Soak Up the Serenity of Shangri-La

Where to? Shangri-La, China

Why you’ll love it: A mystical town in central China, Shangri-La has been fueling wanderlust since it appeared in James Hilton’s 1939 novel, Lost Horizon. Along with snowy mountains, picturesque lakes, steep gorges, majestic landscapes, and endless grassland, you’ll find 1,300 years of history at the Dukezong Ancient Town and spirituality at the Songzanlin Monastery.

The picturesque region is tucked away in the Yunnan Province, near the Pudacuo National Park and the Three Parallel Rivers, a world heritage site. It’s perfect for travelers looking for some outdoorsy adventures, as there’s lots of hiking around the area — and Tiger Leaping Gorge isn’t too far away either.

Fun fact: Shangri-La is located at the crossroads of Tibet, and provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan, making it a great jumping off point for longer trips.

Get there: China Eastern Airlines flies to Shangri-La with a stop in Kunming.

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