Many remember British author James Hilton's famous 1933 novel,
Lost Horizon, where he describes the discovery of
Shangri-la.
Shangri-la, in the Zhongdian dialect of the Tibetan language,
means "the world on the other side" or "Eden on earth."
In September 1997, after studies conducted by a team of
anthropologists and ethnologists, Diqing Prefecture was officially
proclaimed the "Shangri-la" of James Hilton fame.
Shangri-la has been described as "a land of purity and mystery,"
guarded by the three roaring rivers of Jinsha (a section of the
upper reaches of Yangtze River), Lancang (Mekong) and Nu (or the
Salween, which flows through Myanmar).
Its vast prairie is said to fully mirror the marvels of nature
during the four seasons, protected and secluded by the impressive
snow-capped ranges that surround it.
Within lies a land of religious mystery and racial harmony, in
perfect accord with nature which dominates this Eden.
With a group of nine other Singaporeans, I flew to Kunming and
then traveled another 700 kilometers up north through Dali and
Lijiang to reach Shangri-la.
After two exquisite nights in Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage
city, we set out to learn about this mysterious land.
The real picture
Shangri-la, "the city of sun and moon in my heart," is indeed a
land of limpid lakes and ponds, snow-capped mountains of the Haba
and Jade Dragon ranges, and tranquil villages, which stand in
contrast to imposing Tibetan monasteries like the Gedung
Songzhanglin Monastery, also known as the "second Potala".
But some would have been disappointed with what we saw on
arriving here: the prairies were yellow because of winter and the
vast Napa Lake was dry.
Over the nine days I was here I attempted a sociological study
of this mysterious land.
I probably found my own Shangri-la in the harmony of man and
Nature and of men amongst themselves in this "far-begotten
land."
I saw the beautiful terraced fields of Zhongdian and its rich
orange laterite soil as sculptured landscapes of an agricultural
Eden, in perfect harmony with nature.
Vegetables and fruits seemed abundant, as yaks, pigs and goats
roamed amidst sturdy Tibetan habitations that dot the countryside;
it was a land of plenty as nature seemed to have provided
adequately.
The vegetables that graced our table each day were fresh and
juicy; the meat seemed rich and good though fish was logically not
the staple.
I also found it fascinating how religion and culture co-exist in
harmony here.
Although Tibetan Buddhism or Lamaism predominates, it appears to
be a land of tolerance and racial harmony, where many minorities
live together, upholding their rich indigenous customs and
traditions.
Lamaism, Big and Small Wheel Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism
dot the religious landscape; catholic churches and Muslim mosques
are also to be found in greater Yunnan.
For generations, more than 10 ethnic minority groups, comprising
Tibetans, Naxi, Lisu, Yi and Bai have co-existed peacefully with
the Hans in Shangri-La, reflecting the supreme harmony between
humans and between humans and the gods, which purportedly live
here.
Of the 55 ethnic minority groups in China, 25 of them live in
Yunnan Province along with the majority Han people.
Philosophically, it is the right balance that reigns in
Shangri-la!
But there are shortcomings. Though market economy and
entrepreneurship have grown impressively with instant digital photo
services available in Napa Lake and the Spruce Plateau above the
White River, poverty eradication and social distribution have a
long way to go in this region.
A further consolidation of religion in Shangri-la will also
"temperate" the current "wealth chase," like in other parts of
China.
An 11-year-old shepherd boy, when asked, said he did not attend
school as he had to look after his flock and take tourists on horse
rides in the dry Napa Lake. Compulsory education will bring greater
social justice and distribution to this land.
Because of recent oil price hikes and distribution inadequacies,
there was an acute shortage of diesel along our tourist route. Tour
guides and locals complained about inflation and rising prices of
imported goods, as globalization brings in outside influences.
The clean and pure environment must also be preserved at all
costs!
As we all go in search of our own Shangri-la, I cherish fond
memories of my trip to Zhongdian.
I may have indeed found "my Eden of balance and harmony," or in
James Hilton's words, the "world on the other side."
But it is by facing challenges squarely that Shangri-la, like
other parts of China, can grow, stabilize and prosper in a
sustainable manner.
(China Daily February 3, 2006)
