How to Find Shangri-La
by Michael Buckley
Tourism offices all over the Himalayan region are keen to tap into the Shangri-La mystique, claiming to match the criteria of a remote Tibetan monastery backed by a towering snowcap – with fertile green valley below. Here's a shortlist of five of the contenders:
Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan
A trekker's dream, with rare flora, pristine forest and soaring snowcaps. The nation of Bhutan has no traffic lights, no Starbucks – and plastic bags are banned.
Mustang, Nepal
Tiny kingdom preserves Tibetan Buddhism and culture in a time warp. A weeklong trek puts you in Lo Monthang, a rare Tibetan-style citadel with walls intact.
Shangri-La County, Yunnan
Officially renamed in 2002 in a brazen marketing ploy to attract Chinese tourists from the east coast. The region has sacred peaks and good hiking, but lacking in Tibetan spirituality.
Mount Kailash, Tibet
The most sacred mountain in all of Asia sees a steady stream of pilgrims from Tibet, India and beyond. For now, a very Tibetan aura. Get there before Chinese authorities pave a road around it.
Hunza Valley, Pakistan
Stunning mountain scenery, and welcoming folk famed for their longevity. Hunza's reputation has been marred due to a perceived increase in insurgency in northern Pakistan – which means you lose the crowds here.