To international travelers, the name "Shangri-la" refers to an exotic land of enchantment and magic, a place everyone wants to visit to get away from mundane reality. In Tibetan "Shangri-la" means the sun and moon in the heart. Shangri-la is the Pearl of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Shangri-la is in the northeastern corner of Yunnan Province at the point where Yunnan meets Sichuan Province and Tibet. Lush forested mountains, valleys and grasslands make Shangri-la a feast for the eyes, with great expanses of achingly beautiful scenery and a rich variety of flora and fauna.
The high altitude contributes to the fine weather in Shangri-la, which is pleasant and comfortable year round. Most prefer visiting in the warmer months May through early October because that's when the flowers are most spectacular.
Shangri-la is the home of Meri Snow Mountain, which is the highest peak in Yunnan Province and one of the four great holy mountains of Tibetan Buddhism. It is also known as one of the most beautiful snow mountains in the world, and is known for being rich in many kinds of rare medicinal herbs.
Shangri-la is also the home of Potatso National Park, which was the first national park in mainland China. It's a beautiful land of clear lakes and rivers, dense forests and lush alpine meadows as well as a great abundance of fascinating wildlife.
Shangri-la is an experience that should not be missed during a visit to China.