[InKunming--Yunnan] James Hilton’s novel “Lost Horizon”, which was published in 1933, features a peaceful valley called Shangri-La tucked somewhere in the mountainous Yunnan countryside. It was soon made into a movie of the same name and won Oscar awards, and became more well-known to the world. 

Shangri-la means “sun and moon in heart” in Tibetan. It is located in the hinterland of Hengduan mountain area in Qinghai-Tibet plateau, and is in northwest of Yunnan province. Han and a dozen ethnic groups are living here, including Naxi, Yi, Bai, etc..

The highest altitude is 5,545 meters while the lowest is 1,503 meters, which results in various terrain and landscape, such as mountains, plateaus, basins and river valleys. There are some famous and marvelous attractions, like Potatso National Park, Old Town of Dukezong, Ganden Sumtseling Monastery and Tiger Leaping Gorge. (pics via 炜宸～)

Click here to view more pictures:

(Editors: Christine, Rachel)