Preserving a slice of heaven

The mystique of Shangri-La draws a growing number of travelers, and tourism planners are eager to showcase local culture and tradition as well as the stunning scenery of Yunnan province, Wang Kaihao discovers.

The countryside is as picturesque as the culture is mysterious. For many tourists, "Shangri-La" is a synonym for heaven on Earth.

The word "Shangri-La" first appeared in British author James Hilton's novel in 1933 to describe a utopian countryside on the edge of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The city of Shangri-La in southwestern Yunnan province got its current name in 2001 because it is widely considered to be the place that inspired Hilton.