Shangrila is a fictional location described in the 1933 book Lost Horizon by British writer James Hilton. It is described as a peaceful, mysterious, tranquil valley, located within the boundaries of the Kunlun Mountains, gently separated from the provincial capital by the foothills of the Himalaya. Inhabited for centuries by a tribe of Lhasa (Moorish traders), Shangrila today is known for its beautiful Buddhist temples, sacred Buddhist monasteries, and other shrines. The name of this fictional town comes from the Buddhist word Shanti, meaning “Shangri.” According to the legend, Lhasa priestesses in ancient times came across a mysterious spot on the slopes of the Southern Alps, which, they supposed, had emanated from the heavens. They carved the appearance of a mountain into the rock and called it Shanti, or “Shangri,” which means “mountain of rocks.”
This legend may have inspired the names of some of the destinations within the district: Shangri-la, Shangrila-la, and Khengar-la. The word shangri-la itself is an exaggeration, and refers only to the Buddhist temple at the center of town, and to a town located to the south of it. Today, the majority of tourists who come to visit this Buddhist center come to admire the gardens, temples, and Shanti Tree, which was formerly the location of the famous Khengar Monastery. This is also where most of the Tibetan prayer rooms and dwellings are located.
Westerners have long sought to visit the Himalayas and, for a while, it seemed that there would be no way to do so. The reason was that access to the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains was virtually impossible during the time of previous Tibetan kings and emperors. However, modern day Tibetans have made the trek possible with the help of international support, and now the region is open to Westerners once again. As you plan your next holiday to the Himalayas, you might want to consider a visit to Shangrila.
The story of Shangrila can be found in an old manuscript known as the Khayyam Thoden, which was written by an Indian doctor, Dr. Kalu Jochem. In this fictional place, located in Southern China on the banks of the mighty Gannan River, the gods were said to have performed a karmic test, deciding whether or not an individual should go to Heaven or Earth. If one’s life was good enough, then they would be elevated to a position of honor, and sent on a special mission, which was to try and save the Western world from World War 3. Dr. Jochem based his book on this event, and Shangrila ended up being the first novel to present this idea in Western society, appearing in 1933.
Today, it is possible for tourists to visit shangri-la by traveling on a rail cruise from the main railway station in Lijiang to the town of Shangrila. By choosing to make a trip to Shangrila by train, you can see much of what was featured in Dr. Kalu’s book, but without having to experience the actual concept of Heaven. Today, visitors to Lijiang and the surrounding areas still have the chance to visit shangri-la, as there are a number of daylong trips that take travelers past the small village to the mountain. One of these trips takes guests on a journey to the foothills of the Himalayas, where they will be able to see the impressive peak that was featured in Dr. Jochem’s novel.
Despite the fact that modern day China is quite capable of hosting its own version of sangria, it remains true to its roots as described by the Tibetan tradition. The festival of shangrila continues to bring a large number of visitors to the beautiful town of Lijiang, regardless of the time of year. This is perhaps one of the main reasons that tourists who wish to experience the beauty of Tibet are often encouraged to visit the region during the high season. For centuries, the people of Tibet have been celebrating and strengthening their spiritual traditions by holding special ceremonies and taking part in activities such as this one. When comparing this ancient tradition with the “business-as-usual” methods of contemporary Chinese business, it becomes clear that the spiritual side of Tibetan life has not been forgotten.
sacrilege 2012 