With the meaning of “the sun and moon in the heart” in Tibetan, Shangri-La was first noted in the novel of Lost Horizon written by James Hilton in 1939. Since then, it has been linked with a wonderland which can be only found in heaven. Reputed as the “Eden in dream”, Shangri-La attracts a great number of tourists from home and aboard every year with the majestic snow mountains, endless grassland, steep and grand gorges, crystal lakes and mysterious ethnic villages.

Stand at the joint of Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan, Shangri-La County is governed by Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It was called Zhongdian or “Jiantang” in Tibetan in the past, and was renamed as Shangri-La in 2001.

Songzanlin Monastery

Minority

There is inhabited by almost 13 different ethnic groups, such as Tibetans, Naxi, Yi Minority, Bai Minority, Hui Minority, with the Tibetans formed the majority of the population. All the minorities keep their own unique customs, traditions and architecture styles which make the Shangri-La a picturesque villages.

Tibetan People in Shangri-La

Religion

Kangba Tibetan

Tibetans in Diqing all believe in Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan people were influenced deep by the Tibetan Buddhism, which is reflected in their daily life, such as their costume, their ways of work, their festivals and decoration in their house. Strolling on the village, you will find many Mani Stones, colorful prayer flags and people wheeling prayer wheels, all or which are important elements of local Buddhism. There are numerous monasteries in Shangri-La, with the most famous one is Songzanlin Monastery.

Naxi people living in Shangri-La believe in Dongba Religion. The Baidi in Zhongdian County is considered as the sacred land for the followers of Dongba Religion.

Besides, there are Christianism and Catholicism believed by few people. Cizhong Church, standing on the riverside of Lancang River, is a French-style Catholic church.