In a faraway corner of China’s Yunnan Province, close to the source of the Yangtze, Mekong and Salween rivers lies a mystical place. The small market town of Shangri-La stands in the shadows of the Meili Snow Mountain, guardian of the Nyingma Buddhist sect. Known to its Tibetan residents as Gyalthang or ‘Royal Plains,’ this nomadic region was already on the Chinese radar some two-thousand years ago. By the late Tang and Song periods (618-1279 A.D.) horse caravans laden with tea, and silver were traversing what was to become known as the Horse-Tea Trade Route, or Southern Silk Road. The trail wended its way from the tea growing regions bordering modern day Burma and Laos, north through Lijiang, before reaching Tibet. Gyalthang became a bustling stopover where Eastern Tibetans would converge for horse riding events and festivals.
Despite being a predominantly Tibetan town, Shangri-La’s history as a vital trading hub has transformed it into a melting pot of Lisu, Naxi, Yi, Bai, Hui and Chinese cultures. Recent developments have barely touched the surrounding plateau which has managed to retain much of its charm and beauty. For those not visiting Tibet, Shangri-La continues to present opportunities to experience authentic Tibetan culture scattered among alpine lakes and lush grassland surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Enjoy an opportunity to explore some of the un-spoilt Tibetan villages either on foot or horseback, visiting a local family to witness a pastoral lifestyle little changed for centuries.
