Shangri-La (A Travel Guide To The Himalayan Dream)

Shangri-La is one of the most evocative myths of our time —so powerful that it has entered the dictionary as a synonym for paradise.As myths go, it is a young one: Shangri-La made its debut with the 1933 publication of British author James Hilton’s novel, Lost Horizon. No sooner was Shangri-La created by Hilton than a host of places staked claims to being the real location that inspired the book.This guide to the mythical site of Shangri-La is rooted in the glorious reality of the Himalaya, encompassing parts of southwest China, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim and Ladakh. It forms a concise guide to the most remote areas of the region, with a focus on major mountain peaks, and some well-chosen treks in each area.Practical information and maps will ensure that visitors can make the most of their trip to this other-worldly destination, while armchair readers can browse and dream...• First and only guide on the market blending exploration of the myth with practical advice on visiting the contested sites• Focus on the region’s legendary sacred peaks and monasteries, including acclimatisation hikes, as well as tougher treks• Provides background on oddball adventurers and seekers of lost kingdoms of the Himalaya• Sidebars on esoteric topics like Tracking the Yeti (Bhutan) and Crazy about Hockey (Ladakh)• Illustrated wildlife appendix — a concise field guide to the most unusual animals• Extended color photo sections to illustrate the concept of Shangri-La