With Shangri-la so close to the border with Tibet, we had expected to eat a fair amount Tibetan food, which we first sampled in Chengdu and were eager to try again. Fortunately, Shangri-la delivered in a big way. Our third night in town, we enjoyed the best meal of our two-week Yunnan trip at Arro Khampa: […]
Asia
Shangri la: A Legendary Town in Yunnan, China
“In these days of wars and rumors of wars – haven’t you ever dreamed of a place where there was peace and security, where living was not a struggle but a lasting delight? Of course you have. So has every man since time began. Always the same dream. Sometimes he calls it Utopia…” In 1933, […]
Snapshot: Animals of Shangri-la
Pet ownership in China once seemed isolated to song birds, but today more and more people have dogs. In fashionable Shanghai and other eastern cities, it’s not uncommon to see a poodle wearing a sequined sweater and booties. But there are many municipal restrictions on canine companions, who aren’t supposed to be on streets during […]
Sumtseling Tibetan Monastery, Shangri-la
Yunnan province, which borders Tibet in southwestern China, is home to a sizable population of ethnic Tibetans. Its city of Shangri-la (known as Zhongdian until authorities decided their fair city was surely the paradise described in the book Lost Horizon) also contains one of the most important Tibetan monasteries. Sumtseling Monastery (also known as Ganden Sumtseling Gompa, Songzanlin Scenic […]
A Sexy Spanish Lunch at el Willy, Shanghai
Last week China celebrated Qingming Festival, giving my husband a precious weekday off work and, just like last year, we took advantage of the opportunity by enjoying a leisurely lunch on the Bund. Our restaurant of choice, el Willy, is owned by Spanish chef Willy Moreno and considered one of the hottest spots in town. […]